The Austin Company of UK Ltd’s Post

What do you want as a employee/customer/supplier for Christmas? My company spends a small fortune on dinners/hampers/drinks/presents/Christmas party. We try (it’s very difficult) to organise dinners or lunches with our best/biggest customers and suppliers. Talk about the scars we have from the year that’s past and what’s in the pipeline for next year. We send Christmas hampers with drinks and assorted rubbish to customers, this year we did around 60. Sorry if any of my customers are reading and didn’t get one. Presents and gifts to all Starbuck staff and a Christmas party. As a group we got somewhere around 50 bottles of alcohol and so much other stuff bought to the office (mostly given to the staff) and I was invited to a lunch or dinner most days in December. The question is; Do you want gifts from a client/supplier? Do you want gifts from your boss? Or is it more about the symbol of being appreciated and valued? *^ My favourite gift of the year actually came from my number one accounts girl. I’m going to get more made for next year

Now Halloween is over, it's time to turn your attention to your Christmas celebrations. 🎄 You could come and join me and Mr S for some festive fun. Or better still, you could connect and celebrate with your team. How about you take advantage of having your team all together on the day of your Christmas lunch/ dinner/ party and use this time to connect, reflect and celebrate. You could end your year reflecting on how you've done, celebrate success and create actions for 2024. Or, is there something you and your team really care about and you've not been able to give it time yet. Or, would you like some facilitated fun that gets results. What would this look like for you if you invested some time with your team this December? How would you like to end the year with your team and set the tone for 2024? I still have some dates in December to run facilitated sessions with your team. These are totally flexible and would be designed with you, for you. Please get in touch if you would like to find more. Emma x

🎄 Is Your Team Ready for the Festive Season 🎄 Christmas Parties are a highlight of the year, but for HR leaders, they can also raise questions: - Do your managers know how to handle potential issues? - Are your employees aware of their rights and responsibilities? - Are you meeting your obligations under the Worker Protection Act? As Lee Chambers puts it "don't facilitate any nightmares before Christmas" 👉  Send me a message if you need support: - Reviewing your policies and obligations under the Worker Protection Act - Updating your risk register to proactively manage the risk of sexual harassment. - Training and equipping your managers with the skills to handle harassment complaints and employee disputes effectively and in line with legal requirements.

Thank you Ananda Asset Management Limited. What fun it was sharing my favourite practical nutrition insights over lunch with all of your wonderful team. I hope the session inspired some positive changes as you prepare for the festive season. Thank you and I can’t wait to see you all again in 2025. Get in touch if your organisation is looking for fun and impactful corporate talks to help your team kick off the New Year with healthy habits, or 1:1 personalised support to help them achieve their best mental and physical performance yet. Wishing everyone a joyful and healthy holiday season ahead! 🎉🎄 #beatingburnout #nutritionallyminded #corporatewellness #corporatenutrition #inhousenutritionist

#1 CHRISTMAS PARTY TIME ... let's do some social-washing...   My personal experience of Christmas parties ist somewhat mixed. Most times it did not feel right and did not convey appreciation at the end of an eventful year. Sad if one thinks how much time goes into planning, how much money is invested and how positive the employer's intention is. So what usually happens is - ooops its Christmas! - we need to do something that fits everybody - Food and drink will keep people happy - we have a budget - we need to show how we peformed .... the invite is sent... ... and most colleagues get a diffuse feeling of a "must attend" I think this is quite the contrary of what organizers intend and it leaves everybody with the sour aftertaste of a bad Glühwein/Glogg/ Vin Brulée/... In my world it is this wish to find a "one-size-fits-all" solution that is the challenge.  Maybe we should remember how we choose our presents. It might be a track for a different approach.

