1 00:00:04,160 --> 00:00:06,920 Speaker 1: Hi, I'm Britney Saunders and welcome to Big Business Today. 2 00:00:06,960 --> 00:00:09,640 Speaker 1: You are listening to one of my bonus episodes and 3 00:00:10,160 --> 00:00:12,440 Speaker 1: I'm going to talk all things Christmas parties. 4 00:00:12,480 --> 00:00:12,680 Speaker 2: Now. 5 00:00:12,720 --> 00:00:15,960 Speaker 1: We have just had our Christmas party for Fate and 6 00:00:16,120 --> 00:00:19,200 Speaker 1: it's always an exciting time. I've heard so many people 7 00:00:19,239 --> 00:00:21,600 Speaker 1: over the years because I've posted about our Christmas parties 8 00:00:21,600 --> 00:00:24,239 Speaker 1: every now and then, I have people say like, oh 9 00:00:24,320 --> 00:00:26,439 Speaker 1: wish my boss less has caused you like we don't 10 00:00:26,440 --> 00:00:28,840 Speaker 1: get anything and we get five dollar bunnings about during 11 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:32,680 Speaker 1: That's it. And I will say, as Fate has grown 12 00:00:32,760 --> 00:00:35,360 Speaker 1: over the years, our Christmas parties have actually become more 13 00:00:35,400 --> 00:00:37,920 Speaker 1: and more pain I want to say. 14 00:00:37,960 --> 00:00:39,760 Speaker 2: And I've learned a lot from our Christmas parties over 15 00:00:39,800 --> 00:00:43,720 Speaker 2: the years. So let's take it back. I guess to our. 16 00:00:43,600 --> 00:00:46,879 Speaker 1: First Christmas well, like our first big Christmas party, the 17 00:00:46,920 --> 00:00:49,960 Speaker 1: first big Christmas party that we ever did was years 18 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:53,360 Speaker 1: and years ago, and obviously years and years ago, and 19 00:00:54,160 --> 00:00:57,480 Speaker 1: it was when I just had our Newcastle boutique and 20 00:00:57,520 --> 00:01:00,480 Speaker 1: there must have been like four team members that worked 21 00:01:00,480 --> 00:01:03,000 Speaker 1: in that store. And then we just had like our 22 00:01:04,200 --> 00:01:06,680 Speaker 1: staff that like kind of worked with me in the 23 00:01:06,680 --> 00:01:09,720 Speaker 1: warehouse slash office but it's when like it was all 24 00:01:09,760 --> 00:01:12,360 Speaker 1: together in the one building, like we were so tiny, 25 00:01:12,800 --> 00:01:16,520 Speaker 1: and so we went all out for that first big 26 00:01:16,600 --> 00:01:22,080 Speaker 1: Christmas party and we closed our shop for a Saturday 27 00:01:22,080 --> 00:01:24,560 Speaker 1: and a Sunday, so because it was the only one 28 00:01:24,600 --> 00:01:26,800 Speaker 1: store that we had, you know, it was really exciting. 29 00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:28,680 Speaker 2: There was like ten, not even. 30 00:01:28,480 --> 00:01:32,039 Speaker 1: Ten of us, and we came to Sydney and we 31 00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:35,199 Speaker 1: booked hotels for everyone and we went out on. 32 00:01:35,120 --> 00:01:36,920 Speaker 2: A super boat thing. 33 00:01:39,080 --> 00:01:41,160 Speaker 1: I think that like we went out on a boat 34 00:01:41,160 --> 00:01:43,720 Speaker 1: like hide that for however many hours, like four to 35 00:01:43,800 --> 00:01:45,520 Speaker 1: five hours, and I think we went to like a 36 00:01:45,600 --> 00:01:47,880 Speaker 1: bar or whatever after it, and then everyone stayed in 37 00:01:47,920 --> 00:01:49,720 Speaker 1: Sydney for the night and then we drove home. Now 38 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:51,160 Speaker 1: we did that for two years in a row. 39 