Serving Knoxville, Knox County,
Surrounding Counties & Beyond
Abo
v e the Res t y n
a mp
Co s e i c i Pol
Fo r Suc ces s
www.abovetheresteventdesigns.com (865)-719-8110
Training -What to Expect
There is a 30-day "Check Us Out" period. During this time, you will receive basic instruction and opportunities to see if you are a good fit for the Above the Rest team and if the Above the Rest team is a good fit for you. At the end of 30 days, if either of us does not believe it is a good fit, then we will part our ways on good terms. Your first day at the studio will include hands-on learning on our procedures and techniques. You will: -Learn how to properly inflate balloons using our inflation equipment. -Spend time tying balloons with the goal of getting them tied faster each time. Don’t worry, we know you won’t get it right the first time. We know it takes time. Be patient with yourself--we will be. -Have hands-on training that will continue throughout your employment with Above the Rest. Much of the training will arise on an as-needed basis and often while we are on a job site. Learn about various shop maintenance and organization tasks. -Be asked to read “The Above the Rest Staff Guide," "The Big Book of Balloon Decorator Lingo," our "How to Manual," and the "Fabric Draping Guide." -Be tested on the material in these handbooks. Tests may include verbal or written questions. -Be asked to sign off that you have read, understand and agree to the policies.
It is our mission to provide moments of joy and smiles to all we serve with grace and gratitude.
Table of Contents Equal Employment Opportunity.....................................................................................................
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Mission .........................................................................................................................................
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Tag Line.........................................................................................................................................
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Sponsorships.................................................................................................................................
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History...........................................................................................................................................
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Education.......................................................................................................................................
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Awards...........................................................................................................................................
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Memberships.................................................................................................................................
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Team............................................................................................................................................. 10 Our Beliefs..................................................................................................................................... 12 Job Descriptions............................................................................................................................ 13 First in Last Out Policies................................................................................................................ 16 Work Hours, Getting Paid, & Cell Phone Policy ........................................................................... 17 Holidays & Confidentiality.............................................................................................................. 20 Lateness, Absence, Mistakes........................................................................................................ 21 Theft.............................................................................................................................................. 22 Emergencies.................................................................................................................................. 23 Driving Vehicles............................................................................................................................. 25 Gifts............................................................................................................................................... 27
It is our mission to provide moments of joy and smiles to all we serve with grace and gratitude.
Table of Contents
Recycling & Trash......................................................................................................................... 28 Attire.............................................................................................................................................. 29 Behavior Expectations................................................................................................................... 31 Cell Phone Policy.......................................................................................................................... 32 Concerns....................................................................................................................................... 34 Work Habits................................................................................................................................... 35 Studio Safety................................................................................................................................. 36 Job Site Safety.............................................................................................................................. 38 Helium Tank Safety....................................................................................................................... 39 Outside Venue Safety.................................................................................................................... 43 Job Processing Steps.................................................................................................................... 44 Installation Procedures.................................................................................................................. 45 Breakdown Team Procedures....................................................................................................... 53 How to Pop Balloons..................................................................................................................... 58 Removing Air Filled Decor............................................................................................................. 59 Removing Helium Decor................................................................................................................ 61
It is our mission to provide moments of joy and smiles to all we serve with grace and gratitude.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Above the Rest is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
1 It is our mission to provide moments of joy and smiles to all we serve with grace and gratitude.
We Believe In...
Providing as much care to every client's event as if it were our own and taking great pride in our work! Building strong, friendly relationships with clients, fellow vendors, event planners and venue personnel making each person feel appreciated. Being honest, kind and joyful. Continuously seeking opportunities to innovate, learn, and improve to provide clients with an Above the Rest experience. Being empowered to create unique, memorable, and personal experiences for ourselves and our clients. The magic and energy of using balloons to "paint the air with color" in order to help people celebrate in a unique style. Quality: What we do, we do very well. Uplifting each other and working well together as a team. In working with joy, positve attitude and taking pride in our work. Having and creating FUN!
12 We believe in working with joy, positve attitude and taking pride in our work.
Job Descriptions Creative Balloon Assistant & Inventory Manager Duties are, but not limited to:
Yo u se may r mo ve o n r on e th a et ea n m.
~Follow directions to inflate & build balloon designs. ~Load balloons, base plates, poles, framing, helium tanks and all other supplies needed to set an event on job site (must be able to lift up to 50 pounds). ~Set up decor at various venues in our service area; take quality photos of installations. ~Assist with cleanliness and organization of studio and van. ~Inventory Manager logs all incoming & outgoing inventory including marking new inventory, filing foil balloons, maintaining inventory records on computer, keeping stock in proper locations Creative Assistants must be able to work with hands quickly, work well with others, work efficiently, work promptly, be able to work for long periods of time while standing, be able to climb ladders and work overhead. Must have reliable transportation and valid driver's license.
Fabric Draping Assistant Duties are, but not limited to: ~Follow directions to hang luxury fabrics for weddings and other draping jobs. ~Load fabric, base plates, poles, framing, and all other supplies needed to set an event on job site. ~Take quality photos of installations. ~Assist with cleanliness and organization of studio and van. Fabric Draping Assistants must be prompt and efficient. They must able to work well with others, climb ladders, work overhead, and for long periods of time while standing or bending. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds. Must have reliable transportation and valid driver's license.
