Corporate Events Blog

Sometimes we are all a little lackluster with our inspiration and motivation when it comes to work.  Sometimes I go to bed knowing I will be lacking inspiration/motivation the next day.  I can visualize what tomorrow will bring and I just want to pull the sheets over my head and dream of a place where I fight evil with my magical powers and everyone lives “happily ever after”.  Unfortunately I don’t have magical powers and I know it won’t be a “happily ever after” kind of day.  Changing the outcome of tomorrow is sometimes hard to think about but you might as well give it a try.  Never think of what the outcome can be, actually live it.

Solutions can be simple.  Frequently we get home from work do frivolous tasks around the house that we don’t want to do, and then we find ourselves sitting in front of the TV staring wide-eyed at some reality TV show.  Being unproductive on the couch is not a problem of course, we all need a little time off but it’s inevitable that the thought “I could be doing something more productive” will eventually run through our mind.

If this is the case before I go to bed I try doing something productive, make one scrapbook page, organize a small storage container, read a book, anything that’s not to strenuous that will make you cringe at the thought.  You go to bed feeling like you accomplished something (other than work) and hopefully you will wake up on the right side of the bed.  For a morning alternative you could work out, fold a load of laundry, cook breakfast, unload the dishwasher or make lunch (instead of buy) it is the simple things that can start your day off on a better note.  Typically we like to over look these little tasks because they have been on our to-do list forever and we just keep putting them off. Start doing one at a time when you have 10 to 15 minutes to spare.

Having an event for your business is a great way to get your employees involved, mingle with loyal clients, and network with potential new clients. But sometimes your typical event needs a little spice and creativity to get everyone involved and make it a more inviting environment.  Creating a theme for an event is the perfect to do this and there are several themes to choose from. Just to name a few:

Carnival Games

Football

Jungle Safari

Hawaiian

Mexican Fiesta

Picnic

Pirate

Renaissance Festival

Superbowl

Game Show

Rodeo

The Courtyard on St. James can offer great menus to fit the theme of your event as well!  We have delicious Spinach Enchiladas that pairs greatly with our Southwestern Chicken for your Mexican Fiesta. Our slow smoke Beef Brisket and Rotisserie Chicken is perfect for a Rodeo event in Texas! Who hasn’t had a Funnel Cake and Corn Dogs at a Carnival; we can make them bite size for you!

How can you motivate your employees to be more productive?

I am a big advocate of motivation, not just in the work place but at home, the gym and ect.  Everyone has experienced a tough day at the office whether it’s the actual work affecting you or maybe something personal.  From an employees perspective, I feel that there are certain things a Manager/Boss could do to correctly motivate there employees. 

Simply saying “Nice job, Bob” just does not cut it.  There are many more effective ways to say “Nice Job” by giving someone ten seconds of your day rather than one second. 

One on one coaching is a great way to show employees that you have the time to teach them something and that you will in fact take the time.  Employees know there is always something to learn from there boss, but won’t always listen until you take the time to teach.

At one of my previous places of employment there was really no such thing as a title.  It was frustrating to have to be creative and not know what to tell me when I was networking.  As an employer you have a duty to give people titles, the pride and excitement in a title is a great way to motivate employees, especially since they can now refer to their title when speaking friends, family, and people they meet.

Timely recognition for a job well done will let an employee understand how valuable they are and this will encourage them to continue to do a job well done.

I hate sounding redundant, but a social gathering is a great way to say “thank you” to all your employees.  Whether it’s a costume contest the week of Halloween, White Elephant during Christmas, or an off-site gathering with hors d’oeuvres and drinks is a great motivation tool and way to build team camaraderie.  Also, giving a surprise half day after a lunch meeting of a Friday is a great surprise for employees and shows your appreciation. Plug...don't forget about the Courtyard!

It’s never enough just to say “Good Job” and keep walking down the hall.  So next time an employee takes a step in the right direction by turning in a project early, taking initiative quicker than others I suggest you put your hand out and give them a good shake and smile.  Remember it’s not always about money, but how your treat people.

It’s the beginning of the year and its time to start planning your annual meetings, luncheons, client pampering happy hours, and dinners. Planning for your guests is key to a successful meeting and below are some important details to consider.