00:01:52,480 --> 00:01:55,720 Speaker 3: Yeah, hello, Xander, did you have a drug and alcohol 40 00:01:55,760 --> 00:01:58,000 Speaker 3: policy put in place that everyone was aware of? 41 00:01:58,240 --> 00:01:58,400 Speaker 2: No? 42 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:03,880 Speaker 1: So again, this is when it's just me and we're 43 00:02:03,920 --> 00:02:06,480 Speaker 1: all working together, Like this is when I'm still packing 44 00:02:06,480 --> 00:02:09,120 Speaker 1: the orders. This is when I'm working in our Newcastle store. 45 00:02:09,400 --> 00:02:12,040 Speaker 1: I didn't have I didn't even have a store manager 46 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:15,040 Speaker 1: of that shop. Like it was so long ago that 47 00:02:15,200 --> 00:02:17,080 Speaker 1: I didn't know that, oh I should have a drug 48 00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:19,560 Speaker 1: an alcohol policy. You know, like this is just me 49 00:02:19,680 --> 00:02:22,000 Speaker 1: having fun all these girls that I work with them 50 00:02:22,080 --> 00:02:25,040 Speaker 1: also like my really good friends. Like it was unhinged. 51 00:02:25,680 --> 00:02:27,880 Speaker 1: I didn't have like a manager. I didn't have a 52 00:02:27,919 --> 00:02:30,040 Speaker 1: general manager, I didn't have hr Like it was just 53 00:02:30,120 --> 00:02:32,760 Speaker 1: me doing everything. So I had no idea that you 54 00:02:32,760 --> 00:02:34,720 Speaker 1: should have some sort of drug an alcohol policy. In 55 00:02:34,800 --> 00:02:37,320 Speaker 1: saying that, like everyone was very well fucking behaved like 56 00:02:37,400 --> 00:02:39,960 Speaker 1: nothing went wrong, thank god. And so we did that 57 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:42,160 Speaker 1: for a couple of years with the boat thing, and 58 00:02:42,240 --> 00:02:46,200 Speaker 1: then after a couple of years of doing that, because 59 00:02:46,200 --> 00:02:48,600 Speaker 1: we'd shut our Newcastle store for the weekend, then we 60 00:02:48,639 --> 00:02:50,960 Speaker 1: opened our cafe as well, and then the cafe joined 61 00:02:50,960 --> 00:02:53,240 Speaker 1: that Christmas party, so then we had two businesses shut 62 00:02:53,280 --> 00:02:56,040 Speaker 1: for a Saturday and Sunday. And we did it last 63 00:02:56,120 --> 00:02:58,440 Speaker 1: year as well, and I remember saying, Aja, this is 64 00:02:58,440 --> 00:03:00,840 Speaker 1: a last year that I'm doing this where we shut 65 00:03:01,080 --> 00:03:05,240 Speaker 1: for two days across two businesses because it costs too much, 66 00:03:06,280 --> 00:03:08,720 Speaker 1: which would be disappointing for our team to hear that 67 00:03:08,760 --> 00:03:12,480 Speaker 1: we're not doing the Sydney Christmas parties anymore. But I'm like, 68 00:03:12,520 --> 00:03:14,240 Speaker 1: we're just at the stage, like I said to him 69 00:03:14,280 --> 00:03:16,440 Speaker 1: last year, we can't we can't do this ever again. 70 00:03:18,200 --> 00:03:20,320 Speaker 1: And so last year's Christmas party, I don't know, the 71 00:03:20,560 --> 00:03:25,200 Speaker 1: years are all blurring together, but last year we went 72 00:03:25,280 --> 00:03:28,160 Speaker 1: to the Hunter Valley, which is like an hour away 73 00:03:28,200 --> 00:03:30,960 Speaker 1: from Newcastle's like a wine country, and we did a 74 00:03:31,000 --> 00:03:32,959 Speaker 1: wine tour which was like nice and we had a 75 00:03:33,040 --> 00:03:35,360 Speaker 1: lunch and then again we came back to Newcastle, like 76 00:03:35,480 --> 00:03:38,000 Speaker 1: had a couple of tables booked at a venue and 77 00:03:38,040 --> 00:03:40,360 Speaker 1: that was like pretty tame because like during the day 78 00:03:41,040 --> 00:03:41,520 Speaker 1: kind of thing. 