We are in the events business. Events are an art and a science – a balance that is hard to master. It requires discipline and intuition to pull off the level of quality and scale while also keeping the mission of the event in line.
Let me give you an example. One of the GiANT brands is Catalyst. The Catalyst brand is the largest event movement to the under 40 leader. This amazing team reaches close to 500,000 people through events, resources, content and media. We do several large 3 day events in Atlanta, Dallas, and LA. We also host many Catalyst One Day events throughout the US. Our other large format event is a Simulcast to over 700 locations in 20 countries – it is called the Chick-fil-A Leadercast. The Leadercast is basically 725 events happening simultaneously on the same day.
I mention all of this to say that plans often don’t go as planned. Speakers can back out; venues can change; experiences fail; people flake out; volunteers don’t show; printing messes up; and so on and so forth.
So what do you do when plans don’t go as planned? In the words of Brad Lomenick who leads Catalyst, “you always have a backup.”
I recently went through this with some strategic direction for our business. I had a Plan A that I felt was solid – we all did. After a couple of months Plan A fell apart, so I went to Plan B. However, Plan B didn’t work due to some leadership role changes and so Plan C was birthed. Long term I think Plan C will be amazing, but it took Plan A failing to get to that reality.
Don’t become idealistic with your Plan A’s, but rather build your backups ahead of time in your business. Actually plan for Plan B, C and D. Business is fast and if you are not ready for the next stage you may miss your window to success.
You never know, Plan G may be the best!
Question: What do you do when plans don’t go as planned? Leave a comment below.
Get Future Blog Updates and Leadership Resources from Jeremie Kubicek Via Email:
