Company Picnic Ideas and Planning Tips
January 11, 2012 | 
Author The company picnic is a beloved tradition at many firms.
It’s an opportunity for employees to mingle and “let down their hair.”
A well organized company picnic with planned activities can help integrate employees with each other. This is particularly important if the company has undergone recent reorganization. As such it functions as a “team bonding” mechanism.
A company picnic can be held for an entire firm of thousands or for a single department of 30.
In my role of party entertainer (and prior to that corporate employee), I have attended countless such events. Here are some observations, tips, and ideas I picked up along the way.
General Considerations
Like any other type of event, you need to decide what you want your picnic to be like and how much you want to spend.
As with any event, it is important to keep the needs and tastes of your attendees paramount.
Allow yourself sufficient time to book your venue if the picnic is offsite. Demand for some venues is at a premium during peak periods. It is not uncommon to make reservations several months or more in advance of a given date.
You’ll need to plan food and beverages, and activities and entertainment and, in some cases, transportation to the picnic site.
Allow enough time so you can give your employees sufficient advance notice to include the picnic into their plans. This is especially important if you’ll be inviting family members or if it is held on a weekend.
Company picnics and company picnic ideas can range from the very simple to a pull-out-all-stops extravaganza. My observation is that people have a good time at both.
Do you want to have a theme? A theme is fun! Plus it makes it easier to organize food and activities.
WHEN do you want to hold you company’s picnic?
Here, in the Philadelphia area, companies hold their picnics beginning in June through early October.
Considerations such as your company’s workflow, availability of a desired venue, etc., will help you determine the date. Employees are less apt to be away on vacation in June or September, but they will really enjoy the chance to kick back in July or August.
There are pros and cons to weekday picnics versus weekend picnics.
Company picnics held during a workday will ensure a greater attendance for employees when they would normally be in the office. And, they don’t cut into precious personal time.
But spouses and children are generally more available for a weekend date.
WHOM do you want to invite?
Staff only? Members of the employee’s immediate family? What about significant others, friends? Decide where to draw the line.
Family picnics are a great way for employees to meet co-workers’ families. It humanizes co-workers by allowing them to relax their at-work personas.
On the other hand, single or divorced employees can feel like the odd wheel at a very family oriented event. That can be overcome by planning activities suitable for people of all ages.
Activities that require participants to form groups can help integrate the attendees. And it keeps your guests occupied.
WHERE do you want to have your company picnic?
While many picnics take place under a tent in the company’s parking lot, offsite venues can make people feel more relaxed. If you’re on a strict budget, one option is a nearby state park. Many have large pavilions ideally suited for such events.
I’ve also been to company picnics given at the home of the firm’s CEO or owner. This kind of setting adds a homey touch to the festivities. In some instances, facilities were set up so that the guests attend to their needs without entering the host’s private home.
An excellent option to consider is a venue that is set up especially for hosting the company picnic. Generally these picnic parks come complete with in-house catering and lots of games and activities for kids both big and small. Some day camps rent out their facilities on weekends when they are otherwise not in use.
Amusement parks and river cruises are other options.
Tip: Have a Plan B in the case of rain.
Some Plan B options include:
o A tent with walls or access to an on-site building
o Event insurance
o A rain date
Keep in mind that if you opt for a rain date, your vendors and entertainers may require additional payment to reserve the second date. That is because they have to turn down other clients during the busy summer season to keep that time open for you.
Food and Beverages
If you choose to have the food catered, you don’t have to worry about preparation or cleanup. Many venues such as picnic parks have in-house catering. And many caterers specialize in handling company picnics.
The best part of picnic fare is that it is simple and satisfying. Hot dogs and hamburgers are extremely popular at picnics. But they are not compulsory and caterers will cater to your every whim.
Keep the menu flexible enough to accommodate those with special needs and preferences. These days you’ll find many meat eaters and vegans, not to mention devotees of Atkins, South Beach, and other diets. Muslims and Jews may not wish to eat pork.
So having at least one non-pork and non-meat option is an excellent idea. If your picnic has a theme, your menu can reflect that.
