The Event Planner's Guide Book

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Thank you for visiting the Event Planners Association's official blog.  The Event Planner's Guide Book will help you navigate the event world through the expertise, support, and encouragement of the Guide Book's contributors.

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New Ideas & What To Do With Them

by Kylie Carlson

If you’re like me then you will have a head full of ideas all claiming to be the next best thing. My ideas can sometimes come to me at the most awkward of moments. There is nothing worse than sitting in a meeting or chatting with a friend when inspiration hits you and you can’t do anything about it. The other problem with ideas is that they can be very distracting, especially if you are doing something you don’t like doing it's very easy to be seduced by the beginnings of a great idea.

I think this is a common problem with many people so I thought I would share a few little tips with you. Ways I have found to combat this problem.

Tip No 1
Buy a funky little notebook. You should always have an ideas book with you wherever you go. As I said earlier you never know when inspiration is going to strike so you need to be prepared. The reason I say funky is that the book needs to inspire you when you look at it. Do not buy a regular black spiral bound notebook. It is not going to be the place to house all your creative ideas.

Tip No 2
Invest in a Dictaphone. Some of my best inspiration comes when I am driving so I can’t write it down. This is annoying as none of my ideas ever cement themselves firmly in my mind until I have written them down. So to combat that problem I have a Dictaphone in my glove compartment where I can record any little gems that pop into my mind whilst behind the wheel.

Tip No 3
Keep a whiteboard in your office just above your desk. There is nothing like having a visual board of ideas that are right in front of you. They help to inspire you when you are lacking in creativity or simply ‘having one of those days’.

Tip No 4
Know when to use them. Ideas are just that – ideas. They are not on your To Do List and they aren’t real yet. There has to be a time and a place when you bring them out, spend time on them and play with them. Don’t let them distract you from the tasks at hand. Schedule yourself a few hours in your diary for brainstorming. Not with anyone else just with yourself. This might mean taking time out to go to your favorite Starbucks, order a nice coffee and cake and sit with your notebook and pen and peruse your ideas to see which are viable and which are not. It might mean putting on soft mood music, pouring a glass of red wine and just letting the ideas take on a life of their own. Whatever it is you need to set aside some time to do it. Time when it is allowed and won’t be deemed as idle day dreaming.

I love ideas and they are what make me tick. I have often been accused of being an ideas person. My perfect job would be to come up with ideas for different companies who needed some inspiration. As that isn’t likely to happen any time soon I have had to restrict myself, and my mind, and be strong with all those ideas that are constantly tapping on my head and asking to be let out. Don’t ever lose your ideas, but don’t let them control you either. Have fun and remember day dreaming is a legitimate past time.

Tell us what you do with your ideas by clicking comment below...

About Kylie Carlson:
Kylie Carlson is the dynamic founder of the Australian Academy of Wedding & Event Planning (AAWEP) and the UK Academy of Wedding & Event Planning (UKAWEP).  The industry leader of wedding and event training and certification in the UK, Australia and New Zealand has opened their virtual doors in the US. The Wedding and Event Institute (WEI), whose headquarters are in California, is part of the worldwide group Wedding and Event Training. WEI specializes in certified courses in wedding planning, wedding styling, event planning and event design and maintains an online Social & Education Center, Wedding and Event Pro, which houses articles, podcasts, webinars, forums, networking and other tools for those in the wedding and special events industry.

 

6 Great Tips for Balancing Work & Personal Life

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Marley Majcher, The Party Goddess

The one thing I hear the most complaints about from entrepreneurs lately is the blurring of work and personal life.  More and more, it seems, our work is overtaking our personal lives. But no matter how much people try to convince us this is a good thing under the auspices of authenticity and alignment, it has its drawbacks.

No matter how you slice it, integrating your work and personal life does a number on work-life balance. But getting a handle on this and creating as much balance as possible will improve your health, happiness and overall satisfaction with life.