79 00:03:42,480 --> 00:03:44,960 Speaker 2: This year it was even more simple. 80 00:03:45,440 --> 00:03:47,680 Speaker 1: So we've just had our Christmas party over the weekend 81 00:03:48,280 --> 00:03:51,760 Speaker 1: and we booked out a venue like a little bar 82 00:03:51,880 --> 00:03:54,280 Speaker 1: slash restaurant in Newcastle, and we just booked the whole 83 00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:57,880 Speaker 1: thing for ourselves and we just had like a stand 84 00:03:57,880 --> 00:04:01,200 Speaker 1: around cannapay sort of event. We had some music playing 85 00:04:01,800 --> 00:04:04,000 Speaker 1: and then we had oh we actually kind of went 86 00:04:04,080 --> 00:04:08,400 Speaker 1: all out still, so we had but it wasn't extravagant, 87 00:04:08,400 --> 00:04:10,560 Speaker 1: like there was no traveling like every other year we've 88 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:13,240 Speaker 1: like traveled like we've stayed in Sydney whatever. This was 89 00:04:13,280 --> 00:04:15,960 Speaker 1: just the one venue and no one had accommodation or anything. 90 00:04:16,600 --> 00:04:18,920 Speaker 2: We go. So here's the things we did. 91 00:04:18,920 --> 00:04:21,839 Speaker 1: We had delicious food and drinks, and then we had 92 00:04:21,960 --> 00:04:25,440 Speaker 1: there's a local business in Newcastle. Her name's Alisha, and 93 00:04:25,480 --> 00:04:29,640 Speaker 1: she does like artworks, so she came along to our 94 00:04:29,760 --> 00:04:32,080 Speaker 1: a Date with Fate event as well, and so she's 95 00:04:32,120 --> 00:04:34,520 Speaker 1: a really good painter and she goes around and like, 96 00:04:34,560 --> 00:04:36,120 Speaker 1: we'll take a photo of you and your friend or 97 00:04:36,120 --> 00:04:37,720 Speaker 1: you and your partner, and then she goes and sits 98 00:04:37,760 --> 00:04:41,080 Speaker 1: down does this beautiful watercolor artwork. So we had her 99 00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:44,360 Speaker 1: there and she was like doing everyone's paintings. And then 100 00:04:44,400 --> 00:04:46,320 Speaker 1: we had just like a photo booth like on a 101 00:04:46,360 --> 00:04:48,640 Speaker 1: stand thing and everyone could just like get the photo 102 00:04:48,640 --> 00:04:51,360 Speaker 1: booth photos done. And then another part of the night, 103 00:04:51,400 --> 00:04:54,960 Speaker 1: which was actually like the best investment ever And it 104 00:04:55,040 --> 00:04:57,960 Speaker 1: was my idea. And like our two team members that 105 00:04:58,120 --> 00:05:01,000 Speaker 1: organized our Christmas party this year, I remember when I 106 00:05:01,040 --> 00:05:03,080 Speaker 1: told them, they were kind of like, ah okay, but 107 00:05:03,120 --> 00:05:05,320 Speaker 1: then on the Christmas party they were coming up to 108 00:05:05,360 --> 00:05:07,919 Speaker 1: me like this was the best idea ever, Like, we 109 00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:09,560 Speaker 1: can't believe we ever doubted you. 110 00:05:10,040 --> 00:05:12,440 Speaker 2: We had a magician. So we had a magician. 111 00:05:12,760 --> 00:05:15,120 Speaker 1: He just came for like two hours of the night 112 00:05:15,680 --> 00:05:17,719 Speaker 1: and I thought it would just be like a fun 113 00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:19,840 Speaker 1: interactive thing to do, and. 114 00:05:19,760 --> 00:05:20,599 Speaker 2: He was amazing. 