What Is Your Time Worth?

Time...

Does your list seem to grow faster than you can cross things off? Whether it is to work more, finish a project, relax, or spend time with family, we all wish we had more time in the day. Your time is valuable, and some tasks often need delegating or contracting out to someone else. Letting go of tasks is sometimes difficult, but if you don't have enough time in the day, it has to be done to ensure you are successful. In the long run, delegating or contracting out some tasks helps to ensure the final product (and your sanity) will be better off!

When deciding if you should delegate or contract out a task or service, consider these factors:

• How much is your time actually worth?
• Can someone else do it better and quicker for a marginal price difference?
• Do you have the time and energy to complete it in the absolute best way possible?
• Can someone else do it better?
• How important is the task in question?
• What else is on your plate that needs your time that you may be more skilled at?
• Do you have the time and budget to invest in learning something new - and implement it without mistakes?
• How much time will that specific task actually take in reality?

While you probably already contract out some event services, let's take a look at your event technology. Just a few years ago, event technology was something that was simply a fun add-on to your event if you had the time. Since then, it has become a complete specialized industry of it's own, and a necessary facet of every event today. Event technology can no longer be put on the back burner. Attendees will base their event experience on the logistical smoothness and effectiveness they encounter during your event, and the event technology you put into place plays an integral part in this.

Expectation v. Reality

Using mobile apps as a specific example, many companies use the quick setup and intuitive design of their product as selling points. While these features may be true to set up a basic app, you can't forget everything else that goes into fully and seamlessly integrating that technology into your event, especially if you add in more advanced features. Just launching an app quickly does not guarantee it's success, nor does it get your attendees to adopt it on their own. To integrate your technology smoothly and seamlessly, and have it feel like a connected part of your event, there is much more behind-the-scenes work that needs to be considered such as a technology implementation, pre-event and on-site marketing plan. initial build out, content updates, testing, more content updates, pre-event and on-site attendee engagement, content moderating. attendee interaction and engagement, on-site attendee assistance and support, as well as more updates.

Attendees today expect magic when they use technology. They may not understand how it works, but they expect it to work flawlessly, and for it to be smooth and helpful, not clunky, buggy, and difficult to use. When implementing technology into your event, regardless of what it is, make sure that you have adequate time to do it fully and successfully. If you do not have the time or staff available to truly dedicate to your event technology, both pre-event and on-site, it may be time to delegate or contract that task to someone who does. Your attendees will expect it and be thankful!