Hosting a business event is a great way to build relationships with your staff and clients. It’s the perfect opportunity for networking, building relationships and discussing important topics and projects.
Here at Millennium Point, we’ve had a lot of experience in hosting various types of events, which is why we’ve put together a list of dos and don’ts to help you host the most effective business event.
Do
Consider the location of event spaces
One of the most important things to do when planning a business event is to consider where it’s situated. For example, the ideal venue would be near multiple transport links and have adequate parking. If you choose to hold an event in a poor location it can discourage people from attending.
With the increase in hybrid working, it’s essential that you hold your business event at an easy place for guests to get to. While London is often the first place people think of to hold a corporate event, it can be quite expensive when it comes to both booking the venue and travel costs for those attending.
So if you’re looking for a more affordable event space, with excellent surroundings that give you the opportunity to interact with guests after the event has finished, Birmingham is the place to go.
At Millennium Point we’re in a prime location in the centre of Birmingham. We’re close to motorway and bus routes as well as three main train stations, making it easy for you and your attendees to make it to the event.
We’re also close to lots of hotels that are perfect for varying budgets, making it simple for those travelling further to enjoy the event and make their experience as great as possible.
Create a list of goals you want the event to achieve
It’s essential that you make note of what you want to achieve from this event. This can help you create an agenda or event plan that aligns well with the goals you want to meet.
These could include things like:
- Networking more
- Improving brand awareness
- Building on existing colleague relationships
- Boosting sales
This will also make it easier for you to decide who needs to attend, the dress code and the type of venue you need.
Create a checklist
Creating a checklist can help you keep on top of everything you need to complete before, during and after the event to make it run as smoothly as possible. For example, your checklist could include things like:
- Define a budget
- Confirm any guest speakers and guests
- Send out invitations to guests
- Set up audio and presentation features
- Assemble a team to help you set up the event
- Arrange catering
It’s also a good idea to make note of any emergency contacts or details required if you have any technical issues like poor audio or the presenting facilities failing.
Don’t
Skip viewing the venue
Viewing the venue before making your final decision can help you really understand if it’s the right fit for your event. For example, it can help you see if the venue is big enough to hold your desired amount of attendees and if it has the right facilities, such as presenting and audio abilities.
This also allows you to ask any questions in person making it easy for you to understand how the venue works and what they can offer you. This gives you the opportunity to make any necessary negotiations with the events space.
Invite attendees at too late notice
You want to avoid inviting your attendees too late as this will prevent you from getting a good turnout. You may think that sending out invitations months early is too far ahead of time but it allows guests to plan around both their work and home plans, making it more likely for people to be able to attend.
It’s also a good idea to send out reminders on the run up to the event, such as ‘2 weeks to go!’ or ‘1 week to go!’ with information on transport links, parking and hotels to make it really easy for people to attend the event.
Be afraid of making your event a little less formal
We all know that some corporate business events can be extremely formal, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But it’s also okay to make your event friendly. This gives people the opportunity to make real connections without the pressure of needing to maintain an overly professional persona.
It can also help employees and clients see a more personal side to you, which is becoming more and more impactful when it comes to winning and retaining new business.
How Millennium Point can help you host your next corporate event
Here at Millennium Point, we have an array of venues perfect for your next corporate event.
Our spaces benefit from:
- Being fully flexible – Many of our spaces are suitable for almost any event. Some of our spaces are purposely built for meetings and another has a giant screen auditorium with a stage.
- Implementing outstanding services and add-ons – This can include bespoke catering and hybrid and virtual packages.
- Being right in the heart of Birmingham – This places you near transport links, restaurants and bars, hotels and a variety of shops.
To learn more about how our event spaces could be perfect for your next corporate business event, get in touch with Millennium Point today.
Millennium Point is on a roll! After a tremendously successful award season, we are now celebrating being shortlisted for not just one, but three Famtastic awards! The national awards celebrate excellence in the Hospitality industry, showcasing the best agents, hotels, and venues.
