It’s pretty typical for corporate events to hire caricature artists, magicians, photo booths, or casinos. Many venue managers and sales directors have disclosed that their corporate clients want something new and are always on the lookout for unique experiences to offer. And while axe throwing and ferret racing might sound exciting, upper management would immediately start thinking about the liability of such an activity.
Corporate clients want activities that engage employees with each other in a fun and unusual way. They envision people talking, laughing, connecting, and, above all, having fun. In other words: a bonding experience.
“Do we have to?”
Every now and then, an employee appreciation event can feel like “forced fun.” It’s hard to please everyone, but it helps if the required fun is enjoyable, interesting, and at the least, tasty.
In most companies, the responsibility for hiring event entertainment and other logistics often falls to the Human Resources department. They are always looking for something new and exciting to appeal to their employees, or at least the majority of them.
One San Antonio-based company wanted something extra special for a retreat for their all-male engineer and technician team. The HR department had learned about my fortune-telling services from my website and were even more curious about Lipsology readings (I read lip prints).
In the Beginning
Honestly, I wasn’t sure that Lipsology readings would be the best choice for a male-dominated event. But the HR manager persisted, telling me later that she “just knew” I would be perfect for the group.
She set up a call with her boss, and I described how Lipsology readings can reflect a person’s work on projects, their leadership style, how they interact with others, and how they use their energy. The boss was quickly on board and even more excited after I designed the “kiss card” to reflect their event theme: Define the Future.
We were definitely defining the future with an evening of male bonding through craft beer, bowling, and lip print readings. This meant the men would have to put on lipstick. But would they do it?
I still wasn’t quite convinced that this was going to work, so I only displayed half of the lipsticks I normally use and had my tarot cards standing by just in case Lipsology was a dud with the dudes.
A few ladies in the group were very eager to do the Lipsology readings and immediately lined up at the vanity table to make their prints. Meanwhile, the guys seemed occupied with bowling and drinking their huge steins of craft beer. The ladies were so blown away by their lip prints that they started hustling the men to get a reading.
It Started with a Little Kiss Like This…
Perhaps the beer had set in or bowling had become boring because finally, a few men decided to investigate the Lipsology vanity station.
With a craft beer in one hand and a pink lipstick in the other, my first guest followed the easy directions on how to make lip prints. He approached my table and showed me the three lip prints on his “kiss card.” Joe’s lip print reflected a personality so cool that if he participated, everyone else would follow suit. The top and bottom lips were so wide apart it looked like the print was yawning or yelling. This is the lip print of an instigator of fun! I knew he was someone who could get people to do things they wouldn’t normally do.
And hey, why not? We’re drinking beer and bowling. So what’s a little lipstick? His print was right on the money, and I knew that I would be busy.
No Lip Print Left Behind
Over the next ninety minutes, I did Lipsology readings for all the men. They waited patiently with their lip prints in one hand and a beer mug in the other to hear what messages their prints wanted to share.
I had to laugh because they all either apologized for how their prints looked or asked me if they had done them correctly. Of course, every one of their prints reflected who they were and what they were experiencing. They were truly amazed.
I honestly can’t remember the last time I read for that many gentlemen at one event. Who’d believe it? Every man on the team applied lipstick and kissed a piece of paper! And they were so excited about doing it! No kidding.
Is an event in your future?
Getting the gang together? Do you need a unique activity that will engage as well as entertain? Do you know anyone looking for fresh ideas for a staff meeting, networking mixer, or promotional event?
Roll them my way!