1. Know your guests profile, always ask yourself the professional level of the guests attending, location of your guests residency, how often they have attended other events, and the ethnic background to accommodate all taste.
2. When selecting a menu always considering timing, when you have 30 minutes or less considering boxed lunches or dinner that are very fast to grab and limited the selections.  If you have one hour allotted for dinner consider a buffet with two or three main entrée options.  Seated dinners typically require and hour and a half and is very nice for evening events or daytime meetings when there is a long program to also fit in.  
3. Always anticipate special dietary needs.  If you are sending out RSVP cards, please make a blank listed “special dietary needs”.  People will have the opportunity to reply with any food allergies (nuts), religious requirements (lint), and dietary restrictions (gluten-free).  Guests with special dietary needs will be for encouraged to come knowing they will be paying for a plate they can eat.
4. Consider your room set-up according to the type of gathering you are having. If you are having a luncheon/ meeting and the room can accommodate a U Shape or large rectangle/square this promotes conversation.  If your meeting is solely presentation, Classroom style with four to five people on one side of the table tends to work best. Banquet style seating promotes small group discussion and is good for a dinner mingling and promotes employee interaction.

The Courtyard on St. James has great private space for at little as 10 people to as many as 300 for dinners, meeting, happy hours, or luncheons.  Please see our website for menu options or email Ashley for additional information.

Christmas is right around the corner and I hope you have gotten all your shopping done, or most of it!  I’d like to share some of my Christmas spirit with everyone and give you some interesting facts about Christmas!

1. Christmas trees have been sold in the U.S. since 1850.
2. Each year there are approximately 20,000 “rent-a-Santas” across the United States. “Rent-a-Santas” usually undergo seasonal training on how to maintain a jolly attitude under pressure from the public. They also receive practical advice, such as not accepting money from parents while children are looking and avoiding garlic, onions, or beans for lunch.
3. Christmas wasn’t declared an official holiday in the United States until June 26, 1870.
4. Alabama was the first state in the United States to officially recognize Christmas in 1836.
5. A Yule log is an enormous log that is typically burned during the Twelve Days of Christmas (December 25-January 6). Some scholars suggest that the word yule means “revolution” or “wheel,” which symbolizes the cyclical return of the sun. A burning log or its charred remains is said to offer health, fertility, and luck as well as the ability to ward off evil spirits.
6. The poinsettia is native to Mexico and was cultivated by the Aztecs, who called the plant Cuetlaxochitl (“flower which wilts”). For the Aztecs, the plant’s brilliant red color symbolized purity, and they often used it medicinally to reduce fever. Contrary to popular belief, the poinsettia is not poisonous, but holly berries are.
7. Christmas purchases account for 1/6 of all retail sales in the U.S.
8. during the 17^th century, craftsmen created white sticks of candy in the shape of shepard’s crooks at the suggestion of the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany.  The candy treats were given to children to keep them quiet during ceremonies at the living crèche, or Nativity scene, and the custom of passing out the candy crooks at such ceremonies soon spread through Europe.
9. Norwegian scientists have hypothesized that Rudolph’s red nose is probably the result of a parasitic infection of his respiratory system.
10. All the gifts in the Twelve Days of Christmas would equal 364 gifts.

Merry Christmas!

It is that time of the year, the Do’s and don’ts for Christmas Parties

#1 Do not under any circumstances dance with you boss.  First, that’s just awkward and no doubt people will talk behind your back.  Second…..there is no second just don’t do it.

#2 Three drink maximum.  If you decide to have more, you are on your own buddy and will probably pay for it in the office on Monday.

#3 Karaoke, always optional but there are always rules if you must.  No sappy songs, no hard-core rock, nothing raunchy, lets do something traditional and funny, everyone knows the words to so they can sing along and cover your wrenched voice.

#4 One word, Taxi.

#5 Attire, although I love tacky Christmas sweaters they are only appropriate for tacky Christmas sweater parties.  I saw one lady wear red metallic tights with open toed shoes, that is also a “no, no.”  Ladies if you have to pull it up or down its inappropriate, get a clue.  Gentleman, business attire no casual wear this is not the farm or Monday Night Football.

