More often than not it isn't what you are saying but how you are saying it. I will let this one speak for itself. Love to hear your comments though...
Thursday, May 20, 2010
How you say something means a lot.
More often than not it isn't what you are saying but how you are saying it. 
Monday, May 3, 2010
Activity vs Details
This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend a birthday party for a very close 5 year old friend. The party was held at a pizza/ amusement park establishment that will remain unnamed to protect the identities of the innocent.
Usually this story would begin to tell the tale of an unraveling party that included crying children, soggy pizza and a menagerie of 6' talking animals that invaded my space. This will not be that story. I am, instead, going to tell you of incredible customer service and attention to detail all exacted by the hands of two high school aged boys. Yep, the party hosts were two guys and they had the 8 or 9 kids of varying ages wrapped around their little fingers. There were decorations and food, during the food there were balloon animals handed out, each one made and remade, after popping, by one of the gentleman hosting the party, the drinks were refilled, the dirty plates were bussed, there were games after the food was eaten- Limbo, musical chairs, even a couple of impromptu balloon sword fights. The kids were kept occupied so that the parents had time to chat and eat before the next stage of the party. After the games the presents were unwrapped. During which time the guys acted like a team. One relaying to the other who the present was from and what it was. This was then written down on a list for the hosting mother to take home. The host mother didn't have to lift a finger and the guys came to her each time the activity was about to change or if it was time to do cake or presents or a new game. She was included but not burdened. They took care of everything.
(Yes, the giant, over stuffed, slightly nearsighted, animal, not a rat by the way, was ushered in to visit with the children but he was fun, not overbearing and left quickly after photos were taken.)
OK so what's the point? Moms are stressed. They feel like they are being judged by the quality of the party they are throwing and if the party has a hitch they are quite likely to uncork on an innocent staff member. Not because the staff member had it coming but because she has been stressing about this party since the day after the last birthday party she threw. The more you can do to lessen the stress level and make the mom look like a star the more parties you will book. Everyone at that party was expressing how "great" and "easy" it seemed. Many of the moms commented about having their next party at this establishment.
We often get caught up in the activity that we offer rather than the experience itself. The activity is a given. What isn't a given is the service, the attention to detail and the little things that make the party come off without a hitch.
Usually this story would begin to tell the tale of an unraveling party that included crying children, soggy pizza and a menagerie of 6' talking animals that invaded my space. This will not be that story. I am, instead, going to tell you of incredible customer service and attention to detail all exacted by the hands of two high school aged boys. Yep, the party hosts were two guys and they had the 8 or 9 kids of varying ages wrapped around their little fingers. There were decorations and food, during the food there were balloon animals handed out, each one made and remade, after popping, by one of the gentleman hosting the party, the drinks were refilled, the dirty plates were bussed, there were games after the food was eaten- Limbo, musical chairs, even a couple of impromptu balloon sword fights. The kids were kept occupied so that the parents had time to chat and eat before the next stage of the party. After the games the presents were unwrapped. During which time the guys acted like a team. One relaying to the other who the present was from and what it was. This was then written down on a list for the hosting mother to take home. The host mother didn't have to lift a finger and the guys came to her each time the activity was about to change or if it was time to do cake or presents or a new game. She was included but not burdened. They took care of everything.
(Yes, the giant, over stuffed, slightly nearsighted, animal, not a rat by the way, was ushered in to visit with the children but he was fun, not overbearing and left quickly after photos were taken.)
OK so what's the point? Moms are stressed. They feel like they are being judged by the quality of the party they are throwing and if the party has a hitch they are quite likely to uncork on an innocent staff member. Not because the staff member had it coming but because she has been stressing about this party since the day after the last birthday party she threw. The more you can do to lessen the stress level and make the mom look like a star the more parties you will book. Everyone at that party was expressing how "great" and "easy" it seemed. Many of the moms commented about having their next party at this establishment.
We often get caught up in the activity that we offer rather than the experience itself. The activity is a given. What isn't a given is the service, the attention to detail and the little things that make the party come off without a hitch.
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