Eventizing HR & People Programs
Lessons from Professional Wrestling
As a professional wrestling enthusiast, I've always been captivated by the spectacle and the business behind the WWE. Since its inception on January 7th, 1953, the WWE has mastered the art of drawing in audiences, evolving through various name changes, and maintaining a robust following for over 70 years. WWE's Monday Night Raw, the longest-running weekly episodic television show, has been a staple for more than 31 years. The organization also produces multiple weekly shows like Smackdown and NXT, alongside monthly pay-per-view or premium-live events. These events are capstones for ongoing storylines, ensuring a continuous, engaging narrative that keeps fans hooked. With over 103 million YouTube subscribers and a massive social media presence, WWE's formula clearly works.
While HR and People teams might generate a different level of buzz than the WWE, we can learn a lot from their approach. Often, our HR programs run as one-off events—they happen, and then they are done. To create a more cohesive and engaging narrative, we need to do a better job of weaving them together and eventizing major moments. This helps employees better understand the ‘why’ behind our programs. Using stories as part of our rollouts will engage our teams and drive higher performance—both employees and the business win.
‘Eventize’ Your HR & People Programs
If we’ve learned anything from professional wrestling, it's that eventizing works. But how do you eventize your HR & People programs? What does it really mean?
‘Eventizing’ involves transforming routine organizational activities into engaging, memorable events that foster excitement, participation, and community.
Adding creative elements, interactive activities, celebratory moments, and opportunities for collaboration and feedback can make these run-the-business HR programs more engaging and meaningful for employees, enhancing motivation, alignment, and overall experience.
To see how this can work, let’s take a common HR program—Performance Management—and illustrate how to eventize it over six months. These specific activities may not all work for your company and your employees, but I hope they spark some creative thinking.
Month 1: EOY Performance Review & Goal Setting
Concept: Merge EOY reviews with goal-setting for the new year to create a unified, motivating experience.
Eventize It: Transform the traditional EOY review into an "EOY Performance Gala." Instead of just having written feedback, consider creating a dynamic experience where employees are recognized for their achievements more publicly and engagingly. This could include a highlight reel of key accomplishments from the past year, awards for top performers, and even peer recognition. To kick off the new year, integrate goal-setting by hosting interactive workshops where teams align their goals with the company’s objectives. This combined event energizes the team and sets a clear direction for the year ahead.
Month 2: Coaching Conversations
Concept: Focus on growth and development through personalized coaching sessions.
Eventize It: Elevate coaching conversations by organizing a "Coaching Day." Beyond just one-on-one sessions, provide managers with training on effective coaching techniques and allow employees to request specific topics they’d like to explore. To make coaching a continuous development tool, set up a digital "Feedback Wall" where employees can share insights and experiences. This wall could be an ongoing resource, accessible anytime, and encourages a culture of continuous learning and open communication.
Month 3: Compensation & Recognition
Concept: Celebrate achievements and align compensation with performance.
Eventize It: Host a "Recognition & Rewards Ceremony," but consider incorporating digital elements to reach all employees. Use an online platform where employees can send shout-outs to their peers in real-time, vote on standout contributions, and engage with the company’s compensation philosophy through interactive Q&A sessions. These online engagements ensure that the connection between performance and rewards is clear and everyone feels recognized, regardless of their location.
Month 4: Mid-Year Reviews & Adjustments
Concept: Reflect on progress and adjust goals and strategies as necessary.
Eventize It: Plan a "Mid-Year Summit," but take it beyond the typical live event. Develop a series of self-paced digital modules that employees can complete leading up to the summit, allowing them to reflect on their progress and think critically about their goals. During the summit, use breakout sessions—either live or virtual—to discuss department-specific challenges and successes. Conclude with a motivational talk that energizes the team for the next half of the year and ties in key learnings from the digital modules.
Month 5: Development Focus
Concept: Invest in ongoing development and identify future leaders.
Eventize It: Organize a "Development Week" instead of a single day. Throughout the week, offer a mix of live workshops, recorded sessions, and interactive online activities. Encourage employees to participate in panel discussions, attend networking events, and participate in peer-to-peer learning groups. Incorporate a peer recognition program where employees can nominate their colleagues for their growth and contributions. This showcases the company’s commitment to employee development and fosters a culture of continuous learning.
Month 6: Celebration & Future Planning
Concept: Celebrate mid-year successes and set the stage for future achievements.
Eventize It: Create a "Mid-Year Reflection & Future Focus" experience. Begin with a digital storytelling campaign where employees share their successes and growth from the first half of the year. Host a hybrid celebration combining in-person and online participation, allowing all employees to feel involved. Include opportunities for employees to set new goals for the remainder of the year, with tools and resources to help them track their progress. This celebration recognizes past achievements and re-energizes the team for what's to come.
Final Thoughts
Eventizing HR and People programs is a powerful way to transform routine activities into engaging, memorable experiences that captivate and motivate employees. By incorporating creative elements, interactive activities, and celebratory moments, you can create a continuous narrative that keeps employees invested and aligned with company goals—much like how WWE captivates its audience.
Implementing an eventized approach requires thoughtful planning and commitment, but the benefits are significant. A well-executed eventized program can boost employee engagement, enhance motivation, and drive overall performance, leading to a more vibrant and aligned workforce.
To begin this transformation, start small by identifying key moments in your HR calendar that can be enhanced through eventizing. Focus on making these moments stand out through innovative presentations, team-building activities, or meaningful recognition. As you see the positive impact, gradually expand this approach to other areas, fostering a culture of continuous engagement and celebration. By taking these steps, you’ll create an environment where employees feel valued, motivated, and inspired to contribute to the organization's success.
