The term “team building” has become a buzzword in the recent years, and has many connotations. Most MNC’s today press on team building activities for their employees.

Team-building programs provide realistic experiences that empower individuals to contribute to common goals. The successes of most organisations depend on the ability of individuals to build effective teams. It is indeed a great way to foster stronger relationships within companies. Stronger relationships lead to happier and more focused employees.

Our explication on the benefits of Team Building goes this way…since we believe we are a great team!

Expertise Tactics for Team Building!

• Leadership, communication and teamwork skills are all learned actively during team building events. Active Learning has been proven to lead to higher retention rates, up to 90%. Team building embraces this concept with fully interactive and engaging activities.

• Divergent thinking is essential for creativity. It simply means ‘out of the box’ thinking rather than in a conventional pattern! Divergent thinking and cooperation are skills that are honed at Team Building events and can help to develop a more dynamic and capable workforce.

• Crisis management is crucial to tackle issues right from the grass root level. A team that is able to determine when a problem arises and know what they can do about it, can then effectively take charge when a real crisis occurs. Team building activities that require co workers to work together to solve problems can improve the ability to think rationally and strategically.

• A recent study on work force happiness found that a big concern for workers was the co-operation between teams in the work place. Team Building confronts this issue and encourages employees to co-operate to achieve their goals. Team Building also improves additional areas of concern for workers such as their relationship with work colleagues, mutual understanding and their confidence in the management.

It’s understood, Team Building Is Gainful..…What Next?

So you have decided that team building would be a worthwhile venture, and are wondering what to do with your team …Since you are filled with all that enthusiasm and excitement, here are a few Team Building ideas to get you started.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility, or CSR allows companies and employees to give back to their communities by helping out local charities and causes. It could be voluntary activities which gives everyone involved a feel good factor and allows employees to give their time to something they are passionate about. Alternate ways are to celebrate your local festivals at any nearby orphanage or old age homes to express your love and affection to the underprivileged.

Energizer Events

Energiser Events are short, one hour long events aimed to inject enthusiasm to the gathering by re-energizing your team and reawakening their creative sides. Energiser events are great additions to lecture or conference events to refocus the audience and bring back their concentration and interest. Examples could include anything from Laughter Yoga to group African drumming lessons.

Full Day/Multi Activity Day Team Building Events

Full Day Team Building events are great ways of getting your employees out and active. Unlike the usual monotonous office atmosphere, hosting a team gathering at a specific location such as an adventure centre, multiple mental and physical challenges can be participated in. Some events, like old-school sports days, incorporate a points system to give the day that extra competitive edge. Pick a variety of different activities for your team, then sit back and relax as you and watch them enjoy themselves!

On a final note…

Team Building works best when everyone embraces it. The best way to ensure this happens…make it FUN. No-one wants to sit through an hour lecture on the benefits of team building for business, or a presentation on working together
as a team. Get people interested by incorporating physically and mentally stimulating tasks and challenges. Let the team discover that diversity is their greatest asset and trust, cooperation and effective communication are the key to a team’s success.

Good Day!!

The event industry regularly relies on casual event staff and volunteers but this can often bring challenges. This post looks into maximising commitment and performance from casual event staff and volunteers.

Casual event staff and volunteers are regularly employed in the event industry to give valuable extra support and input as required. They are commonly brought in for specific tasks, short term projects or to supplement the core team on site of an event.

Engage Staff with an Interest in the Industry

 Work experience is vital for anyone who wants to succeed in the events industry and many are desperate for relevant opportunities to develop their CV. It makes sense to employ passionate people who wants a true insight into the world of events, rather than those who require the money and quickly realise that events are not always as glamorous as they seem!

If the work you are offering has some relation to the individual’s future career aspirations you are more likely to receive maximum commitment. You always get the best out of people with a passion for their work.

Offer volunteers and staff assisting on live events a personal letter thanking them and acknowledging the role and tasks undertaken which can then be included in their portfolio. For regular volunteers and casual staff make it clear that you are happy to give a reference. If they make a good impression they could even be considered for any permanent posts that come up within your organisation.