#6 Lets talk about table manners.  This is not Medieval Times (although I love that place), we don’t eat with our hands and we use napkins.  Ladies it is okay to eat everything on your plate.  Don’t forget to excuse yourself from the table, double check your teeth, bring a refresher/mint if you love onions or garlic like me, and don’t whisper at the table (no one likes a “secretive sally or a “Judgmental Judy”).  If the food sucks, don't be to dramatic about it.

#7 When choosing a date, lets try to pick someone we have known for more than three months.  You have to know that they have manners, can hold a normal/appropriate conversation with your co-workers, and at three months you should know that they can dress well.  Suggestion always pick-up your date so you can evaluate them before they get in your car, you still have the opportunity to drive off.

#8 Gossip, I mean I am totally down with "the gossip" but I would even keep it to a minimum at a Christmas Party.  No one wants to hear who hates who, who broke up, who should get fired, why she shouldn’t be wearing that. Last night at a large company party while riding down the elevator with eight strangers I thought to myself, “what an odd couple, what is she wearing jeans, he was wearing a tuxedo….” my mind kind of drifted but I kept my mouth shout.

#9 Don’t be a stiff and have a good time!

Well it’s that time of year, everyone is out and about spreading Holiday Cheer for all to hear, cooking baked goods, Fa La La La La’ing, shopping till their dropping, sitting on Santa’s lap, snow blowing or ice sickle eating (not here in Houston…that’s for sure).

Speaking of shopping till your dropping….office gifts…….don’t forget about leaving room in the budget for those!

Must you feel so obligated to get something whether it is Candy or an elaborate gift basket for your co-workers? 

Never feel obligated, but if the thought of wanting too crosses your mind then you better do it or you will feel guilty when you don’t and then see that someone else does.

Do you feel like if one person does something you have to as well?

I do occasionally feel guilty when someone in the office gets something for everyone and I have nothing to give in return, always think ahead. If it’s a hard time for you, then a simple card with a personal message is always thoughtful!

Can you be selective or just get something for the co-workers you associate with?

I believe you can just get something small for those who are your close coworkers, especially if you work in a larger office.  If you work in a smaller office and are going to make the effort to do something for Christmas, I believe it is a must to do something for all or do nothing at all.  For example, in my office I have five co-workers that are constantly in the office with me (I have plenty more who work FOH and BOH) and I will get something for each person.  I believe it is more the thought and effort rather than the cost. 

Am I going to crochet them a scarf?  Absolutely not, I don’t have enough time nor do I know how to crochet.  There are several simple things you can do for coworkers that are in expensive and don’t take much time.  For example, fill a mason jar with pancake batter, cookie batter, soup mix, Hot chocolate, homemade salsa, Candy, or even make a snow globe.  All recipes and instructions can be attached on the front and signed on the bottom.  These types of gifts are inexpensive, easy to buy in bulk, and easy to assemble.  Other ideas include decorated memo notes with a small pen (Hobby Lobby, Marshalls Homegoods or Wal-Mart), Nail Polish for the Ladies, Set Golf Teas for the Guys, paperweights to match the personality are easy to find at Homegood stores including World Market/Cost Plus.  If you want to do something personal related to you, pick out your favorite seasoning put a twine bow with a tag around it and put on each person’s desk.  Candy is sometimes a good idea, but please avoid the items that don’t even look appealing to you.  If  you need something extra special for the boss, I am an expert on gift baskets, I LOVE THEM!  If you know what that person is into make it a theme basket.  I am big into Wine and Food and trip to World Market where there sell items individually works great so I can personalize it.

Merry Christmas!

Expressing one’s gratitude of thanks; originated before the year 900. 

A simple expression that has been around for hundreds of years; yet sometimes so few and far between.   I am not naming names, but I can remember the one time I was “thanked” in over in 2.5 years of employment at a previous job.  I remember the feeling of awkwardness and shock I felt after hearing those two simple words.  I was simply doing my ritual chore on a Saturday morning preparing for daily meetings when “peek-a-boo” and “thank you”.  With cross eyed confusion….my reply was “For what?” and of course the reply was “For doing a good job” woohoo it’s about time!!  I am a believer in “thank you’s”!  It’s the little things that we should all take the time do.  You know the saying, “It never hurts to ask” well it also “Never hurts to say Thank You.”