Decide whether you want to permit alcoholic beverages. If so, make sure there is a way to ensure that anyone who drinks a bit too much makes it home safely.
Have age appropriate activities and games
Some venues such as picnic parks make it a point to supply many activities. Nonetheless, you may want to supplement them. Entertainers such as DJs, caricature artists, Tarot card readers, magicians, face painters, clowns are some popular additions.
Door prizes are a cherished company picnic idea at many firms. Door prizes work both as employee appreciation and an incentive for the employees to linger.
Examples of some prizes I’ve seen include certificate good for a dinner for two at a local restaurant, gift certificate at a local department store, a day off with pay, even a free vacation complete with round trip airline tickets.
These are some company picnic ideas and planning tips to get you started.
But the most important tip is the one I save for last. After you’ve worked so hard to organize and plan your event, be sure to go and enjoy the festivities yourself!
Cheapest Possible Airline Tickets – Where to Get Insider Pricing on Airfares
Getting the cheapest possible airline tickets can be a hard task to accomplish, with many people out there wanting you to pay more than is necessary for airline fares in order for them to make a big profit. Here I am going to show you how to save more money on airline travel, and some tips and strategies you can use in order to get really great deals on airline tickets.
First and foremost in order to get the really great deals you need to be one of the first notified when such deals become available. How do you do this? Really it is pretty simple in many cases because a lot of the major airlines come out with new specials and pricing after midnight, and since many people are asleep by then it makes sense that you can get some really great deals.
In addition to this strategy you can always focus your efforts on taking the flights times that no one else wants. These flights that leave and arrive at weird times are great for people who are looking for the cheapest possible airline tickets. This strategy alone has saved my hundreds of dollars on airfares.
The final and best by far best way to save money on airline travel is to know someone in the business. Knowing someone on the inside in almost any industry is beneficial to you saving money. If you can find someone at one of the airlines that you know then you have an extreme advantage over everyone else in order to get the cheapest possible airline tickets.
Why Hedge Foreign Currency Risk?
International commerce has rapidly increased as the internet has provided a new and more transparent marketplace for individuals and entities alike to conduct international business and trading activities. Significant changes in the international economic and political landscape have led to uncertainty regarding the direction of foreign exchange rates. This uncertainty leads to volatility and the need for an effective vehicle to hedge foreign exchange rate risk and/or interest rate changes while, at the same time, effectively ensuring a future financial position.
Each entity and/or individual that has exposure to foreign exchange rate risk will have specific foreign exchange hedging needs and this website can not possibly cover every existing foreign exchange hedging situation. Therefore, we will cover the more common reasons that a foreign exchange hedge is placed and show you how to properly hedge foreign exchange rate risk.
Foreign Exchange Rate Risk Exposure – Foreign exchange rate risk exposure is common to virtually all who conduct international business and/or trading. Buying and/or selling of goods or services denominated in foreign currencies can immediately expose you to foreign exchange rate risk. If a firm price is quoted ahead of time for a contract using a foreign exchange rate that is deemed appropriate at the time the quote is given, the foreign exchange rate quote may not necessarily be appropriate at the time of the actual agreement or performance of the contract. Placing a foreign exchange hedge can help to manage this foreign exchange rate risk.
Interest Rate Risk Exposure – Interest rate exposure refers to the interest rate differential between the two countries’ currencies in a foreign exchange contract. The interest rate differential is also roughly equal to the “carry” cost paid to hedge a forward or futures contract. As a side note, arbitragers are investors that take advantage when interest rate differentials between the foreign exchange spot rate and either the forward or futures contract are either to high or too low. In simplest terms, an arbitrager may sell when the carry cost he or she can collect is at a premium to the actual carry cost of the contract sold. Conversely, an arbitrager may buy when the carry cost he or she may pay is less than the actual carry cost of the contract bought. Either way, the arbitrager is looking to profit from a small price discrepancy due to interest rate differentials.
