How To Book A Live Wedding Band For Your Big Day – 6 Top Tips

You’ve only got one chance to get your wedding arrangements right, so a little advance preparation will ensure that everything goes smoothly on the big day itself.

If you want to hire a live wedding band to make the occasion uniquely special, here are some top tips that will help you get it spot on.

1. What’s your budget?
If you are working to a strict budget keep in mind the maximum amount you can run to for entertainment. It’s a good idea not to reveal these details to anyone until after you have received a quote/ quotes. If the band you want is a little more costly than you had envisaged, then some negotiation may be possible.


2. What age are your guests?
It’s likely that your guests will be a broad spectrum of ages, so do check your proposed band’s playlist to ensure they can cater for the majority. If you’re looking for cool and current, rather than cheesy sing-along, again check the playlists before requesting a quote, thereby targeting the right sort of band for your needs.

3. How many musicians do you want?

Equally this can come down to the type of licence your venue has. Some venues can only accept 4-piece bands or fewer. Also check your venue’s requirements with regards to certificates. Will they want to see a band’s PLI (public liability certificate) or PAT (portable appliance test certificate) for example?

4. Do you want the band to play your first dance?


This is purely a question of individual choice. Some couples prefer the original recording of their chosen song, while others consider the prospect of a live performance more exciting. Just be sure to check with the band how they deal with requests that are not on their playlist. Most will be happy to learn your particular number providing they have a few weeks’ notice, but also check whether this incurs an additional charge.


5. Are they perfect for us?


Check out any demos/ videos on your prospective band’s website to make sure they are the right choice for you. Don’t focus on the quality of the video, it could have been made by the bride’s Uncle Fred after a few tipples! The only thing that matters is the soundtrack. So if you like what you hear . . .

6. Book them up quick!


The top live wedding bands are always in demand and frequently get booked up months in advance. Once you’ve secured your booking, make sure you get a written contract. All professional outfits will work to a legal and binding contract.


Congratulations. You’ve just booked yourself a top live wedding band that is sure to make your wedding day go with a swing.

PVC Banners – the Cost-Effective Way to Target Local Custom

If your business relies heavily on passing trade you should seriously consider using PVC banners to improve the effectiveness of your advertising.

So what makes PVC banners such a trusted advertising medium?

Well, for a start, their impact is instantaneous. Consider this: you pass a clothes shop in the high street where there is a banner draped across the front which says: ‘50% off all stock.’ Wouldn’t that make you want to take a closer look? Probably.

But what if that banner read: ‘50% off all stock – TODAY ONLY!’ There, that’s more like it. The perceived sense of urgency makes all the difference. You’d just have to have a peek in now wouldn’t you?

You see, PVC banners demand attention. They are in your face. You can’t ignore them. That’s why many more businesses are recognising the sales potential of PVC banners over other forms of advertising.

For a start they are extremely reasonable to produce. And they lend themselves to multiple projects. If you are a business with more than one branch you can readily transport your PVC banner between sites.

Actually, because these banners are so incredibly cheap compared to other advertising mediums, you might just want to buy two!

And the best way to draw attention to your PVC banner? Make it striking: simple colour scheme, direct message.

The AIDA marketing principle, frequently cited in direct mail campaigns, comes in handy here.

Attention – create a strong headline which promises a benefit.

Interest – raise your customer’s interest by addressing the ‘what’s in it for me?’

Desire – make them want what you are offering.

Action – prompt your prospects to take action NOW!

AIDA will help you keep your marketing message on track. And once you have your banner, the only thing left to do is display it in a prominent place. Somewhere it will have maximum impact.

PVC banners are also really effective when combined with other marketing elements such as fliers, print ads, radio and TV ads and online advertising. This is because we consumers frequently need to be exposed to the same message around half a dozen times before we consciously take notice of it.

Consider how many times you have to see an ad on TV before you become aware of it. The exception might be that really annoying opera singer in the price comparison website ad – though you could say he definitely prompts action of some kind!

So when it comes to planning your next product launch, one day sale, business event or special promotion, why not consider how using a PVC banner might help you achieve your goals – and stay within budget!

Escape the Office Routine for the Board Meeting of Your Life!