TRIGGER WARNING ! THIS POST TALKS ABOUT THE 'C' WORD IN NOVEMBER !!!! For the first time in many a year, I'm looking forward to a Christmas Party. Usually it's been a bit of a conundrum for me. - I don't want to go to them. I'm Hard of Hearing, so I can't hear. - They're at a place difficult to access via public transport, so I'll drive if I can - which means I don't drink. - I've always relied on having a few drinks so that I can hopefully socialise a little more easily, but then, that means I'm tied to public transport. - So many times public transport has failed me, coupled with the fact I find trains so relaxing, I end up falling asleep and waking up in Guildford at 2a.m. Which would be brilliant if I lived in Guildford! - So I usually just end up standing there nodding along without being able to hear, or joining in anyway, getting snippets of the conversation. - Or I don't go, full stop, which isn't following proper etiquette. - Or I go, and leave early, which also isn't following proper etiquette. As I said, "for the first time in many a year..." So not all of them were challenging to me, but I since found out that lots of ones I did enjoy were because people I was with were Neurodiverse, although we didn't all know it at the time. This year, I'm going to an Open Mic Christmas Relaxed Party Type Thing (It doesn't have an actual name, so that's the best description). I know: - How to get there - That there'll be music. - That there'll be Chinese Takeaway to eat. - I'll play a few tunes. - That I won't need to drink to socialise. - That I'll be able to get home. - That I'll be able to arrive and leave at a time I choose. - And ultimately, that I will enjoy it. (Picture is a drawing of me playing a Peavey Wolfgang guitar that my son drew, with the Eddie Van Halen striped logo as background, representing me rocking at a Christmas Party).

As we're now in Christmas party season, it's always important to remember that you are still at a work event, with your colleagues, and despite what that 3rd shot of tequila may tell you, your boss is not your new best friend! A poll of 2,000 employees, commissioned by Irn-Bru, has identified these top 10 festive fails: 1. Drinking too much 2. Terrible dancing 3. Oversharing personal information 4. Flirting with someone they shouldn’t 5. Spilt food/drink all down themselves 6. Falling asleep 7. Karaoke fails such as hogging the karaoke mic, singing off-key 8. Falling over on the dancefloor 9. Wardrobe malfunctions 10. Telling your boss them you love them If you have a Christmas party nightmare, or just can't stand the idea of working with your colleagues for another year, it may be time to look for a new role - so reach out now to see what options we have for you!

𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗳𝘂𝗻 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗳𝘂𝗻. Trust me, your ugly Christmas sweater competition isn’t fixing morale. 🎄🎁 And let’s be real, not everyone celebrates Christmas, so why not step back and rethink the whole thing? Culture isn’t just about throwing parties (holiday-themed or otherwise). It’s the everyday stuff that really matters: how you communicate, handle feedback, make decisions, lead, live your values, etc. When it comes to year-end celebrations, it’s not about ticking a box, it’s about actually showing your team you care. So, ask them: ◾What would make you feel appreciated? ◾How do you want to connect as a team? Maybe it’s a festive event, but it could just as easily be a relaxing afternoon off or recognizing everyone’s hard work in a meaningful way. The point is to create something that feels inclusive and authentic, not obligatory. How do you like to connect and celebrate at work? Would love to hear your thoughts!

🎄✨ Christmas Party Survival Guide: What NOT to Do! 🎉❌ It’s that magical time of year when we swap the office for the dance floor! But before you hit the eggnog, here are some Christmas Party DON’Ts to keep it merry and bright: 🚫 Don’t overshare online. Not every moment needs to make it to your Instagram story—keep it fun, not cringe-worthy! 🤐 Don’t post without asking. That candid photo of your colleague might not be as cute to them as it is to you. 🥂 Don’t overdo the drinks. One-too-many can lead to regrets… and we don’t mean overindulging in cookies. 😅 Don’t get too wild. Remember, you’re at a work event—save the karaoke mic drops for the weekend. 💬 Don’t vent online. Negative comments about the party? Hard pass. Kindness is always in style. ✨ Do: Enjoy the festivities, share laughs with your team, and embrace the holiday cheer (responsibly!). 🌟 What’s your #1 Christmas party tip? Drop it in the comments! 🎁

🎅 Day 5 of Christmas Trivia with Ralph the Elf! 🎄 🔔 It’s getting festive around here, so let’s make this one a tough choice! Would you rather... A) Never celebrate Christmas again. Missing all the traditions, family time and holiday joy? OR B) Celebrate Christmas every week. yes, buying presents every week and embracing that holiday spirit 52 times a year? Drop your choice A or B in the comments! 👇 make sure to check in with Zach Yeates tomorrow #ChristmasTrivia #WouldYouRather #RecruitmentFun #FestiveFun #LinkedInChallenges