End-of-year office functions are a touch-and-go exercise. Everyone can get either along famously while exchanging jokes and meeting children of co-workers. Or you spend the day at a braai, awkwardly patting your boss's dog in a corner and commenting on its silky ears.
End-of-year office functions are a touch-and-go exercise. Everyone can get either along famously while exchanging jokes and meeting children of co-workers. Or you spend the day at a braai, awkwardly patting your boss's dog in a corner and commenting on its silky ears.
Thinking out-of-the box on such occasions can guarantee an end-of-year function worthy of your company's name, even if your employees don't have a water cooler to gather around.
Some activities are available to you at a small fee, such as paintball. Nothing brings your staff together like being able to shoot each other in the face. The more agile of the team can run around and climb trees or whatever, where the more office-chair-orientated can happily find sniper position and take out the middle management with some well-placed splatters. The local Gung-ho Paintball offices are found at 6 Cuyler Street.
Nothing says 'team bonding' more than sightseeing the beautiful forest canopy along the Fish River Valley, while hurtling along a 240m zipline. Fraser's Camp Adventures are your people for this alternative form of retreat and they also operate in all weather.
The experience offers an alternative view of our beautiful bush, as well as some daredevil fun thrown into the mix. They are about an half hour's drive out of town and can be contacted at 046 622 4657.
For some, splurging on a bash isn't really an option. Luckily we don't live in England or Australia and have the luxury of being able to make a fire just about anywhere. Grey Dam, Settlers' Dam, Howieson's Poort Dam: in a nutshell, have dam, will braai. Simply being outdoors and away from the UV lights of your office can make everyone instantly happier. Tell the group to bring their own chop and dop and you're settled for a day of blissful schmoozing. Weather permitting.
Continuing on that theme, why not take your staff members, with their now full lungs of un-airconditioned oxygen and force them into some pleasant manual – or should that be pedal – labour, like a hike. Meandering from Grey Dam uphill to the Toposcope is a lovely walk which will clear the air of any office politics. It will also give an outlet for the pent-up energy the kids have been harbouring.
Whether your end-of-year function is held around a beautifully laid table or on a picnic blanket, it'll finally give you some down time with the people you see the most of in your life. So enjoy the chit-chat, have a second cup of punch and never miss the opportunity to get some dirt on your boss from their slightly tipsy spouse.