If you’re the type of person who enjoys activity holidays while soaking up some rays at the same time, then surfing might just be the ideal thing for you.

One of the great attractions of surf holidays is that they are fun for girls and guys of all ages, so if you were thinking that surfing is reserved simply for the enjoyment of the younger generation you’d be way off the mark.

That said, it does help if you’re reasonably fit, as you can expect to spend a fair amount of time hopping on and off the board in the early stages, while you’re learning the ropes.

But if you’re someone who is already into skiing or yoga, then that’s a bit of a bonus, as your already developed core body strength is something that will come in handy as you learn to get to grips with your surfboard.

Your resident expert instructors, themselves passionate surfers with many years experience, will help you get acquainted with your ‘inner surfer’ in no time, in a safe, but fun-packed environment. And if you’re wanting to shed a few pounds, well surfing has been described as ‘the complete body workout,’ a real calorie-burner no less, that’ll have you whipped into shape quicker than you can say ‘Hawaii Five-O.’

Surfing holidays are the perfect way to get away from it all, whether you choose to holiday solo, in a couple, with friends, or as part of a larger group.

Surfing is the ideal sport for de-stressing totally and getting your body and mind working in harmony. And as a surfer, you don’t have to compete with anyone else, because it’s all about you . . . and the wave.

Joining a surf course or surf camp is the quickest way to progress and you’ll find the best courses restrict their numbers to around six people per group. That way, you get the individual attention you deserve to make the most out of your holiday learning experience.

There are surfing courses for beginners, improvers and intermediates, so whatever level you’re at, there’s something for everybody and you’re sure to return home invigorated with a real sense of achievement. And as the teaching takes place in a supportive group environment you’re guaranteed to make lots of new surf buddies.

So if your batteries could do with recharging (and whose couldn’t this time of year?) it’s time to ‘wave’ goodbye to the stresses of the office and take yourself off for a well-earned surfing break. Bet you catch the surfing bug!

Sheer Style – Your Guide to Choosing Denier Tights

Denier is a term that relates to hosiery thickness – the weight of the yarn from which hosiery is woven (1 denier means that 9000 metres of yarn is equal to 1 gram in weight). Basically the lower the denier, the sheerer the appearance of the material, which means it is generally more fragile.

From ultra sheer tights to mega thick opaque tights and everything in between, here’s how to pick the right denier tights for you.

Ultra Sheer Tights

This refers to tights which are lower than 10 denier. It includes 8 denier (natural look) tights and the very sleek ultra sheer 5 denier. (Worth investing in some protective gloves for!) If you favour the bare-legged look, then these are the tights for you. Ultra sheer tights will keep you cool and comfortable even during the hottest months. Great with strappy sandals. Choose a shade that matches your skin tone.

Sheer Tights

10 denier, 12 denier, 15 denier and 20 denier tights.

More durable than ultra sheers, which make them a practical alternative for every-day wear, sheer tights come in an array of colours, styles and finishes. Your legs will look and feel delectable all day long.

Semi Opaque Tights

Covers the 21-40 denier range, including 30 denier and 40 denier.

Strong, long-lasting, and available in a wide range of exciting colours, semi-opaques are favourites with all the leading brand names. Semi Opaques offer more coverage than sheer tights, though your skin will still be visible.

Opaque Tights

50 denier, 60 denier and 66 denier tights.

Perfect for winter and cooler summer months, opaque tights provide a good level of skin coverage and are terrific teamed with long or short skirts or woollen dresses.

Thick Opaque Tights

These fall within the 70-99 denier range: 70 denier, 80 denier, 90 denier and offer reliable protection from the elements. Thick opaque tights are suitable accompaniments for just about any kind of attire whether you’re dressing for a business lunch or a Christmas party – what’s more they will go just great teamed with your favourite LBD.

Mega Thick Opaque Tights

100 denier and 120 denier, the ‘Mega’ range includes thick wool tights and leggings. If you’re the kind of woman who refuses to wear trousers even in the coldest winter months, then you must stock up on mega thick opaque tights if you want to want to avoid frostbite! This range includes bright solid colours that will give your legs a well-defined look – or you can opt for classic black – it never fails to impress.

