Integration meeting

What should a professionally prepared integration meeting for employees look like? Where and when should it take place? And what formula should we adopt – more or less official? We will dispel your doubts and suggest some proven solutions.

Integration meeting it's always a chance to experience something new and nice in the company of other people. In the case of company meetings, it is also an opportunity to improve team relations and create the ground for good cooperation. And although there is no single recipe for a successful integration meeting, in this article we will tell you how to make your meeting close to perfect.

We will start with a few words about what integration is, and then we will discuss its individual elements. We will also show arguments for and against participating in company integration meetings. We also advise when, where and how organize integration meetingsso that they are attractive and fulfill their team-consolidating purpose.

What is integration?

Generally speaking, integration is a process of combining various elements into a whole. This term is most often used in relation to people and means people joining together to form a social group. It can also apply to entire environments, for example integration people with disabilities, migrants and other groups at risk of social exclusion.

This concept is also often used to refer to various fields and phenomena. It may concern, for example, economic processes, IT systems, management, etc. Integration may be spontaneous or consciously directed in some way - then we can influence individual integration stages.

We are particularly interested in the social dimension of integration. And even more precisely - integration at work.

Atmosphere at work

Research shows that for many people, one of the most important elements for which they stay in a given plant or company is atmosphere at work. The climate of a given place. Relations between employees are very important, especially in a situation where employees could receive similar remuneration elsewhere, or sometimes even slightly more. The key element in deciding whether to stay or leave is how they feel in their surroundings. Let us imagine, for example, a warehouse worker, an assembly worker or a mathematics teacher. Each of these people can perform the same activities in another plant or school. They will probably receive a similar salary for their work.

So what makes them work there and not elsewhere? It turns out that the most important thing is how they feel among other employees. Do they like each other, are they appreciated, do they have something to talk about. Not all of us are aware that, for example, Mrs. Julia has been working with us for 10 years, because she likes to talk about her favorite cat during her coffee break or exchange recipes for delicious tiramisu. And Mr. Marek likes a relaxed atmosphere and the fact that people play harmless pranks on each other.

It is the basic tool for building a good atmosphere and a strong team integration! That is why it is so important for employers to organize meetings or integration trips. This is the best opportunity to relax and get to know each other better. And attractions on employee events constitute an additional value of such meetings. Integration meetings are proven integration support.

A good atmosphere allows us not only to retain employees, but also translates into pace and efficiency at work. If employees can get along, they will perform the tasks entrusted to them more efficiently. They will save time and will not waste energy on clearing up misunderstandings. Good relations between them will translate into the achievement of the company's goals, and thus its profit. Such positive energy will certainly influence the emergence of new ideas and faster development. Satisfied employee he will also be loyal to his company.

Where to organize an integration meeting?

Question, where to organize an integration meeting appears immediately after the decision to organize it is made. The place where it is worth organizing a company meeting depends on many factors - the number of participants, the purpose of the meeting, the availability of the location and the company's preferences and budget. It may be a hotel or a conference center, it may be a coworking space.

In turn, restaurants with banquet halls can be an attractive option for business meetings, especially when it comes to business lunches or dinners. And if the meeting is more informal or is to be combined with outdoor activities or team building, parks or nature reserves may be an interesting choice.

It is also worth remembering that some cultural centers, libraries or museums offer renting their spaces for business meetings. This may be an interesting option for companies looking for a unique setting for their meeting.

Integration event for employees

What exactly is it? integration Party? On the one hand, it's kind of a job. But on the other hand, it means relaxation and rest for the crew. An integration meeting is a break from everyday life and immersion, even for a moment, in a different world. Apparently familiar, because we still move in the circle of colleagues from work, but different, because integration meetings usually take place outside the company's headquarters, in some interesting place. Moreover, and very importantly, they do not mean performing ordinary company tasks, but something completely different.

As part of integration, we can dress up as cowboys and build things with our co-workers Goldberg machine, organize mountain river rafting or practice in making the best pizza in the world.

All those attractions they allow you to establish or strengthen friendly relationships in the employee group. Thanks to them, we can learn about our strengths and weaknesses - both as individuals and as a team. We can integrate. But not only that - more importantly, we can somehow get to know and like each other.

