Mike Osorio

BrainTrust Query: Companies Party with a Purpose

November 14, 2011

FROM RETAILWIRE:
Recently, one of Dynamic Experiences Group's clients announced to their employees that the traditional holiday party would be replaced by an event that will enable people to give back to their community. What are your recommendations for making company gatherings around the holidays more effective from a team-building standpoint?      [more...]

Adding corporate social responsibility (CSR) to traditional employee engagement activities such as holiday parties can be a real plus -- IF it is congruent with the culture of the company and the values of the employees. As we have learned more about the importance of measuring and successfully impacting employee engagement, holiday parties take on an important meaning in overall engagement activities.

Most companies find that their employees place ever-increasing importance on their employer's CSR activities. When CSR is combined with employee celebrations, companies generally receive a doubled benefit. Just be sure these aren't one-offs, but rather an ongoing "way of being" for the organization. If done well, this can be a key to developing employee engagement and loyalty, which often spills over into customer engagement.