… They always told me I had one!!!
Posts tagged small business
Event Planning 101 – Be Professional!
12 years
Professional Event Managers
When you are planning your next event, there are always going to be a million things you will have to do. The list is endless and you have to determine from the start exactly how much you are going to do yourself and how much you can delegate to others. You also have to decide, very carefully, WHO you are delegating to.
Everyone is so well-intentioned when they hear you are planning a party. All your friends start to tell you what they have done in the past and what you should do because “they have learned form their experience”. Some family members will offer to help too and you figure that you now have all your bases covered.
Well, maybe you do.
And then again, maybe you don’t.
That is where you have to debate an issue – go with friends and family that have all good things in mind but may not have the time or the wear-with-all to get the task done or go to a party planner / event manager. That brings us to the crux of this article.
Usually, someone has a “friend of a friend whose cousin’s niece is into that party planning stuff”. Here is the question you need to ask – is that person a professional or just really passionate about making a social event the event of the year?
There are reasons to use a professional party planner or event manager for your upcoming event. Here’s a list of things to keep in mind when you meet with a planner/manager for the first time:
1. Come straight out with it – “Is this your profession? Or are you just doing this on the side?
Let’s face it – you barely have enough time to plan everything; if this “professional” is merely doing this in their spare time, exactly how much attention do you think they can give your event? Don’t expect any to be at your beck and call; you’ll be disappointed when any professional in any field cannot do that for you. But have a normal expectation of their availability. Phone calls should be returned by the end of a business day, e-mails should be professional and responded to expediently.
2. How long have you been planning events? How many events do you have going on simultaneously?
As with any service, longevity can give you a good sign of how the planner/manager approaches things. Many years in the business can mean a wealth of experience and a plethora of ideas, along with contracted vendors who have good working relationships with the planner. Newer managers and planners may have a great many fresh and creative ideas. Some judging of the “book” and “its cover” may be necessary – if the person is scattered and unorganized, be careful. Event management takes a person who is detail oriented and meticulous – something you should be able to see upon your first meeting. Those planners flying solo can only handle so many events at once – a company with full staffing can handle more.
3. Will you be at my event to manage it?
Some will charge for this service, some will say its included. You’re paying for it either way. If the manager will be there, it will only add to you having a pleasant experience on the day of your event.
4. What type of insurance does your company have?
Many different ones, hopefully. Liability being the most important of the insurances. Most venues will only work with fully insured vendors. So your main management company has to carry their own liability insurance and insurance for each one of their subcontractors. Be sure to ask the venue you are booking what their requirements are well in advance of your event. Many people wait far too long and trying to get updated insurance certificates and higher policy limits become extremely difficult if not impossible on the weekends when most events take place.
5. Why should I use your company?
It sounds silly but being straightforward will be the best thing you can do to insure a good working relationship with your planner. Ask the person you are considering to handle your event from beginning to end why they think you should go with their company. If they can’t give you a good enough answer, reconsider.
6. Will we be “going to contract”?
Promises, promises, promises mean nothing if your planner or any of their subcontracted companies don’t show up on the day of your event. So many times, companies that provide similar services to the ones you have booked are called and told “My flowers didn’t show” or “The magician said he got the day wrong”. If that other vendor is available, he’s got another job, you’re going crazy to find him and the vendor you originally hired and a great day can turn into a stress-filled nightmare. Contracts should list all pertinent information such as deposit requirements, cancellation policies, restrictions and requirements for you as a customer and more.
Word to the wise, do your homework and don’t be afraid to ask questions. It is your hard earned money that’s going to pay for all the festivities – make sure your get your money’s worth. And don’t forget the most important thing of all – when you are at your next event, have some fun!!!
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“Stronger Than The Storm”…
12 years
#STTS – one would hope!
By now, most people (at least those in the Northeast) are familiar with the commercials featuring the jingle, “Cause we’re stronger than the storm”. Running on both TV and radio, the driving rythmn of this promotion makes you stop and take note.
The Jersey shore is back as they boast in the commercial – even Governor Chris Christie and his family appear, the state’s biggest cheerleaders, reiterating the jingle – not even a storm can hold back the spirit of the Jersey-ites! But let’s be honest here, stronger? It sounds nice, positive, and downright optimistic. However, for most homeowners, small business owners and people who just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time last October, the word “stronger” brings more sarcastic humor to the table than anything else.
My scorecard from Superstorm Sandy?
Three cousins with completely destroyed basements – every momento, appliance, and memory – gone in an instant. One cousin’s house was almost completely destroyed by the Atlantic Ocean. Over one dozen cars, both personal and those used for business – flooded. A 105 year old business flooded – its first and basement floors rendered useless. The business my partner and I put every ounce of our effort into for 20 years, gone along with every piece of equipment. Buildings so damaged that going back down to brick was the only solution.
Now after most of the repairs have been done, let’s talk about how the government sponsored programs have worked for us “victims”.
There was a tremendous amount of money “set aside” by the Federal government for people that were the latest victims of Mother Nature’s wrath. The United States Senate passed a $50.5 billion aid package and a $9.7 billion increase in national flood insurance in early January. Sandy victims were told that $60.2 billion was indeed set aside for them and financial rescue would be on its way. Then the rejection letters started piling in.
Any program, whether on the state level or the Federal level came with it a huge amount of paperwork. Funny how in the first few days, the paperwork was downplayed and every FEMA/SBA worker, every NYCEDC staffer, Congressmen, City Council Members and any other dignitary who was around at that time, reassured the “victims” that they would indeed be “there for all of you”. The money was allocated and once approved, we would be able to come back “stronger than before”, kind of like the jingle says.
