Professional Management - Why it's necessary




Photo by UBP Catering

According to Wikipedia, “Event management is the application of management of project management to the creation and development of festivals and events”. It goes on further stating that event management involves studying the intricacies of the brand, identifying the target audience, devising the event concept, planning the logistics and coordinating the technical aspects before actually executing the modalities of the proposed event. In basic terms, event management ensures that all the planned activities in a particular event run accordingly and smoothly without any sort of disturbance and delays.

Wow...that's a mouthful right?  Well that's what a professional event planner brings to the function.  Every event needs organization to be successful.  Whether it's a corporate event, a non-profit gala or a social function, proper organization is the key to satisfied guests, donors and friends.  In the organizing stage, the event planner works with the client to determine purpose of the event, budget for the event as well as any logistical issues that need to be resolved.  The planner then takes care of all those details so you don't have to worry about them.  The planner will help to determine the number of guests, who will be invited, how to reach that demographic, where you should host the function, entertainment logistics, food and beverage services, ticket sales, sponsorships, decorations...the list goes on.  Attention to each of these items depending on the scope of the event is critical to having the best and most memorable event possible.


Photo by weddinglovely.com

Don't neglect the preparation and planning.  Hire good people that make you look good and your guests will leave feeling pride and joy in participating...and come back again!  In the long run, it's an investment in your success! Enjoy your event - Use a professional event planner and make some great memories! 

Ups and Downs in Life and Event Planning?

Life always presents twists and turns and presents challenges when you least expect them.  Whether it's an unexpected pregnancy, or a child needing major surgery, you have to do what needs to be done to handle the situation.  There are always good days and bad days, but as long as you are continually creating a better future, life can continue on despite the roller coaster of life's challenges.

This last week has taught me a lot about personal strength and the challenges that life throws your way as my daughter had a major hip surgery and lots of TLC in her recovery process.  Much like event planning, you do the best to anticipate everything needed to have a successful experience.  Then when something comes up, you think fast on your feet and make it work.  If you stay calm, things work out much quicker.  Stressing out and yelling doesn't accomplish anything in the end.  Keeping your best foot forward in the face of adversity seems to be a good policy for me.

Now that the worst is over, we face a long road of recovery....but the important thing is that we are in recovery and creating a new future.  No matter what that looks like, we are creating it.  Each event has a similar process.  First, there's the inspiration and the ideas.  Then comes the reality check - what would it take and can it be done.  Generally the answer is yes it can be done...so then it's a matter of how to best accomplish the goals.  Budgets are set and plans are explored.  The work begins to create something in the future that you are inspired to see happen.  When the event happens, you see your future creation in real life - and wow...what an accomplishment.

As an event planner by profession, it is up to me to insure that those dreams turn into realities for my clients.  That's the fun of being able to create someone's future dream - whatever that is.  It could be a wedding, but it could also be a home show, or a trade show where you are the main event.  Dreams come in all shapes and sizes.  Our motto at Plan Ahead Events Boise is that if you can Dream it...we can Create it.  

Keep creating your future and dreaming big - no matter the adversity that you face.  You will always be successful.  Here's to a great future for all of us! 

Small Business Owners - Tips for Success!

Professional event planning is crucial to your success as a business.  Face to face marketing is such an important part of your overall marketing plan that you don't want to skimp on the details.  When it comes to planning and executing your event logistics, meeting and event planners know their event processes cold. At the same time, most businesses now recognize the value of community relationships as the key building block and a variety of events build these friendships. 


What kind of events would help you to grow your business?

Here are some suggestions for small business owners:

1)  Grand Openings - This can be the grand opening of a new business or a new location for an existing business.  With invitations sent to your perfect demographic, these events can introduce you to your community and get your business jump started.

2)  Product Roll-outs - This is a great way to introduce your current and perspective clients to a new product line that you are carrying, or a new service that you intend to offer.

