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!

Event Technology - Do You Know Where To Start?

Technology.  (cue menacing music…)  Joking aside, event technology does not have to be scary. You just need to know where to start and what technology is the best fit for your event. 

The growing buzzword throughout the industry over the past few years has been “technology.” This push for more and more technology in our events stems directly from the fast pace technology is expanding on our everyday lives. Like it or not, technology is here to stay, and it is no longer a luxury to have for your event. It is required and attendees expect it.

To be, or not to be...overwhelming!

Adding technology into your events should not be scary or intimidating. There are a tremendous amount of ways to integrate technology into an event successfully, regardless of you or your attendee’s level of experience with it. To begin with, focus on the basics. For now, forget about the cutting edge immersive technology demonstrated at SXSW each year or when the UFC completely takes over all of Las Vegas. While fun and amazing, the technology demonstrated at these events can be overwhelming, and may not even fit into your budget! Adding event technology into your event should not be intimidating. It should be a fun, painless, and successful new venture. To begin with, forget about everything you see the technology companies advertising. Forget about the bells and whistles for now. One of your first goals should be to determine what technology works best for your audience that can create a memorable experience, while still fitting into your current budget. Look at your individual event and determine what your goals are for that event. Can technology play a role anywhere? (HINT: This answer is yes!)

Start small.

There are many options available to you, as technology can play a role in many different ways in the meeting and event industry. From easy and intuitive online registration systems, database management, reporting tools, and email communication software to on-site solutions such as mobile apps, streamlined check ins, attendee engagement tools, and immediate customer support options, there is technology available to help you in any aspect of your event. From basic to expansive and cutting-edge, there is something out there for you can help make your event smoother and more memorable.

A key aspect to remember when integrating technology is finding what is right for you and your audience, and being able to manage it properly. Whatever you choose, be sure to give your attendees a chance to learn and embrace whatever technology you implement. Here are a few questions to consider when looking to implement technology:

1. What type of experience do you want your attendees to have?
2. Do attendees have concerns with any particular part of the event process?
3. Are there any tasks that are time consuming and tedious? Can some type of technology assist with this to simplify or speed up a process?
4. Do your current technologies work well with each other?
5. Are your attendees ready for new technology? Do you have a technology implementation plan in place?
6. Where can technology help? Is there anywhere it should be avoided?
7. Do you have the staff and/or time to add any additional technology and implement it effectively?
8. Do you know enough to answer these questions or should you seek advice?

If you are just starting out with technology, don’t get distracted by all of the shiny add-ons. Look at the basic product and begin by implementing it smoothly and seamlessly. Don’t forget about the additional time and learning curve that always comes when adding something new. When done correctly, the right technology can be a wonderful addition to any event, and will have your attendees talking and ready to come back with friends!

Tune in next time - same Tech time, same Tech channel….

To Contract or DIY - That Is The Question

Sometimes, the answer is easy. It is easy to decide you need an outside contractor for larger and prominent specialties such as furniture rentals, electricians, and catering. That is how is has always been. These have always been separate fields and trades, and are considered highly detailed specialities. Times are changing, though, and planners are now also finding themselves having to decide whether or not to hire a contractor to do something they used to do themselves just a few years ago. Over the past few years, though, specialty fields like event technology and sustainability have blossomed and grown into unique trades and even career paths. They have become very detailed and time consuming, and each can easily be considered a full time job, just like a caterer and electrician.

Making the decision to contract out something that you used to do yourself is sometimes difficult. The struggle is real. We understand the amount of pride and confidence that comes with being in the event industry. We also understand that as the industry changes and evolves. Planners are faced with balancing all of the new demands placed upon them. We know that, given the time, planners would be able to learn everything and understand these specialty fields. Time is the deciding factor in this situation. How valuable is your time to you? 

Here are a few ways that contractors like Power Event Group can help you:

• Give you more time in your day to do other things! Best gift ever! How many times have you said that you don't have enough time to get everything done?
• Contractors are already experts in their field and can do something in a fraction of the time it would take you to learn it or train someone else to do it.
• Contractors often have relationships they have already built within the industry, and can provide you with more options and possible discounts.
• They can work with you and smoothly integrate into your team, increasing your own possibilities and productivity.

Do you have other reasons you hire (or don't hire) contractors? Join the conversation by commenting below!