Joining forces for Christmas fun

By AINSLEY THOMSON and NZPA

Just because you work in a small business doesn't mean you have to miss out on the fun and festivities of office Christmas parties - just follow the lead of Blenheim businesswoman Faye Partridge.

Mrs Partridge was tired of having no one to kiss under the mistletoe each Christmas and being left to beaver away in her sole charge office while everyone around her shut up early to indulge in office Christmas parties.

At a time when some are confessing their innermost desires to a colleague with whom they have never exchanged more than a polite good morning, Mrs Partridge could usually be found adjusting the flowers on her front desk or staffing the telephones alone.

But this year she has decided to turn the tables by encouraging other small businesses to join her in her own celebration.

Eager not to have the concept billed as a "lonely hearts club-type thing" among the town's businesses, she prefers to promote the concept as a chance for small business people to meet others as well as explore new networking opportunities.

"You always hear people talking about their work 'do', but small businesses don't often have enough staff to warrant hosting their own.

"It would really give small business the opportunity to meet new people as well as celebrate the end to another year."

The party would be held around a pool, so people could mingle instead of sitting next to the same person all night.

The response has been good - Mrs Partridge says more than 30 people will be attending.

Auckland communication mentor Genevieve Westcott has set up a similar scheme for business women in Auckland.

"What I discovered, particularly among business women, is that there is a great need to network," says Ms Westcott.

"So I set up the Genevieve Westcott luncheon club for business women."

The club meets once a month at the Carlton Hotel, and a special event is planned for Christmas.

"The women each have to bring a man who is not a relative and who they wish to get to know better in a business sense.

"It will be our one, male-included lunch for the year."

Mrs Westcott says the club has been popular and last month more than 70 women attended.

She says it is essential small business owners have the opportunity to meet other business people.

"It must be one of the biggest challenges for people who work alone, especially with new technology.

"So many of us hide behind our keyboards."

The managing director of Home Business New Zealand, Heather Douglas, says it is important for home business owners to get together and organise Christmas parties because it gives them an opportunity to meet each other and socialise.

She says a group she belongs to, Home Business Network Devonport, always has a Christmas party.

"We don't sit around feeling sorry for ourselves, we are very much go-getters.

"So we organise our own Christmas party."