YOU CAN’T DO IT ALL.

Being a planner I came to grips with my God complex long ago. Although I tout myself on being a good cook, and crafty from time to time, I know I cannot build a table, weave fabric, prepare the meal, great all guests at the door and install the sound system for my one woman harmonica and juggling act. Pretty obvious that I need vendors or better yet let’s call them Experts to make my event go off without a hitch.

So why is it that most businesses still try to offer “solutions for all your needs”, “One Stop Shop” not only for their clients but for themselves as well? Where did this closed-door mentality that we don’t need anyone else come from?

--If you are a accountant- why would you spend hours trying to figure out HTML for dummies to write a web page?? Is this a good use of time and energy?

You make think this, "do it yourself" strategy is saving you money... It’s actually costing you valuable time that could be spent making money.

******Most importantly lets not forget the opportunity cost of a missed relationship. Working with a branding company, outsourcing website creation & monitoring, even hiring an answering service are all relationships that have more people saying your name.

The more alliances you make, the more people who know you. The more people who know you; the more people there are to refer you. It’s all a numbers game.

GO PLAY!!!!!!!

Running your own event makes you a target for distraction…

1. You are the host and the Queen worker bee.


Wearing these two hats at the same time may let you fall victim to being interrupted in the middle of an in-depth conversation about the fate of Pakistan’s Taliban chief, Baitullah Mehsud; just to be informed that the women’s toilet is overflowed and there are no more napkins for the hors’dourves. Puts a damper on the conversation…


2. You’re always watching the clock.


Your role morphs into timekeeper for the day. To have a smooth event each activity, speech, presentation, dance, and all food service must go off on time. You quickly become the food expediter in the kitchen, the band liaison telling them to cut the music and the one to make sure the video is cued and ready to go.


3. You wanted to sell a product


Yet all your energy is dedicated to the fact that the brochures are not on the right table, Potential clients are at the door but their names were left off the guest list and the bar has run out of mixers.


Conclusion:


You are literally working the room and have turned yourself into hired help. Instead of networking, selling or even enjoying your own event you are plagued by all the last minute changes and “creative solutions” that are part of every event no matter how well planned. Day of event execution is better left to the experts who anticipate the mishaps and are prepared to deal with the high-pressure, stressful situations.

So for your next event go hire a planner!

Then sit back, relax and enjoy the Strawberry & mint leaf canapé that wasn't on the menu but substituted last minute since the price of tuna skyrocketed the day before.