Communicate

One difficulty of working with event staff and volunteers is that you don’t have much time to chat and get to know them during the most pressurised times, such as for the live events. Strive to value every member of your team and take a genuine interest in them as a person when you can. Ideally this would have been possible at the interview stage but also ensure staff are briefed in person before the event start time and informed who to contact if they are unsure of anything at any point. Try to talk to them and find out what motivates them and makes them tick.

Volunteers and casual staff need to feel they are included and part of the team and the bigger picture. Ensure they are introduced to everyone they will have contact with/ work with, including both casual and permanent staff.

Think About Logistics

 Try to choose staff based on practicalities or tailor the role to suit their circumstances. If a member of the staff can’t drive, lives far outside of the city and you need them on site by 5 in the morning it may be virtually impossible for them to get there by public transport. Unless you can pay for their accommodation onsite or facilitate a car-share you should question if they are the right person for that specific role or if you are just inviting problems.

Keep a list of staff mobile numbers in hand or programmed into your mobile so you can make contact quickly as required.

Brief Staff Fully

 It is important to brief staff so they understand their role and what is expected of them. This will also help to take some of the anxiety away for them. It can be quite daunting being part of a large event and not everyone in the events industry is confident and outgoing, particularly if they are just starting out.

Value Their Feedback

 Let staff and volunteers know that you truly value their thoughts and ask for and listen closely to their feedback and suggestions. Your team will often hear opinions or suggestions from guests and attendees which are vital honest feedback that you are not aware of and may inspire ways to do things better and differently in future.

 Recognition and Praise

 Event days are often long and hard. Thank the team and feed back praise from the client, attendees and so forth. Try to ensure staff leave on a high and feel proud of their contribution!

An exotic location, close family and friends, and a dream-like marriage ceremony—destination weddings are wonderfully memorable experiences. Getting married on a beach, at a rustic cottage or a historical villa, or in a garden in full bloom in a land far away from home is what magical destination weddings are made of. Whether or not the choice of the destination has a back story, for a couple, the place they say their “I dos” at can have a deeply emotional effect on their union.

Planning a destination wedding can be quite tricky—there are a hundred things to look into and one can never be completely sure of having everything covered; which is why the first and the most important ‘do’ for a destination wedding is to believe that you cannot control everything, and that you should just focus on enjoying the celebrations.

The Dos

• Start planning early – Destination weddings need at least 18 months of prior preparation. From booking the venue, blocking tickets and informing guests, to booking accommodation, planning a series of events and taking care of the minor details, you will need a lot of time to plan your big day.
• Select the right location – Obviously the most important aspect of a destination wedding is the location. Make sure you visit the location at least once before the wedding to avoid any last minute surprises. As much as you would like to host your wedding at a faraway, exclusive land, remember that your guests have to travel all the way for the event. Make sure there are good flight connections to your destination and sufficient airport transfer available too. You should also look for suitable accommodation for your guests.
• Pay for your guests – It is true that destination weddings can go crazily over-budget. So if you are doing this on restricted funds, it can be a challenge. Ideally, invite only close family and friends; and you should pay for their travel and transfer, and their accommodation. Of course, you might get overloaded with extra costs of services your guests use—these are times when you have to just let go and pay up!
• Hire a professional wedding planner – A trained wedding planner will have all the details covered and ensure that the guests are taken care of.
• Get local gifts for guests – If you want your guests to remember your wedding for years to come, find local gifts for them. It could be native souvenirs, specialty wines, local arts and crafts—anything that brings back memories from the wedding destination and says “thank you

The don’ts

• Calling all and sundry – What makes destination weddings different is the guest list. A destination wedding is an exclusive event. Keep the guest list short—call your closest family members and friends. For the rest, hold a small-scale reception back at home. It helps in cutting costs and keeps the event stress-free.
• Delay in inviting guests – Give your invitees at least 3-6 months notice so that they can fit your event in their schedule and prepare an itinerary.
• Panic – It is natural to feel a little restless because you are on an unfamiliar ground. Things may go wrong in the last minute, but try not to sweat the small stuff. It is your wedding; keep calm and have fun.

