EVENTS j have a say in new initiatives , strategies and plans . They want to present their ideas .
In many meetings pre-COVID we may have taken the concept of inclusiveness as ‘ nice to have if we had the time ’. I would recommend you now make the time !
If the pandemic has given us anything it is that we all crave connection . Even if we are working away in our home office , we want to connect with our business associates and others . Meetings post-COVID must push the boundaries of inclusiveness beyond what we have ever done before .
Give them time to breathe Most companies have important messaging that they need to relay at meetings — that ’ s imperative . But what is also important is that you have to give your attendees time to breathe .
What we know from the global pandemic is that for many people the work / life balance has become intertwined . Being available online has made many employers think that if you email someone at 7 o ’ clock at night you ’ ll probably get a reply by 7.30pm . Your three- or four-day meeting may be the first time in a long time that employees can be reminded that they have a working life and a social life .
So , how do you do that ? Ensuring morning and afternoon tea breaks are longer than 15 minutes and lunches are an hour is a no brainer . Really look at the content of your meeting and tailor 30 per cent of it to employee wellbeing . Yes , if your company is all about selling widgets then have presentations on widget selling . But in-between these , bring in professional speakers who talk about wellness and relaxation and who can inspire and connect with your audience . Make your entertainment big and memorable .
Negotiate hard Depending upon what industry we work in we have seen some organisations thrive and others less so . Many hotel and venue operators , as an example , have been struggling . Right now it is a buyers ’ market and we should take advantage of it while it lasts .
With the backlog of so many organisations postponing their meetings and events , strong venue operators are seeing solid forward bookings . But not everybody is , and I would suggest these are the venues that you should be looking at . They are crying out for your business and they will go over and above what they may have normally offered you in a pre-COVID world .
Take advantage of that now . What you save on the venue , use to bring in that keynote speaker you ’ ve heard so much about . Or better still , with the surplus you save from negotiating a good rate at the venue , make a donation to a charity that aligns with your business .
Move beyond your comfort zone With moving out of your comfort zone , going somewhere different to where you have been in the past is refreshing and can be the catalyst for an entirely new and fresh approach to what you have done previously and what you will do in the future .
There may be some logistical challenges , but aren ’ t we all in the problem-solving business ? We will make it happen and it will be so worth it .
Many of us have been out of our comfort zones for most of last year and this year as well . We ’ re a resilient bunch and we love a challenge . So , why stop now ? S
36 Executive PA | Summer Issue 2021