A Birmingham venue popular for works’ Christmas Parties has enlisted the help of a human behavioural specialist to help party organisers who are dealing with friends and colleagues who really don’t want to party.

For more than 20 years, Hall Green Stadium has been hosting corporate and family celebrations but has noticed, particularly in works’ groups the occasional ‘reluctant reveller’.

Anne Harris, event coordinator at Hall Green Stadium said; “It’s interesting to watch groups of people enjoying themselves, in our environment there’s plenty going on, with food, drink and dog racing. But occasionally, you can spot someone in a group that really looks like they don’t want to be there.

We decided to ask Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and behavioural expert Matt Caulfield what we could do to improve the experience for these people. He’s given us some top tips, which we’re providing free to party planners who book with us, to help them with colleagues who maybe just don’t like having fun.”

Matt Caulfield said; “A night at the dogs is a great way for bringing groups of work colleagues together, especially people who don’t necessarily socialise together very often. This is because every 20 minutes or so, there’s the distraction of a greyhound race, giving people something to talk about which isn’t work.”

“Whether you choose a night at the dogs or not, here are some tips to survive a party that you may not want to go to;”

1. Leave your watch at home
You know what it is like, standing in a queue at the bank and you feel like you have been there for 2 hours, you check your watch and you have only been there for 2 minutes. The more you check your watch, the slower time seems to go.

2. Don’t drink too much
I know it is tempting to use alcohol as a social lubricant. But don’t. You will just embarrass yourself and probably have pictures of your drunken antics plastered all over Facebook.

3. Suggest somewhere with entertainment
Many corporate Christmas parties involve a meal and a disco, with maybe a bit of karaoke if you are lucky. Try to get a venue that has more in the way of entertainment, so you have something to watch if you want to get away from everyone, or if you are getting fidgety and bored. It also gives you something to talk about if you don’t find it easy to make small talk.

4. There is no “i” in team
Turning up at a venue can be a bit daunting by yourself, so arrange to arrive with a friend or colleague. If you are with someone you get on with, or enjoy being around, the evening will go much better. It also means you can avoid getting stuck next to that person you hate from the office – there’s nothing worse if you’re sitting down for a meal!

5. Make the Effort!
There is nothing more powerful to put you in the party mood than getting dressed up! So, budget permitting, go out and buy yourself a new frock, or suit, or at the very least make yourself look fantastic in your best outfit.

6. Put on your favourite party tunes
Get yourself in the mood by blasting out your favourite party tunes as your get ready. Nothing wakes you up more than jumping around to Abba in your bedroom!

7. Plan ahead
It may sound dull and overly practical, but making sure you know how you are going to get home, pre-booking a taxi for example, will help you relax and know everything is covered, so you can get on with enjoying yourself.

8. Think about how fun it will be rather than what could go wrong
This sounds really obvious, but if you dwell on all the bad stuff that may happen. Thinking “I’ll get stuck by that person I don’t like” or “the disco will be rubbish” is hardly going to put you in the party mood is it? Instead, focus on all the fun things that can happen and the good time you will have and it will probably come true! You could do this whilst dancing to Abba in your underpants (see number 6).

Anne Harris concluded; “The tips have gone down well with the people we’ve sent them to and privately, a couple of party planners have identified individuals that these would really benefit.”

ENDS

Bookings are being taken on 0870 840 5802 or visit www.lovethedogs.co.uk for full details.