Putting the "build" in Team-building (Interview)

Many companies like the idea of hosting a team building retreat or event for their staff, but often struggle to determine what that event should entail. How do you find something that is creative but not awkward, effective but not cliche, and at the same time will appropriately represent the company's culture and values?

What HR doesn't want to happen:

Enter Team Habitat.

Earlier this month I had the pleasure of meeting Tracey Sorenson, Development Manager for the Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity. They offer a unique and powerful team building opportunity that, quite frankly, not enough businesses know about. Here is our conversation:

Renatta Emerson: Can you briefly explain what Team Habitat is?

Tracey Sorenson: Team Habitat is a program for groups who would like to come out for a day of building together on a Habitat for Humanity house.

RE: Why would a group want to participate in Team Habitat?

TS: According to Fresh Tracks, a UK-based people development company, getting people away from their typical environment and together in new, fun, or unusual settings can have immensely powerful consequences. Colleagues who work together in an unfamiliar environment develop a unique bond of shared experience and trust that carries over to the workplace. Team Habitat has the additional benefit of providing not only this, but also the good feeling that comes from helping others.

RE: That all sounds nice, but when I think of building a house it just seems like a lot of work. Is it actually fun?!

TS: I like to tell people that no one has ever NOT had fun coming out to build with Habitat. I think it’s because house building is such a foreign experience to most people, they think it’s something they can’t do. So when they see all they’ve accomplished after a day of building, it’s tremendously gratifying.

RE: What can groups expect in a day with the Team Habitat experience?

TS: We ask groups to arrive at 8:45 am for a safety briefing and assignment of the day’s tasks, then they work until 3:00 or 3:30 pm. With Team Habitat, a host is on site to take pictures, answer questions, and feed them snacks and lunch – so they get a more personalized experience than our individual volunteers.

RE: Is there any kind of prior experience or training needed?

TS: No experience at all is required! Less than 5% of the people who come out to volunteer with us have any prior construction experience. Our construction managers are used to working with brand-new volunteers and are very patient in teaching them everything they need to know.

RE: What kind of groups would you say is the Team Habitat experience for?

TS: Team Habitat is great for any group who is looking to connect with one another in a fun way while giving back to the community.

RE: That sounds like just about anyone then. 

I'm sure people are curious what kind of effect their efforts create. What would you say is the impact that volunteer groups have on Habitat for Humanity’s projects?

TS: Team Habitat is quantifiable in the sense that groups are donating both their time and making a tax-deductible financial contribution. In Tacoma, the cost to build a Habitat home (not including site development and infrastructure costs) is over $70,000. When a Team Habitat group participates, they are doubling the impact they make by not only volunteering their time, but by helping cover the construction costs on the house on which they work.

RE: So, double the impact, team bonding, plus the feel-goods? That's pretty hard to beat! How can groups get more information and who should they contact?

TS: More information about Team Habitat and testimonials from past participants can be found on our local Team Habitat website. They can also call our office at 253-627-5626 and ask to speak to someone about our Team Habitat program. (It will probably be me!)

RE: That's fantastic, is there anything you would like to add?

TS: Thanks for the opportunity to talk about Team Habitat, Renatta. Having been on site with more than a dozen groups, I can say without a doubt that they find this to be a worthwhile team-building opportunity. With corporate social responsibility becoming an industry standard, we are increasingly approached by groups looking to make a difference in their community. However, a lot of people still don’t know about this. We appreciate forward-thinking businesses like yours who are helping us get the word out.

RE: Thank you, Tracey for taking the time to share about Team Habitat!


Contact the Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity and find out how your company can participate in Team Habitat. Tell them Renatta Emerson Events sent you!

Team Habitat Website 
Facebook Page
Phone: 253.627.5626

UFOs, Flash mobs, Candy & Aliens

What do these things have in common?

They represent the awesome events I had the privilege of working on last weekend!

The first was a wonderful launch party for a brand new children's book at the Children's Museum of Tacoma. More than a book launch and signing, this fun-filled evening had an agenda built specifically with the children in mind. There was story time, games, dancing, and a self serve candy buffet designed by Renatta Emerson Events.