3)  Networking events - This is an excellent way to introduce your friends and associates to each other so that they can better work together as well.  Hold an open house networking event and see how your friends can help each other.

4)  Anniversary thank you celebrations - Have you been in business for awhile?  An Anniversary celebration is a good way to invite your current clients in to say thank you.  Entertain them and feed them - they will help your business grow through referrals. 

 
There are countless other options for small business events.  A good planner will help you with all the details from budgeting to catering.  You run your business and leave the planning to them.  Have a great business building event and increase your business!

Face to Face Marketing

I mentioned last week that the value of face to face marketing was still your highest return on investment.  For many of us this is meaningless...but here's some information I found.  The need for face-to-face interaction has never been more important in our digital and social media age. According to a report from Meeting Professionals International (MPI), 40% of prospects converted to new customers via face-to-face meetings, and 28% of current business would be lost without face-to-face meetings.

I don't know about you, but a 28% loss would be huge in most small businesses.  So why not add some face to face marketing to your overall marketing budget and plan.  Marketing is a very complex subject with all the options and expense involved.  Consult your professionals to better understand the plan that is right for you.

The reality is that both face-to-face and virtual marketing are essential components to any company's communications strategy. There are benefits of both approaches and as a business owner it's important to create a plan that is both beneficial and manageable.

Making the Case for Face-to-Face

Whether considering a tradeshow, a grand opening event, or a product unveiling, face-to-face interactions provide significant business benefits. At its core, face-to-face engagement creates a personal connection and builds trust between a company and its target audience. Giving a warm handshake, carrying an engaging conversation, and getting to know customers and prospects on an individual level can help form stronger, more meaningful, and more profitable business relationships.  There are many different types of events that can support this type of marketing.  Event professionals can help you match your demographics to your perfect type of event.  They will work with you to produce the event and to market it to achieve your goals.  A really good event planner will even help you track the return on investment of your marketing dollars.

Event planning of any type is a lot of work with much attention to detail given to insure the success of an event.  Check out the event planners in your area for that professional touch.  You can then continue to work your business while a great event is attended to.  On event day, you can show up and be the event without any attention being taken away from your business leading up to the big day!  The cost is worth it if you convert just one or two to new customers or renew a few relationships with existing clients.  Save yourself the stress without neglecting this important part of your marketing strategy.

Plan Ahead Events has franchises in over 100 locations.  Find one near you if you are looking for
professional help.  (www.planaheadevents.com) Events are a great way to maintain those relationships
you have so that you do not lose them, as well as to create new ones!

Have you had success with face to face events in your business?  If so please share the stories with others!  We can all learn from each others successes.

Read more about face to face marketing at this link we really like: http://www.marketingprofs.com/articles/2011/5938/the-value-of-face-to-face-marketingin-a-virtual-age#ixzz2XzPcMzwh

Networking

Networking is one of the most powerful marketing tactics that a small business can use.  It is important that you choose the right groups, the right time for you, and learn how to network effectively.

Many networking groups are available in your area I'm sure.  Visit many of them.  Schedule time to visit one each week.  As a small business owner you will be spending the bulk of your time running your business so it's important that you schedule and make the most of your networking opportunities.

Here's a few tips that I have learned.  Don't be shy.  Sit with people that you don't know or have never met.  You never know which one will be your next customer, or be a friend of your next customer.  Introduce yourself but then focus more on learning about them and what they do, than in telling them about what you do.  The more you are interested in them, the more they will naturally be interested in you and what you do.  You will be establishing a friendship, not just a business relationship.  Friendships lead to more referrals and business in the end.

Go to groups that educate as part of their program.  I love to learn new things and understand how to improve my productivity in some way while making new friends.  There is no substitute for learning new ideas and new ways to look at your business.

Networking will increase your business and your connections over time.  Be consistent no matter how busy you are. There is no substitute for face to face marketing.  Face to face marketing and networking events are statistically the highest return on investment for any business.  So visit a great networking  group this week and let me know how it works for you by posting a comment!