“A simple job like an event” – Ola dispels the myth about event jobs once and for all

The TV show Draknästet had recently invited a guy who had developed an app for staffing, for which he was seeking funding. In response to the question of who would use the app, he said: ‘Everyone who is looking for employees for simple jobs such as events…’

‘Bah!’ I slumped on the TV couch. Easy job?! Is this the general perception of what we do? 

Of course, I realize that there are so many different types of businesses that fall under the industry category of ‘Events’. These range from brand experiences with measurable results to festive games and food demonstrations at ICA.

But regardless, unclear communication has never proven particularly beneficial. After all, we are the ones in the midst of the chaos. It didn't feel good.

I turned off the TV and started listing things in my head: What does it really mean to work with events, to be successful as a project manager in the event industry? 

One has to be…

🕵🏻 Curious know-it-all 
You need to know a lot about a lot of things simply. It might sound like a cliché, but that’s how we experience our work.

♟️Strategic
We need a strategic approach to truly understand our clients' challenges and needs, what they want to communicate and why. In that ability we need to help, advise and support our clients.

🎨 Creative 
We must be able to break down the customer’s needs into a creative concept with a consistent thread, and also be able to measure the impact of what is communicated. Everything must constantly follow the company’s heart and soul and how they want to be perceived in order to strengthen the brand both externally and internally.

🧑🏼‍🚀 Accurate as a NASA engineer
When we get to production, we have to be as meticulous as an engineer at NASA; nothing is left to chance.

📈 Analytical like a stockbroker
We must be able to view situations from a helicopter perspective in order to anticipate and remedy possible obstacles and problems before they occur.

🪖 Disciplined like a military man
We must maintain military discipline in order to deliver the experience within a clear timeframe, and for participant logistics to function flawlessly.

🎬 Director of a Broadway classic
We must always exceed our customers' expectations like a professional troupe on Broadway in order to create the conditions for the next business.

🧾 Correct as an accountant
We need to be as drill-like as an accountant to handle budgets, VAT rates and invoices, and we need to keep track of subcontractors, shipments, printed materials, event websites, content, artists, trains, buses… 

😃 Positive and happy
And we have to do everything with a cheerful, happy, pleasant attitude, with a smile on our lips and an attitude that ‘nothing is impossible’.

So… no, I wouldn’t use ‘simple’ to describe working with events – at least not the kind that involves strategic communication through experiences and encounters. But incredibly rewarding and empowering… THAT is definitely it!

We always try to remain humble about our world within the brand experience through meetings and events. I promise that you become humble after many years in the industry. Because our job is never easy, it also tends to become more challenging with each passing year. But that’s also what makes our work so fun! We learn from our clients’ new challenges all the time.

It would be terribly boring if you became a complete idiot, I think.

Have a nice week ahead,

Ola