Top Tips For Effective Business Writing

With the advent of the internet and mobile technology, there are so many forms of communication at our disposal that today’s business world is almost entirely driven by information. In order to be successful in this world it is no longer enough just to be a good strategist or effective organiser – you have to learn to be a skilled communicator.

The problem is that most business-minded people probably don’t have a huge amount of experience in writing, and business courses don’t tend to stress building up strong writing skills as part of their programme. But think about it: Almost every day in business you will be required to send emails, compose newsletters or proposals ... the list goes on. A carelessly written email or report may well cost you dearly, so it’s imperative that you make effective business writing a top priority. Here are some things to consider:

Economy: In business, when you have a point to get across you want to do it succinctly before the recipient gets bored or becomes distracted. Remember that just as you are a busy person, the person you are messaging is likely to be the same and won’t have time to read a lengthy missive. Work out the most important points of what you want to say and get them down straight away. You don’t have to be rude or abrupt, but busy people appreciate brevity wherever possible.

Avoid jargon or clichés: By now most people in business are heartily sick of hackneyed phrases like ‘thinking outside the box’ or ‘blue-sky thinking’. Today, people much prefer it if you use simple, clear language that anyone can understand and says what you really mean. Using vague, clichéd phrases in reports or proposals can even make you sound as though you are trying to hide an essential lack of substance which will instantly put potential business partners or clients off.

Proofread everything: Reading through every document before you send it or present it is an essential part of your job if you want to avoid embarrassment. Typos happen to everyone, but if you leave them in there then it reflects badly on your company. It’s important to proofread twice, as sometimes your brain can pick up on some things the first time around but miss others.

Get the tone right: When sending out business emails, for example, you need to strike the right balance. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be overly formal to sound professional – in fact it helps to build up business relationships if you are friendly and remember small details about the person you are contacting. Don’t go too far though: avoid any jokes that might be offensive, however harmless they seem to you; don’t complain about your job or colleagues; and don’t swear. Basically, the idea is never to send anything you wouldn’t be comfortable with anybody else in your company reading.

Whilst the above are all helpful pointers, if you are not confident about your grasp of English for business purposes you may want to consider learning English online. There are several good online training courses, such as ‘Better English: A Better Future’ which is specifically targeted towards business people to improve their grasp of grammar and the correct forms of business communication, and also has a staff training programme. Learning English online should enable you to feel more confident about your writing skills or those of your staff, and it’s far easier for businesses as it allows learners to work around their own hours and at their own pace rather than having to attend classes.

Stress Management in the Workplace

The first thing that springs to mind when someone mentions stress in the workplace is unhappy staff, employees taking time off work and essentially a drop in productivity. The stress – productivity correlation, however, may not be quite so simple. There are a number of studies that show a certain level of stress does actually increase a person’s productivity depending, of course, on the cause of said stress.

Many people do actually perform best under pressure; be it a student cramming in last minute revision or a senior manager staying up until the early hours to finish that presentation to the board. From a manager’s perspective, it is imperative to allow employees to experience a certain level of stress and pressure to really stretch them to the best of their ability. Deadlines, goals and clearly setting out expectation are all constructive ways of achieving this.

In the same breath, it is very important for a manager to know their employees well enough to spot the signs of too much pressure and unhealthy levels of stress. According to the Labour Force Survey for 2010/2011, depression or anxiety contributed to the loss of 10.8 million working days.

Even the most professional of employees will find it hard to prevent stresses from their private life spilling into their work and so it is important for managers to treat every employee as an individual person. Good man-management is probably the most important trait a manager can posses.

There are ways of reducing work place stress on a larger scale. Team building workshops and trips are a great place to start, as are social activities outside of the work place. On a much more fundamental level, a temperate office climate, a supply of fresh water and plenty of space are all going to contribute to reducing work place stress.

There is plenty of evidence to support the theory that laughter can improve productivity within the workplace. Laughing increases blood flow around the body, as well as reducing the level of hormones in the body that can cause stress and anxiety. Again, there is somewhat of a balancing act to perform as staff will relish any opportunity to sit around in fits of giggles all day!

