Wednesday 30 May 2018

EXCELLENCE TIPS FOR CATERERS

As an event planner who has worked with various event vendors in Lagos for the past 10 years, I have seen all sorts. I have worked with caterers who display the highest international standards of service. But I have also encountered some unpleasant experiences.




I am here to offer free excellence tips based on my local and international events experience which has stemmed over 2 decades (Since 1997 to be precise). If you know a caterer please share this blog post. This free advice may triple their business and save them from closing down. This might also interest you if you engage caterers for events. 


PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE
When it comes to large events whether corporate or social,  leave off engaging caterers that cook for family functions like small house parties or kiddies birthday parties. Such vendors cannot handle professional or classy events unless they have been professionally trained.


NICE FOOD : NICE SERVICE
It's not just about cooking food. Most of these caterers cook amazing food but their professionalism is much to be desired. The worst thing an event planner is faced with, is working with caterers that are not professional. Sometimes this cannot be helped because the client insists on using their own caterer because of the huge discount offered or their family relationship. But be warned, if you insist on using non-professionals, they can be your worst nightmare and can spoil the entire event.




Here are some excellence tips

Be Adaptable
The Customer is king no matter which way you want to look at it. They pay your bills and keep you in business. A corporate or social event is not the place to be quarreling with a client or threatening to walk out.  If the client is upset, listen to the complaint. Allow the client to rant and then offer a solution. Don’t be inflexible and say ‘’ We cant’’. Rather say, ‘’We will see what we can do’’. Adaptability is one of the essential pillars of excellence. So be ready for change.

Integrity Matters
Don't over promise and under deliver. This applies to servers and waiters. It spoils the service experience. Come with enough servers to cope with the guests you have been engaged for. Make sure the food the client has paid is delivered. Dont cut corners to make short wins. High standards of excellence leads to business growth.



Provide Excellent Tablewear
Everything that your client and their guests see puts your reputation at stake. If you provide nice food but your tablewear is below standard it will put your catering brand in a bad light. Build your reputation on becoming known for doing at least one thing extremely well. That could be providing the best tablewear.



Professional Grooming
Make sure your staff both waiters and servers are well groomed before serving and supplying food at an event. Their uniforms should be cleaned and ironed. Have a supply of deodorant and sprays on standby if need be. Make sure they have the WOW look of excellence. 


Business Etiquette

Make sure staff display the highest levels of etiquette.  Remind staff to say Please, Thank you, Excuse Me and Sorry.  In addition, they must ask  guests if they have finished eating before they take their plates away. Excellence with manners goes a long way.



Service With A Smile 

Make sure staff smile and are courteous to guests at all times. Smiling keeps the guests at ease and makes them feel happy and content. 


Customer Service
Make sure customer service is excellent. Exceed their expectations by anticipating their needs. You are guaranteed to get more work. Always log and learn lessons from each event that you are part of. This is the secret to improving excellence. Be the kind of caterer that event planners want to work with and clients want to engage.

Avoid employing hot headed staff who do not take correction, cant control their temper or who are quarrelsome.

Have a mantra for service. And share with your staff. 

Go The Extra Mile
Make sure you and your staff go all out to delight and surprise the client with excellent standards. This will keep you memorable

DELIGHT ALL THE GUESTS

Thanks for stopping by to read this blog post. What has been your experience with caterers and do you have additional advice? Please free to share.


About Author
RiRi is a dedicated Events planner, personal development trainer and speaker who is passionate about serving clients at Majestically Rare to the highest standards. Only the best will do. She is also the founder of Raising Confident Girls Initiative with a clear vision: A world where every girl is confident.  
MAJESTICALLY RARE


Thursday 24 May 2018

HOW TO REDUCE SUICIDE AMONG TEENS


Where do I even start with this amazing event tagged ‘’Moms on the GO ‘’which took place this morning?  I was only able to catch the morning session because of my event planning duties for an event tomorrow but what I did experience was educative, informative and worth sharing.


I WILL SURVIVE 

The morning event started with the welcome address by the Founder /CEO Amb Unyine – Ivy King of SOW&G Foundation. She believes that all issues begin from the family. And she is a strong advocate of instilling character and values.  

With Founder /CEO Amb Unyime-Ivy King 


WHAT WE KNOW

Suicide is a medical epidemic
Statistics from 2017 in Nigeria states that out of every 5 suicides 3 are aged 15 – 25.
The session this morning was ‘’Addressing Mental Disorders and growing Suicide Rates Among Teenagers: Red Flags and Solutions’’

Panel Discussion

PANELISTS

·      Mrs Chinedum Oluwasamiloa – Head of School Corona
·      Becky Oyibo – Psychecolorist
·      Victory Yinka Banjo – Student Leader
·      Mr Kris Allita – Teen Mentor
·      Dr Osaz – Medical Doctor & Neuro Psychologist
·      Marilyn Oma Anona – Hostess
The moderator Marilyn Anona said that there is a common view among Nigerians that suicide is not of us. But statistics show that suicide is increasing especially among teens.  So below are my notes from the Q&A

Confident young lady named Esther

What is suicide?