Foreign Investment / Stock Exposure – Foreign investing is considered by many investors as a way to either diversify an investment portfolio or seek a larger return on investment(s) in an economy believed to be growing at a faster pace than investment(s) in the respective domestic economy. Investing in foreign stocks automatically exposes the investor to foreign exchange rate risk and speculative risk. For example, an investor buys a particular amount of foreign currency (in exchange for domestic currency) in order to purchase shares of a foreign stock. The investor is now automatically exposed to two separate risks. First, the stock price may go either up or down and the investor is exposed to the speculative stock price risk. Second, the investor is exposed to foreign exchange rate risk because the foreign exchange rate may either appreciate or depreciate from the time the investor first purchased the foreign stock and the time the investor decides to exit the position and repatriates the currency (exchanges the foreign currency back to domestic currency). Therefore, even if a speculative profit is achieved because the foreign stock price rose, the investor could actually net lose money if devaluation of the foreign currency occurred while the investor was holding the foreign stock (and the devaluation amount was greater than the speculative profit). Placing a foreign exchange hedge can help to manage this foreign exchange rate risk.
Hedging Speculative Positions – Foreign currency traders utilize foreign exchange hedging to protect open positions against adverse moves in foreign exchange rates, and placing a foreign exchange hedge can help to manage foreign exchange rate risk. Speculative positions can be hedged via a number of foreign exchange hedging vehicles that can be used either alone or in combination to create entirely new foreign exchange hedging strategies.
Tour Operations Business
Tour operations is a business which comes under easy impact of external forces like airline strikes, law and order situation, currency fluctuations, accidents etc. It being a risky business, tour operators have to take every step carefully.
Business Environment
First of all, the tour package operators have to be mindful of the business environment. They have to take into account wage levels, tax structure, economic fluctuations, prices etc which directly affect their business. A Government in a certain country could follow discouraging policy regarding tourism. It would be unwise for an operator to try to work in that country. Similarly, a hardline regime could suddenly change its stance and start sponsoring tourism. This would affect the business of tour operators in other countries.
An operator needs to incorporate the latest technological changes into his way of working. Technological innovations have direct bearing on product knowledge, destination awareness, reservations and bookings, advertising and selling. Competition level also affects the profits in this business. They take at least a year in developing a package, selling it and actual operations. This is the reason why the costing issues are important.
Forecasting and Seasonality
As the tour operators need time to develop their business, right forecasting becomes imperative. However, many tour operators have displayed little interest in doing formal tourism forecasts. They depend on the estimates of their senior executives. This approach cannot be termed wrong. However, it cannot take place of systematic survey based forecast.
For framing an accurate marketing plan, forecasting becomes necessary. Tour operators assure to bring certain business to service providers on the basis of their estimate. If the forecast goes wrong, both of them could be at the losing end.
Infrastructure
The operators have to take into account infrastructural facilities before developing the tours. A tour package needs basic infrastructural facilities like transport and accommodation. If the needed infrastructure is not available at the destination, the package will not be a success.
Airlines of North America
The airline industry is in a constant state of flux. In 2005, Trans Meridian Airlines quit doing business while EOS Airlines and Maxjet Airways took to the skies. By early 2006, Independence Air quit flying and Virgin America announced that they were seeking U.S. government approval in hopes of taking their first flight. Beyond the U.S. borders, the Mexican airline industry is in the process of being revolutionized as the Mexican government divests itself of interest in two leading carriers. With this particular decision a handful of new carriers are set to take off south of the U.S. border.
To keep track of the all the changes involves a ton of work, but I’ve done the hard work for you. The following list contains all of the current airlines serving the Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Stay tuned…more air carriers are certain to follow while some existing carriers may call it quits!