From simply organising a gathering or a function, events have now become truly ‘eventful’. Personal celebrations like weddings, birthdays and special surprises, and professional events like conferences, meetings and award ceremonies today are grander, bigger and more organised. In the past decade, professional event management has become serious business. As with most other industries, this sector too is constantly evolving and innovating trends, themes, concepts and more.

At every event, the hosts and organisers want something new, something different and at times, something crazily exciting. There’s a lot happening this year too, but here we pick five trends that can be easily adapted to your events, both personal and professional:

1. Technology and its tricks: New apps and digital platforms are opening up quicker, easier and more exciting options to event planners. On-site registration is gaining in popularity and is almost becoming the norm at many events. Planners are using technology to help guests do faster check-ins to shows and events.
   Social seat selection is in, and guests love it. Event planners can now plan seating arrangements based on your social connection. So, you might end up next to your best buddy or your favourite colleague.
   Try the 3-D hologram experience! It’s the latest trend where light and sound work on a 3-D format creating a visual illusion of the performer, who is actually not present at the site. Curiously exciting, right!
2. Social media presence: There is no ignoring social media and its vast reach. Networking, engaging, communicating and interacting was never this easy. The events page on Facebook can help you get in touch with fellow guests, plan travel and coordinate things, or simply bond with the people you are going to meet. It makes the event a more pleasant experience.
3. One-page website: The trend of opening a website for an event has been around for a while. All details of the event—venue, time, date, dress code, and more—are given on the site. It’s very helpful for guests too as they have a point of reference. Today, the format of websites is seeing a change, a shift to a one-page format. It’s neater, cleaner and classier. Not to mention, easier to access on mobile devices.
4. An eye for the ideal venue: An auditorium, a club, a banquet hall or hotel may be passé. The venue is often the first striking aspect. We have seen beach weddings, but now even corporates are ready to head to fun venues like beaches, hilltop resorts, the jungles and so on. Workshops and team building activities can be more fun and effective in such environs.
5. Say it like a story: Colour themes and dress codes, make a move. The fad now is to tell it like a tale. Events are now being unveiled in the pattern of a story, bringing in a sense of purpose, reason, emotion, and a bit of drama. The hosts enjoy breaking the story, just as much as the guests enjoy being a part of it.

It’s your wedding in a month. The first thing you probably do is log onto Facebook and create an event, inviting your friends for your wedding. You can choose the people you want to invite from your friend list, keep a track of who will be attending and who cannot make it, and ensure that your guests are reminded of the event as the date arrives.

If, on a personal level, a social media website can have such a defining impact on your event, imagine the kind of impact it must make on the event management industry! Undoubtedly, it’s impossible, in fact foolish, to ignore social media in the digital age. For an event, its engagement in social media is a must for making a resounding impact.

SHAPING AN EVENT’S SUCCESS WITH SOCIAL MEDIA

An event draws people for the educational or entertaining content it may offer and the networking opportunities it leads to. Those on social media platforms are looking for interesting content and a chance to interact with more and more people; this makes social media the perfect tool to reach out to your potential attendees. Engaging with an event’s attendees on social media platforms and encouraging conversations ensure that people talk about the event before, during and after it via mediums like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

On social media platforms, it is possible to target individuals based on their interests. This gives the opportunity to reach out to a much larger audience, besides opening avenues for event sharing by the audience themselves. An online forum is a favourable space for participants of an event to collaborate and communicate prior to it. This can be dynamically positive for the event, making way for meaningful dialogue. By gauging the tone and nature of these online discussions before the programme, speakers of the event can be well-prepared with valuable information and suitable answers to queries. Even after the event, organisers of the event can continue to interact with attendees and others interested in the subject via social media platforms, taking in questions and analysing feedback. The interaction will ensure that interest in the event is carried forward for a longer duration.

