In the fast-paced world of wedding and event planning, strong project management is crucial for excellent client care and overall success. Here are five essential qualities that exceptional event project managers must possess to ensure a successful event planning experience for their clients.
Strong Project Managers Should Be Organized and Helpful. Project managers should meticulously record their clients’ expectations, the project scope, and the requirements needed to carryout each task. This level of organization helps them manage conflicts, track progress, and provide valuable counsel for future projects. They leverage their experience and knowledge to assist the client in making informed decisions. The client should feel confident in the event manager’s recommendations and trust that their decisions are sound.
They Make An Effort to Listen to Their Clients. Then, They Repeat What They Heard Back to their Clients. A good event manager recognizes how crucial solid communication is to their success. They don’t just listen to their clients attentively, they make a point of asking insightful questions to deepen their understanding of their clients’ needs and wants. By reiterating their clients’ expectations, they ensure clarity and alignment among all parties. So, what does this mean operationally? After each call, a client should expect a detailed recap from the event manager in writing. The recap should reinforce a shared understanding and it should ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Good Project Managers Keep Clients Updated Without Being Asked. Regular, proactive updates to clients, both orally and in writing, are essential for keeping everyone informed and on track. The best project managers provide consistent updates proactively. These updates should clearly communicate the project’s progress, milestones achieved, and any potential risks. There should be no surprises, and clients should never have to chase you for answers. What does this mean operationally? A professional event manage should provide their clients with regular reports regarding finances, attendee/guest counts, and the status of work completed. Also, an event manager should provide the client with a thorough recap of each planning discussion, along with the next steps for all of the stakeholders.
They Are Solution-Based When Presented with a Challenge. Wedding planning rarely goes exactly as expected, and challenges are inevitable. A skilled event manager takes the initiative to assess issues, explore potential options, and present the pros and cons of each solution. Even when faced with circumstances beyond their control, they demonstrate critical thinking and offer practical solutions. What does this mean when it comes to client care? I encourage my team to brainstorm multiple solutions for any challenge, fostering a proactive and problem-solving mindset.
They Convert Brainstorming into Action. Strong project managers take the initiative to turn ideas and discussions into actionable plans. They don’t let concepts float aimlessly; instead, they drive them forward by taking responsibility or delegating tasks to ensure successful execution.
