The objectives of Company's Annual Dinner

It is about the time of the year again. Companies are hosting their yearly event to celebrate the successful year that pass and the promising year ahead. As an employee that worked in several companies, I noticed differences in styles and beliefs.

I personally enjoyed this yearly event and eagerly anticipated for the lucky draws. I ever won $400 Takashimaya vouchers, electronics, hampers, etc. All these are history, not every company perceived it in the same manner. It is all about objectives.

What do you think the objectives should be to host such an event?

Some think that it is the time to give thanks to the customers. The company enjoyed a successful year and use this event to show appreciation for the business opportunities.

Some are opportunist and viewed it as a business itself. They send out invitations and rushing to get headcount confirmations. Just as suppliers and business partners confirmed attendance, second wave of sponsorship request are sent out. The event budget will be determined by the sponsorship collection. Of course there must be a profit in it. How can that be? You mean you didn't come across companies that request only cash sponsorship and give some reason such as uniformity?

Many companies (fortunately) uses this event to throw a party for its employees. They believe that it is time to make the employees feel important for been part of the company. It is the time managers praises and organize surprises for their teams. It is time the higher management humble themselves and show recognition for the workforce's efforts. During this event, the director's speech (if done correctly) can uplift the spirit for the coming year.


Neither these objectives are right nor wrong in any ways. It is just the angle a person looks at it. The difference lies in whether you are looking at an employer or employee view point. I personally witnessed companies organizing such an event using its own manpower. Nothing wrong with it. The scale and the objectives of the event had a strong impact on the level of willingness an employee wants to be involve in it.

Imagine the super tight schedules and lack of professionalism in organizing such an event can be frustrating. The employees get stressed out and shouted at and the fear of making mistakes can be enormous. Administrators tasked to design event banners and given and uncooperative supplier due to tight budgets. Staffs work overtime to pack 700 door gifts with 9 items per bag. Dozens of workers got pressed to the max to clear up the place for the event because it is held in the company premise.

Again, nothing is wrong with that. As part of the company, everybody has a part to do. What if the objectives is to give thanks for the customers? What if the objective is to power project the company's fleet of manpower and assets? You worked your ass out for the event which is not the core function of your responsibilities, in another words, you are not hired for this. Your job is to ensure every customer feels like a VIP and you are tasked to a corner of the banquet to serve drinks for the visitors. You did not enjoyed the fruit of your hard work. Neither did you feel like part of the celebration and worst, you start to imagine the nightmare of tomorrow shit to clear. In short, the celebration is not for you.

How willing are you to get involve in the next event?      

I dream that companies hold such event with the objectives in mind and well communicated to all. If the objective is to thank your customers, get a team of members involve and held such event in a proper place with professional services. If the objective is to celebrate your success with your employees, leave out the customers. Let the employee feel important for a day, feel like a VIP and celebrate the event.