What do you need to know about integration meetings?

Although team-building meetings are a great way to improve communication within the team, they certainly cannot be treated as a cure-all. Even the best fun will not solve serious conflicts within companies - and this must be kept in mind. All the glitches, disagreements and conflicts it is worth solving them on an ongoing basis and not sweeping problems under the rug. The boss, but also the employees, should take care of this.

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An integration event can have an immediate positive impact relations employees and make a real contribution to creating a unique atmosphere in every company. It is worth using this tool consciously and knowing what benefits can come from an integration meeting. The last stage is to plan a meeting that will help achieve the set goals and thus create the team that every company dreams of.

Why organize an integration meeting?

Not everyone notices advantages of integration meetings. Some people wonder whether integration meetings make sense? And do they bring benefits? And if so, to whom exactly? Employers or employees? Who benefits more? The answer to this question is clear. Integration meeting makes sense. And it benefits both parties.

What are the advantages of integration meetings? Advantages for the company - strengthening the employee's loyalty, creating a good team, less fluctuation of staff and a good atmosphere at work. The advantages of integration meetings from the point of view of the crew include establishing friendly relations with colleagues, a chance to show your strengths, and - last but not least - great fun in an interesting place with lots of amazing attractions!

How to organize an integration meeting?

Many managers wonder how to organize an integration meeting? When preparing an integration meeting for employees, we must first of all:

1. Establish a preliminary budget.

Knowing what price range we want to stay in will make it easier for us to plan place and meeting time.

2. Choose which one form it is to take place.

Form of an integration meeting

Let's consider whether it will be, for example, a training trip combined with a gala dinner or we will do it in a different form. Interested people often choose parties thematic, referring, for example, to a selected era (roaring 20s.!), film or hobbies. It is also popular integration hearth and of various kinds tastings.

An interesting alternative may be, for example, workshops offering an introduction to a given field of art. If we can't decide, it can always be just a reliable, classic party or banquet with a good one menu and dances.

3. Select place.

It can be, for example, intimate hotel for integration events, located in an interesting area and with good facilities. Such a facility must have the necessary infrastructure and experienced service. However, in the event of insufficient funds, we can simply limit ourselves to going out together in the immediate vicinity. Spend time together at the cinema, and then go out for a beer together. The latter variant is rather a proposal for a newly employed person who wants to "buy in" to an already existing team. When the organizer is the employer, the expectations are certainly much higher.

4. Select any additional ones attractions.

Depending on the convention adopted, we can provide our guests with additional experiences. Surprise a show of illusion, invite your favorite singer, suggest party games, a fireworks show, barista or professional bartender shows, or live cooking show.

5. Determine menu.

Menu it should match the variant of the integration meeting we have chosen. For example, if it's celebratory banquet, we must provide appropriate dishes and appetizers. On picnic of course, we will offer completely different dishes than during the anniversary gala. 

6. Plan logistical issues.

We have to choose a way to get there, check parking spaces, plan the accommodation of guests. If we want to entrust the organization to an external entity, we must carefully select the contractor, agree the details with him and sign the contract. An experienced event manager will take care of everything and make it possible for us to devote ourselves to strengthening bonds in the team in peace.   

7. Inform and invite the crew as soon as possible.

How to prepare an integration meeting?

Integration meeting of employees should be prepared extremely carefully. Bad experiences in this regard may discourage employees from meetings or team-building trips. Even forever! You cannot afford improvisation or, worse still, mediocrity. It is known that team-building meetings usually mean a moment of respite from everyday company tasks and good fun for the staff, but this is what it looks like from the participants' point of view. 

Organizer of corporate events – he is the one who has to make sure that it actually happens company event was attractive to the crew. Regardless of whether the integration meeting is organized by the HR or PR department, the secretary's office or assistants of the president, or the event manager in a selected hotel or event company, party must be professionally prepared. This is why event manager looks at the team-building meeting as work and a serious task to be performed, not as fun. There are a lot of issues to be resolved, a lot of matters to be sorted out, and subcontractors to be arranged. And also stay within the planned budget. So you can clearly see that preparation of an integration meeting requires professionalism and commitment.  