People who open a small business are told that most businesses fail within the first year or two. I have watched businesses that were “in business” for 3, 5, 10, 20 years or more struggle over the last few years – from terrorist attacks to economic downturn to the “bubble of the week” that burst and now, a 100 year storm. A good number of these businesses tried every way to get approval from whatever agency would listen. A lot just never reopened. The required paperwork assumes that every person in a small business has enough time in the course of their day to be completely caught up with their record keeping, invoicing and debt totals and the ability to continue a clean-up, the likes of which most people should never have to see in their lifetime’s while trying to maintain their business footing in a very competitive market during “iffy” economic times and corral the required financial paperwork. And to boot, a lot of businesses have all their property on one level – so most paperwork, financials, computers and more were swept out with the tide, making compliance almost impossible. In Coney Island, 98 “micro businesses” came back after the Superstorm – over 75% of those businesses footing their own bill – no help, no loans, no grants (save for a $500 dollar grant from the Alliance for Coney Island).
The point of this article is not to cry over what has happened. The purpose of this article is to warn small and microbusiness owners. The days of the pizza man with his receipts in a shoe box are not ever going to go away – let’s face it, some businesses are just that small and although most people couldn’t live without their computers, there are still many people in business that rely on support staff or other professionals to pull it all together once or twice a year. Even so, accounting software, tax laws, credit applications and government filings are a daunting process. Stay on top of your business’ “business” – know when too much is just that – too much. Small business is a gamble even in the best of times.
Second opinions make sense when dealing with health issues; second opinions should matter where the health of your business is concerned also. Take yearly inventory or your insurance policies – liability, property, general, umbrella and don’t forget Worker’s Compensation and Disability. Make sure employee numbers and equipment purchases are noted and updated whenever they change. Make sure you “self-insure” for those things that are never supposed to happen but do. It may not be a lot that you can put away, but the rainy day can come sooner than you ever expect and 3, 5, 10 or 20 years seem like a blink of the eye.
Regardless of what other community based businesses or organizations tell you, ALWAYS get involved with the community you are in. The particular industry our business has been involved in has always stressed community involvement and activism in order to spread the word about our products and services. Many years ago, we spoke to business owner’s in our community about going to Community Board meetings and Chamber of Commerce meetings – we were told that “those people” were shady and crooked and you “really didn’t want to get involved with that sort of thing”. Funny thing about that is the same people who told us not to get involved with the local groups are now “in tight” with them and (surprisingly, or not) are receiving media attention and (funnier) money. Go to those meetings, network, network, NETWORK!!! It is the key to knowing what is going on, how you can be involved and most importantly, regardless of the size of your business, you will never be “too small to be forgotten” in the eyes of your community.
One question still remains, and that would be where all the Federal Aid promised is going. New programs seem to be cropping up constantly as the money allotted still sits in Federal coffers. Hopefully, the “right thing” will be done (eventually) and sometime before the micro businesses go under for the last time (pardon the pun), help will truly arrive.
via PressSync
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Shaking Your Head – When Social Media Starts Off Wrong
12 years
We Americans of a certain age can live by this!
After taking countless seminars, classes and webinars, reading e-book after e-book, and forum after forum on the subject of Social Media, it amazes me (oh well, maybe it really doesn’t AMAZE me) that people attempt to handle their business accounts the way they handle their personal Facebook pages and Twitter accounts.
I met with a client today that wants to delve into the world of Social Media but is not “up” on alot of the in’s and out’s of its use. While 2013 brings about a change from worrying about “like” and “followers”, the real engagement is to offer the clients something to make them come back for more. In this instance, with this particular client, media and its ability to enhance his business is scoffed at – an old traditional place doesn’t need to get into all this “new stuff” but then he wants to make a splash on a Facebook page.
So we start out simply – he shows me a picture and says it received over 4,000 views – my answer, “what did it bring into the business?” His response, “I don’t know”. My next question is why did you post the picture which illicted the response, “These pasteries everyone loves! Look at the number of views!” But this business does not offer these desserts as a take home item, or a take out item, nor does it ship locally or nationally. So again I think, “Why?”
I ask if the picture is “tagged” …. “alternate text”…. “optimized so Search Engines can find it” and I am met with, “Why do I need to do all that? I don’t know what any of that is and what is it going to help?” So I, in turn say, “4,000 becomes 40,000 but again, what do you do with 40,000 views if the people can’t get to taste them?”
That comment didn’t go over well – shipping is not something they are going to do; they are a local restaurant and only have a limited amount of the product. The owner received many “comments” regarding this picture but doesn’t have the time to respond to any of them so he instead wants to just sit back and say “I got over 4,000 views”.
This is what not to do with Social Media.
Want to see how many people want to be your “friend” or “follow” you as you post a 140 character synopsis of what you do each moment, fine…. Facebook and Twitter are for you and YOUR PERSONAL ACCOUNT! Watch those numbers climb because, in all seriousness, they are just that, numbers – no one is buying from you, using your services, hawking your wares – nothing, nada! But for your business, well, that is a different story.
Want to post a picture? Make it relevant to the product or service you are trying to sell on whatever Social Media outlet you are using. Make sure it is tagged right, optimized correctly, hey, let’s even through this one in – use a CLEAR picture!! Then offer the people that are viewing something tangible – easy reservations, “We’ll save one just for you!” promotions, whatever will get them into the door of your local eatery or shop. Just as in life, don’t play the “tease” – there must be follow-up, follow through and something significant in the end.
Please keep posted to my blog as I chronicle the Social Media program I watch this business go through – what works, what doesn’t as my friend in his business does what he always does – wears way too many hats and becomes a master of letting things fall by the wayside. One day, maybe, he will actually hear me and let someone who knows a bit about Social Media handle his business’ Marketing and actually see a difference in the bottom line!