The Awards include:
– Conference Centre of the Year
– Independent Hotel or Venue of the Year
– Unique Venue of the Year
The award ceremony will be held at the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel on 27th October. The nominations alone are a great achievement and continues our achievements already for 2023 including Millennium Point’s first national win at the Conference & Events Awards.
Famtastic is a central resource for the latest industry diary dates and unmissable fabulous networking events that take place across the country.
Taking pride in everything we do
Over the past couple of years, we have reinvested into our building to expand our venue spaces that align with our client demands. Including the recent investment into our Auditorium and hybrid and live streaming technologies. We invested over £400,000 into upgrading equipment and refurbishing the space. Having this means our clients can reach their clients globally.
Our fantastic team of 16 have over 150 years combined experience within the industry. We treat each event with the same level of passion, enthusiasm, and customer service regardless of whether it is a small meeting or a 5-day convention. We provide advice guidance, and support to ensure the best result.
Along with all of this, at Millennium Point we also do our own events. Including a 7m diameter giant Earth exhibition, Gaia which welcomed over 80,000 visitors into our building. Throughout the year guests can also enjoy our fun and interactive movie and drink events from Dirty Dancing to Elf!
Versatile, spacious, and styled with the latest event technology
As we eagerly await the results of these Famtastic Awards, we remain committed to providing exceptional experiences for all who visit Millennium Point.
With over 19 event spaces available, from our showstopping 354-seater Auditorium to our tucked away training Curzon Spaces on Level 4. There is a space for everyone at Millennium Point. Get in contact with our friendly team to find out more!
If you’re looking for exciting events to fill your autumn and winter months, then look no further as here at Millennium Point we’ve got some amazing events waiting just for you. Ranging from Mean Girls bottomless brunch to the Birmingham technology and engineering career fair, we’re sure we’ve got something perfect for everyone!
Mean Girls prosecco bottomless brunch
Date and time: Saturday 23rd September 2023, 1PM
Price: £35pp plus fees
Are you ready for 90 minutes of bottomless prosecco paired with a special screening of American teen comedy Mean Girls?
Well if so, this could be the perfect way for you to kick start your weekend! Visit our website to learn more about the event and book tickets today!
National Rabbit Festival
Date and time: Saturday 7th October 2023, 10AM
Price: £0 – £15.87
Are you ready to hop into the weekend? Well the National Rabbit Festival could be perfect for you and your little ones if you love our furry friends.
The event is all about celebrating all things rabbit with pet owners, charities, retailers and speaker experts. The festival will have lots of activities for everyone, including crafts and educational talks for the children, as well as being able to browse vendor booths for rabbit supplies and merchandise.
To find out more about this event and book tickets, visit Eventbrite.
Birmingham engineering and technology careers fair
Date and Time: Wednesday 18th October 2023, 12PM
Price: Free
Are you or your children considering a career in engineering or technology? Well the Birmingham technology and engineering careers fair provides a great opportunity to talk to industry employers.
This event can accommodate those attending on their own, families and even group registrations from schools, colleges and academies.
At the event, Equal Engineers exhibitors will be there to tell you what it’s like working in the industry and will have training providers and educational establishments to talk about how they can support you alongside employers.
Equal Engineers focus on connecting inclusive employers with diverse talent in the industry.
To find out more about the careers fair and how you can book tickets, visit our website today.
Rocky horror picture show with cocktails
Date and time: Saturday 21st October 2023, 7PM
Price: £39.95
Join movie geek Tony Elvin for an evening of fun with our special showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show paired with unique cocktails.
The showing will take place on Birmingham’s biggest screen, along with a state of the art sound system. Our cocktails are also themed throughout the film giving you an unforgettable experience unlike anything you’ve had before.
To discover more about the event and how you can book tickets, visit our website.