115 00:05:21,200 --> 00:05:23,040 Speaker 1: So he just because everyone was just like standing or 116 00:05:23,040 --> 00:05:24,919 Speaker 1: sitting around in groups, and he would just go around 117 00:05:24,960 --> 00:05:27,240 Speaker 1: and he did like card tricks and like. 118 00:05:27,240 --> 00:05:28,960 Speaker 2: Tricks with people's rings and stuff. 119 00:05:29,080 --> 00:05:32,159 Speaker 1: And it was honestly like he had everyone screaming like 120 00:05:32,200 --> 00:05:34,520 Speaker 1: because these tricks were so good. And it was just 121 00:05:34,520 --> 00:05:36,719 Speaker 1: like this random thought that I had because you know, 122 00:05:36,880 --> 00:05:39,120 Speaker 1: our Christmas parties in the past, like they've had lots 123 00:05:39,160 --> 00:05:41,280 Speaker 1: of interactive things like we went to the Hunter Valley, 124 00:05:41,320 --> 00:05:43,719 Speaker 1: we did wine tours, whereas here we were just like 125 00:05:43,760 --> 00:05:46,599 Speaker 1: at this one venue kind of thing. So I just 126 00:05:46,600 --> 00:05:48,279 Speaker 1: had that random idea and he was the hit of 127 00:05:48,320 --> 00:05:51,039 Speaker 1: the night. So I can highly recommend that for like 128 00:05:51,040 --> 00:05:53,279 Speaker 1: any business or corporate event, get a magician there, like 129 00:05:53,279 --> 00:05:56,120 Speaker 1: they're so entertaining and it just really like added a 130 00:05:56,120 --> 00:05:59,159 Speaker 1: fun element to the night. Now, this Christmas party this 131 00:05:59,279 --> 00:06:03,080 Speaker 1: year was the first time that our Newcastle store wasn't involved. 132 00:06:03,240 --> 00:06:06,119 Speaker 1: So for every year since twenty nineteen when we opened 133 00:06:06,120 --> 00:06:08,880 Speaker 1: our Newcastle store, our Newcastle team has been part of 134 00:06:08,880 --> 00:06:09,800 Speaker 1: our Christmas party. 135 00:06:10,240 --> 00:06:12,160 Speaker 2: Obviously, we can't have like. 136 00:06:12,120 --> 00:06:16,000 Speaker 1: Our Queensland store team come to the Christmas party our 137 00:06:16,040 --> 00:06:18,880 Speaker 1: Melbourne blah blah blah, because that is so many people 138 00:06:18,920 --> 00:06:21,080 Speaker 1: and that's a lot of travel and flights, and also 139 00:06:21,200 --> 00:06:23,479 Speaker 1: our stores are open seven days a week, and so 140 00:06:23,600 --> 00:06:26,800 Speaker 1: this was the first year that our Newcastle store team 141 00:06:27,080 --> 00:06:30,159 Speaker 1: wasn't invited to our Christmas party, which definitely would have 142 00:06:30,240 --> 00:06:34,000 Speaker 1: sucked for them, Like, not gonna lie, why are you laughing? 143 00:06:35,040 --> 00:06:36,560 Speaker 2: It just sounds so brutal. 144 00:06:36,920 --> 00:06:38,039 Speaker 3: Definitely sucks for them. 145 00:06:38,320 --> 00:06:40,320 Speaker 1: It would because they've been a part of it every 146 00:06:40,360 --> 00:06:42,359 Speaker 1: other year. But the reason for that being is we 147 00:06:42,400 --> 00:06:45,120 Speaker 1: have five stores now. All the stores get their own 148 00:06:45,160 --> 00:06:47,520 Speaker 1: Christmas party, Like I want to put that out there. 