Got a big business function coming up? Here’s how to get through it with the least amount of hassle.
By Craig Falck for Africa Report
Photograph: © Yuri Arcurs | Dreamstime.com
You have two options when it comes to pulling off the perfect corporate event: hire someone to do it for you, and hire someone to do it for you. Don’t be confused… they’re two very different things. Here’s why…
Since you’re more of a businessperson than a party-organiser type, the easiest way to organise a professional corporate event is to outsource to an event co-ordinating company. Basically put, you tell them what you want, where you want, how you want and when you want. Then you send them on their way, they do their job, and you pay over the money when you’re happy that the event went off smoothly. It can be that simple, where your input is limited to okaying pretty much what has been organised for you by one coordinator and paying for it. It’s up to them to make sure that everything comes together perfectly and that the event is a success.
Now for option two. Instead of hiring a coordinator to bring everything together using their contacts, you outsource each individual component yourself. This is a fabulous option because you’re more in control of the event than with option one and you can pick and choose who and what you want instead of getting an “all-in-one” deal. The only drawback is that you need to sit and do research into the various components, as well as the various companies/suppliers who would be able to meet your needs. Obviously it’s not that difficult, seeing as just about everyone is listed online these days and has social network sites such as Facebook and Twitter, and word also gets around when someone has a corporate event that really stands out.
Whichever option you choose, you still need to conduct research and be meticulous when it comes to your event. You need to remember that this is your event, catering to your clients and it’s an extension of your brand. If you make a mistake or there’s something that doesn’t quite fit (like having a heavy metal band play the background music at an elegant evening dinner gala event or a symphony orchestra at a raucous sport event), people will take note and you will end up looking like a fool. This is the exact type of outcome that you don’t want, so it makes sense to stay involved and have a clear image of what you want. By having input at every stage, you can make sure that while your coordinator is a professional and knows what they’re doing, you’re at least getting what you want, need and are paying for.
Hosting a corporate event is a big deal, and it’s not that difficult to throw the perfect one. All you need to do is know what you want and the rest is easy… mostly because you’ll be outsourcing and paying someone to do the work for you. Just make sure that you get someone who’s brilliant, or you could end up with pâté on your face.