Halloween silent disco
Date and time: Saturday 28th October 2023, 7:30PM – 12:30AM
Price: £12
By popular demand our silent disco is back! So if you’re ready to dance the night away while 3 DJs battle it out to the monster mash this event is just right for you! The night won’t just be filled with your favourite Halloween hits, but will play songs from genres like:
- Chart, party and dance
- RnB, hip hop and old skool
- Rock, indie and power ballads
Visit our website to book your tickets today!
Shared Christmas party night
Date and time: Saturday 9th December 2023, 7PM
Price: £44.95 (plus VAT & Booking Fees)
Our shared Christmas party is perfect for smaller businesses wanting to celebrate without breaking the bank!
The night will feature a three course meal, complete with tasteful centrepieces, as well as luxury crackers and novelties. After an evening of indulgence, you and your team can dance the night away to our DJs festive hits on our platform dancefloor.
While this is available for groups over 8 and your table is exclusive to you and your company this is a shared experience, allowing you to mingle with other businesses.
Elf with cocktails
Date and price: Sunday 10th December 2023, 3PM
Price: £43.66
You know Christmas is around the corner when Elf is back on the big screen!
Throughout the screening, four delicious cocktails will be served and the film will be paused at appropriate times to share and highlight how the cocktails can be made at home.
So if you’re looking to get in the Christmas spirit, book tickets to Elf with cocktails today!
Festive silent disco
Date and time: Friday 22nd December 2023, 7:30PM
Price: £12
Christmas can be a really busy period, with shopping for presents usually being the way people get in that Christmas feeling.
Well how about this year you start the Christmas weekend with a silent festive disco, guaranteed to get you in that festive mood?
We’ll be playing genres like:
- Chart, party and dance
- RnB, hip hop and old skool
- Rock, indie and power ballads
- And of course your favourite Christmas songs!
If you’re looking to host your own event at Millennium Point, take a look at our Events Space Matcherator to see which of our venues is perfect for your next event!
Here at Millennium Point, we’re Eastside’s largest events hub. We have a diverse selection of spaces available and are here to assist you in hosting exceptional gatherings.
We understand that no matter what you’re hosting, the space you choose is critical to holding an incredible event.
So why choose to host an event at Millennium Point.
The benefits of hiring an events space at Millennium Point
Here at Millennium Point, our events spaces have an array of benefits, such as:
Fully flexible spaces
We have multiple spaces available that are suitable for almost any event. Some spaces boast meeting spaces, auditorium stages and a giant screen.
Outstanding services and add-ons
Alongside your functions, we offer bespoke catering and hybrid and virtual packages all delivered with excellent quality service.
Right in the centre of Birmingham
Due to us being located in the centre of Birmingham, you’ll be close to transport links like train and bus routes, and with HS2 currently being built it’ll be quicker and easier for people to attend.
We’re also close to local restaurants, bars and hotels, giving you the opportunity to socialise afterwards, giving attendees the opportunity to stay overnight if they need to.
Our event spaces
Atrium
Located on the ground floor, the Atrium is a large, open plan public space ideal for exhibitions, banquets, expos, performances and more.
The space benefits from:
- 420m² open-plan space
- High speed Wi-Fi
- Gets a lot of footfall
- Can accommodate to vehicles
- Catering options available
Our space also boasts exhibition stands, standing and banquet areas and has even been used as a film set for major TV programmes.
Auditorium
Previously the Auditorium was the very first IMAX in Birmingham and is now equipped with everything a business needs to engage its audience. The space features a 30m² stage beneath a giant 14m x 8m screen. Other advantages include:
- 354 tiered seats with clear sight lines
- Hybrid event and live streaming options
- Reliable AV technology and an onsite technician included
- Optional dedicated registration area on level 4
Concourse
Located on level 2, this area has high footfall due to it being placed between Birmingham City’s entrance and ThinkTank, helping you attract more people.
