“Tea to the English is really a picnic indoors.”

-Alice Walker

It’s no secret that us Brits love a cuppa. Whether it’s a quick brew before heading out the door or enjoyed with a myriad of cakes and bite sized sandwiches, tea drinking is an undeniably huge part of our culture. So important in fact that we’ve got some big news to share with you…

BIGGER, Better tea selection…

If you ask us what year it is, we’ll say it’s Twentea twentea! That’s because we’ve introduced a new variety of Birchall teas across all our venues. Whether it’s a caffeine boosting English Breakfast, refreshing and distinct Earl Grey or a stomach settling ginger and lemon, we’ve got you covered. In this turning over a new leaf, there’s even red berries, green tea, chamomile and peppermint to choose from.

Why Birchall?
With 5 generations of tea expertise’s in its basket, its no wonder Birchall has won so many great taste awards. Aside from the spectacular flavour, Birchall has a strong sense of sustainability and environmental responsibility.Their tea bags are compost friendly, better still they’re MICRO PLASTIC FREE! The importance they place on innovative ways to reduce impact really resonates with thestudio’s core values. We’re always looking at ways to add something a little special to your customer journey with us.

Fancy a cuppa?
Win a box of Birchalls tea by following @studiovenues on twitter and RETWEET to enter! (Only till 4pm 6th Feb)

Mug to glug…
Nothing short of a hug in a mug, not much beats a good cuppa. We want your tea tasting opinions, tweet us @thestudio. If you’d like to find out more about Birchall tea click here… And remember, you’re always welcome to pop in and join us for a brew!

Ever notice how people who are admired, radiate a positive and friendly aura? Whether you’re looking to secure agreements, network or become someone’s go to person, body language has a meaningful impact on the connections we attempt to create. We are frequently told “actions speak louder than words”, so join us as we delve into the world of body language!

What is this body language you speak of?

Body language in a nutshell is how we consciously and unconsciously hold ourselves. It’s a form of nonverbal communication which gives clues into our frame of mind or attitude. From posture to a welcoming handshake, every gesture we make is subconsciously noted in the minds of our audiences. It has the power to convey how we really feel, without even saying a word! “Research says that our communication consists of 35% verbal communication and 65% non-verbal communication.”

Positivity is infectious!

First time presenting or have an important client catch up? A positive body language can help captivate, influence and draw in your audience/guests to the pivotal message of your meeting. We’ve done some digging and here are a few ways you’ll give off the best impression:

1. Chillin’ is winning – having a relaxed posture, breathing and open arms/palms are all signs of a calm demeanour. Making you seem approachable, friendly and pleasant.

2. It’s all in the eyes – eye contact is important; it shows that you are confident and comfortable in a given situation/environment. It’s said that eye contact when teaching improves learning, attention and makes the audience feel more engaged. It even expresses interest…just remember not to stare!

3. Nodding helps to emphasise key points and makes them more memorable.

4. Show off your pearly whites – smiling and using humour encourages people to feel more at ease and makes it easier to develop a warm personal relationship.

Everything in moderation…

Positive body language should be used sparingly, it’s a fine line as consistent exaggerated gestures can come off more negative than positive!

After thought…

Body language can be consciously applied to any given situation, so we hope that you’ve found this insightful. Why not give it a whirl and try out our positive body language tips!

Written by: Jyoti Banga

It’s finally here, the British summer has decided to make an appearance halfway through the year. Better late than never we say! Before we strut our stuff in shorts and add cocktail umbrellas to all our cold drinks, there is one hurdle to jump…

We spend a good portion of our lives dedicated to our careers which usually means business attire! Whilst presentation is everything, being suited and booted often leads us to feeling hot under the collar. Despite retiring your blazer to your chair back, heat can be a problem.

So how would you keep your guests from falling asleep in your events? Read on for our top tips for keeping your team cool and engaged this summer!

1 – Feel that breeze! Let’s be honest, no one wants to be confined to an office space for the whole day. Not much has changed from those long hot schooldays spent peering out the window wishing you were outside. That’s why it’s important to have the best of both worlds. Choose an event venue that offers an outdoor area where guests can stretch their legs and get that all important dose of vitamin D. It’ll make a huge difference to their outlook and concentration.

2 – Avoid stuffy rooms… Open the windows! General ventilation is a blessing in hot weather conditions. Making sure there is a flow of air will have a significant effect on your guests’ comfort. How to make sure the venue offers exactly what you need? Getting a first-hand perspective of what you’ve booked really helps, book in to visit the event space you’ve booked!