Creating the event’s social media presence, engaging target audience in discussions using hashtags, blogging about the programme, tweeting, retweeting and replying on Twitter, and basically keeping it conversational via social media platforms are great ways to build a buzz over an event. Sharing pictures and videos during the event, allowing people to ‘check-in’ to the event, running contests, etc. keep the event’s excitement high while it’s on. At the end, the important thing is to remember that the social media activity around an event should not be ignored once the event is over. What works for a brand is maintaining the buzz right through and after.

At an age when social media is central to our lives, our events cannot go untouched by its colossal impact. It becomes imperative then to use it to attract, promote, engage and celebrate events via this multi-dimensional platform and reap its many benefits.

A career in event management can be very demanding. Of course it has its fun elements and adrenaline rush-giving experiences, but with that also come tremendous last-minute pressures and the not-always-happy interactions with a variety of people. An event manager will tell you that his job has its bittersweet moments—the preparation for a mega event, the run up to the d-day, and managing the show can keep one on tenterhooks. But when an event pans out well and the client is smiling ear to ear, you feel on top of the world!

What makes event management a daunting yet exhilarating career? Its many crazy moments—here are 10 moments every event planner has experienced:

10. Guests—Too many or too few

Both can be a problem for an event manager. While too many can be a sign of an event promoted superbly well, it can put extra pressure on resources like space, food, and giveaways, and basically result in chaos. However, when the turnout is dismally low, you know the event barely took off; that means you will have a terribly upset client. Run for cover!

9. When a speaker cancels the night before

Yes, cancellations can cause nightmares. When everything seems to be going fine, and then the speaker (or any other important dignitary) calls in to cancel, all hell breaks loose.

8. Fireworks fail

This can be quite an embarrassment; imagine a gathering of revellers are waiting to bring in the New Year or a group of luminaries unveils a new product at a business convention, and at the exact moment when the firecrackers should come on, they DON’T! Now that’s a fail you don’t want to watch unfolding.

7. Equipment fail

Although it’s a common problem, when it happens, for a few seconds (sometimes minutes) the panic button does go off. The projector does not budge, the slides don’t fall in order, the music doesn’t start in time—these are some of the equipment fails every event manager has experienced.

6. Name tag debacle

When names are misspelled or when someone gets them totally wrong, it’s time to duck! If there’s no time to do any damage control, you are basically left praying that the guest has a good sense of humour.

5. Weather goes wonky

You have taken care of everything—the lovely outdoor décor, the party games, the BBQ grill, et al. The weather man says it’s going to be a lovely, breezy day with just the right spot of sunshine. And then, it rains!

4. Kerala’s favourite forced holiday

Some days are just not meant to be. The perfect event gets ruined when a hartal/bandh is announced. Rampant in Kerala, there is pretty much nothing to do when this one, literally, strikes.

3.The I-know-your-job-better-than-you-do client

When you come across him, you know it’s going to be a long and tough ride. The I-know-your-job-better-than-you-do client has a hundred instructions, not to forget a hundred ideas and loads of criticism. He is never happy, whatever you do and however well you do it. A couple of extra pranayamas come in handy here.

2. Shockers from event associates

Sometimes you have to accept that there are others who are going to be associating with you on the event—caterers, DJs and technicians, décor managers and so on—and things can go awry if they don’t meet your expectations or understand the brief. So when quiches get squished or the DJ blasts a Punjabi number in a retro-theme party or the décor screams ‘cheap’, you know a killer headache is on its way.

1. The overjoyed client

This has to be the best part of event management. A majority of events turn out well (thank heavens for that), but there are occasions when a client is so jubilant, you think you are going to have a heart attack with joy! A super happy client means a doubly happy event manager; and an event manager can never get enough of an over-the-moon client. It makes the job all the more worth it.