149 00:06:47,560 --> 00:06:50,280 Speaker 1: Don't worry, they're still getting their own Christmas party. But 150 00:06:50,320 --> 00:06:51,880 Speaker 1: we just felt like it got to the point where 151 00:06:52,640 --> 00:06:56,440 Speaker 1: it was almost unfair that just because they're local to us, 152 00:06:56,520 --> 00:06:58,799 Speaker 1: they get to go to like the main Christmas party, 153 00:06:58,839 --> 00:07:00,880 Speaker 1: but all the other stores don't get two when we 154 00:07:00,960 --> 00:07:04,000 Speaker 1: just try to keep everything as fair as possible between 155 00:07:04,040 --> 00:07:04,880 Speaker 1: all of our stores. 156 00:07:04,960 --> 00:07:08,440 Speaker 3: How many employees in the office and the warehouse combined? 157 00:07:09,720 --> 00:07:12,680 Speaker 2: Good question? Twenty something something? 158 00:07:12,720 --> 00:07:15,640 Speaker 1: Okay, Yes, So this Christmas party that we just had 159 00:07:15,720 --> 00:07:17,800 Speaker 1: was the first time that it was just the office 160 00:07:18,120 --> 00:07:21,240 Speaker 1: and just the warehouse and all the stores get their 161 00:07:21,280 --> 00:07:23,680 Speaker 1: own Christmas parties like they're already all booked in kind 162 00:07:23,720 --> 00:07:24,800 Speaker 1: of thing, And do you. 163 00:07:24,800 --> 00:07:26,640 Speaker 3: Book all the stores or is it up to the 164 00:07:26,640 --> 00:07:27,280 Speaker 3: store managers. 165 00:07:27,400 --> 00:07:28,680 Speaker 2: No, we organize it all for them. 166 00:07:29,400 --> 00:07:32,320 Speaker 1: So like last year our Newcastle store was involved in 167 00:07:32,360 --> 00:07:34,400 Speaker 1: our main Christmas party. We said, this is the last 168 00:07:34,440 --> 00:07:36,000 Speaker 1: time that they're going to come to this. They're going 169 00:07:36,080 --> 00:07:38,440 Speaker 1: to get the same party as all the other stores 170 00:07:38,520 --> 00:07:40,840 Speaker 1: kind of thing, which they at one hundred percent would 171 00:07:40,840 --> 00:07:42,320 Speaker 1: have been bummed about. But like at the end of 172 00:07:42,320 --> 00:07:44,160 Speaker 1: the day, we're just trying to keep things fair in 173 00:07:44,240 --> 00:07:46,400 Speaker 1: our business. You know, they're going to get the exact 174 00:07:46,440 --> 00:07:49,640 Speaker 1: same party that churm Side gets and Hawthorne and I 175 00:07:49,640 --> 00:07:53,040 Speaker 1: think like last year the all the stores they like 176 00:07:53,080 --> 00:07:55,000 Speaker 1: have their Christmas dinner in drinks and then they went 177 00:07:55,040 --> 00:07:57,200 Speaker 1: to like the High Jinks hotel thing. 178 00:07:57,200 --> 00:07:58,400 Speaker 2: I don't know if you've ever heard of that. 179 00:07:58,880 --> 00:08:02,520 Speaker 1: It's like a in her active I've never been, so 180 00:08:02,560 --> 00:08:04,120 Speaker 1: I don't know what it is, but like you do 181 00:08:04,200 --> 00:08:06,560 Speaker 1: games and puzzles and it's like kind of like an 182 00:08:06,680 --> 00:08:09,480 Speaker 1: escape room but like funner and cooler. I don't know, 183 00:08:09,800 --> 00:08:11,800 Speaker 1: so like do an activity and have their dinner and drinks. 184 00:08:11,800 --> 00:08:14,280 Speaker 1: So that's what they're all doing this year. And yes 185 00:08:14,360 --> 00:08:16,600 Speaker 1: we have. I mean we've had for a while now, 186 00:08:16,680 --> 00:08:19,200 Speaker 1: like a very strict drug and alcohol policy, which again, 187 00:08:19,320 --> 00:08:21,600 Speaker 1: like when I started FADE, I didn't know about any 188 00:08:21,600 --> 00:08:23,160 Speaker 1: of these things, you know, But now we've got all 189 00:08:23,160 --> 00:08:26,240 Speaker 1: those policies in place. Everyone has to sign it, everyone 190 00:08:26,240 --> 00:08:28,680 Speaker 1: has to behave themselves because even though like it's outside 191 