I had so much fun putting this together and am honored to have had the opportunity to be a part. Photos from the event can be found at the Ike & Tash Photography in Motion blog. 

_______________________________

Just two days later - on April Fool's Day - I got to stage a UFO crash in the unsuspecting town of Burien.

Not only did nearly 300 people come out and party with us, they came donning tinfoil hats or in full on costume, they danced, they got hit by flying broccoli, and after all that, some of them went home $500 richer. (That's what happens when you win a costume contest in B-Town.) 

See the complete photo gallery that the Highline Times on the Burien UFO Crash event.

Read the B-Town Blog's post-event report.

Watch what KOMO news had to say about the occurrence here:

 

X Marks the Spot: Event Marketing

Every company has a goal or mission to accomplish, whether it's an immediate need, short-term goal or long-term vision. A well-organized event can be the missing link in your marking plan for reaching those goals. Here's why:

4 Reasons to utilize Event Marketing

Intersection: Events create the only opportunity for potential customers to directly interact with your company. What's more, outside of events your current customers can only encounter your company through your customer service department... and that usually happens under less-than-ideal circumstances.

Events allow you to create those opportunities for customers to connect with your company (not just the product or service). Plus, you are able to craft that experience to be positive, fun, and alive with the message of how you want your company to be perceived.

Just as intersections involve two paths, an effective event will engage attendees in two-way communication. It will encourage participation and feedback with which your company can better meet the needs of your customers - or better yet, start meeting the needs of potential customers.

X Factor: An X factor (no, not the television show) is defined as a hard-to-describe influence or quality, or an important element. Events provide that X-Factor in your business marketing plan. They give your company a personality as far as customers are concerned and enable you to create exciting WOW moments that leave lasting impressions.

Many companies have a mission statement or motto that includes something along the lines of "delighting the customer". But how often have you actually been delighted by a product or service? And what hope is there for a manufacturer of - let's say - dish soap, to inspire delight with their product? The odds are slim to none. Yet it's very easy, when done properly, to delight a crowd of people through an event. Events bring the allure that every business strives for.

Multiplication: In a study by Jack Morton Worldwide* 80% of the consumers surveyed said they are more likely to purchase after attending a company's live event. That could mean immediate profit return from your event marketing.

The same study reveals that 85% of participants of an event would tell others about the experience. This is huge since word-of-mouth is one of the most creditable forms of advertising you can get. So now you've enabled your message to spread further and with greater impact by making use of event marketing. 

Love: The last reason to incorporate events  into your marketing plan is... love. A well-designed event engages all of the senses and creates a memorable experience for the attendees. Through those sensory-laden moments you've formed an emotional connection between the customer and your company, and emotion is an undeniably powerful motivator.

It's this emotional connection that will change your brand-buyer relationship to a deeper relationship - which you can now nurture through frequent communication, excellent customer service, etc. It's that love that will keep those customers coming back to you, referring your brand and singing your praises.

To find out how your business can make use of event marketing, email me at Renatta@rc-creations.com. 

Photo sources: Getty Images.

*"2006 Experiential Marketing Study", Jack Morton Worldwide 

What to celebrate in March

It's almost March and I bet you'll be surprised how many celebrations this month holds (even if some of them are state specific). Behold!

Friday	Mar 1	Read Across America Day	Observance
Friday	Mar 1	St. David's Day	Observance
Saturday	Mar 2	Texas Independence Day	State holiday
Monday	Mar 4	Casimir Pulaski Day	State holiday
Tuesday	Mar 5	Town Meeting Day Vermont	State holiday
Sunday	Mar 10	Daylight Saving Time starts	Daylight Saving Time
Sunday	Mar 17	St. Patrick's Day	Observance
Sunday	Mar 17	Evacuation Day	State holiday
Monday	Mar 18	Evacuation Day observed	State holiday
Wednesday	Mar 20	March equinox	Season
Sunday	Mar 24	Palm Sunday	Christian
Monday	Mar 25	Maryland Day	State holiday
Monday	Mar 25	Seward's Day	State holiday
Tuesday	Mar 26	First day of Passover	Jewish holiday
Tuesday	Mar 26	Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Day	State holiday
Thursday	Mar 28	Maundy Thursday	Christian
Friday	Mar 29	Good Friday	State holiday
Saturday	Mar 30	Holy Saturday	Christian
Sunday	Mar 31	César Chávez Day	State holiday
Sunday	Mar 31	Easter Sunday	Observance, Christian

Source: http://www.timeanddate.com

And now you know!
Once you've decided your party theme, let me work out the planning details.

