Finding fun, interesting entertainment options is often the most enjoyable part of planning corporate events; however, once you have exhausted your list of local entertainers and spent the majority of your entertainment budget on one or two well-known acts, it can sometimes be a challenge to come up with additional entertainment options that will appeal to your attendees. Most people enjoy comedy acts and it is always a plus if you can provide an evening of relaxation and laughter to your participants, making booking a comedian an enticing option.
The thing about booking a comedy act is that it can go really well, or very wrong – and the outcome can directly affect your reputation. If it goes well, people will be talking about your event long after it concludes and attendees will remember that you provided a lighthearted evening of entertainment that was thoroughly enjoyable. If it goes wrong, they will also be talking about it – and you – long after the event is over, but the things they will be saying will not be nearly as flattering.
You can avoid a not-so-comedic disaster by taking the time to thoroughly vet potential comedians before booking them for your event. To do this, you can look for reviews online, inquire about how many corporate events they have done and either attend one of their shows, or request a DVD of their show if they are not local.
As an event or meeting planner that works with a variety of clients, you are bound to come across some who are more difficult to please or with whom you simply have a personality conflict. This can be a frustrating experience for both you and the client, but handling these situations with style, class and grace will assist you in getting through the planning process and will help you keep your good name and reputation, regardless of your client’s behavior or demands.
The most important thing to remember is that communication is the key component in any business relationship and that conflicts often occur due to miscommunication or a breakdown in communication. Knowing this, you can often avoid problems by implementing appropriate, thorough communication right from the start. Of course, this will not always resolve issues immediately, but it can diffuse many sticky situations and, if nothing else, will ensure that you did your part in maintaining your professionalism and attempting to meet your client’s needs.
It is also important to remember that, as long as you are completing your responsibilities properly and in a timely fashion, you are holding up your end of the bargain and are maintaining your professional integrity. In order to help you get through the planning process without going crazy, it is also helpful to keep in mind that this is your business and you choose who you do business with. Once you get through this particular job, you can always choose to not work with this particular client in the future.
You worked hard for a client, and she seemed pleased. You have done several meetings for her, and all were a whopping success. You bent over backward, and didn’t make as much as you would have liked because you want loyalty. You have heard this client has a large international meeting to plan soon, and you start gearing up for the event of your life–but all of a sudden it doesn’t sound so good if you stick to the price structure you started out with. And guess what? If you don’t stick to it, you will lose the client.
In some ways there is no such thing as customer loyalty. Loyalty implies a steadfast business relationship that is built on trust. It suggests a duty that the client owes you in exchange for you doing what was expected of you, and maybe a little more. Is doing your job for a fair price enough of a reason for your client to “owe” you the next job? No. Your reputation is not enough–you have to offer a fair price on the next job and be ready to continue good service. This suggests commerce, not loyalty.
You may have some clients who are getting rock bottom prices. If you want to get to–and stay at–rock bottom profitability, you should probably keep them. However, if you want to do better you need clients who can afford to have you do a good job so that you can build a reputation for more than begin the local bargain basement meeting planner. So don’t expect loyalty in exchange for unreasonably low prices. Instead expect good wages for a job well done.
