Post by Kevin on Dec 15, 2007 10:56:55 GMT -5
Guide To Business Celebration and You Just Go!
Great Job to Carol and her staff at My Happy Dance last night. One of the best business celebrations I ever attended! Her impeccable taste in champagne, food and entertainment along with her winning spirit made the night a success!
This morning I did a little research, the origin of the open house. Mostly used by real estate agents for showing homes.
I would say from this point on DADBA members do not use the term open house anymore. I think the term open house reflects
to much to the term of a sale and real estate.
What last night was, was a celebration of business! A business party. If you missed any of the DADBA members open houses shame on you. You can give your excuses to the business owners personally when you see them of how busy you were not to stop by for 10 minutes. I`m sure they will smile and accept you apologies.
Please though do not apologize to me. I will frown. We celebrate the success of members in this group. We go to other members events in this group to celebrate the success of business.
We go to wish goodwill amongst the person and their venture along with giving them a good pat on the back for their duties of vitalizing and jump starting the local economy. When you apologize to me, there are very few good enough excuses.
Now if your excuse is justified, you still send flowers congratulating them on their achievement and wishing them every success.
What happened last night was. We celebrated a creation and the opening of doors of a new business in the Downriver Area. Laura and myself attend every business celebration as we are grateful to be invited and have the ability to and enjoy helping out.
Seeing many open houses. And planning Purity`s 15 year celebration. I decided to write a short guide on how to throw a business celebration. I would say this guide can be used for the first initial grand opening along with various business celebrations. Please if you have any thoughts or ideas, post them below.
Steps and Various Thoughts For Business Celebrations.
1-Plan the date and give yourself a month or longer of preparation.
2-Print the invitations. Now with above in mind I would go with party invitations and not open house invitations. I would use a business celebration Grand Opening Party, One Year Celebration, 5 year Celebration, Super Sale party...etc.
3- Inform the local papers and all media, call your mayor and city council and invite them. Tell them there will be a ribbon cutting and press will be there. Tell them you would like as much of the city press as possible also. Ask them to please put your business celebration information on the city website, newsletter, mailers etc.
Make sure to tell Laura you want the DADBA free ribbon cutting ceremony.Make sure to tell the city officials you expect them to cut the ribbon.
4-Give invitations to your friends and family. Mail invitations to everyone in your business groups and associations.
5-Invitations--Personally give invitations to all the people you are doing business with. Distributors, bankers, contractors who ever your paying and doing business with.Tell them you expect them to show up. Any excuses and they can`t show up, you should reconsider who your doing business with. If they can`t come to celebrate your achievement another business offering the same service will.
6- Surrounding neighbors commercial and residential do not forget them. You should give invitations to the 20-30 houses surrounding your business, along with your commercial neighbors.
ALL Invitations Should Reach Attendees 2 weeks prior to event.
7- Food & Drink---- It does not have to be extravagant but it has to be there. It is a party, a celebration of business. pop, soda, water tea, coffee beer and wine. Yes for you non-drinkers you have to have some beer and wine. Remember were celebrating! Some people choose to celebrate differently. As far as food you can keep it simple with cheese and crackers, meat tray, veggie tray, desert tray etc. Do not forget though this is your party, you are making an impression to the community along with other business owners and people you are doing business with. If you need some help surely a DADBA member caterer can put something together for you at a reasonable price.
REMEMBER: First impressions matter, and you only get one chance to have a grand opening party.
8- Entertainment and music. Yes if it is in your budget get a DADBA DJ or simply have a good selection of background music.
9- Religion. Have your religious leader or a local religious leader bless the building and staff. This is usually done with everyone outside before the ribbon cutting.
10- Lights outside the lights in the sky, yes if you can afford it. Laura will be getting a member in the group
that provides this service. If you want the light expect to pay roughly $100 an hour.
11-Time and Date I would say weekends are better. Evenings or afternoons. Limit it to 3 or 4 hours.
12-Contest. Make sure to have a contest or drawing. Make the drawing at the end of your event. To keep everyone there till the end.
13- Dress attire. If your the owner you should look your best.
Your staff should also look good with uniforms or dress attire.
14- Party Up- It is your party you are the host but your still operating a business. Make sure friends or staff are there to assist you in sales if there is merchandise to be bought.
So you can show off, relax, entertain and enjoy your special day.
15-Follow Up- Using your list from the contest send a Thank You note to attendees, along with a special or discount you are offering them on their next purchase.