Lately, I hear some people giving up on the idea of balance all together, claiming it's impossible so we should just deal with it. That striving for balance is just setting ourselves up for more stress and disappointment when it doesn't work out.  While there is some truth to that, I think it's critical to do what you can to protect your personal life from being overrun by your business.

Here are 6 great tips for balancing work and personal life.

Learn the art of presence

You don't have to be a new age "woo woo" type to appreciate the concept of presence.  Some people arrive at achieving presence through a meditation practice, but if that's not your style, no worries.  Having presence simply means being fully aware and focused in the current moment - bringing your all to the present time, rather than being distracted by the past (even a few minutes ago), the future (what you're getting ready to do), or other distractions (what you should be doing).  If you find yourself drifting in thought, just practice making yourself aware of the moment again.  You won't believe how alive and connected this makes you feel, as you transition from work to personal life and back to work. Try it.

Set normal work hours

Entrepreneurs are notorious for being "always on."  I know this might come as a shock, but you do not have to work 24 hours a day to be a successful entrepreneur. You don't have to work the same set hours every day. You can set your schedule around your personal needs, but your set hours should not be so flexible that you find yourself constantly having to make up missed work time during your designated personal time.  The important people in your life should know and respect your work hours as if you are working for a boss - no interruptions unless it is a legitimate emergency.

Take care of yourself

Nothing makes you feel more drained and out of whack then not taking proper care of your body.  A healthy diet, regular exercise and adequate sleep will do absolute wonders for your stress levels.  You will be able to show up more fully and bring your A-game when you need it, so you can unwind and fully relax when you're done.  And treating yourself to a spa day, massage,  the occasional afternoon of retail therapy, or some quality time in nature will do wonders for your soul. Work will feel less daunting when you feed your personal needs.

Learn to say no

I give this advice all the time.  Learning to say no is one of the best things you will ever do for yourself, your business, and your sanity. The world opens up for you when you learn to yes to the right opportunities and no to the wrong ones.  Saying no gives you power over your life and allows you to create space for more balance.

Play hard

How many times have you heard a successful person say, "I work hard and play harder." Successful entrepreneurs who take their play as seriously as their work have something we all want - a contagious spirited zest for life. You know how to get it? Make play a priority. Commit to a hobby or an activity. Schedule it in.  Make sure it's something exhilarating for you  - scuba diving, knitting afghans, performing poetry - doesn't matter what it is. Something you've always wanted to do, but you thought people would laugh or that you don't have time. Go for it! When it's time to sit back down to work, it will have been worth the time you put into it because you'll have the sense that you're truly enjoying life.

Enlist help

The most dissatisfied, overworked, run down entrepreneurs are the ones who try to do everything on their own. You have to learn to delegate and let go.  Consider hiring help at home and at work, even before you think you can afford it. I'm not suggesting you put yourself into a tight bind, but I am saying to make hiring help a priority in both your company and your family budget.  Additionally, lean on friends and family members for support.  Building a support system around you is a critical step in achieving greater work-life balance.

What do you do to ensure balance in your work and personal life? Post a comment below.

Marley Majcher is the author of But Are You Making Any Money? and the CEO of The Party Goddess!, a nationally acclaimed full-service catering and event planning company that originates all aspects of large scale functions for A-list celebrities, social, and corporate clients alike. From understated elegance to rock star fabulous, Majcher is known for creating the most talked about parties of the year.

6 Mistakes New Party Planners Make

 

 

 

From Marley Majcher, The Party Goddess October 27, 2011

Getting started as an event planner is scary.  From the outside looking in, party planning looks like a job that’s high energy and pure fun.  About five minutes into planning your first event, you realize just how much room for error there is.  When you sign on to plan an event, you’re taking on a huge responsibility and it’s easy to make huge mistakes.

Knowing what some of these mistakes are in advance can help you prevent falling onto the same land mines so many others have stumbled onto before you.  And if you’ve already been and there done that, well, at least reading these common mistakes will help you realize you’re in good company.

