Save our Office Parties!

Yesterday, the BBC featured a news item, stating that 1 in 5 businesses are cancelling their Christmas parties this year due to the down turn. I have heard of employees of large multi-nationals who have been told their party is cancelled: although they wryly say that senior management is still having THEIR jolly.
Here is the article
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8326009.stm

What a blow; what a demotivator for employees that have worked extra hard during the downturn, to be told their annual party is cancelled. What does this do for morale? Given that there are tax benefits for entertaining staff, is a total ban on parties a necessity?

My friend at the multi-national was mortified that her party had been cancelled. Normally, she and 200 colleagues have a day's jolly costing £40K+. She admits this could easily be scaled down: even to using the in-house caterers and having a small party. It is the principle that she and her colleagues are so angry about. There is a difference between 'Tightening up your belts' and demotivating staff through cancelling everything.

There is an alternative, and employees: managers, and business owners need to embrace this. Evidently there are not the budgets to have lavish parties (more the pity), but there are ways of still having a party by downscaling the event. You won't lose the employees confidence.

I have no wish to talk other suppliers out of work in this economic time, but reassessing a menu, venue and theme could reduce costs significantly. If you were to go to senior management with your case for the party and come up with some cost saving ideas, you could give them ideas. For example: reducing the time at the venue; altering the menu; restricting the number of free drinks; looking round for more cost effective entertainment. These are all cost cutting opportunities. Also, if you were to explain that it is the party you want, and you understand that it will be less grand than last year - but "Please Sir, could we have a party?".

If there worst comes to the worst, organise your own departmental party: either in-house (drinks): everyone bringing a dish and drinks; down the local pub, or at someone's house. But let's NOT lose the office party!

We have plenty of ideas for Christmas party entertainment; many ideas do not cost huge amounts of money http://www.nsn-productions.com/xmas.html

I will also post an article I wrote about entertainment for Christmas parties.

Wedding Fair at Hatfield House, Hertfordshire on 25th October

We are delighted to be exhibiting at the Hatfield House Wedding Fair on Sunday 25th October from 11am - 4pm. From our perspective, we are showcasing some of our excellent musicians and giving ideas to brides as to how to incorporate live music - and transform the event. Among the musicians that will be performing are:

• A string quartet
• Cellist with backing tracks
• Pianist
• Classical Guitarist
• The Romantic Tenor
• Soprano Soloist
• Magician

We will also be playing music of our other musicians and will be available to discuss any ideas, requirements or suggestions with you.

We are always delighted to come up with practical solutions with live music, and work with a range of budgets, venues and ideas.

The wedding fair is in the Old Palace of Hatfield House. Hatfield House is in Hertfordshire; just a mile from the A1M. The location is of significant historical interest; the Old Palace was the hunting lodge of Henry VIII and his daughter Elisabeth was brought up there. She found out she was going to be Queen of England whilst at Hatfield.

Normally, at this time of year, the extensive grounds are closed to the public, but on this day it is possible to walk around the estate which is stunning at the moment due to the Autumn trees. The restaurant will also be open for snacks and lunch.

The Wedding Fair has a wide variety of suppliers exhibiting all sorts of services for brides: from florists to Mother of the Bride outfits. In addition to this, there is an "Escape Zone" for bridegrooms to chillout. There is a TV with coffee and papers in there!

Do come along: we're stand 33 in the Old Palace.

More details http://www.nsn-productions.com

Choose your wedding suppliers with care

In the news there have been two features I have laughed at: then realised the significance. These involve a photographer who shot ghastly, unflattering photos of the wedding, and decorated cakes with spelling mistakes on them. Both could ruin your event. I have put the links below.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1220009/Half-baked-Catastrophic-cake-decorating-disasters-revealed.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8292164.stm

I have mentioned before that attending networking events results in people recalling 'horror' stories of suppliers letting them down at events. These two stories illustrate the importance of booking suppliers that are reliable, trustworthy and deliver the goods.
Of course, our expertise is in entertainment and live music, but our recommendations apply to other suppliers.
We always recommend you meet the suppliers and have ideas of the quality of service they offer. In our case, we offer sound samples; photos and recommendations from other clients. We also encourage the musicians and clients to have a meeting to discuss the music, to ensure there are no misunderstandings.
We also recommend you have a signed contract to ensure there are no misunderstandings.
The advantage of using a company like NSN PRODUCTIONS is that we are trusted and reliable. If there is a snag with a musician being ill - we will solve the problem without you worrying about it.

For more details of our services please contact http://www.nsn-productions.com