Concourse is perfect for exhibitions, displaying products, performances and receptions and has stunning views of Eastside Park and the development of the new HS2 Curzon Street Station.
The space also benefits from:
- 250m² event space
- Onsite AV technician support throughout the event
- A dedicated registration area on level 4
- High-speed Wi-Fi
Connect 1-3
Our rooms Connect 1,2 and 3 have retractable walls allowing you to create the ideal space for you, whether that’s one large boardroom or 3 small meeting rooms.
The room also boasts:
- Space for up to 60 delegates
- Wireless presentation facilities
- Integrated projection and playback
- High speed Wi-Fi
- Tea and coffee facilities
Ingress
Ingress is a small outdoor space perfect for intimate gatherings like product launches, exhibits, parties and food festivals.
It benefits from:
- Discreet outdoor space
- External power supply
- It’s adjacent to our platform space
- A private car park
Intercity
Intercity can hold board meetings, training and workshops and has access to fantastic presentation facilities and high-speed Wi-Fi. It also provides:
- Space for up to 40 delegates
- Natural daylight
- Tea and coffee facilities
Platform
Platform is an open plan, semi-private space on level 1 of Millennium Point. It benefits from:
- A built in bar
- High-speed Wi-Fi
- It’s connected to the 354 seated Auditorium
- Can be incorporated with outdoor space
- PA system and presentation facilities
Promenade
This outside space is great for small and intimate outdoor functions like product launches, brand activation or even a dramatic entrance to your event!
Promenade provides a:
- Discreet outdoor space
- External power supply
- It’s adjacent to our platform space
So if you’re looking to hold an exceptional event, get in touch with us today to see how we can help.
At Millennium Point, giving back to the community is massively important to us, which is why we have our Millennium Point Charitable Trust where we invest funding to help further STEM education in the West Midlands.
This blog will explore how we’ve helped people and schools around the West Midlands gain better STEM opportunities.
Millennium Point’s charitable mission
Our mission is to advance education for public benefit. We have a special emphasis on, but not limited to, the industrial and technological processes that have not only shaped the modern world but will also play a pivotal role in shaping the future.
Flagship initiatives
We have three exciting flagship initiatives built for improving educational opportunities. These include:
Grant funding
This provides funding for not-for-profit organisations, schools and colleges across the West Midlands Combined Authority area. Applicants can apply for up to £20,000 to fund a STEM-related project, as long as it meets eligibility requirements. Their idea will also need to showcase the measurable impact it will have on STEM education and/or a STEM career choice.
We have awarded over £2,100,706 to charities, not-for-profit (NFPO’s) organisations, community groups and schools over the last 5 years.
To learn more about how our grant funding works, take a look at our page.
The scholarship programme
We’ve partnered with Birmingham City University to provide a fully funded undergraduate degree at their Faculty of Computing, Engineering and The Built Environment.
Applications are currently closed for 2023, but you can keep an eye out for next year’s applications opening here.
The STEM Roundtable
The STEM Roundtable brings together leaders from STEM industries, primary and secondary schools, further education, higher education and NFPO’s in STEM sectors.
The Roundtable aims to:
- Provide a platform for support and communication, helping to share ideas and collaborate on STEM projects
- Shape the future of STEM learning
- Reverse current negative trends in STEM
- Increase home-grown STEM talent
Key objectives
We have a few key objectives we’re aiming to meet, as we support others in their STEM journey. These goals include:
- Addressing the STEM skills gap through education and re-education of STEM skills
- Encouraging traditionally marginalised groups (girls, women, BAME and LGBTQ+) to go after roles in STEM
- Provide support for the growth of STEM skills and careers within education
- Help support the growth of activities and events that promote STEM skills and careers
- Raise the profile of STEM skills and careers
Case studies
Over the years we’ve supported many schools and organisations in the West Midlands, as well as those looking to pursue a career in STEM. So here are a few examples of people and organisations we’ve helped.