Here are 6 mistakes new party planners make and how to avoid them:

Not Reading the Fine Print

Sure, party planning is exhilarating, but it’s also daunting.  You’re not always fluttering around town moving and shaking.  You also spend a lot of time drudging through the details.  You’re dealing with lots and lots of contracts – clients, vendors, venues. Lots of fine print, people!  Nothing can spoil an event faster than getting blindsided by an oversight on a contract.  The solution to this is simple. Read. Don’t glance over it. Read line by line.  Don’t allow someone to quickly talk you through it or fool you by saying it’s standard or basic.  Learn how to read a contract properly and clarify as necessary.  In some cases, you’ll need to have your attorney look over certain contracts as well.

Having No Event Insurance

Not purchasing event insurance is a common newbie mistake. This is especially common among folks who have no formal training in event planning and stumble into it because they’re the go-to party planner in their social circles. I’m always surprised by the number of new party planners who’ve never heard of event insurance. Think through the financial and legal consequences of things that could potentially go wrong, and cover your butt.

Having Too Much Trust In People

If you are new to the game, it’s easy to fall into the trap of trusting people too much.  Unfortunately, enlisting the help of family and friends (especially for free) can backfire on you.  While an event you’re planning is a big deal to you – your reputation and livelihood are on the line — to them, it might not be a priority.  They might leave you high and dry.  Also, when it comes to clients and vendors, get everything in writing. No matter how nice or trustworthy a person seems, always get it in writing. People forget, they promise things they have no authority to promise, and sometimes they are just plain snakes in the grass. Keep your radar up.

Not Having Enough Trust in People

While you must carefully and properly protect yourself, you must also learn not to be overly paranoid. Party planners have to balance the need to keep everything under control with the urge to be a control freak.  You will burn through clients, employees, and vendor goodwill in no time if you micromanage things in a condescending dragon-lady manner. Hone your ability to delegate and develop strong relationships of trust and accountability (still, get it in writing).

Not Communicating Clearly

Communicating clearly and thoroughly is probably the most important skill an event planner can have.  You need to be able to give clear instructions that people can follow and to convey your vision in a way that people can see it.  Otherwise, you will become overrun with misunderstandings and tons of wasted time. Communicate with patience, repeat yourself as necessary, and check to make sure you are understood.

Being a Pushover

Being a pushover is a common characteristic of struggling party planners. If you’re a new party planner who is at your wit’s end and can’t seem to make ends meet, there’s a good chance this is the reason.  Letting clients run all over you. Letting vendors take advantage of you. Not charging enough. Not setting boundaries.  If you continue to be a pushover, you’re never going to make any money and you’re always going to be overworked.

So, have you made any of these mistakes? Do you continue to make these mistakes?  Are there other mistakes you’ve made that I left off the list.  Confession time!  Comment below...

Marley Majcher is the author of But Are You Making Any Money? and the CEO of The Party Goddess!, a nationally acclaimed full-service catering and event planning company that originates all aspects of large scale functions for A-list celebrities, social, and corporate clients alike. From understated elegance to rock star fabulous, Majcher is known for creating the most talked about parties of the year.

Four Ways to Handle Criticism

Have you ever been criticized?  Ever had someone dislike you or your company?  How about post something unflattering for all to see on the Internet?   This seems to be a recurring theme this past week as several members have called or emailed me to discuss problems with clients, former employees and business associates. Each person expressed an emotional version of the following: “How could they think, say, write or do that?”  I would be willing to bet you have had a similar experience, so let’s talk about it…

Criticism.  It hurts, I know. I've been there a few times. It has even kept me up at night ...thinking about how I should have responded, what I could have done differently, how I will address the situation and what I will do differently in the future. 

Note: I'm talking about undeserved criticism here. If you make a mistake, fix it, apologize sincerely, and move on. It's when we are unjustifiably called on the proverbial carpet or targeted that our response tends to get tied up in emotional knots.

So what do you do when someone doesn't like you or your company?  

First, realize when you put yourself out there in the world you WILL get criticism. Congratulations you are doing something noticeable! 

