Guess what we got up to last Thursday?
If you answered with handing out one of those novelty sized cheques, then call yourself Mystic Meg as you’re 100% right!
Charity Cheque…
thestudio loves to work with and support the local communities in the cities we call home, it gives us that Friday feeling every day of the week.
Have you heard of Wood Street Mission? They’re an amazing children’s charity which helps and supports local families in Manchester & Salford. At their core, they believe all children should live a poverty free life, encouraging them to value education and offering practical guidance so families can raise themselves out of poverty.
If you “teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
The fisherman needs the basics before he can start to provide for himself… And that’s what Wood Street Mission supply, the necessities!
If you’ve booked thestudio’s funky, retro space The Classroom, you’ve directly helped to support local Mancunians! For every confirmed event in Classroom, thestudio makes a £10.00 contribution to Wood Street Mission!
Our Commercial Director, Julian Kettleborough, was happy to present Wood Street Mission with £1,210.
We look forward in continuing our work with Wood Street Mission and a huge thank you to our clients, you help make this possible!
Welcome…
Everyone loves feeling a part of something, having a sense of belonging and being accounted for. Life’s much more fun when everyone’s included, it’s why our meat-free buffet options are gluten free, dairy free and of course vegan friendly! #worldveganday
Unlimited vegan options…
On a health kick? Wave goodbye to boring celery sticks and hello to mouth-watering vegan dishes like chickpea and spinach masala with pilau rice or sweet & sour tofu served with stir fried veggies and rice noodles. Who ever said a plant based diet had to be boring? (Watch this space, we’ll be releasing thestudio cookbook this winter which includes some great vegan dishes! Talking about vegan dishes… click here for a surprise recipe!)
Food for thought…
Did you know veganism is more than a plant based diet? It’s a lifestyle! Their ethos of avoiding animal products for moral/health reasons influences all types of products they use from shower gel to floor cleaner, even clothing. Learn more about veganism click here… and the benefits click here…
Insider view…
One of the studio team undertook a short stint of veganism, check out her experience:
“One of my good friends is vegan and she was a real hard-core meat eater. Admittedly I didn’t eat much meat or dairy so taking on a vegan week challenge seemed achievable! It went swimmingly and I haven’t eaten meat since, a few months now, I can’t say I miss it that much, well, that is until the aroma of a bacon sandwich in the morning!”
Foodie to foodie…
Here at thestudio, we see being a foodie as a super power to make any food spectacular, enjoyable and memorable. Whether the dish is vegan or otherwise, we’ll definitely put our heart and soul into it!
Not to be confused with The Ting Tings, The Ting Thing is a prolific Birmingham based blogger! Her work encompasses topics like beauty, fashion, food and travel. So if you’re looking for some inspiration, her lifestyle blog is definitely worth a gander.
thestudio & The Ting Thing…
If you’re new to us, we’re a meetings and events venue who harness their core value of customer first in everything we do. We have 4 venues throughout the UK, with our HQ based in the heart of Birmingham’s bustling city centre.
Today, we’re happily welcoming The Ting Thing though our doors and many other Birmingham-based bloggers! In this exciting event, they’ll be looking to collaborate works, swap ideas and create something nothing short of brilliant.
If this sounds right up your street and you’d like to find out more about Birmingham Blogger UK please click here.
From thestudio…
Wishing everyone a fabulous blog together day!
In our fast paced world it’s good to slow down and place importance on that fabled ‘me’ time. Undoubtedly it’s why apps such as Headspace are such a hit! It can be difficult to set aside time to gather ourselves, so let’s draw inspiration from nature… the mascot for being seamlessly chilled, today we celebrate International Sloth Day!
Did you know…
One of our team members has travelled to the land of these strange but endearing creatures? Check out what she had to say about her experience:
“Eye opening. That would be the best way I could describe my trip. I’ve never travelled solo let alone with a group of strangers! So whilst putting my people skills to the ultimate test, I thought it would be a bright idea to challenge my fears and take part in Indiana Jones type activities like waterfall rappelling, rainforest trekking, white water rafting and riding an ATV though jungle rivers. Yes I survived!
For me, travel is the door to learning more about yourself but you can only go through it if you’re open to new experiences and stepping out of the cosy comfort zone.
Not many people can say they’ve had the pleasure of meeting a sloth in the wild, but thankfully I can. So I knew we just had to celebrate International Sloth Day! (Jyoti even has a mouse mat proclaiming ‘my patronus is a sloth’!)
Costa Rican life is very serene, they constantly pursue efforts which enrich the lives of every living being there. They live by a saying called “Pura Vida” which means pure life, to live a full life, simply put “It is a perspective to life that evokes a spirit that is carefree, laid back and optimistic.”
Just like the sloth, the people there take time to slow down and appreciate their surroundings. Costa Rica doesn’t even have an army… so you can imagine how peaceful of a people they are!”
One two toed step…
We at thestudio promote a healthy work life balance and encourage the team to take on new experiences. We’re strong believers that a change of scene can do you the world of good. So today, celebrate International Sloth Day and take a breather!