When to organize integration meetings?

It seems that there is always the right time for a meeting in a good company. However, this is not about meeting your best friends or family. Unless our co-workers are also co-workers, because we run a family business. However, when setting a convenient date for a company event, we should take into account such factors as:

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• dates of state and church holidays;

• so-called long weekends;

• won't our company have to work at higher speeds during this period? For example, if we work in a marketing company and sell a seasonal product, such as ski clothes, then we should not plan additional activities in the winter.

Dates of integration meetings

Integration trip from work should not take place during the high holiday season. And each time, let's announce such a trip well in advance, so that employees can organize, for example, care for children or pets.

However, there may be times when an integration meeting is urgently needed. And they will have to be organized at the last minute. Such a "last minute" meeting may be necessary, for example, on the occasion of hiring new employees, merging departments, a major change in work organization, or a situation when you need to relieve tension. Employees say that sometimes you need to "pop the balloon" or "deflate".

Having a good understanding of what is happening with a given team or crew, we will know when it is simply necessary. Sometimes employees themselves signal that something should be celebrated, for example. Such meetings initiated by employees are needed and are often informal. The employer's concern for a good atmosphere in the company is well received and always appreciated.

A place for an integration meeting?

Integration meetings can be formal and informal. The choice of the form of the meeting is most often on the employer's side, but he often tends to the preferences of his employees. Integration meeting for employees it can take place during a cultural event, business trips and training, and even while volunteering. Companies that decide to organize integration meetings benefit many times over.

Some wonder if integration event not organized in the workplace. Some plants would probably even have the appropriate space necessary for organization dances or barbecue. But is this really a good idea? If party company meetings take place in a place where we meet every day anyway and where there are certain specific working relationships, for example foreman - employee or project manager - contractor, it is not entirely possible to break out of these roles.

Cost of an integration meeting?

Cost of the integration meeting may vary significantly depending on many factors, including the location of the event, the number of participants, the duration of the event, the type of attractions and services selected, as well as additional elements such as catering or transport.

It's a good idea to consult with an event agency or meeting company for accurate pricing and event planning. You can also use the configurator offered by good event agencies parties company to estimate the cost of the planned one integration meeting.

 

And in a successful one integration It's just about getting to know each other from a different side. It is better to get to know and, consequently, understand each other. It will be easier to do this on neutral ground, especially in an interesting environment. It may turn out that the boss and I have similar passions, but we don't talk about them at work.

An idea for an integration meeting

An idea for an integration meeting - sometimes it is not easy to find it. If so far we have rather focused on team building in the field, this time let's organize a dance workshop. Employees recently participated in live cooking shows? Let's take them zorbing this time bubble football or let's offer a sommelier course. Instead of going to the seaside, let's go to the mountains or to a big city. Juggling like this attractions for corporate events, we will always pleasantly surprise employees with something new and fresh.

Of course, it would be best to come up with something innovative, original. However, it seems that everything has already been done in the event industry! However, even if an attraction is not entirely "fresh", it can still be new to our employees. Considering that there are hundreds of ideas for a corporate event, it is impossible for our crew to go through all the scenarios. And besides, you can always choose a new destination. The same activities and events in a different environment will gain a taste of novelty.

Integration online meetings

Integration of the entire crew can also take place in the digital environment. Is it possible to have fun in virtual reality? If online integration will it work? Opinions on this subject are divided. Research shows that motivating employees working remotely is more difficult than those who spend their time working in the office. When it comes to work efficiency, there is also a visible difference to the detriment of remote work. However, it is also worth organizing corporate online events, if there is no other option, for example in the case of very distributed organizations.

The most interesting attractions will probably be impossible to offer to the crew - even a real, non-virtual balloon flight or construction of the Goldberg machine – but it's still worth participating in such company events. This is a way to maintain or create a sense of community in the team.

What to play online? Try online board game platforms that are open to multiple participants. Organize quizzes in which employees can test their knowledge about the company, team or industry topics. Or choose video games that are available online and allow you to play together.

