It’s a football fan’s dream month and every employer’s worst nightmare. 64 games in 30 days may prove to be a little distracting for even the most dedicated worker. So there are many businesses quite rightly worried about a slump in performance, and potentially attendance, during this feast of football.
However, the best advice is to embrace the month (if England sticks to recent tournament form you will only need to cater for 3 or 4 games anyway). So things are already looking up, or down, depending on your perspective. The reality is that most of the country will be hooked if England do make it to the Knockout stages, so here are some ideas to ensure your office is fully in the spirit from Day 1.
Office Sweepstake
The easiest way to promote football fever is through a sweepstake. There are loads of templates online to help with the time-consuming aspect. The sweepstake can promote friendly competition throughout the office and provide those with little interest an incentive to keep abreast of the scores, (and not be completely bored when the talk of the office is last nights’ riveting 1-1 draw between Sweden and South Korea, for example).
It may also provide some humour, the unfortunate soul who bags 1000-1 outsiders Panama will certainly be under no illusions of their chances. They’ll have the last laugh if Roman Torres scores another last minute winner, we’ve all been warned.
Here at Ambitions loads of us are taking part in an in-house prediction league throughout the tournament. There is a prize for the eventual winner, and the potential of 2 years’ worth of bragging rights, so plenty to play for.
Decorate!
Any excuse for bunting generally goes down quite well. In 2014 some offices around the world went all out for the event. Perhaps people can bake cakes and decorate in a football theme, or dress down Fridays can be based around football. There are plenty of ways to make the office environment befitting of the occasion.
If you can’t beat them…
Join them! If your workplace is full of England fans then the opening game against Tunisia on Monday 18th June at 7pm is perfectly scheduled. You and your colleagues can go and cheer on the Three Lions and hopefully work better afterwards. If you’re an employer it may provide a very affordable and effective team building exercise. If your workplace is backing someone else during the tournament then all the fixtures are available here.