St Edmund’s Campion RC School
We’ve worked with St Edmund’s Campion RC School to create a STEM club that provides chances for children to explore topics that aren’t in the curriculum and work on large-scale projects.
This has been introduced, due to the school having a high level of disadvantaged students and many of them feeling as though an academic future and/or STEM career is out of their reach.
The school received the grant as it was important that their afterschool program delivered excellent quality lessons and gave children the opportunity to learn about STEM subjects just like other children do.
You can learn more about how we helped the school on our website.
Aston Villa Foundation – STEM Stars
The Aston Villa Foundation’s mission is to work together to enrich lives, which is why they deliver Aston Villa Football Club’s community and social responsibility work.
STEM Stars developed a new STEM programme for six schools within a three-mile radius of Villa Park. The grant funding will purchase a Sphero robot package (this includes robots and a small pitch) which will use football to get children engaged in coding.
Due to the area around Villa Park being highly deprived in terms of income and education, it was important that the grant went to something helping to give children better opportunities within the STEM industry, in this case focusing on coding.
You can learn more about STEM Stars here.
Safa Bibi secures scholarship glory
Last year our winner, Safa Bibi, used the scholarship to undertake a degree in computer science at Birmingham City University.
Safa is the ninth winner of the scholarship, meaning we’ve already funded eight fantastic winners in their STEM career.
If you’re interested in learning more about how the scholarship works and how you can apply, take a look at our scholarship page.
We’ve been giving back to the community for the past 20 years and would love for you to get involved. If you’re interested, get in touch with us today!
Meetings are essential for running a business smoothly. But we’ve all been in a meeting where we’ve felt uninspired or unmotivated.
With meetings paving opportunities for brainstorming, problem-solving, and clear communication among employees and clients it’s critical that they’re optimised for productivity. After all 50% of higher management’s time is taken up in meetings.
So here are a few ways you can boost productivity within your meetings.
Create time
When planning a meeting it’s important to consider what everyone else’s schedule is like or if it will cause any stress to employees that may already be struggling with their workload. Aligning it with everyone’s schedule is crucial to helping improve productivity and avoiding burnout.
It’s also important to stress to staff that they can talk to you about any calendar conflicts and step out of a meeting if required. If the employee must attend the conference, you should work with them to help with any overwhelming workload they may have.
Only plan meetings if they’re necessary
You should really aim to only have meetings when absolutely necessary. We’ve all been in meetings at some point where they could have been an email instead. This can help your team feel as though their time is valued and can help them organise and complete their tasks effectively without any non-essential tasks getting in the way.
Create a meeting agenda and try and stick to it
Creating an agenda can help you keep your meeting as short as possible. Make sure it’s detailed so that you have the opportunity to cover everything you need to talk about on the day.
You should think about the purpose of the meeting and who’s attending to help guests prepare for the meeting and prevent any unexpected surprises that could increase stress levels and decrease productivity and motivation.
An agenda can also help you keep the topic on track and ensure you don’t overrun.
Invite as few people as possible
35% of employees from different professions agree that having a smaller number of people in a meeting improves productivity.
Limiting the number of people in a meeting stops participants from getting confused about what’s happening. It will also help you stick to your meeting agenda, as there won’t be too many people projecting ideas and asking questions.
It can also help you gear the meeting more effectively to your desired outcome by having a small number of people in the meeting that understand the goals and requirements.
Ensure you’re meeting room has optimal space
The best way to improve productivity is to ensure your meeting room has optimal space and the facilities you need.
Whether you already have a room in your office or you’re looking to hire one, you want to ensure you get it right as it can have a negative effect on their mood and motivation.
Technical difficulties and working in a cramped space can lead to frustrations and a lack of focus, preventing you from gathering the information you need.
