COVID-19: A tale of reassurance

On our website we have the following statements up front. The first things you see:

Event Production Specialists

We are a live event production company who deliver exceptional conferences, events and video production for the corporate marketplace

Your Event Partner

A perfect working relationship ensures that your vision is realised, every time.

Consistency

Our team of Account Managers, Project Managers and Producers work with you to build trust and confidence for a consistently reliable service

Although this is what we do, we would like to add another important fact.

Business Resilience

It doesn’t matter if you have the greatest people, access to the greatest resources or produce wonderful events, if the ship is not being steered in the right direction through often turbulent waters, the company may not survive the many storms, especially the current one.

It turned out to be an unusual day in early March. In the morning we had a company meeting to discuss how 2019 had gone and how 2020 was panning out. It was looking to be a very successful year - likely to be our best. We all went for a company lunch to celebrate. It was during this lunch that one of our clients rang to say they would have to cancel their multi-site event at the end of March because of the threat from the COVID-19 virus. That was just the beginning. Over the following two weeks in March ALL our scheduled events with ALL our clients were cancelled up until the summer. By 20th March the Production board was empty and the office and warehouse was shut.

Ground:zero has a great team of people who are dedicated to their craft and their customers and it was important that we showed the loyalty they show to everyone.

A week later our first quarter financials were in. We had had a great first quarter, even with a number of cancelled meetings. This combined with the success of last year meant that Ground:zero could weather this storm for many months. We have made a few small cost cuts and taken advantage of the Government’s furloughing scheme but that is it. No borrowings. No debt. Ground:zero is financially in a strong place.

Ground:zero has a great team of people who are dedicated to their craft and their customers and it was important that we showed the loyalty they show to everyone. For that reason Ground:zero is keeping its compliment of full-time staff. This is a priority and is the back bone of the financial planning. We just feel bad that we can’t do more to support our freelancers and suppliers.

Not long after we were confined to our homes, it was the birthday of our Senior Producer. With family and friends not able to celebrate it at his home, staff, ex-staff and freelancers all pulled together to create a Happy Birthday Video. The team spirit and positive attitude was amazing. It has helped to keep us all close during these difficult times. Different WhatsApp groups have meant daily conversations between staff and freelancers. Some of it work related. Much of it just chatter. All of it is good.

After 20 years we have learnt a thing or two and one of them is resilience. Although some may falter, Ground:zero is in it for the long haul.

When can we get back to work? After a three month break, how do we ease ourselves back into the working week? When can we get the equipment PAT tested and ready for the new event season? When will the new event season start? How are we preparing ourselves for a different industry post COVID-19? At Ground:zero we are keeping everyone in the loop as much as we can. We are adhering to the Government directives but planning for the new future.

At the end of this Ground:zero will still be here. After 20 years we have learnt a thing or two and one of them is resilience. Although some may falter, Ground:zero is in it for the long haul. To all our clients, be reassured that we are tough enough to be here for you once this is over. To people who are unsure if their supplier will make it through these tough times, please don’t hesitate to give us a call to discuss your concerns on 01634 841663 or leave a message on our website www.groundzero.uk.com. And to all the people personally affected by the virus – we are all thinking of you.