Second, realize that criticism, while it doesn't feel good, actually makes us better. It causes us to stop and look at ways to improve our product or service. It helps us to develop our customer service and communication skills and forces us to look at our corporate values and goals. Criticism helps us align our actions with our goals and perhaps most importantly, it helps us remember and refine our purpose.

Third, understand you cannot please everyone.  If a mistake brought on this firestorm of condemnation, make good on it.  Then, when you have done all you can, realize you cannot please everyone.  Understand that for no particular reason, not everyone will like you or be your friend – think high school.    Bottom line: some people are just simply unreasonable.  My goal is to always do what I believe is right – that’s the best anyone can do.

Finally, don’t let criticism hold you back.  Forge through the emotion, stay on your path and build your company.  Make changes where necessary, but stay true to your goals and purpose.  Don’t let someone else steal your dream.  The sting of criticism will fade and you will be left with an experience that helped define who you are and where you’re going.

What has criticism taught you?  Click comment below...

RECENT INFLATABLE RIDE ACCIDENTS HIGHLIGHT PARENTS NEED TO VERIFY OWNER’S INSURANCE & SAFETY PREPARATION

With nearly 50% of EPA's 4000 members operating in the amusement sector, programs are in place to minimize accidents.  All members have access to EPA's nationally recognized risk management programs.

The EPA's official position on the highly publicized inflatable device accidents is found below.


Event Planners Association helps parents and owners alike

June 7, 2011 – Event Planners Association, Lake Forest, California –The recent rash of inflatable ride accidents (ABC News, Yahoo) highlights the need for inflatable operators to maintain proper risk management/safety procedures, insurance and inspections, as well as the need for parents to take an active role in verifying the inflatable owner’s safe operating procedures, safety training certification and insurance – prior to permitting their child to play in an inflatable device.

One of the Event Planners Association’s (EPA, www.EventPlannersAssociation.com) goals is to assist inflatable owner members with:

• The most current safety standards and procedures
• Safety training and certification
• Proper rental agreements and waivers
• Proper liability Insurance
• And, a network for exchanging industry “best practices”

Kim Sullivan, Senior Vice President of the Event Planners Association, stated, “Our goal is to give inflatable owners the tools necessary for safe operations.  Consumer safety is the primary concern for the amusement industry as a whole.  While the majority of incidents that occur are a result of improper supervision, improper staking or weather related, the Association’s internal claim data collected over the course of the last 6 years shows our members’ claim rate to be far less than 1% for all devices rented/utilized over that same period.  Accidents can happen anywhere, at any time and the fact is, based on injury statistics from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the number of accidents occurring on playground equipment far surpass that of accidents involving inflatable play devices.”

Sullivan continued, “For parents to be at ease when their children are playing on an inflatable device they should first verify the inflatable owner is a member of the EPA, they should then request proof of insurance coverage and safety training.  It’s like driving a car. First, students must pass driver’s education; and, then they must carry proof of insurance.  Parents should also adhere to all safety instructions provided by the rental company.  As the leading trade association for inflatables and events, the EPA offers exclusive safety training and operational guidelines to minimize risk and insurance, should an accident happen.  To date, approximately 97% of all EPA amusement members are insured and operating utilizing industry recognized safety guidelines.”

The blow-away inflatable device accident in New York, where 13 people were injured, along with the recent inflatable incidents in Arizona, underscores the reality for parents to know they are entrusting their children’s health and well being with the most competent operators. 

MEDIA CONTACT:
Cathy Welch
Membership and Media Coordinator
EVENT PLANNERS ASSOCIATION
25432 Trabuco Road, Suite 207
Lake Forest, CA 92630
Phone (866) 380-3372
Fax (866) 230-3044
cwelch@EventPlannersAssociation.com
www.EventPlannersAssociation.com

How to Decorate an Event with Music

by Anne Roos

How do you choose the right musicians for the chosen location? I like to think of this as decorating the stage with musicians and decorating the room with sound. The instrumentation needs to work within the chosen musical theme and fit properly at the location.

