In closing, here are a few additional tips to help optimize your efforts:
- Be proactive. Engaging in early and consistent planning phases will help streamline your operation and will give you more time to address any unexpected needs or challenges that arise.
- Meet throughout the year. Building on the call to proactivity, regularly connecting with your team can prove invaluable to making your event its absolute best. Whether you meet bi-monthly or quarterly, frequent engagement can help you avoid falling into “knee-jerk” strategy mode.
- Commit to earning trust. Many develop solutions and hold events with a “field of dreams” mindset. In other words, such people believe “If you hold the event, people will come.” Embracing the WIIFM (what’s in it for me) mindset, from the perspective of your attendees, should help you to structure an event that addresses their needs, goals, concerns, and motivations. This empathic approach, presented sincerely, will foster trust and help you to achieve high levels of success.
- Embrace the power of TEAM. When we have a passion for something, it’s possible to unknowingly enter a mode of operation where we’re trying to do to much on our own. When we’re in this state, it’s very easy to become blinded by what we’re accomplishing, while actually short-changing ourselves (and, in turn, the prospective beneficiaries). Considering that same factor, imagine what you could accomplish with 4, 5, or 10 others with the same drive, passion, energy, and desire to help and support the goals of others. When we connect with like- minded individuals, we can accomplish much more than we can alone. This should encourage us to excel at team-building AND avoid the temptation to become a “lone ranger.” The institution and the attendees will both benefit more.
