By: Tracey Manailescu, Co-founder and VP of WPIC inc
“One of the best things about the wedding industry is its supportive community of professionals that are constantly referring each other to new clients. Sit back and think – where did you source your last 20 weddings? The vast majority of booked business in the wedding industry comes from professional referrals, so the best investment you can make is to grow and nurture your network.”
Lisa Ganderson, Co-Founder & CEO of Otterplan
Pick Your Battles
Sometimes you are put into situations where you need to work with someone you do not get along with. It could be another member of your team, a vendor, a client’s family member or friend, etc. No one says you need to be best friends, but you do need to be courteous and professional, and put the client’s needs first. Try to put yourself in their shoes. Are they insecure, or think that you are stepping on their toes? Talk it out (in private). It might be something so little, that can be easily fixed. If it really is more, and you will never see eye to eye, then you need to figure out how you can work together and not let it ruin the wedding, event and your reputation.
Try not to respond in the heat of the moment, if it’s possible. It usually leads to trouble. Sometimes it is better to just turn the other cheek. It’s sometimes hard to do but can be worth it in the long run.
“Pick your battles. You don’t have to show up to every argument you’re invited to.” Mandy Hale
At some point in time, I think it’s reasonably safe to say that we all have felt self-doubt, jealousy, insecure, and even animosity towards someone else within the industry. Not everyone is meant to be best friends, and you may not agree with some others business practices, to each his own. It is also safe to assume, that you have come across instances where you were a little thrown off by a negative comment, rants on social media or have been in attendance of someone bashing another industry peer.
Take the time to Get to Know Others in the Industry
Sometimes, people feel the need to talk badly, and trash other businesses because they just don’t understand what all of the hype is about. Instead of assuming, get out to events and get to know others in the industry. You might be pleasantly surprised to find out that they are just like you or might have something great to offer you and your business. It might be tips, advice or just a great conversation that can make all the difference.
“Spend so much time improving yourself that you have no time left to criticize others.” Norman Vincent Peale
Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
There is always going to be someone more successful, makes more money, who is smarter, better looking, more creative and more powerful than you. Deal with it! Instead of harbouring negative thoughts, why not come up with ways that you can do better and be better. You have no idea how hard they struggled to get where they are now. Success comes with hard work and lots of trials and errors along the way.
Let me know some of your tried and tested tips in the comments below!
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