00:08:28,720 --> 00:08:31,240 Speaker 1: of work hours, you're still there for a work function 192 00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:34,160 Speaker 1: and you're representing the business kind of thing. So it 193 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:38,760 Speaker 1: was an absolutely amazing night. Everyone had great fun, nothing 194 00:08:38,800 --> 00:08:43,319 Speaker 1: went wrong, everyone behaved, and the magician was an absolute hit, 195 00:08:43,840 --> 00:08:46,400 Speaker 1: and we didn't close our store for the first time. 196 00:08:47,120 --> 00:08:49,840 Speaker 1: That's the other hard thing too with the stores is 197 00:08:49,880 --> 00:08:52,320 Speaker 1: like they're always going to be open the next day, 198 00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:55,440 Speaker 1: and then you like have to think about like everyone 199 00:08:55,480 --> 00:08:57,680 Speaker 1: wanting to na the next day and then no one's 200 00:08:57,720 --> 00:09:00,120 Speaker 1: available to work, blah blah blah. So that's why we 201 00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:03,160 Speaker 1: made that decision that our stores are just completely separate 202 00:09:03,160 --> 00:09:06,520 Speaker 1: from us from this year forward. 203 00:09:07,240 --> 00:09:08,319 Speaker 2: It's always really. 204 00:09:08,440 --> 00:09:11,640 Speaker 1: Fun and exciting and it's exciting to see your team 205 00:09:11,800 --> 00:09:15,040 Speaker 1: like having something to look forward to, Like everyone was 206 00:09:15,080 --> 00:09:16,680 Speaker 1: so excited in the weeks leading up to it. 207 00:09:16,720 --> 00:09:18,160 Speaker 2: I can't wait for the Christmas party. 208 00:09:18,640 --> 00:09:20,240 Speaker 3: Do you want to know what Nova is doing for 209 00:09:20,280 --> 00:09:21,200 Speaker 3: their Christmas party? 210 00:09:21,400 --> 00:09:24,679 Speaker 1: Yeah, even harder thing like this is a thing as 211 00:09:24,720 --> 00:09:27,479 Speaker 1: businesses get bigger, like it's hard to orchestraight. 212 00:09:27,800 --> 00:09:29,240 Speaker 2: I mean it's better for you guys. Is it on 213 00:09:29,280 --> 00:09:29,680 Speaker 2: a weekend? 214 00:09:30,360 --> 00:09:32,080 Speaker 3: No, it's not this Thursday? 215 00:09:32,200 --> 00:09:34,120 Speaker 2: This Thursday? Okay? Cool? What are you doing? 216 00:09:34,400 --> 00:09:37,400 Speaker 3: So they've got a venue booked out in Newtown I believe, 217 00:09:38,080 --> 00:09:40,920 Speaker 3: and there's a theme. The theme is you got to 218 00:09:40,960 --> 00:09:44,600 Speaker 3: come dressed as an album cover. Oh cool, So I'm 219 00:09:44,640 --> 00:09:47,360 Speaker 3: going to come dressed as like the Blink One nurse. 220 00:09:47,760 --> 00:09:50,320 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, I forgot. Yeah that'd be fun. 221 00:09:50,400 --> 00:09:51,200 Speaker 3: Yeah, it would be good. 222 00:09:51,320 --> 00:09:53,880 Speaker 1: Christmas parties are always good fun and like the they 223 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:56,360 Speaker 1: differ business to business, Like I've had so many people 224 00:09:56,360 --> 00:09:58,480 Speaker 1: of the year's comment like when I posted our Christmas 225 00:09:58,520 --> 00:10:01,280 Speaker 1: parties saying like we don't do anything for our Christmas party, 226 00:10:01,320 --> 00:10:04,160 Speaker 1: and like, let me tell you, it's hard to orchestrate 227 00:10:04,320 --> 00:10:07,240 Speaker 1: a Christmas party, especially like the bigger that your company gets. 228 