3 – Ice cream! Everyone loves surprises, especially ones involving food. Refresh your guests by treating them to ice cream. It’s a great trick that’ll offer some refuge from the heat and a much-needed sugar boost! Rest assured ice cream isn’t the only option, how about: cool fruit kebabs, individual pots of sorbet, smoothies, jugs of iced tea or even hire in a Slushie machine! The possibilities are endless… Check with your events space what they could offer.

4 – Engage your guests… Visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic, keeping different types of learners engaged in the baking heat is a challenge to say the least! Our solution? Try having ice breaker style activities dotted throughout your event. Three short 5 minute activities will help refocus your guests. Using lightly competitive games, quizzes or puzzles alongside your event topic will make the information more memorable. Alternatively, you could book an external company through your venue who offer fun team building exercises!

5 – Hydration breaks… We all respond to heat differently, some of us relish in the inferno whilst others recoil at the thought of being hot. One sure fire way to douse that flame is to incorporate hydration breaks into your event. These little breathers will help the day keep pace and allows each individual to regulate their own body temperature. After-all, water is the elixir of life!

We hope our summer suggestions will help you in your events. Tweet us your cool ideas @studiovenues.

Written by: Jyoti Banga

It feels as though the long-awaited British summer has abandoned us and now businesses are already advertising for Christmas?! We understand the injustice, it might seem unthinkably soon to entertain the thought, so here’s a few reasons why it’s a brilliant idea to get cracking on the planning…

Get bookin’ good lookin’…

“Eat a live frog every morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” – Mark Twain. Thankfully you don’t have to make frog eating part of your morning routine, instead, banish procrastination by doing your least loved task first. Booking a Christmas party venue might be at the top of this list! So… get cracking, tick it off and sit back and enjoy that summer we are all waiting for!

Thoughtful questions…

As you can imagine, there’s a whole heap of aspects to take into consideration when looking at potential venues. What your team needs and what the venue offers should be paramount. Here’s a few questions for consideration to help guide your thought processes:
– Getting there… Does the chosen venue offer a variety of transport links to suit all budgets?
– Classic or quirky? The style of your chosen venue says a lot about your brand and your team, does your choice tick all the boxes?
– Do you want to be part of a joiner party night or would you like exclusive use of the venue?
– What other events are going on in the venue on the same date, will it impact your party?
– Will the venue offer event security for peace of mind?
– Food for thought… It’s really important to take into consideration the catering of the event. People come in all different shapes and sizes, and so do diets! Allergies, religious or preference… can the venue support all these requirements?
– Check out the bar prices in advance so the drinks are affordable and in line with what your guests would expect as high street prices
– Does the venue have all the appropriate licences; liquor, entertainment, music, etc
– Does your package include merrymaking essentials like DJ and decorations?
– Storage… Would you need to store items before or after the party?
– Weigh up if you’d implement a “drink voucher” system so everyone gets their fair share. It comes in handy when you’re budget conscious!
– Is the venue fully accessible and able to welcome all of your guests?
– Will some of the team need accommodation? Is there a good range of options nearby?

Party time…

Let’s be honest, it’s always great to have something to look forward to, and what better than a party pencilled in for December. Remember your end of year festivities are in celebration of all your achievements. You may not be counting down the days just yet but before you’ll know it, it’ll be time to go out with a bang!

The run down…

In a nutshell, there are perks of arranging your Christmas shin dig now: avoid both stress and fully booked venues with something to look forward to. Hopefully we’ve inspired you to take hold of the sleigh reins and start jotting some ideas down.

We appreciate finding the perfect match is a challenge, we appreciate a helping hand never goes a miss… With that in mind, here are our best tips for finding your dream venue.

The bare necessities…

Before we go off on a delightful tangent and start singing The Jungle Books’ classic song, let’s think about what you need from your venue. It could be anything from super-fast Wi-Fi connection, an outdoor environment or a stylised exhibition space. Jotting down a few key things about your event needs really helps to hone in your search results!

Are we there yet …?

Whether you’re dreaming about a coastline view, a cityscape or somewhere out in the sticks, location is everything when it comes to planning. A few thoughtful questions to help steer you in the right direction: how easy is the prospective venue to find? Will the bulk of your guest be travelling by car or using public transport? Is there accommodation at the venue or nearby? All these aspects will have a profound affect in your pursuit for your perfect match!

Show me the money…

Whether you’re tightening the purse strings or letting loose with your spending, budget plays a massive role in organising your event. If you’re conscious about splurging, arranging your event to fall on Monday, Friday or school holidays might help you save a pretty penny.