To conclude, remembering that every employee is human will do wonders for productivity within a company. Clear targets and goals will encourage staff to give their best but be there as a person, rather than a boss, should stress begin to have a detrimental effect on a member of the team.

 

How to raise money for your charity

Everybody has certain causes dear to their hearts for which they would like to raise money, but not everyone finds the time to actually get round to doing this. We all lead busy lives today, but if you are really serious about doing your bit there are a huge variety of fun, easy and inexpensive ways you can do this – and don’t forget to learn the ways of increasing Gift Aid revenue for your charity. Here are some fundraising methods you could consider:

Sponsored skydive: This is a challenge in itself which many people think they would like to have a go at but wonder if they have the nerve. By doing this for charity you are challenging yourself and raising money for a good cause at the same time. The good news is that, if you look around, you will find that many charities will cover the cost of your skydive themselves if you can guarantee to raise a certain amount of money for them.

Walk-a-thon:  For those who aren’t able to participate in the more extreme option above but would still like a more physical challenge, why not consider a sponsored walk-a-thon? The great thing about doing this is that you can get as many people involved as you want, which makes for a great community spirit as well as raising more money for your cause. Advertise your walk-a-thon online, in local papers and billboards or through word of mouth and friends, and you may be surprised at the interest and support you are able to drum up.

Organise an event: This can be any size, from a small local bring-and-buy sale to a large rock concert – the important thing is to advertise it well enough to bring in enough punters. Just make sure, if you are going for a more ambitious event, that you have the right systems in place to ensure you collect donations efficiently.

As mentioned above, it is also important, whatever method of fundraising you choose, to know how to maximise the amount of Gift Aid your charity can claim back after you have made your donation. Bear in mind that Gift Aid can only be reclaimed on money from individuals or sole traders, so any donations from a company on behalf of someone else will not be recognised. Make sure your donation has clearly come from the correct sources.

Also, you need to keep accurate records of each donor who has sponsored you – otherwise the Gift Aid cannot be verified. If you are running a large event, then using EPOS (electronic point-of-sale systems) are another great way of increasing gift aid revenue as they will process the information automatically and accurately.

The benefits of EPOS

Electronic point-of-sale (EPOS) systems are today the fastest and most efficient way to deal with customers and sales. They provide all the functions of conventional tills, such as totals and change calculations and receipt issues, but also offer a great deal more. They can be integrated with credit card payment systems and keep track of stock and customer information. Here are some of the reasons why so many shops are investing in EPOS systems:

Stock control: The ability of EPOS systems to manage stock is a massive boon for businesses and can make a real difference to profits. They can, for example, keep track of which products are performing best and automatically generate purchase orders when you are low on these so you can make sure you don’t run out at critical times. Keeping track of your products in this way also means you can maximise profitability by adjusting prices judiciously according to the popularity of each item.

Time saving: Speeding up the sales transaction makes for happy customers and greater productivity. Customers are more likely to come back if they have had a positive experience previously, whereas if they have had to wait for some time in a queue whilst your employees work with an old-fashioned till system they may be inclined to take their business to a shop with a more efficient sales process. In today’s hi-tech world, consumer patience is limited to say the least, so a point-of-sale system that processes transactions automatically can only work for the good of your business.

Increasing charitable profits: For charitable organisations with chains of shops, tailored charity EPOS till systems are now playing a key role in helping to ensure they get the most possible profits from every donation made. They enable charities to process Gift Aid donations, which would previously have been done manually by filling out forms, so that the correct amount of tax can be claimed back.

Bearing in mind that the majority of charity shops are staffed by volunteers who may not have a great deal of training or experience, the old system meant that not every donation could be processed efficiently in order to claim Gift Aid. Charity EPOS till systems store information about each donor efficiently and easily, meaning that anyone can use them.

Employee monitoring: An up-to-date EPOS system can even allow shops to keep track of their employees by keeping records of which staff member was responsible for each transaction and when. This allows them to identify which employees are performing best and where improvements could be made. If there is a customer complaint about a specific transaction, the EPOS system will be able to pinpoint exactly which staff member dealt with it and what happened so the issue can be sorted out speedily and with the minimum of fuss. After all, remember that good customer service is the cornerstone of any business.