[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="no" hundred_percent_height="no" hundred_percent_height_scroll="no" hundred_percent_height_center_content="yes" equal_height_columns="no" menu_anchor="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" status="published" publish_date="" class="" id="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center" linear_angle="180" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" enable_mobile="no" parallax_speed="0.3" background_blend_mode="none" video_mp4="" video_webm="" video_ogv="" video_url="" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" video_preview_image="" filter_hue="0" filter_saturation="100" filter_brightness="100" filter_contrast="100" filter_invert="0" filter_sepia="0" filter_opacity="100" filter_blur="0" filter_hue_hover="0" filter_saturation_hover="100" filter_brightness_hover="100" filter_contrast_hover="100" filter_invert_hover="0" filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" spacing="" center_content="no" link="" target="_self" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" hover_type="none" border_size="0" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" border_radius="" box_shadow="no" dimension_box_shadow="" box_shadow_blur="0" box_shadow_spread="0" box_shadow_color="" box_shadow_style="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" background_type="single" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center" linear_angle="180" background_color="" background_image="" background_image_id="" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_blend_mode="none" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" filter_type="regular" filter_hue="0" filter_saturation="100" filter_brightness="100" filter_contrast="100" filter_invert="0" filter_sepia="0" filter_opacity="100" filter_blur="0" filter_hue_hover="0" filter_saturation_hover="100" filter_brightness_hover="100" filter_contrast_hover="100" filter_invert_hover="0" filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0" last="no"][fusion_imageframe image_id="715|full" max_width="" style_type="" blur="" stylecolor="" hover_type="none" bordersize="" bordercolor="" borderradius="" align="none" lightbox="no" gallery_id="" lightbox_image="" lightbox_image_id="" alt="" link="" linktarget="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset=""]https://www.jaykayevents.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/The-Merengue-Ball.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_separator style_type="none" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" sep_color="#ffffff" top_margin="10px" bottom_margin="20px" border_size="" icon="" icon_circle="" icon_circle_color="" width="" alignment="center" /][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="default" rule_size="" rule_color="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset=""] 18 February 2019 [/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type="single solid" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" sep_color="#009ca6" top_margin="" bottom_margin="20px" border_size="2" icon="" icon_circle="" icon_circle_color="" width="" alignment="center" /][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="default" rule_size="" rule_color="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset=""] When you think about your own job you generally think “It’s not rocket science, anyone could do it” but this isn’t the case at all. Working in event management to me is not a difficult thing to do – I absolutely love it for one thing which helps a lot. I can’t imagine being in a role that didn’t fulfil me. But of course, there are plenty of people out there who would come out in hives just at the thought of all the organising that goes along with a successful event, whether it’s a black tie event for 200 like The Merengue Charity Ball, or a small seminar for 10 people. [caption id="attachment_718" align="alignnone" width="1518"] JayKay Events[/caption] The Merengue Ball was held on 9 February and was raising money for Claire House Children’s Hospice and Women V Cancer. This was the fourth charity ball for this particular client so I knew what I was required to do. Of course, nothing happens by itself and a lot of thought went into the theme of the evening, the choice of menu, the cost of tickets and the pre-event preparation – remember the 6 P’s…Prior Planning and Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. You can’t just put on a meal and expect people to pay a high premium for coming along – you need to add in lots of extras. For the Merengue Ball we had a pianist playing during the fizz reception, we had an MC to keep the evening to time, we had retro gaming tables for guests to play on, a fun photo booth for silly photos of friends, a brilliant band, and some fabulous prizes in the raffle and silent auction. The live music was fantastic with a Frodsham based band Stadia, who also provided a disco in between their sets and at the end of the night. They got everyone in the party mood to the point that it was hard to get their attention when it was time to finish the silent auction! I used a local flower company to provide the table centres which were raffled off at the end of the night – it did amuse me to see one particular male guest look particularly despondent at his prize. I have met a lot of people from the entertainment industry since JayKay Events was borne, and I utilised many of these connections to get the best price for my client – every penny saved is an extra penny to the charity. All in all we had an amazing night and I was very proud to have been part of it and we raised around over £10,000 for charity! [caption