Free venue finding services…

New to the meetings and events game? Don’t worry, everyone starts somewhere! Luckily, there’s an abundance of lovely people who’ll be happy to help you on your mission. Free venue finding services are a way to go, they provide you support, search for and offer a variety of viable options. With a list of all your specs and event info, they’ll do all they leg work. Sounds like a dream doesn’t it?

Go with your gut…

Always visit the venue! Even though you’ll have copious amounts of images, detailed specifications and virtual tours of the location, nothing will speak louder than your first impression. You’ll be able to get a feel for the service, the team and most importantly the environment. Trust your intuition. Also check out all the venues social media pages, this will give you a great insight into their business personality and also it acts as a great way to see what other customer’s might be twittering on about!

That’s a wrap…

All in all, finding your perfect match is a doddle! We hope that our tips served you well in your search and if you ever need anything meetings and events, we’ll always be happy to help 😊

Written by: Jyoti Banga

To “give up” – cease making an effort; admit defeat.

Those who have stepped into any one of our four venues or met any of our team will know that “giving up” is not a phrase we like to take lightly here at thestudio. We make every effort to not view any task as too big, just a new challenge to embrace… However, at this time of year giving up is given a whole new meaning, with some doing it for different reasons to others…

Lent…
Lent is a 40-day period taking place around Easter, starting this year from the 6th March and ending on the 18th April. This is a Christian celebration, followers will fast from food and festivities to recreate the sacrifice of Jesus and time in the dessert.

Only a small amount of people now fast for the whole 40 days, instead some choose a favourite snack or bad habit to refrain from during this time. We all like to test our will power from time to time!

Indulge yourself…
Returning visitors will know we don’t like to hold back in feeding up our guests with a sweet treat here and there. We have even more opportunity to do just that recently, as today we have put out our pancake stations with the pick of your favourite toppings.

Our Spring treats also kick off to a flying start this week including a choice of Victoria sponge cakes, chocolate mini eggs and delicious hot toasted hot cross buns…

We have also made sure to include some little less indulgent treats; our bircher our pots and freshly sliced fruit platters.

I’d give up cake, but I’m no quitter …
Its been fascinating to find out what some of our team are going to try to “give up” for the next 40 days …

• Our Sales Director Oli wants to give up beer (and as he says now it’s written in black and white there’s no going back!)
• Our Sales & Revenue Manager Mandy is vowing to give up bread, saying she would happily eat it with every meal! However, she is going on holiday in the middle so may have a cheeky cheat day now and then…
• One of our Co-founders Emma, said she is going to give up Kale, she likes it a lot, but thinks she should be able to live without it until Easter Sunday !!

Let there be light…
Whether you choose to take part in Lent or not, in Old English the word means ‘lengthen’ reminding us that this time of year also means longer days. Hallelujah!

Written by: Rachel Robinson

Edited by: Emma Jennings

Have you overcome your fear of old photos? Well, now’s the time! Most of us cringe at the thought of sharing selfies from what seems like a happily forgotten past of wardrobe horrors, yet today, we’re relishing in the #10yearchallenge. Instead of burning unforgivable pics, we’re given the opportunity to be proud of who we were and present the world with who we are. Change is something to be celebrated and with that in mind, we just had to get in on the fun… Here’s thestudio’s #10yearchallenge!

Who would’ve thought it…?

Let’s set the scene, in 2009 thestudio would have only been three! In our modest beginnings, thestudio consisted of one venue: Birmingham. Our humble headquarters, fondly referred to Mission Control could welcome you to just 10 meeting spaces… At this moment in time, our sights were firmly set on Manchester and establishing a second home… Where were you in 2009?

Fast forward to 2019…

A lot has happened since 2009, some of which as a fellow studio goer you might already know! Count how many studio facts you knew and wow us by tweeting the number @studiovenues…

What’s the plan Stan? 2019 – 10 years on…

The New Year brings with it a call of reinvention, a time to applaud past achievements and another chance to dream big!

As always we ask you to stick with us and watch this space because this is going to be an exciting year! p.s we hope you enjoyed our #10yearchallenge!

Everyone needs a safe space from time to time, a place where you can recharge, restore and refill your positive energy. We’ve had the opportunity to offer just that, by welcoming homeless support charity Crisis through our doors this Christmas for the third year running.

Crisis do amazing work in leading those experiencing homelessness into a better life. By offering guidance to poverty sufferers, Crisis provides the support they need to empower themselves to create a positive change through education, support, employment and health. Our doors are open this week as the host venue for Crisis@Christmas, offering health and wellbeing support along with company, warmth, hot drinks and turkey baps with all the trimmings.

