Some time ago the best event ever has happened in my life – I have become a mom. In a year or so I was slowly getting back to reading work-related articles and event management blogs. And like you probably, too, I’ve seen a lot of headings like ‘5/10/8/etc Qualities of Successful Events Manager’ discussing the primary qualities required for the profession. Having come across it again, it just stroke me that event agencies should be head-hunting moms for their business – as they would not find better event managers. Think it over: there are so many common traits between a mom and an event manager! If you doubt it, below are top six qualities of the successful event manager according to industry community. Let’s compare.
Flexibility. Oh dear those last minute changes.. Changes in the main banner layout one day prior to event. Change of a speaker on an actual day. Change of an event date (!) when all tickets sold out.. The list is awfully diverse and almost endless. Flexibility is a quality number one to solve all these issues, and most importantly, to not go bananas.
Flexibility for mom is also vital. Literally. Both for physical and emotional well-being. The first is needed to make various impressive tricks like five-objects-in-one-hand juggling. The latter – for keepig calm and carry on when nothing goes like you plan because your child decided so. Don’t you agree that mom is all about flexibility?
Attention to details. The devil is in detail as any event manager knows. To keep sane mind and ability to quickly adapt to changes, an event manager takes every effort to pay attention to the smallest detail. That is, they ask a lot of specific questions, make up detailed action plans for everything, meticulously study all documents and carefully read and write emails.
Every mom lives by the same principles. She can tell you where smallest spot on her child’s body is and how it is different from the one yesterday. She asks a lot of specific questions – asks herself, her friends, pediatrician, her parents and fellow moms (choose what applies to you, you can choose more than one point). And every single day she makes up something – doctor’s visits schedule, shopping lists, etc. And makes up her mind on a million things, too…
Multitasking. We claim ability to multitask is natural to only event managers and moms.
An event manager can answer the phone while emailing reminders to colleagues and controlling mic setting up. Or they can check commercial offer while editing the presentation slides. Or they can sit on a conference call while doing all of the above 🙂
Mom can rock a child to sleep while making dinner. Or she can dress her child while getting dressed herself. (Well, I guess there might be more eccentric mix of activities here! Share yours 🙂
Tech savvy. This is an integral part of any event manager and quickly picked up ability of any mom. Or vice versa 🙂 Today it goes without saying that everybody knows how to use a PC, printer or projector. But in case an event manager gets bored, there are sound mixing desks, projecting interactive systems, sensor panels, mobile apps, social media platforms and so on and so forth.
Moms do not lag behind at all. Bottle warmers, sterilisers, scales, thermal bags, baby monitors and breast pumps. Not to mention mobile pregnancy calendars, contraction timers, baby development apps! Now, aren’t they tech geeks? 🙂
Strong will and a level head. This basically sums up all of the above. A level head and strong will are a must for both an event manager and a mom. Always, at all times, every single second since you become a mom or an event planner you should hold control over million things in parallel and be able to control your emotions, too. When you hear you baby cry all night long, when you receive another bizarre request from a client or partner, when you have to say no for two hundred times per hour, when you have to say yes I can do it even if you are up to your ears in work…Strong will and a level head are a must, indeed.
Passionate about what they do. This is on everybody’s list of successful event manager qualities. In my view, passion is such a right word here. It accurately describes a variety of feelings: dedication, kindness, enjoyment. Being passionate about what you do is truly helpful and felt by people around be that customers or colleagues and partners.
Same with moms. You can always see those moms who enjoy their motherhood despite all the troubles and hard feelings. Such mom is lit up, and this is felt by her child and others around. And helps herself when it’s a hard time.
Well, conclusion is obvious here. If you are a mom and would like to start a career in events – go ahead! You’re already fine with your new job:) If you are an employer and hire a woman with kids, rest assured – you are hiring not just professional, but the one with natural talent for event management 🙂