Sun-kissed beaches? Check. Tranquil backwaters? Check. Chilly hill stations? Check. Breath-taking waterfalls? Check. Star hotels, resorts and hi-tech convention centres? Check. International airport? Check. Welcome to Kerala as the perfect MICE destination you are looking for!
If there’s one destination that can be termed “all-inclusive”, then that is Kerala. The state’s tourism potential has been known for decades. But now, Kerala is being recognised as an upcoming location for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE).

Advantage of Kerala

For a MICE event, what are the aspects corporate firms look for in a destination?

• Convenient location, with easy accessibility.
• Convention centres/spaces to conduct meetings, conferences, etc.
• A variety of accommodation options like star hotels and resorts.
• Entertainment options such as nightclubs, restaurants, multiplexes, shopping malls, recreational activities like go-karting, kayaking, parasailing, sailing, etc.
• Good local infrastructure.
• Professional opportunities for networking.
• Affordability.

With the government announcing major tax concessions for the tourism industry in the 2014 state budget, Kerala now fits the MICE destination bill perfectly. Considered an expensive destination until now for corporate events like MICE, the latest move of reducing luxury tax to five per cent on hotels during off-season will translate into reduced tariffs at hotels and resorts in Kerala.
Kerala is seamlessly connected to the world, besides having many ideal locations for MICE events. So whether you are looking for spacious conference halls, well-appointed and hi-tech board rooms, technically sound equipment, premium-quality stay and food, and plentiful entertainment opportunities, Kerala has it all! What’s more, Kerala is a great getaway from big city hustle bustle, making it an ideal destination when you want to work, and also want to put your feet up and unwind.

Kerala is multi-dimensional—it can be quiet and relaxing on one hand, and it can be exciting and happening on the other; just what you need when you are participating in a corporate event. So whether you want to brainstorm at a meeting in the morning, get an Ayurvedic massage done in the evening and tuck into sumptuous food at night, Kerala is just the thing.

With the availability of professional event management services, all you need to do is choose a date. Make your MICE event a roaring success—for Kerala is not just another destination—it is THE destination you are looking for.

It’s your little one’s birthday and you want to make it a memorable one. That’s simple, especially when you have the assistance of an event manager, and a great theme to work the party.
Party themes for kids’ birthdays are big right now. Kids love it, particularly when their favourite cartoon characters adorn the walls, sit prettily on birthday cakes and end up in return gift goodie bags. So what are you waiting for? Explore this trend for your child’s birthday this year.

Fun options aplenty

There are many interesting themes you could pick for your child’s birthday. Without a doubt you would know your child’s favourite cartoon character. Most tiny tots love Mickey Mouse or are big fans of Winnie the Pooh. Imagine an adorable Mickey cake with those big ears, and a splash of red, white and black across the venue! Lifelike standees of Winnie the Pooh digging into his pot of ‘hunny’ and hanging out with his friends, Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger in the middle of Hundred Acre Wood would be a lovely sight too.
Kids who love watching animated movies are sure to enjoy a Finding Nemo, Spiderman or The Little Mermaid theme party. So whether it’s a fun treasure hunt in the ‘ocean’ or hopping over hurdles like Spidey, kids will have a gala time. Another theme kids totally love is Madagascar. Who doesn’t adore the mad foursome, Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria? Celebrations in the jungles of Africa will be a birthday remembered for years down the line.
Theme birthday parties organised by a professional event management company like Icecube Events will have all the aspects of the event covered. Be it the invitation cards, décor, menu, games or return gifts, each and every item in the party will have a unique identity that pertains to the theme. The décor, will in fact, also include images of the child along with her favourite cartoon character from the theme!
While a lot of people believe that organising a theme party is a cake walk, it is not so! It needs loads of planning, the right props, décor and accessories, and it needs an efficient person to pull the whole event together. This year, choose from the many themes at Icecube Events and make your child’s birthday an unforgettable one.

Finding the right venue is the first step towards making your event a success. Many a time, people do not spend adequate time or make an extra effort in choosing the right venue—while weeks on end, the menu, the decorations and the guest list are talked about.

