The focus on having a positive and unified corporate culture has seen a growth in internal company conferences, according to team culture expert Dwain Richardson.

Richardson, who is Managing Director of Corporate Challenge Events in Australia and New Zealand, said there was greater understanding today of the value of all people in a company and how they contribute to its success and future direction.

“It is important for business to acknowledge its people, develop its people and involve its people in the future of the company,” said Richardson.

“An internal company conference is a great way to do this and I would say has become an essential team building fixture now in the company calendar.”

Richardson said his simple definition of an internal company conference was a “structured and regular gathering of all or a segment of staff with a focus on team building, training and the future”.

“Company conferences can be particularly beneficial for organisations that have staff located in multiple offices and locations, so everyone can get together to plan for the future.

“They can be just as beneficial for organisations that have staff in the one location, so time can be set aside to plan for the future.”

Corporate Challenge Events recently staged its annual company conference over three days in Melbourne with staff flying in from across Australia and New Zealand.

“It not only provided the opportunity for staff to reconnect and bond, it enabled us to present our direction for the future and include our whole team in a planning process,” said Richardson.

“Over the past 12 months, we have also experienced an increasing demand from our clients to plan and deliver their company conferences.”

With this focus on companies having their own staff conference, Richardson highlighted that it must achieve solid outcomes for the business to maximise its investment in time and money.

“In our planning, we always ensure that an internal company conference has five fundamentals.

“These are clear outcomes, being designed for the audience, the inclusion of people, personal development and fun.

“Firstly, your conference should have a clear and communicated goal – what the delegates know they will walk away having learnt, achieved or experienced.

“Secondly, your conference should be designed for your delegates, so ensure the content enables your staff to learn, understand, engage and experience, which will enable them and your company to develop for the future.

“Thirdly, involve your employees in presentations and provide the opportunity for your people to express their ideas and feedback during the conference, not just in a survey at the end.

Fourthly, this is a timely opportunity to provide relevant corporate training and professional development for groups of employees simultaneously and cost effectively.

“Finally, make sure to balance the serious and intense sessions of a conference with some funteam building activities. Company conferences require concentration and can be quite mentally draining so the inclusion of fun exercises can keep everyone energised, invigorated and present.”

Corporate Challenge Events is an Australian and New Zealand leader in delivering conferences with content.

For more information visit www.corporatechallenge.com.au or www.corpchallenge.co.nz

ENDS

For further information contact:
Corporate Challenge Events
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (03) 9753 2562
P.O. Box 11846, Ellerslie, Auckland 1542