Hi, I’m Samantha and I am an eager (but novice!) events enthusiast, wanting to learn everything there is to know about the Events Industry.
When I was given the opportunity to join the Strive team on a work placement, I could not believe my luck. My journey began at the start of 2023 and every day has been a learning curve.
So…..what have I learnt? I’ve learnt that event planning is no walk in the park, but this has not put me off, just made me even more determined, and when I was asked to write this blog I thought I would share what I now believe are the important skills that make for successful event planning at Strive.
S – Support
I wouldn’t have been able to complete my work experience journey without the help and support of the Strive team. Talking me through tasks and putting up with my relentless questions, they have been a dream! They have offered me a well rounded taster to the event industry, and shown me that there is no ‘I’ in ‘team’. They have taught me to communicate effectively with clients and suppliers and they have steered me in the right direction, whilst remaining kind and considerate.
T – Time Management
This is absolutely crucial! Maximise your time and prioritise tasks. Keep a list and cross off tasks once complete. Don’t spend too much time on one task, you can always revisit it later with a fresh head. Limit distractions that will take you away from your project – Snapchat and Instagram can wait!
A great technique that I’ve learnt from the Strive team that helps with time management is the Pomodoro technique. It increases productivity and ensures a small amount of well deserved rest in between each session. For those who don’t know, the Pomodoro technique consists of 25 minute sessions of working with no distraction, followed by a 5 minute break. It’s an efficient way to break up your working day and sort all your working tasks accordingly. I have found it to be very useful, especially in office environments where it’s easy to be distracted by chitchat and the outside world.
A final and this is probably the most important point to make about time management is to take a break when needed. You’re no use to anyone if you’re tired, hungry or dehydrated, and this is an ethos the Strive management team promote really well with us.
R – Relationships
Like all businesses, event planning requires constant and effective communication with your client. It is imperative that you have a good understanding of their needs, as well as visualisation. You need to show your client that you are efficient, capable and above all organised, through the way you communicate and build relationships, which was great to learn first hand from the Strive team.
Not only is it important to have good client relationships but it is equally important to have great relationships with your suppliers. You must be able to talk and trust your suppliers, as without them your event can’t happen! They are a crucial part of the team, even though they are from different companies.
A good relationship is also essential with your team members too. Talking openly and forming strong bonds with your colleagues is absolutely critical to the success of the business. It boosts employee morale, engagement and productivity and is key for team collaboration. A strong team can rely on each other and make the office a fun and inviting place to be, it also means the communication between team members is effective and therefore very beneficial when onsite to ensure a smooth running event.
Ultimately, a good working relationship with your co-workers helps drive better results. Team work makes the dream work 🙂
I – Imagination
Imagination and creativity are at the heart of a successful event. If there is one thing Strive has taught me, it’s that you have to think outside the box.
Once you have identified your targets and goals, get brainstorming. Focus on making your event remarkable. Event planners want to be remembered for their originality. Stay up to date with current trends, always be one step ahead of your competitors and stand out from the crowd.
Share your ideas with your colleagues, friends and family, however crazy they may seem. Don’t shy away from a social media poll, a fun and quick way to gauge instant opinions. As I have learnt that the best ideas are a team effort.
V – Versatility
A very important attribute!
It really helps to have a variety of skills in this industry. I have performed a range of tasks and stepped into different roles, which has not only helped me to grow as an individual but helped my teammates when they need it too, even if it meant stepping out of my comfort zone 😱.
I’ve truly learnt the value of versatility these past few weeks and have learnt to adapt to change pretty quickly! Just when you think everything is going to plan, it doesn’t. I have had to be prepared to change everything at the drop of a hat and stay cool whilst doing it 😎! Whether it be last minute changes to catering orders or the need for different kinds of entertainment or equipment, speed is always of the essence.
E – Environment
Why is the office environment so important? Strive has a flexible working policy where you are only required to be in the office one day a week. I love those days and relish the opportunity to learn from my colleagues in real life. Their office is fun, trendy and provides a great space to get stuff done, whilst providing areas to relax if you need to, which is equally important. Because the office is such a fun place to be, the team all embrace being there. Did I mention that it’s dog friendly 😃?! Gone are the days of leaving your fur baby home alone.
I truly believe that working in a positive environment will have a positive impact on your team, which will in turn will make them more effective and efficient at performing their roles.
With the right attitude, Strive and you will achieve…
And there we have it, that’s my take on event planning and my very first blog. Thank you to Strive for having me for the past two months, it’s been a great experience.
If you enjoyed reading this and would like some further support with your upcoming events, drop us a line on:
