Your budget that is. As I think ahead to the summer show I think of something new every day and that thing could help or hurt the budget. I am constantly updating a rough budget and with every new idea it changes and with everything we spend it changes and becomes more exact. A budget will change so much it is not even funny.
Don’t get so set in your budget that it becomes hard to change.
Showing posts with label Budgets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Budgets. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Monday, December 7, 2009
Christmas Cards
It is that time of year. Christmas cards (or now more likely holiday cards) will be flying around soon and probably landing in your mailbox. I actually think the idea is wonderful and a great way to remind people that you appreciate them and their business.The expense is maybe just too great, though. Looking at all the budgets that are tightening, I wonder if emailing a personal note of some kind my have just as much affect. I have about 125 people in my small department alone that I want to receive cards, but I think the money could be put to better use.
I am going to think about this and poll a couple of people and get back to you. But please write a comment about what you think of Christmas cards. Not from Grandma, but from the business perspective.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The Show Must Go On
That was the title of a NY Times article that discussed the seasons of many theatres in New Jersey, but they also cited the budget problems many theatres are facing. In the article, the first three theatres said they had made staff reductions.
Yes, the show must go on, and many theatres are doing what they can. Each theatre is trying to find a way to make it through. We, as was reported by the Washington Post, took a week furlough (a temporary leave of absence from employment without pay). Which was not so bad, but I am feeling the effects
now. But at least there was not a staff reduction. I have been there and seen the affects it has on the staff.
Budgets are so tight it makes you forget the wonderful times when you had the money. I remember a couple of years ago, before things were tight and our office went to have a Christmas lunch, and we made a little field trip out of it by taking the bus across the city. It was a nice meal, which the theatre picked up. Just that little act made a huge difference on our office. I remember thinking to myself, “When you are the boss, don’t forget to treat your employees,” because I saw how much the mood and productivity picked up.
Now we are in tough times, and I think we forget to have fun. I always thought Arena Stage tried to make sure there were fun things to do throughout the year. It was usually headed up by Alison in the executive office, but even when they didn’t have money they were doing something fun to keep the “kids” happy. I write this because I want you to think of something special you can do for your staff, even if it's for free. Maybe let them take a half day on Friday because they have worked so hard through this summer. Whatever it is doesn’t have to cost money, but never forget the importance of your staff's morale.
Yes, the show must go on, and many theatres are doing what they can. Each theatre is trying to find a way to make it through. We, as was reported by the Washington Post, took a week furlough (a temporary leave of absence from employment without pay). Which was not so bad, but I am feeling the effects
now. But at least there was not a staff reduction. I have been there and seen the affects it has on the staff.Budgets are so tight it makes you forget the wonderful times when you had the money. I remember a couple of years ago, before things were tight and our office went to have a Christmas lunch, and we made a little field trip out of it by taking the bus across the city. It was a nice meal, which the theatre picked up. Just that little act made a huge difference on our office. I remember thinking to myself, “When you are the boss, don’t forget to treat your employees,” because I saw how much the mood and productivity picked up.
Now we are in tough times, and I think we forget to have fun. I always thought Arena Stage tried to make sure there were fun things to do throughout the year. It was usually headed up by Alison in the executive office, but even when they didn’t have money they were doing something fun to keep the “kids” happy. I write this because I want you to think of something special you can do for your staff, even if it's for free. Maybe let them take a half day on Friday because they have worked so hard through this summer. Whatever it is doesn’t have to cost money, but never forget the importance of your staff's morale.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Budgets
Okay, I love my budgets I must say. My personal budget involves an excel spreadsheet with 10 tabs. It is somewhat intense.I will be looking for a new place to live soon and I keep going back to the budget to see what I can really afford. Two things are important to me when looking for a place to live. 1) Living Alone. 2) Living in DC. Unfortunately my budget tells me I can not afford both and that I have to choose which one is more important. I could lie to myself and just get an apartment in DC by myself but then I would reach a point where I couldn’t pay the rent.
Why am I talking about my apartment hunting you might ask? Theatres do the same thing. We are getting close to the fiscal year of most theatres and it is time to make decisions. Sure I could tell my boss that I can reach the goals he wants but the truth is that I can’t. Your leader could tell the board of directors sure we will make those goals but if they can’t then things or people will have to be cut. I think it is better to make the tough decisions sooner rather than later.
Which way do you budget? I always put expenses high and pray that I stay within them and put income low hoping to do better. Some people do the opposite and neither one are right or wrong but the tough choices have to come sometime.
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