We just can’t seem to settle down, can you guess why? It’s International Coffee Day!
If we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming you through our doors, you might have noticed we love a good coffee. We’re proud to offer you and your guests’ fresh bean to cup coffee on every mug you pour… delicious!
Test yourself and see if you’re a coffee fiend by thestudio’s standards!
1. Have you ever experienced coffee envy?
2. Does the thought of tasting luxurious imported beans excite you?
3. Are you on cup #3 by 9am?
4. Does the scent of coffee outweigh the aroma of freshly cut grass or bacon?
5. Would you always choose a coffee over tea?
6. Are your friends and work colleagues impressed by how many jazzy named coffees you’ve tasted?
7. Do you have a dedicated mugs or your all-important morning pick me up?
8. Have you invested in a trusty coffee machine and placed it lovingly by your bedside?
1 – 4 yes’s – tea drinker perhaps?
5 – 6 yes’s – Coffee has a special place in your heart!
7 – 9 yes’s – Must be still buzzing for your last coffee…
10 yes’s – You’re a true coffee fiend!
Give Me Coffee and T.V…
This wonderful world is full of hot drink connoisseurs. With each of us having our own palates and taste preferences we just can’t help ourselves but give tea drinkers a good ol’ shout out…
It may be International Coffee Day we can’t help but use this opportunity to welcome Tetley tea in our venues!
So whether you prefer a rich coffee, sweet tea or a flavoursome hot chocolate… Happy International Coffee Day from thestudio.
You are what you eat…
Not our usual breakfast we must admit but today’s a special day! Creating timeless masterpieces that transport you to magical worlds full of wonder and awe, today we’re celebrating the works of a truly iconic author: Happy Roald Dahl Day!
“Never do anything by halves if you want to get away with it. Be outrageous. Go the whole hog. Make sure everything you do is so completely crazy it’s unbelievable…” Matilda – Roald Dahl
The Golden Ticket…
Here @thestudio, we’re a sucker for everything inspirational. You’ll only have to visit our venues to be welcomed with a myriad of encouraging quotes. From Rene Descartes to David Bowie… our inspiration net is cast far and wide! We’re looking for our golden ticket, tweet @thestudio with your favourite Roald Dahl quote and be in with a chance of it being put up in one of our venues!
First impressions…
We usually think of the first impressions being the most important but here @thestudio we count on making a lasting impression! With that in mind, check out which Dahl works have touched our team:
Gillian: BFG. Really appealed to a child’s imagination and sense of humour with whizz popping and snozzcumbers. To this day I still call humans human beans….
Julian: My all-time favourite is Danny The Champion of The World – I read it at the age of 7 and I can still remember being up until the early hours of the morning trying to finish it. He lives with his dad in a gypsy caravan and his dad makes a living by repairing cars and poaching pheasants. My favourite bit is when he has to rescue his Dad from capture by driving their Austin 7 to a wood where his Dad has been trapped by his leg (his Dad has broken his leg) I would have loved to have been able to drive at the age of 7…
Nigel: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It is so Studio and I dream of giving it away to a small child one day who can manage the cash flow better than me…
Dawn: I love James and the Giant Peach. My favourite teacher read it to us as a class when I was little, his writing really made me feel as though I was there with James. We have just started to read it to my little boy at bedtime.
Tracey: It’s funny, sad and seeing all those kids triumph over the horrid Miss Trunchbull always makes me smile and it goes to show if you put your mind to it you can achieve anything and it’s ok to be different!
Prabjot: My fav is The Witches.
Because the witches live amongst us… I could be a witch, you could be a witch, anyone could be a witch!
To all our studio goers remember, “those who don’t believe in magic will never find it”.
What’s your favourite human quality?
Laughter. Funny people definitely leave a lasting impression on us. You might be a hard-core Seth Rogan fan or love to nestle down and stick on Mrs. Doubtfire, one thing’s for sure, everyone loves a good old giggle! Throughout time people have been admired for their talents to influence and shape the world we live in. But what do iconic greats like Mother Theresa, Ghandi, Abraham Lincoln and Albert Einstein have in common? Introducing thestudio’s favourite human quality: compassion.
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”― Aesop
World Humanitarian Day…
Today we recognise and thank the efforts of those who risk their lives in the hope of improving someone else’s. Find out more about the #NotATarget campaign by clicking here.
Small Victories…
It’s great to celebrate the small victories and the little things you can do to make a difference. That’s why thestudio are teaming up with Foodinate – a multi award winning “meal-for-meal” initiative tackling food poverty in local communities. So when you’re booking a delicious Foodinate Fancy Tea, for your guests, you’ll also be providing the same amount of hot meals for your local community! You and your guests can enjoy a variety of fondant fancies, fresh lemon slices, chocolate tea cakes and Foodinate cupcakes… Compassion and kindness never tasted so good! Curious to find out more? Check out Foodinate’s website by clicking here.
We’re also working with Lets Feed Brum, have a little read of how to help the homeless in Birmingham.