Can the musicians all fit on the stage? Can they load in, set up, and perform easily? Where will you place them in terms of the main action of the event, be it a wedding ceremony, a corporate function, a fundraiser, or a big, rousing party? Here’s a 10-point litmus test for determining what kinds of vocal and instrumental combinations will work at the chosen venue:

1. Do the size of the venue and the size of the guest list make sense for the instrumentation that interests you and your client? It might be a tight squeeze to get an eight-member octet into a little chapel that holds only thirty guests, and conversely, a solo guitarist may get lost in a reception hall that can seat three hundred, unless he is placed on a well-lit stage.

Note the size of the performance area. Make sure that it’s on level ground and not on sand, wet grass, or a slope. Also make sure that it isn’t near a food-service station and that it’s clear of foot traffic. Give the musicians enough space to do their job and be seen. Can you now clearly see where to place them and how many band members will fit the space? (Rule of thumb: Each musician takes up the space of about three people who are seated and facing each other comfortably.)

2. Can your musicians see the action? Sure your brass trio will make their presence known if they play up in the choir loft of the church. But can they see the bride enter from there? How will they get their cues? It’s incredibly frustrating to musicians to be placed in an area because they’ll look “pretty there”, but they cannot see the dance floor, cannot see the bride, cannot see the master of ceremonies, cannot see someone giving them important cues regarding the agenda of the event. The dance band can’t read the crowd, can’t keep the action going, and this sets them up for failure and a dud of a party.

3. Can your musicians see their music? Consider the lighting in the room. Adding a spotlight for your musicians allows the guests to see them, and it allows the musicians to see what they are doing. If the event takes place outdoors, place the musicians so that they are not facing the sun. Musicians blinded by the sun may need to turn in another direction or move to another area altogether.

4. Is electricity available? For a sizeable guest list, your musicians will need to amplify the sound so everyone can hear. Similarly, if there are sound distractions, such as street noise, they’ll need to mic their instruments. Check to determine whether electricity is available, and if so, map out where the outlets are located. Once the musicians are hired, they’ll need this information so that they’ll have the proper extension cords or will know ahead of time to rely on battery-operated amplification.

 5. Can the musicians easily load in? If the musicians are forced to double park on a busy street or park three blocks away, then you may be stuck with an extra charge for their set-up time. It might be a good idea to plan to prepay your musicians’ parking lot or valet parking charges. If you don’t, then they may pass along that cost to your client, plus a bit more for their trouble.

6. Can the musicians easily get to the performance area once they have arrived at the site?  A drummer once told me, “You haven’t lived until you have had to climb three flights of stairs carrying a drum set.” Check to see if service elevators are available at the venue when the stage isn’t in a first floor room. Are handicap access ramps available so that equipment can be rolled in? Some musicians will not even agree to perform if they would need to hire a team of Sherpas to carry their equipment on the long hike to the performance area. Others may only agree to do so for an extra fee.

Keep in mind: If the musicians have a difficult time accessing the event site, it is a sure bet that other service vendors will, too. Their extra fees for set-up can multiply and add to the total cost of the event. Therefore, if the client is still searching for a location and they are on a strict budget, you might want to search for event sites that can be easily accessed from the parking lot.

7. Is there shelter for your musicians? Musicians may charge extra if they need to rent market umbrellas or tents to create shade, or if they need to bring space heaters and the like to keep warm. They may even refuse to perform at all. Most musicians will not perform in adverse weather. They aren’t being wimps when a storm looks like it’s brewing—They just don’t want to risk ruining expensive instruments and electrical equipment.

 An absolutely true fact: You’ll have very happy musicians who will bend over backwards for you when you offer them the same creature comforts as your valuable clients and their guests.

8. Will the instruments stay in tune indoors? It may look lovely to have the string quartet play in front of a blazing fireplace or a sunny window, but the climbing temperatures may throw their tuning off significantly. Air-conditioning and heating vents that blow directly at instruments can also cause tuning issues, so think about placing the band or ensemble in a temperate part of the room.