How many names do you recognize? Some carriers are strictly charter operators while others fly regionally. Still others are very small operators of Cessna aircraft, not what you might consider “airline” aircraft, but in the eyes of the Federal Aviation Administration they are:
o Aeromexico
o Air Canada
o Air Labrador
o Air Transat
o AirTran Airways
o Alaska Airlines
o Allegiant Air
o Aloha Airlines
o American Airlines
o ATA
o Avolar Aerolíneas
o Big Sky Airlines
o Cape Air
o Chautauqua Airlines
o Continental Airlines
o Delta Airlines
o EOS Airlines
o Frontier Airlines
o Gulfstream Int’l Airlines
o Hawaiian Airlines
o JetBlue Airways
o Maxjet Airways
o Mesa Air Group
o Mexicana Airlines
o Miami Air Int’l
o Midwest Airlines
o North American Airlines
o Northwest Airlines
o Pace Airlines
o Pen Air
o Primaris Airlines
o Ryan Int’l Airlines
o Shuttle America
o Simmons Air
o Song
o Southwest Airlines
o Spirit Airlines
o Sun Country Airlines
o Ted
o United Airlines
o USA 3000 Airlines
o USAirways
o WestJet Airlines
o World Airways
To keep the list simple, cargo carriers were omitted. Otherwise, operators such as UPS, Kalitta Air, and Emery would have been included.
Contact the carriers directly to find out what schedules they are keeping and airfare information. Perhaps you’ll find a “bargain” in the crowd and be able to try out an all new carrier.
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Tags: Airlines, America, Basics, Internet, Marketing, Tools | 
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Air India Express
The Air India Express is the India’s first international airline that offers efficient service and good value for money. Their mission is to provide easy connectivity in short routes at most affordable rates and offer maximum customer satisfaction. Their fleet includes the state of the art 24 B737-800 aircraft with a capacity of 180 passengers. Each Air-India Express aircraft features a different tail design in keeping with the Indian culture, history and tradition.
Started in 2004, this is a low cost airline subsidiary of Air India based in Mumbai. The air India express operates mainly to Middle East and South Asia. It is also a part of the National Aviation Company of India Limited. The airline boasts of a quick and efficient service with courteous and polite staff. Their ground services are impeccable. They offer all the essential on-board services needed for a comfortable flight and offer free standardized meals with on-board entertainment facilities.
The India Air Express currently has plans for expansion into Europe and America with the arrival of new aircrafts. They have been making huge profits on most of the routes. Many airlines are following their footsteps such as Air Arabia and Jaseera Airways have entered the India – Persian Gulf market and many others such as Jetlite might enter.
The aircrafts of Indian Airlines are safe and comfortable. If you are looking to book tickets, their site helps you to book tickets online. By entering essential information, you can easily book your tickets online in a jiffy. It is just a click of a mouse away. This saves a lot of trouble and money with agents and middlemen. Without paying extra, you can book tickets on your own without any help. Even though the flight fares are low, there is no compromise in the in-flight services. They provide the best facilities like comfortable seats, tasty meals and good entertainment. The Air India Express also offers attractive discounts and cheap Air fares if you book from their website.
How To Avoid Spending Too Much For Your Airline Tickets
When we prepare for a trip, occasionally we have a few months notice, and occasionally we have a couple days notice, but one thing, above everything else, that really makes flying more tiresome, especially for those short notice travelers, is the price of tickets. There are periods when you could presume to spend more than a couple hundred dollars for a flight that might only cost you $50 at a different time; ticket costs change all the time, and depending on when you travel.
Unbeknownst to most people, the date and time of your departure are only a fractions of what determines the cost of your ticket, and in truth, it is more of a first come, first serve type of system that figures into airline ticket costs. If there is a high number of tickets sold, the cost of the fares on the exact same flight will inflate to match the demand for that time slot, because it all comes down to supply and demand, and the airliners know this, therefore they charge a steeper fee over the weekend than they are likely to on, say a Tuesday or Wednesday.
You will pay much less than if you selected one of the last few seats on the plane if barely a dozen tickets are bought prior to you purchasing your ticket; when you buy airline tickets, it is not so much about how long in advance, but more about how many other people that have already claimed fares on the same flight.
For those who are traveling on a budget, this method makes traveling increasingly difficult, and takes advantage of individuals that do not have the luxury of pre-planning their trip, but there is an alternative way to travel which does not fit into this system, and the majority of people aren’t even aware that it is an option. You get better traveling accommodations with business jet charter, including a nonstop journey to your destination of choice, and a list of other benefits that are leaps and bounds above those of commercial air travel.