·      Deliberately taking one’s own life
·      An action that results from total hopelessness
·      If I go no one will miss me
·      Often pre-planned
·      Starts with anxiety then depression then suicide
·      It’s the very end of the spectrum

What factors increase suicide among teens?

·      Loss of a loved one especially if there is deep connection (We saw this in death of Whitney Houston’s daughter)
·      Bitter divorce between parents
·      Change of location especially from one city to another

Who is most at risk?

·      Every child not just teens 
·      Sometimes children as young as 5  feel suicidal.
·      If your child suggests this then do take them seriously

Some suicidal incidents in Lagos

·      Failed Jamb 4 times
·      Academic pressure from parents
·      Failed 1st year in University
·      Boyfriend impregnated girl and another girl


What are the warning signs?

·      They feel worthlessness
·      They feel hopelessness
·      Expectation of wishing something disastrous would happen like ceiling collapsing and killing everyone
·      Seeking Rat poison
·      Seeking Knives
·      Marks on the body
·      Withdrawal
·      Extreme Sadness
·      Easily aggressive and highly irritable

Girls attempt suicide but don’t take their lives as much as boys.

How did we get here?

·      Children are more isolated
·      They don’t know their neighbours
·      Humans are meant to be social
·      Societal pressures

How can suicide be prevented?

·      Avoid social isolation
·      Talk to your teens
·      Praise teens for efforts other than academic performance such as community service, character, arts, dance etc
·      Affirm your children
·       Be their advocate.
·      Instil confidence in teens
·      Don’t allow children under 13 on social media
Parents need to engage more in conservation with teens. Listen but don’t be judgmental. Be supportive and allow your teen to understand that failure is just feedback. We need to be more encouraging and have more empathy. Also if your child is depressed, it’s not the time to point to scriptures.

Teenagers do feel that there is so much going on which can be whelming. They are thinking of their future, peer pressure and over stressed while trying to make the grades.


FOUR CHEMICALS THAT ACTIVATE HAPPINESS

Did you know that happiness is a chemical experience?
Dr Osaz – Medical Doctor & Neuro Psychologist shared tips on how to increase happiness from the 4 chemicals which may prove useful for your teens.

Dopamine – This can be achieved when you score a goal, accomplish a task or even perform acts of kindness. Volunteering has also shown to increase dopamine. Appreciate each little step you take. Be present in the moment and be grateful.

Oxytocin – Social Bonding! Each time you bond socially it releases happiness. Give someone a cuddle. Spend time we loved ones. We already know this leads to long life and good health.

Serotonin – Earn respect! Start looking for someone to help. Or start a cause or a foundation.  My research also states that sunshine increases this hormone along with exercise and happy thoughts.

Endorphin – Do something against your discomfort or against the impossible.  Go and do something that you don’t feel like doing and you might surprise yourself. Make sure its legal.  From my research doing high intense exercise increase endorphins. So if one suffers from depression they are urged to increase exercise.

Supporting SOW&G Foundation


So that's it from me, if you found my blog post useful, please leave a comment and please share with others that may benefit.

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About Author


RiRi is a dedicated Events planner, personal development trainer and speaker who is passionate about serving clients at Majestically Rare to the highest standards. Only the best will do. She is also the founder of Raising Confident Girls Initiative with a clear vision: A world where every girl is confident. 


Tuesday 15 May 2018

WHAT COMES AFTER LOSS?


After watching an episode of Red Table Talk with Jada Pinkett Smith and her family on Facebook, I was thinking about my own deep losses. I didn’t really have many major losses in my life until my 40’s. 

After loss comes strength 

LOOSING FAMILY

My first major loss was losing my beloved younger brother Chris to cancer just before my 40th birthday and then my father in-law died a few years later. My mother in-law passed on early this year and she was buried quite recently in the village. I miss them all dearly and each death came with pain and grief.

But the death of my father blew my mind and was the biggest shock of my life because it was so unexpected. He wasnt old or extremely sick. He had complained of flu symptoms that week but nothing could have prepared us for his death. My dad just went to sleep and never woke up. 

The day my older brother called me from London to share the shocking news was the worst day of my life but surprisingly out of that loss has come the most strongest and powerful expression of myself. Even though my dad left  in the physical, he is always with me in the spirit. 


Always a Daddy's Girl


Everyone around me was so surprised at how I coped and handled the loss including my husband because I was a daddy’s girl. I cried a river for a long time, prayed Psalm 34 daily and other scriptures and then came peace and strength. I developed a strong belief in myself and a great desire to live my life to the max. I realized that life is indeed short and no one knows tomorrow. All you have is today so you have to live in the moment. 

This blog was birthed during the loss of my father and writing kept me sane.


