What are the most effective ways to coach junior event planners on relationship building?

1 Set clear expectations and goals

The first step to coach junior event planners on relationship building is to set clear expectations and goals for their performance and behavior. You should communicate what you expect from them in terms of professionalism, communication, responsiveness, and follow-up. You should also help them define and measure their relationship building goals, such as increasing client satisfaction, generating positive feedback, expanding their network, or creating new opportunities. By setting clear expectations and goals, you can provide them with a framework and a direction for their relationship building efforts.

2 Model and demonstrate relationship building skills

The second step to coach junior event planners on relationship building is to model and demonstrate relationship building skills yourself. You should show them how you interact with your own contacts, how you handle difficult situations, how you express appreciation and recognition, and how you cultivate trust and rapport. You should also invite them to observe or join you in meetings, calls, site visits, or events, where they can learn from your examples and see how you apply relationship building skills in different scenarios. By modeling and demonstrating relationship building skills, you can inspire them and give them practical tips and insights.

5 Celebrate and reward success

The fifth step to coach junior event planners on relationship building is to celebrate and reward their success. You should acknowledge and appreciate their achievements, such as landing a new client, closing a deal, receiving a compliment, or creating a memorable event. You should also reward them with incentives, recognition, or opportunities, such as a bonus, a promotion, a testimonial, or a referral. You should also share their success stories with others, such as your team, your management, or your network. By celebrating and rewarding their success, you can motivate them and reinforce their relationship building skills.

6 Support and empower them

The sixth and final step to coach junior event planners on relationship building is to support and empower them. You should be available and accessible for them, whenever they need your help, advice, or feedback. You should also trust and respect them, giving them autonomy and responsibility, and allowing them to make decisions and take risks. You should also challenge and stretch them, giving them new and diverse projects, and exposing them to different cultures and markets. By supporting and empowering them, you can enable them and boost their confidence and competence in relationship building.