Though it might be a bit more costly at first glance, if you’re traveling in a group for a family or business event, then if you opt to charter a jet, you are likely to actually end up saving quite a bit of money on your flight in the process, on top of the added safety and accessibility you will find aboard a charter aircraft, as opposed to commercial airliners. Always look into ticket prices prior to purchasing them, and remember not to write off executive jet travel because it’s outside of your normal traveling method; it can alter the way you fly for the rest of your life.
Owning a Private Jet is Cheap
Owning your own jet may not be as unrealistic as you may have thought. There are now thousands of business executives, athletes, and celebrities flying their own personal jets every day. The idea of having this personal mode of transportation is no longer for just the billionaires and world leaders.
Aircraft companies such as Boeing, Gulfstream, and Cessna have been working hard to cut down on the overall costs of purchasing, operating, and maintaining small jets for years. Within the past five years the breakthroughs in technology and construction have helped drop the cost of these planes very noticeably. A small jet that could carry 4-8 passengers would usually cost between $3 to $4 million dollars about a decade ago, but now it could be yours for roughly $1 million.
Business executives and those who need to be anywhere in a short times notice have been benefiting greatly from these relatively inexpensive jets. There has been a 30% increase in small airline traffic at airports within the past decade, and almost all of those are from these personal executive jet. One million dollars is nothing to go throwing around; however, there has also been an increase in the availability of leasing arrangements for aircraft. Think of it as a time share for a plane. You don’t pay the cost of the plane upfront; you just share in the cost of maintenance and usage when you are on it.
Besides the whole benefit of being able to fly almost anywhere you need to in a moment’s notice, owning your jet and/or flying a jet brings about other advantages. Most airports offer private parking, your own security checkpoint, executive lounges, and sometimes free transportation to the airport. You will also wait in line less and skip the hectic atmosphere of the airport. When you land at your destination, you also won’t have to wait for a gate or wait for your luggage to make its way through the airport to the luggage carousel.
Have you ever had a difficult time finding an airport right next to your final destination? With a private jet you have virtually limitless possibilities for airports to land at. With the smaller airports you also skip any traffic or hustle and bustle in major cities.
Even though these personal jets are much smaller than the planes you may be used to flying, doesn’t mean they lack in any category. These planes have the same if not more capability for flight time. A flight from Los Angeles to Paris is completely possible. The jets are also more spacious and give more room for passengers, along with offering luxuries ranging from a small bedroom quarters, flat screen televisions, and personal wet bar.
If you are a business executive, or just an individual that knows the value of time, then a personal jet may be for you. Remember, even leasing a jet aircraft for a fraction of the price of purchasing one can reap you benefits beyond your belief. Next time you are on a crowded plane and looking down at your small cup of soda and the ridiculously small portion of old pretzels, just remember you could be flying in style in your own relatively affordable jet.
Business Tips That I Gained by Flying Southwest Airlines
Recently I flew on Southwest Airlines. The flight was full and overbooked! As a matter of fact the last several flights I took on Southwest were totally full. It made me think that the economy can’t be that bad, or do they just know what they are doing?
I thought about the seating on the Plane. I happened on an aisle seat, and 2 rows in front of me was the coveted exit seats already occupied. I thought How Lucky of that person to have the exit seat with the extra leg room. I then paused and thought was it luck or did they get the exit seat because of desire and systematic work?
The seating on Southwest Airlines is arranged by several things, but the most prominent way to get a good seat is to go to the Internet 24 hours before your flight and print out your boarding pass. This is a simple thing. The point to the story is this. Those that have the goal of getting the best seat follow instructions, set up their goal, follow through and reap the rewards. It isn’t luck; it is doing what they are supposed to do and doing over and over until they get it right. Additionally doing it timely and well. The person who prints out their boarding pass at the earliest time period receives the bigger reward. In contrast; the person that waits, procrastinates, blames the system, or even begrudges the person with the better seat, gets the balance or the leftovers.