9. The most important question to consider: What is not allowed? For a wedding, check with the celebrant or house of worship about what kind of music is not allowed or permitted. Make sure there are no restrictions or regulations about sound levels, too. Venues located within residential zones may have noise ordinances. Therefore, you may be confined to using acoustic instrumentation only (unplugged instruments).

10. Are there additional restrictions regarding music at the venue? Ask this final question before making any final decisions on your clients’ behalf.

Many clients have a mental picture of what they want for their musical entertainment, but they don’t think about what will really work at the venue. What looks good may not sound good.

It’s all about common sense. Expecting to place a harpist on a diving-board platform at a pool party or in a tree house overlooking a backyard wedding ceremony doesn’t make sense (I’m not making this up: these are real examples!) The instruments are as sensitive as the human beings who play them. They don’t want to be relegated to playing in the restroom of a restaurant because there’s no room for them inside the banquet hall. (Yes, this is another real example.)

The adverse conditions that I’ve described aren’t always a problem. For instance, a bagpiper can march over hill and dale on a chilly autumn morning. And when a piano is available at the venue, the pianist can simply arrive with sheet music in hand, so loading zones and easy access is immaterial.

It’s all about spending a little extra time to examine the space for the performers. Pretend you are the performer for the event, put yourself in their place, and offer them the same comforts you would offer the guests in attendance. Then, you’ll be spot on to know exactly what instrumentation to recommend to your clients.

How do you find the perfect musicians? That’s my subject for next time...

About the Author:
Anne Roos has been playing the Celtic harp at weddings for nearly 30 years.  She regularly appears on radio and television programs and is active in many wedding organizations. Roos' special Celtic wedding music album, Haste to the Wedding, is popular among couples looking for romantic music to accompany their wedding festivities.  Musicians interested in performing at weddings will want to check out Anne's book The Musician's Guide to Brides, also available from Hal Leonard Books.  She lives in South Lake Tahoe, CA.
For more information, visit her  website.

Where is the strangest place you have seen musicians staged?  Tell us below - hit "comment".

Is Live Music Too Much Trouble?

By Anne Roos

 

Sometimes your clients want live music and entertainment at their wedding or event, but do you prefer to book a DJ or have them go with the iPod stereo? Are musicians too much trouble to hire? Is it difficult to find just the right musician? Are you concerned about their professionalism?

 

Don't give up! Here are some great reasons to consider live music and entertainment for your clients' weddings, parties, and corporate events:

 

· If your client has a tight budget and doesn't think live music is affordable, think again. In my research, many musicians will work for just one hour, if that's all that's needed (especially soloists and small ensembles). Soloists and small ensembles can be less expensive than professional DJs, too. And there's no special equipment to rent because musicians usually come with their own sound equipment. But the best part: Musicians that "need the gig" may also be in a position to bargain with you, especially in this economy.

 

· Great entertainers can make split-second decisions on the fly. They know how to read the crowd, from knowing when to wind down "Here Comes the Bride" when the bride gets to the alter, to knowing just the right songs to keep the party going at the reception. It's not like playing canned music on an iPod and suddenly truncating a song midway through or running out of song before the flower girls make it to the altar. Musicians can scan the room and quickly determine just what is needed.

 

· Live entertainment creates a memorable experience. If you ask couples what they most remember years after their weddings, they always remember the entertainment. When you fit musicians into the theme of a wedding or an event, they become something fun to listen to and watch. And they'll make you, the event planner, look like you saved the day by coming up with the idea to hire live entertainment for the festivities. Unlike canned music, great live musicians can make you look good.

 

Okay, so you're sold on having live music, but how do you go about hiring just the right musicians? Does the client know what kinds of music they want? Start with a discussion about their music likes (and dislikes). The basic rule of thumb is to remind your client to select the music that they love. It's the music they heard on their first date or the music that reminds them of special occasions. It's the music they choose to listen to on their car radios or on their iPods at the gym. Then, look at how their favorite music fits into their wedding or event theme.