Choosing a place for an integration meeting

How to choose a meeting place? When choosing a place for an integration meeting, it is definitely worth paying attention to such elements as:

• Attractiveness of the place – people will be happy to go there place with good associations, attractive for tourists or simply fashionable.
• Standard – the higher, the better event it will seem more exclusive.
• Availability of accommodation – if the goal is integration, it is best to place everyone in one facility.
• Catering facilities – good food, for example regional and unique dishes or craft beers, will certainly be remembered by the participants.
• Availability of parking spaces or space for a coach.
• The size of the object, individual hall and rooms.
• A place for a bonfire, garden, possibility of organizing additional outdoor attractions e.t.c.

You can also propose an integration meeting in a virtual cafe, with a performance by a professional barista. An interesting option virtual integration there will be an online cooking session where everyone can learn to cook a dish together. At the same time, everyone can share their recipes and culinary ideas.

Take advantage of virtual tours to visit interesting places or museums online together. It is also worth organizing thematic meetings, for example related to a specific topic holiday, season or industry event. Everyone can dress according to the theme, which will further strengthen the atmosphere of integration.

A simple idea for an integration meeting

An idea for an integration meeting - sometimes it is not easy to find it. If so far we have rather focused on team building in the field, this time let's organize dance workshops. Employees recently participated in live cooking shows? This time let's take them zorbing, bubble football or let's offer a sommelier course. Instead of going to the seaside, let's go to the mountains or to a big city. Juggling like this attractions for corporate events, we will always pleasantly surprise employees with something new and fresh.

Of course, it would be best to come up with something innovative, original. However, it seems that everything has already been done in the event industry! However, even if an attraction is not entirely "fresh", it can still be new to our employees. Considering that there are hundreds of ideas for a corporate event, it is impossible for our crew to go through all the scenarios. And besides, you can always choose a new destination. The same activities and events in a different environment will gain a taste of novelty.

Scenario games

Here are just a few hints that can be used to give a unique character to our integration meeting. Let's try create a cohesive working group in an unusual way:

Thematic games

After a period of limited contacts during the pandemic, many people missed having fun in a larger group. Thematic games, based on a scenario or theme, are very popular. There are many ideas for such events and in this respect we are limited only by our own imagination.

• movie-themed party - let's suggest that guests dress up as a selected character from the screen, or let's impose a theme ourselves. It can be a game of cowboys, space heroes, Vikings, etc. In this way, everyone will be able to express themselves.

• fun in the style of a chosen era - a banquet in the style of the 1920s will give us a chance for a certain dose of frivolity ... In turn, we will remember the atmosphere of rebellion and freedom by organizing a pogo party in the style of cult concerts in Jarocin in the 80s.

• detective game – playing catching a criminal or a spy? It's always addictive!

The best team-building meetings?

• team building games – these are games and activities aimed at building good relationships in the group. This is a great idea for developing so-called soft skills, such as the ability to cooperate and share ideas, communication skills and assertiveness. An experienced organizer will certainly know What collaborative exercises? in the team fit your company.

• field games or an outdoor event – for example a mini golf tournament, football tournament, treasure hunting or a trip to the rope park. For those who love more thrills, we can organize paintball, off-road or rafting. In turn, for those looking for relaxation and relaxation, an interesting concert, bowling, billiards or simply going out or taking a walk in the picturesque surroundings will be perfect.

• culinary workshops – they can be a great opportunity to learn some culinary secrets. Depending on your needs and desires, you can also introduce elements of health prevention. For example, to graphically show how much sugar is in a given food product or to interest participants in the food pyramid. In this case, let's not overdo it with teaching and let's enjoy the taste!

Regardless of which idea for an integration meeting choose, we will certainly provide our guests with positive energy. With each variant, we build a good atmosphere and create an opportunity to strengthen bonds.

Why is it worth organizing an integration meeting?

Integration meetings are optional for employees, i.e. not obligatory. If someone doesn't want to participate, they shouldn't be forced to. However, it must be admitted that in really interesting meetings everyone willingly participates.