I thought how this is similar to many things in business. There are those that find a system, follow it to the tee and make it successful, while others follow up with a mediocre try or worse. Everyone is granted their rewards by what they put into a system. There are over 3500 Business opportunities and franchises available today. There is something for everyone. The question is, is everyone ready for a Business?
I have noticed that many people think they would like to own their own business, but have not learned the basics to business success. Following a Business Opportunity or Franchise System, to the tee as above, is a good start. My opinion is that the first thing you must do is ask yourself; on a scale of 1-10, where 10 is the most, how much do I want to start my own business.? How important is it for you to find the best seat? If the answer is below 10, then why isn’t it a 10? What would it take to make it a 10?
Going into Business for ones self isn’t for everyone. It isn’t always easy or convenient. Your own business doesn’t mean 6 months of vacation per year, or 2 day work weeks. However it does mean more freedom, more income potential and more joy for the person that is ready willing and able. Take a Chance, but a Calculated chance, by joining a Franchise or Business system and applying Successful principles.
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Cheating Spouses, Hags, Gays and the Truth About the Airline Industry
There is so much gossip and misunderstanding in the airline industry today. If you work for an airline, especially in the crew member, there are stigmas that are still alive today. From the famous line of the 70′s Novel “Coffee Tea or Me” Most flight attendants have been labeled as promiscuous women that were always looking for love. Today’s reality is much different. The airline industry has always been glamorized as an industry that is exciting and full of fun, pleasure and great travel. The truth generally leans towards the exact opposite. The general day in flying for a living usually involves rude passengers and putting up with government controlled environments such as the TSA and air traffic control.
Cheating Spouses
In the airline industry it is fairly easy to cheat on your spouse if you are married. The traveling part makes for a perfect backdrop of finding and meeting other people and “hooking up” while on the road. The fact is usually farther from the truth. Most airline crews, pilots especially, are run pretty ragged by their company’s pursuit of productivity. This means laying over after flying 12 to 15 hours a day and falling down dead tired after a long day. Usually you are in a place that you do not want to be in (Detroit is a good example) late at night and all you want to do is go to sleep. Sure there are few players out there, but they definitely do not represent the majority of the airline crews. The bottom line is, we just want to go home and sleep in our own beds with our own spouses. Are there cheating spouses in the airline business? Sure, but its not any more than your typical nine to five type of company.
Hags and Gays
Hag’s is a common phrase in the airline industry and it applies mostly to the senior female flight attendant ranks. The hag label usually applies to older flight attendants that are more or less battle hardened from years of flying on the road. They really have no interest in getting to know you or moving up in their career, its all about getting their time in for the month and then going home. The Gay label applies to the ever growing popularity of gay flight attendants (men) migrating to the airline industry. Is it a politically correct label? Probably not, but sometimes that’s what you end up with. No one is really sure what the draw is for the gay community, but it can be speculated that the airlines provide a means to be mobile and thus being able to move around and meet others that they are interested in “connecting with” This is starting to permeate into the industry as a “standard” and a stigma that is not a very flattering view for the airlines.
Married Pilots
Married pilots, mostly men, probably have it harder now in the industry than ever. There is an ever growing trend of gay flight attendants trying to “turn” a married pilot into a conquest of love. This is a form of harassment that you never hear about since most men tend to ignore it or just deal with it as part of the job. The truth of the matter is pilots and flight attendants do not really hook up anymore, most flight attendants do not want much to do with pilots. Somewhere in the past a few pilots have made fools of themselves in the game of love and a stigma has emerged labeling all pilots as players. Of course there are always the exceptions to this; as in any company.
So what is a wife of a pilot (or flight attendant) to do to protect their spouses against traveling on the road? Same thing as any spouse that wants to protect their relationship, they have to work at it while their partners are at home and try to strengthen their love for one another.
In summary the media usually has some sort of control over what label or stigmas get attached to industries. I would imagine the age old proverb of “Don’t believe everything you hear” probably applies best.