Aim for a change in scenery
Changing the scenery of your typical working day can help to significantly boost productivity. Trying a new space can keep attendees alert and aware of their settings, helping to increase motivation and improve mood. This in turn can lead to a better quality of information and conversations being had during your meeting, helping you smash through your agenda and get the ideal outcome.
Another way to change the scenery is to include walking meetings, as this moves people away from their desks and closed spaces and into the open where they can get some fresh air and sunlight. This can reduce stress, improve mood and ultimately boost productivity and engagement.
Keep meetings short and concise
Keeping meetings short and concise can help avoid scheduling issues and encourage people to stick to the agenda as they only have a short period of time to get through everything that needs to be discussed. This can therefore improve engagement and productivity as you’re more likely to achieve everything you set out to during your meeting.
Recap the meeting
When the meeting has finished, it’s a good idea to recap everything that’s been covered and what everyone’s next steps are to ensure all attendees are on the same page and that nothing has been missed. This should encourage those in the meeting to complete any additional tasks after it has ended.
If you’re looking for a meeting room, our office spaces could be perfect for you. With some spaces boasting their own meeting rooms, they could be perfect for your business to complete its day-to-day tasks in the main office while conducting conferences in your very own meeting space.
To learn more about what office space could be the right one for you, get in touch with us today.
Millennium Point has launched ‘Curzon View’, its new premium office space which is now available to rent. Situated on the fourth floor of the iconic Birmingham landmark, Curzon View overlooks the HS2 development on Curzon Street and offers a prime city-centre location for innovative businesses.
Curzon View already welcomes strong transport links being near New Street, Moor Street and Snow Hill stations, and having the Millennium Point car park on site. Situated in Birmingham’s thriving Knowledge Quarter, the offices neighbour Birmingham City University, Aston University and Birmingham’s science museum, Thinktank.
Curzon View offers 1,496m2 of flexible office space with numerous benefits such as natural daylight, air conditioning, AV equipment, LED lighting, and wi-fi. It is equipped for multiple uses to suit different business needs and includes a reception space, kitchen and shower room. Millennium Point also provides tenants with 24-hour security and an on-site support team.
Profits from the rental will support STEM education in the region through Millennium Point’s charitable trust. The trust has donated over £40 million to support schools and not-for-profit organisations.
The offices were previously used for filming of the first series of the BBC crime drama Line of Duty as the offices of the principal characters.
To enquire about Curzon View, call 0121 202 2200 or email [email protected].
It’s easy to assume that when you own a business you should purchase your commercial property, however renting is a great option too.
Renting has various benefits, such as providing more flexibility and reducing your responsibility of maintaining a property.
In this blog we’ll explore the benefits of renting a commercial property to help you decide whether this is the best option for you and your business.
So what are the benefits?
It provides flexibility
Renting provides more flexibility compared to buying a property, as short term contracts give you the opportunity to move into new buildings as your business grows and develops.
Along with the rising cost of living crisis and the impact that Covid-19 has had on businesses’ outlooks on running their company, renting has become a more popular option when it comes to commercial spaces. This is due to giving business owners the opportunity to move around when it suits them best, giving them the ability to navigate the current financial climate in a way that works for them.
It can have financial benefits
Renting is generally cheaper than buying a property, due to rent usually costing less than monthly mortgage payments. When renting you’re likely to pay a refundable deposit once the lease is signed and in some cases you may need to pay a premium to buy the lease. Even with these costs, it is likely that you will pay significantly less than if you were to purchase a property, giving you the financial freedom to use the money you’ve saved on other important parts of your business, like furnishing the property and paying for staff salaries.
Renting also means you’re not exposed to interest rates as much, but you may be subject to rent increases, making it important that you check how rent is reviewed before you sign your lease.
You won’t necessarily have any maintenance responsibilities
Depending on the terms in your rental agreement, you’re likely to have less maintenance responsibilities if you opt for renting. For example, as a tenant you may be responsible for making internal repairs, but external ones are left to the landlord to rectify.