00:10:07,280 --> 00:10:09,480 Speaker 1: And over the years, I've watched our Christmas parties go 229 00:10:09,520 --> 00:10:11,560 Speaker 1: from this massive, grand thing with a boat in Sydney 230 00:10:11,600 --> 00:10:14,240 Speaker 1: blah blah blah, and then now we've just like really 231 00:10:14,320 --> 00:10:17,400 Speaker 1: softened it down to just one simple venue and we 232 00:10:17,480 --> 00:10:19,440 Speaker 1: stay there and we stay put kind of thing. And 233 00:10:19,520 --> 00:10:21,360 Speaker 1: like we've gotten so big that we've had to like 234 00:10:21,400 --> 00:10:24,920 Speaker 1: separate our store from us because all the other stores 235 00:10:24,960 --> 00:10:27,440 Speaker 1: have to have their Christmas party as well. It's a 236 00:10:27,440 --> 00:10:30,720 Speaker 1: big thing to do, and it's obviously a huge financial cost, 237 00:10:30,800 --> 00:10:32,920 Speaker 1: But I think I feel lucky that we are in 238 00:10:32,920 --> 00:10:35,640 Speaker 1: the position where we can throw a Christmas party for 239 00:10:35,679 --> 00:10:37,240 Speaker 1: every single one of our stores. Like, that's a lot 240 00:10:37,280 --> 00:10:39,679 Speaker 1: of fucking Christmas parties at six. So we now have 241 00:10:39,720 --> 00:10:42,280 Speaker 1: six Christmas parties every single year. They all happen on 242 00:10:42,320 --> 00:10:45,280 Speaker 1: different dates, like whenever it works for everyone. And my 243 00:10:45,400 --> 00:10:48,800 Speaker 1: advice to any business owners out there is definitely have 244 00:10:48,800 --> 00:10:51,040 Speaker 1: a drug and alcohol policy in place. I didn't for 245 00:10:51,080 --> 00:10:52,480 Speaker 1: the first couple of years because I had no idea 246 00:10:52,559 --> 00:10:54,960 Speaker 1: that was even a thing. I hadn't even worked long 247 00:10:55,040 --> 00:10:58,400 Speaker 1: enough anywhere to fucking be introduced to a drug and 248 00:10:58,440 --> 00:11:02,400 Speaker 1: alcohol policy. Xander won't can you please go and get 249 00:11:02,440 --> 00:11:05,040 Speaker 1: another carp That is making me sick. 250 00:11:07,040 --> 00:11:11,520 Speaker 2: I want to expose you on my story in saying no, 251 00:11:11,520 --> 00:11:12,520 Speaker 2: no oh. 252 00:11:12,559 --> 00:11:15,679 Speaker 1: Anyway, my advice, as I was saying, I don't know 253 00:11:15,679 --> 00:11:18,360 Speaker 1: if Xander left any of that light laughing in there 254 00:11:19,320 --> 00:11:22,600 Speaker 1: have a drug an a whole alcohol policy in place. That's 255 00:11:22,679 --> 00:11:24,080 Speaker 1: very important. If you have no idea how to make 256 00:11:24,120 --> 00:11:27,560 Speaker 1: one up. Look up some templates online or ask chat JPT, hey, 257 00:11:27,640 --> 00:11:30,120 Speaker 1: can you write me a drug and alcohol policy for 258 00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:32,000 Speaker 1: my ten staff that are going on a Christmas party? 259 00:11:34,320 --> 00:11:36,960 Speaker 1: Don't take the party home with you. I did that 260 00:11:37,040 --> 00:11:39,240 Speaker 1: in the early years, like everyone come back to ours, 261 00:11:39,280 --> 00:11:41,960 Speaker 1: We'll keep having drinks. We don't do that anymore. And 262 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:44,280 Speaker 1: even some of our staff were like joking like the 263 00:11:44,320 --> 00:11:46,040 Speaker 1: week of being like are we coming to yours after? 