Marketing’s Precarious Balancing Act

Know when to hold, when to fold Event planning seems similar to being a trapeze artist. A planner must apply the right balance throughout the day to successfully get the job done.

That’s what I learned in the April/May edition of BizBash as I read how six event planners keep their busy days on track. Here are three excerpts.

1. A senior meeting planner at Mattel arrives early at work, spending just under 45 minutes prioritizing her day by checking her calendar, Email, and voice mail. Her colleagues keep tabbed binders on their desks for each of their projects, which allows anyone to see the ongoing plan at a moment’s notice.

2. A corporate meeting planner at Amscan uses a computer calendar, wall calendar, and Palm Pilot to handle her schedule. Each calendar focuses on a specific part of an event. Outlook is especially adept at reminding her to make calls, confirm deliveries, and complete other tasks.

3. An associate director of special events at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater uses file folders perched on a credenza to keep activities “in her face.” If one task becomes overwhelming, she takes a break by putting it down and working on something different, or she takes a complete break by walking away to regroup.

These profiles parallel what small and solo business owners face as we decide how to fit all of the marketing pieces into manageable order.

As I write this, I’m experiencing an anxiety attack (lightheaded, dizzy), so I especially appreciate the third profile’s take on being overwhelmed: “walk away.”

It’s good to stay as organized as possible to get the work done, but it’s also smart to know when to temporarily get off the trapeze.

Technorati Tags: Event planning, BizBash, event planner, meeting planner, Palm Pilot, solo business owner, small business owner, small business marketing

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April 18, 2006 | Filed Under Offline Ideas, Problems & Solutions, Recent Entries, Solo Housekeeping

Comments

2 Responses to “Marketing’s Precarious Balancing Act”

Flora Morris Brown on April 21st, 2006 1:54 am

You’re right about the importance of knowing when to walk away and take a break. That’s very difficult for workaholics like me.
Shirley George Frazier on April 21st, 2006 10:26 am

I feel the same way regarding adding breaks to my schedule. However, my body will “break me down” if I go overboard.

That’s not what I want to happen, but unfortunately, like many solo business owners, that’s what ends up happening.

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