Strong friendships formed  

NOTHING LASTS FOREVER 

I felt a deep loss over a sisterhood that I was part of because it deeply impacted my life and never thought it would end. I was able to think beyond my wildest dreams. Nothing was impossible. The sisterhood helped me form a positive thought life and I felt a real sense of belonging. I believed so passionately in the causes. 



I loved the sisterhood with all my heart but when my season was up, I felt a huge loss because I didnt see it coming but God in his mercy turned that pain into purpose.  

So many beautifully things came out from and after that season including my business Majestically Rare and then Raising Confident Girls was birthed soon after. Thankfully I am still good sister friends with a few remarkable ladies from that season who are doing wonderful things.


Sister Friends ALL doing Amazing Things




WHO AM I?

I lost a bit of myself especially when I relocated to Lagos from London and was trying to figure out where I fitted in this dynamic buzzing city that I had never lived in before. There was a lot of cultural adjustments needed for a ''Briticco Girl'' like me.  There were so many moments that I just wanted to run back to London.


I tried to keep up with the Lagos big gals ''look & feel'' with all that glitz and glam but aside from it being expensive, it just wasn’t me. I decided I was fed of up of weaves and painful relaxers so became part of team natural and the new and improved me evolved.

This is me

After a loss, Raising Confident Girls was birthed

LIGHT AT END OF LOSS

When you are going through loss, you can liken it to labour pains BECAUSE what comes after the pain can be beautiful and powerful and it can take you to new heights. It is a process though and shouldnt be rushed.
.
Have you ever experienced deep loss? How did you overcome it? 

Thanks for stopping by and reading this post which was quite difficult and uncomfortable to write but its intention is always to inspire somebody even if its one person. May the souls of all the departed rest in perfect peace and may everyone who has lost someone, something, some group find renewed peace and joy. 

The best thing that you will never loose is the LOVE of Christ. It never ends and it never fails. Shalom

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About Author

RiRi is a dedicated Events planner, personal development trainer and speaker who is passionate about serving clients at Majestically Rare to the highest standards. Only the best will do. She is also the founder of Raising Confident Girls Initiative with a clear vision: A world where every girl is confident. 

Saturday 12 May 2018

WHAT'S THE FUSS ABOUT SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE?

Social Intelligence (SQ) is the ability to get along successfully with people and to get them to cooperate with you.






With greater SQ, we can discover the great value that can be found in meaningful social relationships. SQ is a new framework of understanding other people. We are wired to connect with other people, and the desire to connect is not a sign of flawed character but one that can enrich one's life.

Social Intelligence is not Emotional Intelligence although closely related. SQ is about understanding the personalities and reactive behaviors of people to know how to best get to along and get a positive outcome whereas EQ is about understanding your emotions and emotions of others with a strong emphasis on empathy. 


Active Listening is a key skill in SI


In a nutshell SQ is about developing stronger people skills. 95% of what humans think, say and do is done automatically, without thought. As you develop SQ, you can learn to spot this and be more intentional with your dealings with others to achieve a harmonious outcome.




ARE YOU SQ?

IF you answered YES to most of the following then you have strong social intelligence skills
·    You speak less and listen more
·    You leave people feeling comfortable and with ease
·    You make others feel respected, affirmed, encouraged and competent 
·    You have a nourishing personality
·    You are sensitive towards others
·    You don’t speak in definite about people, politics and ideas
·    You don’t confuse opinion for facts
·    You speak with confidence and clarity
·    You don’t embarrass others openly
·    You validate other people
·    You work on self-development
·    You are self-aware and know thyself
·    You have natural charisma and are respected by many

WHAT HAPPENS WITH SQ?
As you develop social intelligence you will shift away from seeing yourself as the center of the social universe and focus more on the actual connections and interactions with other people. When you are socially intelligent, you make the choice to understand how other people see situations and compare it to how you see it. As a result, you will understand more fully what is happening and be in a better position to act with foresight rather than thoughtless reaction.

HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE SQ?
You can change your approach depending on the person you are dealing with so that you can connect with people. People like people who are similar to them. You can win with people by showing similarities not differences. You can also develop the skill of reading people and understanding social situations by being observant and fully present with interactions. 


Slides from Social Intelligence Training

Listening is a very strong SQ skill. You can listen actively before you respond. In discussions with others, don’t try to inform people of their ignorance or show them up in public.  Speak with confidence and precision. Validate other people’s feelings and don’t argue with people who don’t want to learn. Show empathy. Work on yourself tirelessly so that you know thyself and other people. 


Slides from Social Intelligence training



Never Ending Learning. I'm certified with Social Intelligence

Socially intelligence is a choice which you can refine throughout life. 

Are you SQ? Please let me know in the comment box. Thanks for stopping by and please share with others.

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About Author

RiRi is a dedicated Events planner, personal development trainer and speaker who is passionate about serving clients at Majestically Rare to the highest standards. Only the best will do. She is also the founder of Raising Confident Girls Initiative with a clear vision: A world where every girl is confident.