We are in the time of year where everyone is giving thanks, so let’s not forget to thank our bosses, coworkers, employees, back of the house, front of the house, business associates, ect. 

Thank you needs to make a year-around comeback!

Happy Thanksgiving!! Gobble Gobble!

To piggyback on my Blog last Friday…..A couple Dos and Don’ts I like to stick by and believe you should to when networking.

DO post your profile on LinkedIn, Facebook and/or Twitter (whatever you find more appropriate), and join all relevant discussions. For some reason it took me sometime to be convinced to jump on the LinkedIn “Bandwagon”, mainly because I just thought of it as another profile to create and keep track of.  But LinkedIn has especially helped me connect with many people in my industry, it also post jobs daily that are relevant to your profile. 

DON’T forget to bring a lot of business cards.  No one wants to be that guy that says, “Sorry I’m all out” or “I forgot”.  That’s a great way to make a first impression, not!

DO ditch the Clique.  Guilty! I prefer to stick around with my coworkers, it is obviously a more comforting situation.  But let’s be honest, if this is one of your problems try going to an event alone to break out of that shell.

DON’T feel obligated to set up one-on-ones.  Sometimes they are hard to duck out of because you can’t find an appropriate way to turn them down.  But if you don’t see them as being able to help you then it is best not to waste your time and theirs.   

DO make it personal.  Besides knowing everything about what someone does for a living, try to get to know something personal about them as well.  You can always address this in your follow-up email after meeting them. This will let that person know that you don’t just care about what they can do for you.

DO try to attend a variety of events.  Don’t just stick to the “same ole, same ole” or you are going to keep networking with the “same ole, same ole” and really you can’t even consider that networking.  Branch out, even if it is not in your own industry. 

DON’T drink too much at evening events.  Let’s just leave it at that….

I know that some of these might seem like no brainers to people, but read through them thoroughly it is at least a nice reminder. 

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel like my least favorite thing to do is to network.  I would say that 90% of the time I don’t feel like it is because I don’t feel like I am any good at it. Sure I am great socially around friends and their friends, but when it comes to business I feel like awkward Ashley comes out of her shell and sounds like the teacher on Snoopy “Wa Wa Wa Wa.”  In the events/hospitality industry, as in most industries, it is necessary to go to the social events and put yourself out there.  Well I have discovered some amazing hints that helped me not feel like the “Awkward Ashley”.

1. Have a Solid Introduction, I mean we all now first impressions last.  I am horrible with names, but I remember those who make a good first impact.  So dress to impress, collect yourself, and don’t go into a large group of people start with one person or a group of two or three people.  I personally like to catch a small portion of someone’s conversation (yes I “spy” and no I am not ashamed) and jump in with a small comment, then you are automatically included into the conversation and will slowly start to meet people.
2. If you want to make people feel awkward, start off by telling a sob story.  Nothing like a real gusher to get the party going, right?  Whether you are networking for a new job or to make those important connections no one wants to hear that your dog died yesterday or the fact that you haven’t had a job for six months for whatever reason.  You are there to have a good time, talk about something positive.
3. Don’t be a business card “hander outer” because chances are, is that I am going to throw it away.  Take the time to introduce yourself and be interested in what the other person does, as well.  Listening is key to building a relationship.
4. Everyone has had the awkward moment of silence, but avoid being socially inept by being prepared.  Everyone has an interesting work or personal story to “piggy back” onto what the previous conversation was about.  Always have this in your back pocket, but remember keep it short, simple, and to the point. 
5. Follow up and Follow through, like when applying for jobs you always send an email or letter to show interest and to thank you.  Remember that individual might not always be the right person to help you if needed, but they might know someone and be willing to connect you with them.

Always remember the important “to-do’s” eye contact, an arms length of personal space, and a strong handshake.  Networking might not be your favorite thing, but it can always be enjoyable when you know you are going into an event and feel like you can dominate the room.