Party on!

Upcoming Hangout

Photo credit: Google

I'd like to host a hangout on Google+ where I'll be answering your event-related questions and I'm looking for you to chime in with suggestions. For instance, maybe you're curious:

• How do I keep 100 guests from being bored at my event?
• Where can I find a reasonably priced photographer?
• What are some good theme ideas?

What kind questions do YOU have about events? Leave them down in the comments and then tune in for the hangout where I'll answer those questions for you.

More details about the hangout to come...

Creating the Right Atmosphere

Photo credit: GBK

Whether your event is a company party for a staff of 12 or a formal appreciation dinner for hundreds, creating the right atmosphere at your event is key.

What Is Atmosphere?
Atmosphere literally refers to the air in any particular place. That means it exists everywhere, whether you think about it or not. The same is true with events and gatherings. Atmosphere will be there, but you want to have a say in what it feels like and how it contributes to the goals of your event. Characteristics which can be perceived by the senses are what make up the atmosphere at a gathering. However, aside from sights, sounds, smells, tastes and textures, things like emotions and attitudes can also be sensed and therefore also contribute to the "air" of your event.

Why Is it important?
Have you ever walked into a meeting or a room and immediately felt like you needed to leave that room? The atmosphere in that place directly affected your desire to be there. It might have felt tense or too crowded or too dark, or worse yet perhaps the feel was simply inappropriate for the type of event that was going on. Now imagine staying in that environment for a duration of time. Even if good food and entertainment are provided, you might struggle to have a good time or you may be distracted from the message because the atmosphere is wrong. And just think: if you feel that way, how many others do as well?

If you're putting on a meeting or event, you want your guests to feel like they want to be there and that it's easy for them to focus and enjoy themselves.

How do you create the right atmosphere?
I mentioned earlier that atmosphere takes its queue from what the senses perceive, so you want your event space to engage the senses. First and foremost, understand the purpose and goal for the event and find what enhances those things. If you're working on a meeting that takes place over many hours, choose colors and textures that promote both comfort and alertness. For a decadent evening affair, use lighting and fabrics that invoke the feeling of luxury. 

Here are some areas to keep in mind when crafting the right atmosphere for your event:

• decor
• music
• lighting
• smell (via food, plants or candles)
• texture/fabric

A final factor...

The last key factor that contributes to atmosphere is people. And while - in certain circumstances - you might be able to control the guest list, in many cases you cannot control individual attitudes. What you can do is identify key people and make them part of your plan. Find the folks who will naturally lead the crowd. Get them on board with the type of atmosphere you are trying to create. Then let them do their thing.

What are some instances of a bad atmosphere that you've encountered? How did it affect your experience at that event?

Valentine's Planning Special

Was this your Valentine's Day last year?

Are you tired of the same plans year after year?

Or perhaps this is year you need everything to be just perfect.

What do you do when you want to take your Valentine's Day to a new level but just aren't quite sure where to start? 

That's when you let Renatta Emerson Events plan your celebration and make this Valentine's Day one you'll never forget. Whether you're looking for night out, a night in or a weekend getaway you can have the ideas, the agenda and the reservations all taken care of for you. Plan packages start at $35. Visit the Valentine's Special page of the Renatta Emerson Events website to learn more.


Maybe you're not concerned with making the plans, but just need ideas for what plans to make. Then The Ultimate Valentine's Guide is just what you need. It's packed not only with fun and romantic ideas, but also includes songs for the perfect playlist, location suggestions and current deals. Stop by the website to purchase your copy of The Ultimate Valentine's Guide today and let Renatta Emerson Events take this year's Valentine's Day from this:

to this:

Image credit: Getty Images