Team building techniques

Integration meeting we sometimes call it a tool for improving communication in the company. And that's how it really is. A well-coordinated group works better and more effectively, is willing to take on new challenges and gives its all to meet the employer's expectations. Organization of integration meetings in large companies it is handled by the PR or HR department, and in smaller companies it is handled by the direct supervisor. Some companies decide to hire event company or they outsource the organization at the place where the meeting takes place, for example in a hotel.

One of the elements of building a harmonious team are team building techniques. The term itself simply means team building. Within team building There are many treatments, one of the most important is this integration meeting. These techniques work well when creating new teams, changing old structures, or when there is a need to strengthen and improve communication in existing groups. The assumption is that good relationships in the group allow you to work more effectively, and the team will be more creative and motivated.

The Crown of the Karkonosze Manor has extensive experience in organizing integration meetings with elements team building. It offers many proven scenarios of interesting games and activities that teach cooperation and proper communication in a group. By placing employees in a new environment, in an intimate, boutique hotel for team-building events, we achieve the intended results through relaxation and rest. group integration. Everyone will certainly find something inspiring here!

Integration meetings organized by… employees

There is no top-down order that the company organizes it meeting for employees. Therefore, it often happens that the initiative for a meeting comes from people employed in a given company. Such practices are most often observed in companies that do not pay much attention to the atmosphere in the workplace. Then employees, to a certain extent, take matters into their own hands and have to take care of themselves integration meetings. However, doing so does not give a good reputation as an employer. First of all, he should take care of the organization of meetings and integration trips. And treat this type events as an essential element of employer branding. 

Informal integration meeting

Team-building meetings organized by employees are most often very casual - no dress code is required, a party it goes on until dawn. For various reasons, management is most often not invited to such events, and senior employees are often omitted. Should it be like that? Yes and no. Nothing stops people working in one place from going out to a party together.

It would be fine if the employer paid attention to the needs of his team and decided to organize accordingly official integration meeting. A company ignoring a need integration does not look very good in the eyes of employees.

Questions for an integration meeting - how to dress?  

This is a basic question that almost every employee asks themselves when they find out that they are going to have a team-building meeting. What is the answer? Of course, choosing the right one outfit we should depend on the style of the event. However, remember that an integration meeting may spontaneously change its character depending on the mood of the participants... Therefore, it is always worth having the so-called variant B.

Let's also consider how long this meeting will be? After all, it can be a trip combined with training, and later formal dinner or a bonfire. The next day there will be more waiting attractions. In this case, we must prepare at least three variants of the outfit.

Regardless of the outfit, a good attitude and mood are the key to having fun!

Integration meetings - outfit ideas

There is an old saying that a good dress is a dress that fits the occasion. And at the same time, nowadays, when the rules of the dress code are not so strictly observed, we want to express ourselves through clothes. However, it is worth sticking to a few rules, and keep common sense when choosing an outfit for an integration meeting.

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First of all, it is appropriate to dress more formally for training, for example a shirt and a sports jacket. If the organizer decides that a casual style is enough during the training, we will also be able to go out for a walk or visit some attraction in such an outfit.

Secondly, if we know that an official, ceremonial event will take place Dinner or in the program of an integration meeting we see banquet, then you need to prepare for an evening outfit. This situation certainly requires more elegant clothing. A lot also depends on the place - where is our event planned? If it will be, for example, intimate hotel for a business trip, we can afford casual elegance, and sometimes even a bit of fantasy.

Thirdly, if the organizer has planned an outdoor event with elements of sports competition, comfortable sports clothes will be necessary.

Variants, of course, can be multiplied. For example, disguised theme party it requires even more preparation and finding the right costume.

Corporate party outfit must meet one basic condition - we must feel good in it!

Integration events reviews

What opinions do integration events have? It is not easy to answer this question. If we enter the phrase “integration events reviews” into the search engine, we will certainly get a lot of results. Usually employees like it integration meetings, especially those organized outside the company's headquarters. Enthusiasts of outings with work colleagues somewhere out of town to strengthen ties and learn more about themselves and their colleagues are found in every company. Such people then praise trips, writing that they combine business with pleasure, that they had a great time at zorbing or during a detective game. And at the company ball, they danced for all times!   