264 00:11:46,160 --> 00:11:47,679 Speaker 2: Like cause you got your kne back deck. 265 00:11:47,559 --> 00:11:50,960 Speaker 1: And I'm like yeah, ha, Like no, you know, because 266 00:11:51,120 --> 00:11:53,920 Speaker 1: this is a thing, like especially when you're a boss 267 00:11:53,960 --> 00:11:55,960 Speaker 1: and like you're similar age to all of your staff, Like, 268 00:11:56,040 --> 00:11:57,640 Speaker 1: and I've spoken about this a million times before. 269 00:11:57,679 --> 00:11:59,200 Speaker 2: It's so easy to like want to. 270 00:11:59,160 --> 00:12:01,160 Speaker 1: Become friends and go, yeah, come have drinks it ours 271 00:12:01,240 --> 00:12:02,640 Speaker 1: or you know, whatever it is. 272 00:12:03,120 --> 00:12:05,720 Speaker 2: But you've got to just remain like so professional. 273 00:12:05,840 --> 00:12:07,719 Speaker 1: Of course you want to have fun and everyone get 274 00:12:07,720 --> 00:12:09,080 Speaker 1: a little bit loose and have a dance and a 275 00:12:09,080 --> 00:12:10,599 Speaker 1: boogie and a fun time, but like you've got to 276 00:12:10,600 --> 00:12:13,840 Speaker 1: be professional at the same time. So that's my advice 277 00:12:14,440 --> 00:12:18,360 Speaker 1: for any business owners out there. I know, putting on 278 00:12:18,400 --> 00:12:21,120 Speaker 1: a Christmas party isn't something that everyone can afford to do. 279 00:12:21,240 --> 00:12:23,800 Speaker 1: It is a huge cost for a business. But if 280 00:12:23,840 --> 00:12:25,720 Speaker 1: you have a business, even if you have like two staff, 281 00:12:25,880 --> 00:12:28,720 Speaker 1: do something that you can afford to do, even if 282 00:12:28,720 --> 00:12:30,440 Speaker 1: it's just like a nice dinner at the pub with 283 00:12:30,480 --> 00:12:33,520 Speaker 1: some chicken sensels and a drink, because I think it's 284 00:12:33,559 --> 00:12:37,760 Speaker 1: a really nice way to celebrate the year with your team, 285 00:12:38,120 --> 00:12:40,400 Speaker 1: you know, thank everyone for their hard work and everyone 286 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:42,640 Speaker 1: just relax and let their hair down kind of thing. 287 00:12:42,679 --> 00:12:44,720 Speaker 2: But I also completely understand that some. 288 00:12:44,720 --> 00:12:47,160 Speaker 1: Businesses are in a position where they literally can't afford 289 00:12:47,160 --> 00:12:49,120 Speaker 1: to do anything like that. So it's all about just 290 00:12:49,160 --> 00:12:52,760 Speaker 1: like doing what you can, and from an employee's perspective, 291 00:12:53,320 --> 00:12:55,880 Speaker 1: understand that as well. Like if you're a Christmas party 292 00:12:55,920 --> 00:12:58,120 Speaker 1: isn't a big song and dance, like, maybe there's reasons 293 00:12:58,120 --> 00:13:00,240 Speaker 1: for that. If the reason is because like the boss 294 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:03,840 Speaker 1: has just been an asshole, then maybe that might be. 295 00:13:03,840 --> 00:13:06,240 Speaker 1: If I know people that have had that where they 296 00:13:06,280 --> 00:13:08,640 Speaker 1: get like no Christmas party or whatever, but the boss 297 00:13:08,679 --> 00:13:10,040 Speaker 1: could definitely afford it or whatever. 298 00:13:10,800 --> 00:13:12,240 Speaker 2: Maybe need to change worth places. 299 00:13:13,080 --> 00:13:15,440 Speaker 1: But also, don't just work somewhere for the fucking Christmas party. 300 00:13:15,480 --> 00:13:18,280 Speaker 1: Come on, there's gotta be other reasons. But anyway, that's 301 00:13:18,320 --> 00:13:21,640 Speaker 1: my little chrissy party chat and all of you please 302 00:13:21,679 --> 00:13:24,079 Speaker 1: be safe during this chrissy period.