The goal is to carefully select a
theme for your meeting or contest which will help to unify
everyone's focus and efforts.
A well-chosen theme provides an
umbrella concept, under which all related materials and
activities are given heightened enthusiasm and effectiveness.
(See our Theme Ideas Handbook for 600+
Theme Ideas to consider.)
Here are some tips for coming up
with a meaningful, on-target theme, which can create a
rallying cry for your objectives and goals:
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Review your meeting agenda to
decide which theme best relates to your objective
and will help to dramatize it.
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Consider your employees and what
theme will appeal to them.
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Will the theme appeal equally to
men and to women?
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Will new employees and veteran
ones respond the same way to the theme?
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Is there anything seasonal you
can tie in with? Valentines Day? The Winter
Olympics? A NASCAR event? The Academy Awards? A popular TV
series?
-
Are there other themes, slogans
and programs in our company or organization
that our theme can tie in with?
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Keep your theme short so it's
stronger and more memorable.
-
Can we sustain this theme over
time without people getting bored with it?
-
Can we have some fun with this
theme idea?
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Will our people buy into the
theme and its intent?
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Be sensitive and don't allow
sexism, racism or other objectionable aspects to
relate to your theme.
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Once you've selected your theme,
review your agenda and see how your theme
can tie in with it.
-
Build every element around your
theme. For instance: Ask your speakers to use
language and references that relate to the theme.
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If possible, create a logo-look
for your catchy theme. And produce hats, t-shirts,
mugs, pens, screen savers, and other items that bear the
theme.
-
Use the theme/logo on all
promotions and literature
-
Use decorations if possible,
whether simple posters or elaborate backdrops which
can be purchased. Inexpensive decorations can go a long way
-- i.e., balloons,
streamers, posters, banners.
-
Use favors, prizes and giveaways
that fit with your theme.
-
If appropriate, add some
theme-related entertainment to your meeting: e.g., skits,
song parodies, role-playing, background mood music.
-
Serve refreshments that carry
out your theme.
