Being Adaptable to Changes and Coping with Cancellations

When you work in the event industry you aren’t a stranger to last minute, unexpected, or required alterations, and even the dreaded cancellations that are out of your control. Being adaptable to these is a skill that you can learn, here’s how we've done it in our 10 years in the industry.

1. A trusted team.

Developing adaptability as an individual skill is nearly impossible, but you can passively develop this skill while building other, more naturally occurring skills in the event industry. As most of our staff have a background in hospitality, they all have the developed skill of resilience. When things don’t quite go to plan, we rally around one another, providing encouragement and offer no blame.

The hardest thing when working with a trusted team, is when you have to let them down due to an unforeseen cancellation. The best thing about working with a trusted team, is they are more understanding that you most likely aren't to blame and are just as disappointed.

2. Remembering why you're here.

Clients can change their minds, get bad news from their suppliers, and even have a sudden drop in guest numbers, all of these situations are out of your control and can drastically change how you, as a vendor, offer your services to them. With a number of factors that can change the cost to yourself and therefore the pricing you will need to pass to your client, navigating these situations can be incredibly uncomfortable and developing the backbone to stand up for yourself and your business can feel like an incredible risk.

Asking for financial compensation for work you've had to add on, or sticking to the deposit when being let down, are tough skills to learn and rely heavily on resilience and confidence. Trust in yourself and your business, remember you're in this industry for a reason and your passion, experience, and skills are what this client has sought out and found in you. Fulfil their dreams, whilst not forgetting your own ambition.

3. Back-ups for your back-ups.

Being adaptable can look just that on the outside, but inside the business you're running it can't hurt to have back up plans for your back up plans. Taking risks is always going to happen, so long as you're transparent with your clients they should be overjoyed that you've already pondered every mistake that could possibly happen and found solutions already. For us, we have some bars or sites that pose greater risks than others, whether that be the size of the fire engine bar fitting through a park gate (which has actually happened!!), or being let down by staff, we always have an arsenal of back up options (like a second entrance to the park - granted a longer trip for us).

To sum it up;

1. Have a team with crucial skills that you can trust to benefit you and your client.

2. Feel confident in your business and push your skills and knowledge as a vendor.

3. Be a little paranoid and plan for something to go wrong - adaptability can sometimes just mean prepared for anything.