Choosing a venue is integral to planning and hosting an event, be it a personal do with friends and family or a conference by a corporate firm. It is best to avoid a do-it-yourself approach towards choosing a venue, as experts will know exactly what the requirements of an event are. So whether it is a wedding reception, a corporate event, a birthday celebration or a trade show, your event’s venue has to have just the right kind of space and facilities.

Step one towards selecting a venue is knowing what you need. The requirements of a conference are different from that of a wedding; which is why you will need to draw up a list of what is needed. While a theme-wedding might need big, airy outdoors, a conference will call for a spacious, organised hall. The layout of the space, the right kind of furniture, audio-visual equipment, and other such specific facilities need to be fixed upon. For instance, if you are hosting a conference, you will need to choose a particular type of seating such as cabaret style, as opposed to a seminar where a theatre style will be preferred for conducting presentations; while for a wedding, a banquet style might be more suitable, especially during dinner.

The next important factor for determining if a venue is suitable is its proximity. The accessibility aspect of a venue is important because you will need to plan on how to get your guests to the location. Is the venue close to the airport or the national highway, is getting to the venue easy and comfortable, and will the guests have to spend too much time in traffic-heavy routes—these are some of the questions you must ask yourself.

Another pointer in your checklist should be the availability of ample parking space at the venue. If it is an event that requires your guests from other towns to stay overnight, you may have to consider the distance between their place of accommodation and the venue. Some of your guests may prefer staying at the venue to avoid travelling; hence, you will need to check if the venue offers such a facility.

Cost is a key factor in zeroing in on a venue. Ideally, get quotations from different venues that meet your requirements so that you can compare prices and choose one that fits your budget. However, do ensure that the venue is available on the date of your event.
The assistance of an expert in planning and managing events is a good option, especially when you want the best deals and a flawlessly managed event. An expert will know exactly how to find the most fitting venue that is within your budget and suits your style.

Not everyone understands the expertise and edge that an event manager adds. Unless you have used the service of an event management company,  you might not understand the value they add to your special day, be it a wedding, a birthday or an annual conference. Event management is a service that acts as a bridge between you and the actual event. We meticulously plan the event, anticipate hiccups ahead of time and manage your budget. Here, we highlight three of the prime reasons why hiring an event management company will benefit and add value to your events.

1. It’s all about price line negotiation

One of the good reasons about hiring an event management company is the longstanding relationship the company has with their suppliers. The quality of the event depends on the quality of products that you are supplied. An event management company takes the risk factor out of this. As a professional events manager, we try out many suppliers and artists in our quest for the best. This ensures that we can always get you the best supplier for any need, at reasonable rates. For instance, an event management company always maintains a close working relationship with a reliable printer. This means any printing requirements of your event can be met easily, no matter the quality, number of copies or dimensions you need.

2. Innovation and inspiration

Event management companies have the most creative minds working for them. With many resourceful talents coming together, clients get fresh, unique concepts for their events. An event manager will design the entire event starting from the guest arrival to menu planning, jaw-dropping settings and the right entertainment to suit your audience. This creative bent of mind also extends to choosing the right location for your events and transforming your dream events into reality.

3. Planning, planning, planning

Meticulous pre-production ensures that the production day is generally the most straightforward part of the event. On D-day, an event manager will have a schedule of how the day will unfold. Every minute is accounted for. The event manager functions as a point of contact for all the suppliers: to direct them in the installation, ensure perfect time management and the best standard of work. The event manager will also liaise with the venue on accessibility and logistics. If an unforeseen problem crops up, an event manager does the necessary troubleshooting, ensuring that the problem does not affect the event. An experienced event organiser can always come up with innovative solutions for every problem. You can focus on welcoming your guests and most importantly, on enjoying the event.

In short, hiring an event management company will take the stress out of your event for you. It won’t be a case of you looking forward to getting it over and done with but a case of you looking forward to enjoying the event itself. Using an event management service ensures that you create a memorable event, without any of the attendant stresses.