In the past decade, technology has transformed not just our industry, but the world as we know it. In fact, if you look to the past year, you can see all of the advancements made and how they’ve impacted our lives in just a matter of months. From a business standpoint, there’s no denying that tech has helped entrepreneurs grow their companies in new innovative ways, which becomes particularly significant when you consider that our target market is increasingly tech-dependent.
Just take a look at any group of Millennials or Zoomers (Gen Y and Gen Z, respectively) and you’ll see how today’s market is attached to their screen of choice, whether that’s their smartphone, tablet, or laptop. The truth is that they’ve grown up with technology, from the early days of social media and instant messaging to the first introduction of video calls (remember when we all had to buy plug-in webcams?). Years later, these generations are seamlessly in-tune with digital platforms and, unsurprisingly, expect their service providers to meet them on their level — especially when it comes to planning the biggest day of their lives.
Implementing event technology in your business can be as simple as trying out a new program, yet the challenge can come in introducing these collaborative tools to your creative partners and bringing them into the digital. More often than not, all it takes is some gentle nudging and guidance from your end. While it might seem like extra work, it’s well worth the effort to have your whole vendor team on the same page when it comes to the virtual client experience.
Here’s what you can do to help your creative partners ramp up their tech game to benefit their business, your event team, and your shared clients.
Tout the benefits of tech
When it comes to technology, learning the ropes can feel pretty intimidating to those who prefer to stay in their comfort zone. However, experimenting with new digital solutions can be a way to open up your mind to fresh ideas and will surely enhance the client experience and planning process. In order to get your team excited, you need to show them how valuable tech has been to your business and all the ways you’ve grown.
Focus on client experience
Most business owners are ready to do whatever is in the best interest of their clients, even if it means stepping outside of their comfort zone. Make them recognize how going virtual can benefit their clients through streamlined communications and an organized workflow. Let them know if a client has requested the use of a certain program — once they realize that upgrading their tech will make them come across as more competent, they’ll likely be onboard the learning train.
Guide them as needed
The truth is that not everyone is primed and ready to jump into a new virtual platform. Some of us need a little extra hand-holding, so you may need to walk your partners through the processes at first. Most new software is quite user-friendly, so it shouldn’t take long for them to pick it up. Until then, be patient and make adjustments to your processes while your team catches up if needed. For example, if some of your creative partners are still trying to grasp Zoom calls, it would be prudent to follow up with them later through an email recap to ensure everyone is on the same page.
When you approach the tech discussion gently and with respect, you can persuade your creative partners to catch up with the times and join you in the digital era. Although it might take some time (and patience) to catch everyone up to speed, the effort will go far in keeping clients satisfied and simplifying your collaborative processes with others.
Nora Sheils is the co-founder of Rock Paper Coin, the first software platform to bring together wedding planners, couples, and vendors into one system for managing and paying contracts and invoices. She is also the founder and lead wedding planner of award-winning firm Bridal Bliss. She was recently recognized by Portland Business Journal in its 40 Under 40 series.