From all of us @thestudio, have a brilliant weekend!
Guest blog: Kirsty Rafe: Year 10 at King Edwards VI Lichfield.
When I entered thestudio on the first day of my work experience, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I’d arrived early, half nervous, half excited to see what goes on behind the scenes. I’d always thought that a job wasn’t something you could fully enjoy, that it was just something everyone just had to do. Not at thestudio. Although when you take first glance at the doors in, it appears small, instantly you are grabbed by the bright colours and glass doors that allow you to see into the world of thestudio.
Tour
When inside the doors, I was shown around the unique building. Although I’d been inside thestudio doors before, my eyes kept being caught by little quirky details I hadn’t seen before. It instantly put a smile on my face as I struggled to find my favourite part. Everything catches your eye; from the rooms that are labelled with motivational words, to the engaging colours scattered about, and the table football on the second floor. Even the early birds that were waiting to go in couldn’t have been bored for a second.
Reception
After experiencing it myself, I’m convinced that anyone who walks through those front doors, no matter how nervous or unsure they may be, could be put at ease by the welcoming smile on Pedro’s face at the front desk. Admittedly I didn’t answer any calls on the first day, because I was so interested in seeing how the staff react to different situations on the phone. I was in awe at how naturally they could deal with any situation that was given to them, and could answer anything the customer was enquiring about. Now I was determined to be part of this brilliant team.
On the second day, I was on reception again, up on the second floor with Sharon. With this new determination had to be involved with the calls, I finally built up the confidence to do it. I’d been welcomed so well into thestudio that I began to feel like part of the team. All day I dealt with lost guests trying to find their rooms, and answered any questions asked. I learnt a lot of skills, behind the desk, and customer skills.
Mission control/Sales
This is by-far the busiest job area I’d experienced. I admire the sales team because they handle all the enquiries for the Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, and Glasgow venues. Constant calls and emails came into the office, and were dealt with asap.
I was taken through financial processes in thestudio, and learnt how, instead of pressuring payments from clients, they are flexible with customer payments. I was also taken through all the little clever parts on their website, by Mandy, that the everyday customer might overlook. thestudio website is very useful as it even shows you the route from nearby train stations to the venues. One of the team went out with a camera and filmed the whole route-such a good idea!
Other bits I got involved with
On one of the days I got a little bit involved with the operations team. I’d seen them throughout the week rushing around, and organising things. They cleared away used items from the customers, and provided them with anything they needed. I was impressed how quiet and quick they were at moving things around while people were in their rooms; you wouldn’t even notice they were there. I learnt how to multi task as they were all being asked to do 101 things at once- catering for different rooms and different amounts of clients.
Throughout my week at thestudio I’ve learnt that people can really enjoy their job. Also, that to have the kind of success they have, there is a lot of teamwork, and determination involved. I have really admired the team at thestudio, and hope I can one day be in a successful job like theirs.
I would like to say thank you to everyone at thestudio for welcoming me into their own unique world of business, and giving me a fun week too!
Find out why we’re bouncing off the walls…
In 2015, we welcomed a new addition to thestudio family in Leeds. Perched on the 8th floor on Riverside West, overlooking both city and country views, thestudioleeds offers a bright, quirky alternative events venue. A place to soak in the Yorkshire views and escape from the norm. We’ve got some brilliant news we’d love to share with you!
Bigger is better…
Remember, remember this September. Imagine that your favourite cake just got a whole new layer, with the same deliciousness as the others! Well, that’s exactly what’s happening to thestudioleeds. We’re happy to announce the introduction of a whole new floor. With a mixture of spaces perfect for small to medium events, they’ll be ready to Rock ‘n’ Roll by this September!
Venues under the hammer…
If we’ve been lucky enough to have you as guests at any of our venues, you might have noticed that we’re really into food. That’s why thestudiobirmingham’s kitchen is getting a revamp! So we can create and make even more delicious dishes for you and your guests.
Look forward to welcoming you!
Selling out in 2016, thestudiomanchester are excited to once again welcome Jamchester through its doors!
It’s Jamazing…
Not quite sure what Jamchester is about? One thing’s for sure, it’s not a festival dedicated to jam! Presented by Gameopolis and HAC100, we introduce the UK’s biggest professional game jam, a weekend long event offering industry professionals the perfect opportunity to let their imaginations run wild. Get your creative juices flowing as you compete either in a team or as a lone wolf to create the best game. Rome wasn’t built in a day, so you’ve been given two to craft your masterpiece!
We’re Jammin’…
Not for the faint hearted, this game building extravaganza is a 24hr event! Guests will be working round the clock on their precious projects. Last year Jamchester welcomed a whopping 200 attendees and received a staggering 39 video games! Whether you love gaming or are a curious kitten, check out last year’s marvels by clicking here… thestudio
To All Gamers…
Here at thestudio, we really value being customer focused. Whether you’re new to our meetings and events spaces or have stuck by us since our Orange days, we’re always super excited to see the return of clients’ year in year out. To everyone competing this weekend, a massive good luck from thestudio team.