You may also need to pay a service charge as a part of your agreement in relation to the maintenance of a shared property.
Reduced risk
Opting to rent a commercial property poses less risk in comparison to purchasing a building as you’re less likely to face certain financial risks. These can include things like an increase in mortgage payments due to a rise in interest rates.
Location
Renting could give you more of an opportunity to be in a prime location, as there may be more properties available if you choose to rent. This can help attract clients, customers and new employees, as our location will put you exactly where you need to be.
How can Millennium Point help you rent a commercial property?
Here at Millennium Point we have multiple spaces available that could be perfect for your next commercial property. Our spaces also come with various benefits such as ongoing support throughout your lease.
We’re also in a great location in the centre of Birmingham where you can easily access transport links like the motorway, multiple bus routes and all Birmingham train stations. This allows your staff, clients and customers to visit you with ease.
To discover more about the properties we have available and how they could work for you, get in touch with us today.
Whether you’re a start up or your business is well established, leasing a commercial property is a big decision and can help you expand and establish your company further.
While leasing a property has many benefits, it can be a complicated process, which is why this blog will explore everything you need to look for when leasing a commercial property.
For example, when looking at a building you should ask yourself questions like:
Where do I want to be located?
Location has a huge impact on the success of your business. So when you’re looking for a property you may want to search for something that’s easily accessible. This can be done through watching out for factors like whether it’s close to transport links, how close you are to your target market and whether there are adequate parking spaces.
You should also consider whether it’s near any other features like restaurants, shops and other businesses that could complement your own, as this will make your business more attractive.
How much space do I need?
When looking for a new property it’s important to consider how big of a space you need. This means you should look at whether the square footage will meet your requirements and if it has any of the features you need, such as:
- Storage areas
- Meeting rooms
- Toilets
Have I got my agreement or offer in writing?
When it comes to lease agreements it’s important that you get them in writing. This means you have proof of any promises made by the landlord, giving you the opportunity to ask questions and avoid any difficult situations.
You should also pay attention to your lease duration, rent escalation clauses and any renewal options included within your contract. This will help you understand what’s included within your agreement so that there are no surprises along the way.
How long is the lease agreement?
When looking for a commercial property, you’ll want to think about whether you want a long or short term agreement. Short term leases may be better if you’re unsure if you’ll need to be in the same location for a prolonged period of time or not.
We’ve also seen that Covid-19 has caused many businesses to opt for shorter agreements to give them the flexibility they need within these uncertain times, especially as the cost of living rises.
Can I end the lease early?
Having a break clause within your agreement can help you get out of your lease early. However, there are a few things that could prevent you from using your clause, such as not being up to date with your rent and having caused any damages to the building.
Are there any service charges?
When renting there are usually service charges included, but it could be useful to ask the landlord what service charges are included within the contract. You’ll also want to know if you’re required to make contributions or fully pay for things like:
- Long term repairs or replacements of structures
- Repairs of fabric
- Maintenance and repairs of machinery and equipment
Some contracts state that the occupier is required to put the building in better condition than it was previously in. If you’re looking for a simple, fuss free office space then this option isn’t recommended.
It’s also important to make note of any existing damages or marks within the property when you view it so that you don’t need to take responsibility for fixing them.
Is there potential to grow within the property?
This ultimately depends on the position your company is in and whether you’re looking to expand within this building.
The great thing about leasing is that it gives you room to find something else if you do need more room to grow, giving you the flexibility you need.
How can Millennium Point help you lease a commercial property?
Here at Millennium Point we have a variety of properties available that could be perfect for you.
Our properties come with a range of benefits like, flexible ownership and ongoing support throughout your lease.
They’re also close to Birmingham city centre, meaning you’ll be on the doorstep of many restaurants and businesses, giving you great opportunities to explore the city and network.
Being close to the city centre means you’ll also benefit from being close to motorway connections, bus routes and Moor Street, Snowhill and New Street station.
