Your event team is facing budget limitations. How do you keep them motivated and engaged?

Make sure everyone has full visibility of as much data as possible across every customer touch point. Encourage them to seek out those marginal gains that can make a small difference. Then challenge them to create as much noise and impact as possible on a minimal budget. Celebrate every time any activity has made a positive impact, no matter how tiny. Going back to basics can remind us how some smart thinking and simple activity can make a difference, and importantly why we chose marketing as a career in the first place.

No matter the size there are ALWAYS budget limitations- there really should be no correlation between $ and your team's motivations or your methods to keep them focused on creating & executing plans that meet/exceed client goals. Setting realistic expectations with the client is paramount. Focus on a plan that meets their goal without showing frugality. It must be safely and reliably executable and assure a quality experience for patrons. Promising too much or spreading too thin may compromise integrity. This long term strategy will help if your team is constantly in a position where they are being asked to MacGyver events together on shoe string budgets. This will also weed out clients that are only looking to exploit you and your team.

To keep an event team motivated under budget constraints, focus on non-monetary incentives such as recognition, opportunities for professional growth, and fostering a positive team culture. Clear communication about the importance of their contributions and involving them in decision-making processes can also boost morale and commitment.

Acknowledging a job well done, even in small ways, can help keep morale above water in challenging situations. I will always celebrate my team out loud. Celebrating wins, large and small, out loud at the morning meeting with the team or over a quick radio transmission is so impactful: "Shout to Kelly, who just landed XYZ brand to come in on the event this weekend!" (and listen as all Kelly's colleagues chime in, "Get it, Kelly!", "Yes, Kelly!" etc.) We all know putting on events is hard, but as a team, we can set the pace and create incredible ones. Celebrate each other!

Como líder, no te olvides de reconocer el esfuerzo de tu equipo. Esto es la base para mantener la motivación, especialmente cuando hay limitaciones de presupuesto. Asegúrate de que todos tengan claro el objetivo del evento y mantene el enfoque, como con la brújula de Jack Sparrow, sin distraerse del camino. Celebra los peque?os logros a lo largo del proceso, ya sean soluciones innovadoras o ajustes creativos dentro del presupuesto. Un simple "gracias" o "buen trabajo" pueden marcar la diferencia y reforzar la sensación de trabajar hacia un objetivo común, incluso con recursos limitados.

I tend to make sure to offer to a mix of section 4 and 5. Because with these two options, I personally get an insight of my team members' priorities. "Who wants to invest their time to grow more?" and "Who is at a point in their career stage preferring flexibility?" This also helps me enhance my team building, employee retention and work team division strategies where I am able to make better and informed decisions. Win-Win indeed :)

I make sure that there is an open mode of communication present amidst situations like this. The first round being extremely interactive in terms of ideas and suggestions from every member of my team. I personally believe that even if this initial meeting makes us invest more time than usual, a sense of transparency, inclusivity and trust is forged. My team would also be clear and cautious in terms of expenditure right from the get-go and more "why"s during each stage encouraging even more healthy and productive conversation.