 

Here are six examples of ways live music can work within themes:

 

1. Musicians to reflect the things the client enjoys-Use the music to paint a picture of the couple's personalities. For instance, for a country-style wedding, if they love bluegrass music, why not have a hayride between ceremony and reception sites, with a bluegrass band greeting the guests when they arrive at the reception?

 

2. Musicians to match the wedding or event location-Will the wedding be on the beach? Choose 60s surfer tunes for a vintage rock band to play would fit. A wedding in Hawaii can include a luau band that can teach everyone how to dance the hula.

 

3. Musicians to honor the religious background of the couple-The music that a couple grew up listening to in a synagogue, singing in church, or chanting in a temple may have specific importance to them. These sacred melodies take on a spiritual resonance when performed by musicians who can make them come alive within a wedding ceremony or special moment in a reception. Modern popular Christian tunes, when performed live, can also tug at one's heartstrings, as well.

 

4. Musicians to celebrate ethnicity-Allow the music to highlight the client's heritage. For a traditional Scottish wedding, what better than a bagpiper, in traditional kilt, to lead the bride down the aisle? Musicians can also dress according to the ethnic theme-think of the color that a mariachi band adds to a Hispanic celebration.

 

5. Period musicians for a period celebration-Choose a time in history and design the music, and the entire event, around that period. The musicians can play music that was fashionable then, plus, they can visually fit into the theme by wearing vintage costumes as they perform. Popular themes for weddings and events include: Victorian, medieval Romeo and Juliet, Roaring 20s, and Renaissance periods.

 

6. Musicians for a holiday celebration-Along with selecting decorations appropriate for that day, select music and musicians that can reflect the holiday mood. Gershwin jazz standards played by a jazz quintet on Valentine's Day or lively jigs played by traditional Irish musicians on St. Pat's Day are good examples.

 

Whatever the theme, it's almost a sure bet you can find musicians and song titles to match it. Or, you can create a theme around your clients' music choices for their special celebration!

 

Next time, I'll offer some ideas about how to select the right musicians for the venue and how to know good musicians from a not-so-good ones.

  

About the Author: Anne Roos has been playing the Celtic harp at weddings for nearly 30 years.  She regularly appears on radio and television programs and is active in many wedding organizations. Roos' special Celtic wedding music album, Haste to the Wedding, is popular among couples looking for romantic music to accompany their wedding festivities.  Musicians interested in performing at weddings will want to check out Anne's book The Musician's Guide to Brides, also available from Hal Leonard Books.  She lives in South Lake Tahoe, CA For more information, visit her  website.

How to Surround Yourself With the Best People

A few weeks ago I told you about the Saddleback Civil Forum I attended in which President George W. Bush was interviewed on the subject of leadership - well I am doubly excited to tell you I was able to attend another Civil Forum in which Prime Minister Tony Blair was similarly interviewed.  Again, whether you agree with their politics or not, as two of the world’s most influential leaders they have valuable information to share. 

Have you ever wondered how some people seem to naturally surround themselves with the best and brightest and others, well they just choose poorly?  Think about it - leadership at its core, is about people and your ability to lead them.  This may sound like a “well – duh” statement, but if you don’t know how to get people to move from point A to B then you’re not meeting your objectives.  This week I am going to focus on the skills both leaders emphasized for dealing with the people around you.

LEADERSHIP NUGGETS on RELATIONSHIPS    

1. A leader has good judgment and he surrounds himself with trustworthy people.
2. A leader must align authority and responsibility - empower others. – Help others grow and fulfill their potential.  If you put someone in a position of responsibility give them the authority they need to make decisions.
3. Leaders must recognize destructive people/characteristics and be willing to make changes.  – Take decisive action quickly.
4. Leaders must relate to others.  They must be curious and learn to draw information from others to learn about them.
5. People want to be treated with dignity.