If you’re interested in finding out more about Crisis’s work with the community, please click here to visit their website.

Cathedral Christmas lunch…

This Saturday our chefs will be putting in some voluntary overtime to cook off a fantastic feast! In the spirit of Christmas, we’ll be dishing up 300 freshly cooked Christmas dinners for those in need at St.Peters Cathedral … a hot meal, some friendly faces and a place to be safe and warm for those in difficult and challenging circumstances.

Not just for Christmas, an extra slice…

Did you know, in an attempt to crack down on food wastage, thestudiobirmingham has been donating all leftover and excess food to Let’s Feed Brum? An amazing 4000 meals have been provided over the last couple of years. Let’s Feed Brum are a fantastic Birmingham based charity who aim to help alleviate poverty one meal at a time… Serving up delicious hot meals, the opportunity to restock on essentials and a chance to connect with other people.

If you’d like to know more about the charities, we currently work with through out our locations please click here.

We wish you all a wonderful Christmas break full of festive cheer, we look forward to welcoming you in the New Year and sharing with you another exciting studio year in 2019.

It’s dark! And with the darkness sets in an undeniable urge to retreat, armour yourself in the cosiest of clothes and surrender to your duvet. Trust us, you’re not alone! The sunny days of afternoon teas and wicker basket picnics feel like a hazy memory. It’s painful to waving good bye to that sun kissed glow you’ve worked on all summer, but don’t worry, we’ve got some tips to stave off the winter blues…

Energy boost…

Cold weather and comfort foods go hand in hand but before you help yourself to that second serving of that dangerously delicious lasagne, remember balance is key. Our energy levels during the day are greatly influence by the quality of our sleep, food and our hydration levels. So, before you comatose on carbs, get some iron rich greens will help you power through the fatigue!

Goals…

“If you can see it and believe it, it is a lot easier to achieve it.” – Oprah 

Visualisation is a powerful tool. It’s proven to boosts confidence, reduces stress and increases positivity! Imagining your achievements to come is only half of the process. Forget saving your resolutions for the new year, this new focus will help you overlook the looming snow days.

For a limited time only…
Pulled out your thermals at the first sign of a falling leaf? Find comfort in the promise that there will be another (hopefully hotter) summer in the coming year. Alternatively, how about all the positives this season brings. Short of ideas? How about hot chocolate, cosy clothes and unwrapping presents!

Get Christmassy…
This could be the solution to everything! For many it’s the most wonderful time of the year, it would be scandalous to not to play some festive classics in the office. Christmas brings along a fantastic season of gift giving and over indulgence. Even if you’re a bit of a Grinch, it’s proven that doing good makes us feel good. Fight off the winter blues by making someone else smile… you’ll definitely win a good citizen award from the ghosts of Christmas past.

Time to cosy up…
HYGGE! This Danish tradition of wellbeing through all things cosy. So, if you’ve sought refuge in a blanket on a cold day and enjoyed a hot soup to go with it… you’ve been unknowingly practising “hoo-ga”. Scandinavian countries are notorious for their sub-zero winters, even still they rank as the some of the happiest places in the world! Must be all thanks to Hygge. On that note… time to grab a hot chocolate!

Whether you’re a winter baby or love the sun, we wish you a fantastic season!

“It’s all about you! And it’s all about laughter, positivity and fun!” – Body Confidence

Confidence is a thing of beauty, it’s that inner driving force which makes you shine in everything you do. It’s the deciding factor whether we choose to take the bull by its horns or shy away from the opportunity. Being sure of yourself isn’t just about taking things in your graceful stride, it’s all about how you feel. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses is key but knowing yourself is most important.

Here @thestudio we appreciate people come in all shapes, sizes and confidence levels! Recently we had the brilliant opportunity to host Body Confidence Live’s inspirational event. A positive gathering all about body confidence, well-being and self-esteem. Dust off a new you by embracing an alternative perspective.

Lindsay Reid from Body Confidence had this to say about the event – “The event was great. We set out to have a positive and fun day and we really seemed to achieve that with amazing feedback about the way we’d helped make people feel which was everything we wanted. Our speakers were amazing, the venue was great, and our audience left feeling positive and uplifted.”

I’ve got the power…
We encourage our team to be confident by allowing them to be themselves and to interact with guests in the way they instinctively feel is right rather than following a script. We think this helps contribute to the family feel we’ve created across our spaces!