Live events are an integral aspect of corporate image and a great deal of planning ensures a successful outcome, at least, it should. We live in a world of uncertainty, that is certain and if you have been assigned to plan the next corporate event, here are a few common fails to avoid at all cost.
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- Failure to identify desired outcomes – Of course, the champagne flows and everyone has a ball … but did you actually achieve anything? If you don’t have clear expectations, you are less likely to excel. Sit down with your team and brainstorm your objectives, whether it be brand recognition or to introduce a new product line; you need a firm set of goals.
- Bad money management – If you’re not careful, your budget can be blown well before you have finished hiring and ordering; use your negotiation skills and get the best marquee hire Perth has to offer at a reduced rate. Zoom calls enable you to connect with the people who make the decisions and have a daily tally-up of current expenses and make adjustments accordingly. Download an app that keeps you updated with your busy schedule and set reminders for all meetings.
- No backup – Things can and do go wrong; if the heavens open just as the MC is making their first announcement, or maybe the laptop crashes halfway through the slideshow presentation. The smart event organiser has Plan Bs and even Cs, which ensures a smooth continuation; spare mic batteries and a small generator hidden away in case of a power outage. Anything that could go awry needs a contingency plan. Click here for how to impress with your business event.
- Unclear directions – If there is insufficient information on the invite, people might not make it in time, or worse, waste the entire evening trying to find the venue. Google Maps is something to eliminate the chance of getting lost, plus a few road signs might help, depending on the number of guests. Double check all your lists and take your time when approving the invite layout prior to printing, as this is the last time any changes can be made.
- Running out of essentials – Imagine an hour into the event and you discover you have run out of ice! Or the champagne is disappearing at an alarming rate; you need to be sure you have enough of everything prior to the start. If you are using an outside caterer, you won’t have to worry about anything regarding food. If you are hiring hospitality restrooms, they should be serviced, for obvious reasons.
If you make the best use of available technology, it takes the stress out of event planning and management and you can finally breathe a sigh of relief when the sound guys are dismantling the stage and everyone had a fantastic time!
Don’t forget security, which should be proportionate with the number of people attending, while entrances and exits should be staffed.