Party Crashers (Balloons & Fabric Draping) Duties are, but not limited to: Arrive at venues at the end of an event to breakdown and remove all types of décor installed by ATR, including balloons, fabric, lighting, glassware, and more. Team members will work typically in weekend evenings, but not always as there are some daytime breakdowns. Must have reliable transportation and valid driver's license. This work includes popping of balloons, take down fabric, fold fabric neatly, keep inventory count correct, remove all base plates, poles, and framing from venue into company van.
13 We believe in working with joy, positve attitude and taking pride in our work.
Holidays & Confidentiality Holidays This is a special event company, which means we are often asked to decorate for holidays. The good news is that usually we get to decorate BEFORE the holiday and don't work on most holidays. The ONE mandatory holiday we work is New Year's Eve as we are decorating for NYE celebrations. This is a No TIME OFF day for all team members. We are closed on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. It is common for us to also be closed the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. Subject to change.
Confidentiality
There are times when clients do not want any public exposure for their event and request that no photos or videos are taken. We always follow their request. No team member is to post photos or share client information without permission of ATR owner. Team members are not permitted to share Above the Rest techniques, policies, instructions with any one outside ATR without permission of ATR owner.
20 Being honest, kind and joyful.
Lateness, Absence, Mistakes Lateness It is expected that team members will arrive to work at scheduled times. Being late to job sites is unacceptable as we are normally on a tight time frame to get event decor installed. Please be on time. In the event of emergency, traffic delays, etc., team member is to contact the office to inform of possible delay in arrival. Work time paid does NOT begin until team member arrives at studio or venue, is inside venue or shop ready to work, and clocks in to When I Work.
Absence Your presence is important at all times, but especially on job set days. Emergencies and Illness happen. We know that. Team members are to notify office in the event an unexpected absence arises.
After 2 unexcused absences or without notification, team member will no longer work with Above the Rest.
No pay is earned during absences.
Mistakes You will receive training on how to do your best possible job. You are human! So are the rest of us! Even though we try hard to make as few mistakes as possible, they still happen. A few minor mistakes here and there are likely to happen--that's how we learn to get better. When mistakes are made, you will be shown how to correct those errors.
If BIG mistakes continue due to team member not following directions, pay will be docked in proportion to the amount of time and material cost is required to redo the job. If you don't understand, ASK! You will be helped!
21 Work Smarter, Not Harder
Helium Tank Safety Removing Helium Tank from Van: 1. Requires TWO people at ALL times, NO EXCEPTIONS. 2. PARK ON LEVEL GROUND. 3. Remove green cart from top of helium tank. 4. Remove safety straps from around tank. 5. Place green cart approximately 12-15” from back of van with platform facing van. 6. One person climbs into van. Other stays outside van at back of van. 7. Inside person crouches on knees and carefully slides tank toward back of van, while outside person CAREFULLY lifts tank bottom over lip of van. 8. Once tank clears van lip, inside person pushes tank towards rear of van until tank is almost half way out of van. 9. Outside person guides and supports tank with hands. Inside person climbs out of van to assist. 10. BOTH people stand on opposite sides of tank, keeping both hands on tank, bend knees. 11. One hand of each person is on bottom of tank. 12. SLOWLY slide tank toward ground, supporting tank weight with knees and hands. Once tank edge touches ground, stand tank up supporting top of tank and stand upright onto cart. 13. Secure cart with chain, while one person is holding cart and tank. 14. Roll tank into venue using both hands. One person holds door open while other pushes tank.
40 It is our mission to provide moments of joy and smiles to all we serve with grace and gratitude.
Helium Tank Safety Lifting Tank into Van at Studio: 1. Requires TWO people at all times! 2. TOP OF TANK ALWAYS GOES IN FIRST! 3. Open van doors completely. 4. Keep tank on cart and move to about 12” from back of van. 5. One person is to stand on left of tank, one on the right of tank. (Stand with your strongest side away from the van) 6. Unchain cart so tank is free from cart. 7. Keep both hands on cart to be sure it is stable. 8. Together, slowly tip top of helium tank towards back of van bumper until tank rests securely on bumper. 9. One person stabilizes tank while other moves cart away from bottom of tank. 10. After cart is out of the way, one person stands on left of tank, other stands on right of tank. 11. Both bend knees. DO NOT BEND FROM WAIST. 12. Place hand that is closest to van near top of tank, place hand closest to bottom of tank on edge of tank’s bottom edge. 13. Keep knees bent, pull in abdomen muscles, VERBALLY count to 3. 14. On 3, both people lift bottom of tank, placing one knee under tank for support. 15. Slide into van. 16. Slide in only as far as needed to clear black of van door. 17. Lift green cart onto top of helium tank keeping wheels up and close to van doors. 18. Secure tank to van wall with one or two bungee cords.
41 It is our mission to provide moments of joy and smiles to all we serve with grace and gratitude.