id="attachment_719" align="alignnone" width="1518"] JayKay Events[/caption] I’m now hiding from the client as she’s just asked me what we’re going to do for the next charity night! [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="no" hundred_percent_height="no" hundred_percent_height_scroll="no" hundred_percent_height_center_content="yes" equal_height_columns="no" menu_anchor="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" status="published" publish_date="" class="" id="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center" linear_angle="180" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" enable_mobile="no" parallax_speed="0.3" background_blend_mode="none" video_mp4="" video_webm="" video_ogv="" video_url="" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" video_preview_image="" filter_hue="0" filter_saturation="100" filter_brightness="100" filter_contrast="100" filter_invert="0" filter_sepia="0" filter_opacity="100" filter_blur="0" filter_hue_hover="0" filter_saturation_hover="100" filter_brightness_hover="100" filter_contrast_hover="100" filter_invert_hover="0" filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" spacing="" center_content="no" link="" target="_self" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" hover_type="none" border_size="0" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" border_radius="" box_shadow="no" dimension_box_shadow="" box_shadow_blur="0" box_shadow_spread="0" box_shadow_color="" box_shadow_style="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" background_type="single" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center" linear_angle="180" background_color="" background_image="" background_image_id="" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_blend_mode="none" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" filter_type="regular" filter_hue="0" filter_saturation="100" filter_brightness="100" filter_contrast="100" filter_invert="0" filter_sepia="0" filter_opacity="100" filter_blur="0" filter_hue_hover="0" filter_saturation_hover="100" filter_brightness_hover="100" filter_contrast_hover="100" filter_invert_hover="0" filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0" last="no"][fusion_imageframe image_id="755|full" max_width="" style_type="" blur="" stylecolor="" hover_type="none" bordersize="" bordercolor="" borderradius="" align="none" lightbox="no" gallery_id="" lightbox_image="" lightbox_image_id="" alt="" link="" linktarget="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset=""]https://www.jaykayevents.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/JayKay-Logo.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_separator style_type="none" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" sep_color="#ffffff" top_margin="10px" bottom_margin="20px" border_size="" icon="" icon_circle="" icon_circle_color="" width="" alignment="center" /][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="default" rule_size="" rule_color="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset=""] 2 November 2018 [/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type="single solid" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" sep_color="#009ca6" top_margin="" bottom_margin="20px" border_size="2" icon="" icon_circle="" icon_circle_color="" width="" alignment="center" /][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="default" rule_size="" rule_color="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset=""] As an experienced networker, I often get asked about the benefits of networking. I have met 90% of my clients and contacts through networking, and as my contacts list builds, so does my reputation and so does the number of people wanting to meet with me to see how we can do business together. Networking is renowned for taking it’s time – it is most definitely not an instant way to win business – but I would always recommend networking to anyone looking to grow their business. So how does networking work best? Well, longevity is the name of the game. Building up trust with people you see regularly at the same networking events is vital. It creates an understanding of each other and each other’s businesses. The chances of you happening to be in the same room as someone looking for your exact product at that exact time is pretty small. BUT when they do need your product, you are the one they will think of because they’ve created a relationship with you through regular meetings at networking. Networking is all about ‘How can I help?’ NOT ‘What can I get?’. Everytime you meet a new contact, you are effectively being introduced to their connections. Never judge a networking event by which businesses are in the room, instead think of the actual people. After all people buy from people! Even if you work in a niche market or have a niche clientele, you don’t know who knows whom and therefore never dismiss someone because you can’t see how they can help you grow your business. It can help with personal development and well-being as well as business development. There have been many people who I have developed a friendship with who keep me going on the days when business and motivation becomes a struggle. They lend an ear, make me smile, remind me of how far I’ve come and boost my flagging confidence, which is invaluable. It is for all these reasons I set up the JK Business Club, which is professional networking aimed at business leaders, SMEs, corporates, entrepreneurs and start ups. I am also teaming up with management consultant Nick Hodson to launch a peer to peer business group in February 2019 - watch this space for more information. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]