What do you do if your event's performance goals don't align with the overall objectives?

If event goals misalign with overarching objectives, I reassess and realign them. I collaborate with stakeholders to ensure coherence, adjusting strategies and metrics as needed. This ensures every event contributes meaningfully to broader organizational goals.

For top event planners, overall objectives are the north star. Set key checkpoints before during and after the event to assess, making sure performance is tied to driving high level strategic objectives.

One of the primary reasons events often fall short of expectations is due to a lack of alignment with goals. Frequently, events, whether sponsored or internally organized, are categorized broadly under lead generation. This occurs because events are often treated as isolated areas, rather than being part of a comprehensive strategy. When evaluating your event, consider its purpose: Is it intended to unite individuals to convey a message more effectively, facilitate one-on-one discussions to accelerate conversations, or simply re-ignite relationships? By clarifying these objectives, you can establish clearer expectations and evaluate success more effectively.

Open communication sometimes leads to a debate and compromise as leader we need to be empathetic towards each stakeholder and understand each of the perspectives. Our ultimate goal of an open discussion should be reaching a consensus that helps the event to succeed not a compromise.Even though compromise sometimes leads to sucess of the event but it happens at the price of compromise of few stake holders which might later effect the atmosphere in the team

Talk about what went right and what went wrong. Understand what went wrong and don't blame a person, seek to fix the process. Again understand. Can you suggest a better way? Are you open to hear another idea? Are you flexible enough to change. Can you do more of what went right? Can you predict and avoid what went wrong? Communication and understanding are the only way to make it better. I have been at events where I was not 100% aligned and found that staying open and flexible made things better. I voiced my opinion and helped whatever way I could. The Show Must Go On!

When changes and misalignments arise midway through event planning, time becomes a critical factor. Immediate action is necessary. Engage stakeholders promptly to identify and prioritize necessary changes, focusing on those with the most substantial impact on the event's success. Swiftly realign the event's goals to better serve the broader objectives. Remember, some changes can streamline the process and not all are bad.

What has to happen right now? What needs to happen next? What can wait until the next event? Do not make mountains out of molehills. Does the event flow, is there a roadblock or barrier to smooth flow, take care of those items first. Can a minor tweak make things flow better, take care of those next. Will a Major Overhaul make things work better next time, make sure to take note for next time.

If the performance goals of your event don't align with the overall objectives, it's essential to monitor progress closely. This involves ●Identifying KPIs(Key Performance indicators) ●regularly tracking key metrics and comparing them against the predetermined goals. ●Taking corrective measures if there is a deviation to realign with overall objectives

Look at people, they are your feedback. Who is enjoying the event? Who is not? Take each compliment and insult with a grain of salt. Overall, what is the immediate feedback you are getting, right there in the moment? What feedback comes in the next day or next meeting? Perfection is impossible, Continuous Improvement is attainable.

Appreciation and Rewards: Additionally, it's crucial to appreciate and reward the team for their efforts, regardless of whether the goals are met. Recognizing their hard work and dedication builds motivation and encourages continued commitment to achieving the overall objectives. This can be done through verbal appreciation, team celebrations, or even tangible rewards such as bonuses or extra time off. Such gestures not only acknowledge individual contributions but also creates a culture of collaboration and excellence within the team.