Party like it is 2013

Imagine a large hotel in Surrey, an overnight adventure with 45 colleagues, all with the singular aim: to bond. Budgets have since tightened, nixing such extravagant affairs, but Sara was a maestro of organised fun. Our Harry Potter and Hermione-themed two-day extravaganza was legendary. Every minute detail was meticulously planned, from goodie bags in rooms to lottery scratch cards at dinner. In hindsight, I realise just how spoiled we were- many away days since haven’t quite hit the mark. Having orchestrated away days and parties for my team over the last five years, here are my five key learnings on making these events both magical and meaningful:

1. Forced fun gives boundaries. People thrive within boundaries, even at a party. Clearly outline the structure and details of the event so no one is left wondering what's next. Equally, don’t be afraid to say no; you need to have confidence in your plan, and when to show up. When everything is contained and clear, complaints are few.

2. Don’t ask for opinions. * There are numerous times as a manager when seeking team consensus is crucial- party planning isn’t one of them. Treat it like a dictatorship: make decisions that work within the budget and just go with it.

* Obviously sometimes you can ask what people feel like doing.

3. People are never all happy. Accept that you can't please everyone. At one Christmas party, the feedback suggested more options beyond still and sparkling water- which obviously I took really well. Take it as a positive sign if people get nitpicky; it isn’t like the whole day was something to complain about.

4. Go Ape isn’t a good away day activity. 25 people in the company: 21 started and only 7 finished. Lesson learned.

5. Inclusivity needs to be genuine. Ensure your event is inclusive in every sense. For instance, if your event revolves heavily around alcohol, consider how non-drinkers might feel. It's not just about offering alternatives but about considering whether your event truly reflects a culture of inclusivity. “They can have a Coke” is all well and good, but if it's 4 hours in a pub, are you really being welcoming to everyone?

I’d like to think I’ve hosted some memorable parties at this point, but even if I haven’t, it's been a lot of fun. And at least I’ve never got to the stage of handing out drinks tokens in a conference centre ballroom.