To learn more about the properties we have available, get in touch with us today.
Running meetings successfully can lead to increased productivity, motivation and employee satisfaction. They can be exciting, but continually calling unnecessary meetings can be a drain on company time and resources.
With 15% of people’s time being spent in meetings and a third of them considered unproductive, it’s important you set your meeting up properly to ensure it runs successfully. So how can you do this?
Set clear objectives
A great way to ensure meeting success is to define the purpose and objectives you aim to achieve. For example, the purpose of your meeting could be:
- To solve a particular problem
- To brainstorm
- To boost morale
- To plan a project
Your objectives could include:
- Coming up with innovative ideas for a project
- Giving people the opportunity to communicate and share ideas
- To leave the meeting with three strong options/solutions
- To evaluate the project and consider what you could do differently next time
Create a meeting agenda
Once you know the purpose and objectives of your meeting you can start to create an agenda. This is where you can make note of any specific topics or issues you need to cover and if anyone is in charge of leading a section.
You can then forward this to every attendee so they understand what will happen on the day. This will also help the meeting run as smoothly as possible and stay on time.
Choose the right space
Choosing the right space is essential to running a successful meeting as it stimulates focus and productivity. Implementing a change in scenery can really help attendees get motivated to achieve the very best solutions for the project or client you’re working on.
Choosing a room with adequate space and good lighting and ventilation is a great place to start when looking for somewhere to hold your gathering.
Here at Millennium Point, we have a variety of spaces that are perfect for meetings, such as:
- Express combines a striking main room with three boardrooms that can be used as offices or quiet spaces
- The Curzon Suite is surrounded by natural daylight, an external terrace and additional breakout room
- Connect offers multiple layout options with retractable walls and breakout areas
Take notes
Taking notes makes it easier for you to reference things in the future and reduces the chances of comments or ideas going unnoticed or not being followed up.
Make note of follow-up actions
The whole point of holding a meeting is to find potential solutions and follow-up actions that can help them be achieved. Assigning tasks to individuals can help solutions be implemented efficiently and can inspire people to feel energised and motivated to get things done.
It’s also important to share notes after the meeting with all attendees to prevent miscommunication and ensure everyone is on the same page.
Setting deadlines for tasks to be completed can also prevent things from not being completed and help the follow-up meeting run smoothly.
Give everyone the opportunity to talk
You should allow everyone to share their opinion or ideas no matter their job title or department to allow creativity and ideation to really flow. You can also ask questions or for people’s opinions on certain topics or projects to try and get everyone involved.
If you’re noticing that some people are dominating the conversation more than others you can ask different questions or open the floor to others and get them involved.
Encourage ideas and solutions
If your meeting is about generating ideas and providing solutions you can ask each attendee to come up with 2 or 3 ideas before the meeting that they can share. This gives people the time to prepare and feel confident in presenting their ideas.
Keep an eye on the time
Sticking to the time limit set will help keep the meeting on track and prevent it from affecting people’s busy work schedules.
Starting and finishing on time shows consistency and allows attendees to know what to expect at every meeting. If you’re holding a longer meeting you could also include breaks to help people take the time to refresh their mindset and get ready to tackle the rest of the meeting.
Gain feedback from your meeting
While you may feel as though the meeting went well, other people may not agree. You should give it enough time before gathering feedback to see if the meeting was actually useful.
Avoiding putting pressure on people to answer and using a process that allows you to collect feedback anonymously can help people feel more comfortable answering queries. You can ask questions like:
- How useful did you find the meeting?
- Did the meeting help resolve any issues?
- If we were to do this meeting again what would you change or add?
These will help you gain a better understanding of whether it was successful or not and whether there are things you need to implement to get a better outcome next time.
So if you’re looking to hold a successful meeting, get in touch with Millennium Point today to see how our properties can help you excel in every meeting.