The back-to-work seminar is an opportunity to boost team motivation after the summer season. It is an effective tool for communicating the company’s new objectives or for welcoming new colleagues.

This type of event also works as a cohesion tool for the company that uses it properly. Discover the essential elements for making your back-to-work seminar a unifying and memorable event.

Preparing the back-to-work seminar in advance

Returning from holiday is the opportunity to redefine the company’s direction. The context is favourable, since summer leave has let employees rest and return to work ready for new assignments. The organisation of a seminar must be anticipated and meet precise objectives.

Three points must be determined before starting to organise the event:

• The objectives: Brainstorm? Thank? Discover? Get to know each other? Communicate?
• The duration: a day, half a day, an evening or a weekend?
• The date: ideally between 2 weeks and 2 months after the return to work 
• The format of the back-to-work seminar: creativity workshops, round tables, team building, workshop, conference…

When organising a back-to-work seminar, you need to take into account a few specifics linked to the period. For many people, August means holidays. The suppliers you want to call on may also be on leave. It is therefore necessary to follow the organisation of your seminar closely, without hesitating to chase the people concerned regularly.

Tools to improve human relationships

Work on cohesion and understanding between employees is essential during a back-to-work seminar. To work on this aspect as well as possible, it is important to ensure the presence of as many participants as possible. Ideally, hold the event once all employees are back from their summer leave! It is often recommended to choose a date between two weeks and two months after the start of the school year.

The quality of the back-to-work seminar and employee satisfaction with it also depend on good communication on the day. To this end, it is important that presentations are audible and visible to all guests, that signage is suitable, and so on. Screening Room, interactive board or professional acoustics: our spaces have all the necessary equipment.

Every element must be thought through in order to create a sense of belonging and a friendly atmosphere. The type of catering must suit the seminar you wish to put on. Breaks are indeed ideal for creating bonds between participants. You can, for example, opt for one large table to bring all employees together, or opt for a buffet and set up comfortable areas where colleagues can settle in together.

Pleasing your colleagues

The back-to-work seminar is an opportunity to combine work and pleasure by offering your employees a gentle return. Think beyond your objectives by offering your employees a variety of activities: mixology workshop, historical tour, introduction to art, golf lessons… Do not be afraid to enrich your seminar with activities so that your employees can take the time to build bonds with each other.

Small attentions for participants such as goodies or a thank-you email are always appreciated. Do not forget them! If you would like to know the general opinion after your back-to-work seminar, run a satisfaction survey afterwards. It will let you improve your future events.

The Cercle Kadrance teams are at your complete disposal to discuss your back-to-work seminar projects!