What we can learn:   A leader understands the value of those around him/her and realizes he/she can promote the success of others by empowering them to succeed.  Conversely, a leader knows when someone in their circle is creating chaos and is not afraid to make immediate changes.  Additionally, a leader treats the potentially huge client and the cleanup crew with the same respect and dignity.

Ask Yourself: Who are the key people around me?  Do they improve my world or wreak havoc?  Take some time this week to thoughtfully determine which category they fall into and whether you have the ability to empower them.  What changes can you make?

Comment Below: What is the most significant thing you have learned about the people you surround yourself with?  What have you learned about yourself? 

A President's Leadership Nuggets on Vision & Principles

If you’re a business owner chances are you consider yourself a leader.   You may have been born with this penchant to rule the world (or at least a little piece of it  =)...queue the “Dr. Evil” laugh ) or circumstances in your life have forced you to take on leadership responsibilities out of necessity, but regardless of how you got here it’s important to understand that the skills necessary to lead people are developed and refined over time and with experience.

Leaders tend to observe the world around them with an eye that is different from most.  Leaders connect with others in leadership positions to network and learn from.  After all there is wisdom in a multitude of advisors.

A couple of months ago I had the privilege of attending the Saddleback Civil Forum in which Pastor Rick Warren (Purpose Driven Life) interviewed President George W. Bush.   For 90 minutes, Rick probed President Bush about his thoughts on leadership.  Politics aside, the former president had tremendous insight into what makes a great leader.  I’m so glad I had a small notebook with me as I completely filled it!  Over the next few blog posts I’m going to enthusiastically share what I learned during this inspiring evening.

Take a look at President Bush’s comments related to vision and principles below.  I call them Leadership Nuggets. Can you apply them in your own life and business?

LEADERSHIP NUGGETS on VISION & PRINICPLES

1. A leader has a vision and a clear direction.
2. Leaders find principles based on their faith – what they believe in.
3. A leader must believe in his/her principles and vision when times get tough.
4. Leaders don’t feel sorry for themselves; they take on a challenge with the determination and attitude of climbing to the top of a mountain.

What we can learn:  Leaders know what they are trying to accomplish and why.  These are critical elements and if you can’t define them in your business then you might think about doing something else with your life.  If you are at all like me, you know too well how easy it is to get stuck in the minutia of the moment – the daily operations of a business.  Your clear vision, direction, principles and attitude will help you navigate on a daily basis toward the big picture.

What have you done to help you develop your vision?  Post a comment below to tell me and my leader-readers what has worked for you.

Next time:  President Bush’s Leadership Nuggets on surrounding yourself with the right people.

Do You Have What it Takes To Lead Your Company to Success?

Do you ever feel like you are in this “whirlwind of time”?  Like time is flying by; things are just happening to you and around you?  I think you really start to notice it once your kids are in school.  Mine are in college and high school and I find myself wondering when that happened (lol)!  How did they go from babies to nearly self-sufficient young men?  In reality, getting to this point was a lot of hard work; blood, sweat, tears and much joy.  If you have kids I am sure you can relate. 

Owning your own business is much like raising a child from inception to maturity.  And, as in child rearing there are proven principles of success.  Certain skills are necessary to lead your business through the many trials and tribulations it will endure along the way to maturity. 

Having grown up in an entrepreneurial family and owning businesses for most of my adult life, I’ve spent countless hours studying the characteristics necessary for good and effective leadership.  I’ve concluded there are a few critical traits all leaders possess ...

1.  Vision
2.  Focus
3. The ability to see through the clutter and make decisions
4. The ability to motivate others

You will see dramatic changes in your business as you develop these traits and skills.  I am committed to helping you hone these skills and am developing a series on purpose, passion and leadership for this EPA blog.  Having written several articles on the subject, the most recent will be published in Wedlock Magazine in the coming months.

Please subscribe to my blog to get this information in bite-sized nuggets.  FYI, this is my temporary blog site as we are completely redesigning our website where my blog will soon live!  In the meantime, please connect with me here and at Facebook and Twitter.

Question: What is your biggest leadership challenge?  Please reply below.