However, we will certainly also find negative comments issued by disappointed employees. Bad because they had to participate at all integration meeting. And they don't like any integration events. In addition, they are introverts and prefer to avoid the company of co-workers outside the company. Such employees are indeed a tough nut for management to convince integration events.

There is also usually a group of people generally favorably disposed to meetings, trips and integration trainings, who just this time did not like the integration proposed by the employer. Then they post negative reviews online. In their opinion, the hotel was not good, the entertainment was boring and the place was unattractive. Everything was just wrong!

However, there is good news - it is easy to change their opinion about company trips. It is enough to listen to the voice of employees more carefully when preparing the next one integration meeting. Plan with your crew team building games and activities, choose a hotel for integration events more carefully, consult the location of the conference facility. This will shift the views of these employees from reluctant or skeptical to downright enthusiastic. And they will certainly be happy to take part in the next integration meeting.     

Plan of the integration meeting

The problem of a poor integration meeting plan also affects employees. Sometimes, however, it is enough to take the initiative and try to talk about it, present your ideas and together find a golden mean that will satisfy both employees and the employer.

For some integration meetings it's a necessary evil. Such people do not want to spend their free time playing with other team members, and if they do, it is rather out of necessity and reluctance to be the proverbial "outsider". Do we have any advice for that? Just like in the case of a boss who is not eager to organize integration meetings - it is worth changing the approach.

Integration meeting – is it worth taking part in?

Integration meetings they have as many supporters as opponents – both on the side of employers and employees. For the company, it is often a luxury, which additionally generates significant costs. An argument against integration meetings is also often the reluctance of employees to participate in the event. While it is difficult to argue with the first position, which simply requires a change of approach, in the case of the second situation, it may be a good idea to try to change the form of the meeting. Perhaps the attractions discourage participation? Or is the whole event run in a boring, too conventional way? Let's try something new then, let's propose something "fresh". Then the crew will be more enthusiastic about the idea of another integration meeting. Team integration employees is something that needs to be taken into account.

Integration meeting - yes or no?

Integration meeting with employees it's always a good idea. It brings many benefits to the staff and the employer. Employees will feel that someone cares about them, and bosses will see that many small issues and problems are solved within the team, without engaging their precious time. Such issues as, for example, replacements at work, agreeing on minor changes in the schedule or direct assistance in the implementation of tasks good team will deal with each other. In the long term, we will certainly see positive effects of integration meetings.

Integration meeting in the form of an outgoing event

When a company organizes an integration meeting, its goal is to integrate employees through integration games and integration games. Thanks to this, healthy relationships are built, communication in the team improves and, as a result, the team's work efficiency increases. Improving the working atmosphere is what makes the costs of an integration event worth treating as an investment with a high rate of return. Even a one-day meeting is a great opportunity to implement team building.

Participation in an integration event is also relationship building. A good atmosphere in the team and friendly employee relations make an off-site integration meeting one of the most frequently chosen forms. event. It works much better than an integration meeting during working hours. As you can see, the form of the integration meeting is also important in the context of effective team building.

Integration meeting during working hours?

A team-building meeting is a time when employees integrate not only by participating in team building. They can be involved in the preparation of the integration event itself. For this reason, team-building events are better suited for trips outside the workplace. Participants of integration events often assume that it is worth coming to such an integration meeting. They expect that the planned integration activities will be an opportunity to have fun. A form of employee integration is therefore important.

Participants of an integration event who are involved in the preparation of an integration event count not only on... team building. Team integration employees, or in other words employee integration, is a perfect reason to organize a team-building trip or a team-building event. The form of employee integration must take into account their needs and preferences.

Summary

As you can see from the above article, the topic of integration meetings can be considered in many aspects. It's important to remember that integration is of great importance for the good functioning of the team and that the best way to nurture it is through regular integration meetings. They may take the form of training, company events or meetings in other formats. Participating in them can not only bring a lot of satisfaction, but also allows you to get to know your co-workers better and improve your communication with them.

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If you are interested in the topic of company integration and team building, please check out other articles on our website blog or contact our specialist in corporate integration events.