6 Internal Interactive Event Ideas to Keep Your Employees Engaged
Did you know that employees who are actively engaged are less likely to be actively looking or open to a new job opportunity? According to a Gallup study, low engagement teams typically endure turnover rates that are 18% to 43% higher than highly engaged teams. Let’s see how can we keep employees engaged and why you should consider hosting internal events.
To make sure that your employees are engaged, motivated and feel valued, leading to a better retention rate and a more positive work culture, why not consider implementing some cool internal event ideas?
In this post we’ll guide you through a list of the best internal event ideas that will keep your employees engaged, happier and productive, and create a better workplace environment.
What is an Internal Event?
We can think of internal events as activities or gatherings organised for an organisation’s employees. These events have as their main goal to foster employee engagement, strengthen team relationships, and promote a positive workplace culture and they can vary in scale and format, going from small meetings to large company-wide celebrations. These events can be conducted in person, online, or in a hybrid format, depending on the goals and resources of the organization and their employees’ preferences.
Why is it important to Host Internal Events?
As said before, internal events are essential for any organization, since they contribute to creating a workforce that is happy, engaged, and productive. These events play a crucial role in:
Create Connections
Internal Events, like team breakfasts or networking sessions, bridge the gap between employees among different teams or between different levels of management, encouraging open communication and collaboration. For new joiners, these gatherings are a chance to meet other colleagues and obtain insights into the culture and operations of the organisation.
More Talent Retention
When internal events are well conducted and perceived, they play a key role in talent retention. These events make staff less inclined to seek opportunities elsewhere, making the workforce more stable and committed since they foster a sense of satisfaction, motivation and belonging.
Promove Organizational Culture
Why not celebrate and reinforce company values through internal events? This is a great way to strengthen workplace culture. These events will create a shared sense of purpose and contribute positvely to the work environment.
Recognising Achievements
With internal events we have the ideal platform to celebrate new milestones, recognise achievements and appreciate new contributions made by team members, boosting job satisfaction.
Internal Event Ideas
Host An Awards or Talent Show
Who doesn’t love a bit of recognition and some fun participation? A talent show is a great way to let employees show off their hidden skills—whether it’s singing, dancing, or some other quirky talent. You could also mix things up with an award show! Let junior employees give out funny and creative awards to senior staff, or go the formal route with something like an “Employee of the Month” award.
These kinds of events are perfect for bringing energy and excitement to the workplace. Plus, they’re a great way to show appreciation and celebrate your team!
Create a Mindfulness Session
Help your team unwind and refocus with a guided mindfulness or meditation session. It’s a great way to reduce stress, boost mental clarity, and recharge everyone’s energy. Whether it’s a 15-minute break during a busy workday or a dedicated session with a mindfulness coach, your employees will appreciate the chance to breathe and reset. Take it to another level by doing regular online sessions, allowing everyone to join!
Breakfast with the Boss
Start the day with some coffee, bagels, and good conversation! A casual breakfast with the leadership team gives employees the chance to share ideas, ask questions, or just connect with the “big boss” in a relaxed setting. Hosting a hybrid version through SCOOCS can make sure remote employees are included too—they can join the conversation while enjoying breakfast from their own homes!
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiatives
Team up to give back! Organize a volunteering day, like planting trees, running a food drive, or cleaning up a local park. CSR initiatives not only make a difference in the community but also help employees feel proud to be part of a company that cares. You can read more on different CSR initiatives, here.
Treasure Hunt
Turn your office (or a virtual space) into a playground with a fun treasure hunt! Hide clues and surprises around the office or within virtual sessions. With SCOOCS, you can host it virtually, making it easier for hybrid and remote teams to join in on the fun. This is a fantastic team-building activity that will guarantee lots of collaboration and laughter.
Karaoke Contest
Time to choose a song and start singing! A Karaoke Contest can be a great way for employees to show their singing skills (or maybe not!) while doing a fun and dynamic team activity. You can use a platform like SCOOCS to livestream these live performances and let people vote for their favourite acts.
Set Up and Organizing the Best Internal Events
Thinking of different internal event initiatives but unsure where to start? The key is to understand what are your employees’ preferences. Start by conducting a quick poll or questionnaire to understand what type of events they’d enjoy most.
If after this, you’re still a little bit unsure think about the steps you normally follow while event planning:
- Identify Goals: Determine what you want to achieve with this internal event: team bonding time, organizational recognition, or skill-building?
- Collect Input: Conduct surveys to envolve employees in the planning process and ensure that the event will resonate with them.
- Define a Budget: Think about the costs and allocation of resources to this internal event.
- Choose the Right Platform: Think of all the features you will need (livestreaming, Q&A capabilities, different online sessions) and choose a platform that can help you with that-like SCOOCS, for example!
And don’t forget, planning an internal event doesn’t have to be stressful. By using event technology like SOOCS, you can stay organised, simplify event creation and execution, and ensure that your internal events are interactive and engaging among your colleagues.