Christmas is right around the corner, and for businesses that means there are lots of different things to organise. We had a chat with Business Support Associate Kate Bellshaw about how to get your business Christmas ready.
Organising the Christmas party
If your business likes to thank your employees with a meal or a social event at the end of the year, you’ll know that it can be tricky to meet everyone’s requirements, find a venue that works for you, and do this at a price you’re happy with.
How do Transcendit do it?
Kate says that this process, ‘probably starts around August. Helen (our Business Support Manager) and I emailed pretty much every restaurant in the whole of Newcastle, and gave them our criteria; we like to sit in close proximity, we need to be able to leave a card behind the bar as Transcendit pays for food and drinks, we like to have a lot of different menu options so that everyone has a choice of what they want to eat, and we like to have the venue all evening so we can stay for drinks after.’
‘At the same time, we’re asking people for their availability and narrowing down the date. We’re trying to find a time that works for everyone, so that as many people and their partners can attend as possible. For people that don’t attend or can’t attend the Christmas party, we offer a voucher so that employees can go to dinner with their partners at another time, or a personalised gift hamper with their favourite things.’
Kate’s Top Tip
‘I really recommend using Microsoft Forms to gather information, alongside a good spreadsheet,’ says Kate. ‘We ask for everyone’s availability, food choices (or their favourite things if they’ve chosen a hamper) on Microsoft Forms, and then it’s really easy to collate that information using a spreadsheet.’
‘I email that spreadsheet to the venue, and then I print a copy and bring it to the venue on the day, just in case!’
Thanking your clients and customers
It might also be important to your business to ensure that your clients and customers feel appreciated, whether that’s with cards, gifts, or something different.
How do Transcendit do it?
‘We like to send something like biscuits or chocolates, so that everyone within their organisation can enjoy it,’ says Kate. ‘This starts with a list of all of our clients so that we can make sure everyone receives something, and then we figure out what we’re going to get for each organisation.’
‘Last year, Helen found someone on Etsy that sent chocolates to some of our customers with a little poem. Helen spent a lot of time speaking to the seller on Etsy so that they could create a poem that had the names of all the chocolate bars we sent. It was a fun way of making the gift a little more personal.’
Kate’s Top Tip
‘We decided to send our thank you gifts in the new year, rather than at Christmas,’ says Kate. ‘Organisations get a lot of different things in December, so we decided to send something across to say that we were looking forward to working with them again this year. A lot of clients said that was really lovely to come back to.’
‘Transcendit also makes a donation to a local charity each year, rather than send Christmas cards,’ adds Kate. ‘We’ve found sending an ecard letting clients know that we’ve donated is just as meaningful to our customers, particularly those within the North East.’
Let clients know when you’ll be there
Finally, one of the most important things that your organisation needs to do in advance of the Christmas period, is let your customers know when your services will be available, and when you’re going to be contactable.
Director Adam Kuznesof says, ‘Even when you know that your business is going to be up and running throughout the whole of December, customers appreciate it when you remind them. This is particularly important when you’re running a skeleton service, or you have a different contact number as your mainline numbers aren’t open.’
‘A simple email to let them know when you’re going to be open, when you’re going to be contactable, and when your services will be available can help ease anxiety for your clients.’
Kate’s Top Tip
‘Our customers really appreciate the personalised touch. It’s important to show that you care about your clients and your staff; whether that’s with a gift, a card or just a reminder of when you’ll be there.’
