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As a wedding venue owner, you’ve got one of the most rewarding (and let’s face it, demanding) jobs out there. But between managing bookings, coordinating vendors & clients, staffing event days, and keeping the property pristine, it’s easy to feel like you’re drowning in a sea of to-dos.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Many venue owners find themselves trapped in the whirlwind of daily operations, leaving little time for the big-picture vision and, you know, actually enjoying the fruits of their labor.
The good news? It doesn’t have to be this way. By mastering the art of delegation and clear accountability, you can reclaim your time and sanity, as well as push your business forward.
1. Delegate, Delegate, Delegate!
Quite simply, identify tasks that can be handled by others. The Delegate & Elevate tool from the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS®) is a great place to start if you are unsure how to think about what tasks you should push to others. As a venue owner, some tasks you might think about delegating include:
- Administrative tasks: Responding to emails, managing social media, and updating calendars, trackers and everything in between. Could a part-time employee take these off your plate? Or can you leverage technology to help support your efforts? For example, can you use Calendly or another scheduling software to more easily book tours without all the back-and-forth to find the best time for everyone?
- Groundskeeping and maintenance: Are you spending hours mowing lawns and fixing leaky faucets? Consider outsourcing your venue upkeep to reliable professionals.
- Vendor coordination: Could a dedicated event coordinator answer all of your clients’ questions and act as the liaison between the couple and their vendors?
- Event day support. Can you train your team to work event days so that you can get a well-deserved breather? More on this below on how you can elevate your team to get them ready and you can trust your venue and clients are in excellent hands.
2. Elevate Your Team
Don’t just delegate – empower your team to make decisions and take ownership. And remember, as you build your team, they will not get it perfect out of the gate. Commit to spending the time to help develop them, and create an environment where they feel comfortable asking questions.
- Provide clear guidelines and expectations: Ensure your team understands their roles and responsibilities. Need some support in outlining your team’s accountabilities? Some useful information can be found here.
- Offer training and development opportunities: Invest in your team’s growth, enabling them to handle more complex tasks and situations.
- Encourage initiative and problem-solving: Foster a culture where employees feel comfortable taking the lead.
3. Crystal Clear Accountability
Establish a system for tracking progress and ensuring accountability.
- Use project management tools: Say goodbye to sticky notes. Platforms like Asana, Trello, or Monday.com can help assign tasks, set deadlines, and monitor progress. Tools like these will also allow you better to see how your team is doing versus everyone having their own to do lists on a piece of paper.
- Implement regular check-ins: Schedule weekly or bi-weekly meetings to discuss updates, address challenges, and provide feedback. Hold time on your calendar to be available for your team if they have questions or need to discuss a situation. An available manager is already a better manager, not to mention the time saved by reducing the number of emails back-and-forth.
- Celebrate successes: Recognize and reward employees for their contributions, fostering a sense of ownership and motivation. It is also helpful to recognize when your team tries something new, not just when they do a great job at something. This will help foster an environment where the team feels comfortable taking ownership.
Reap the Rewards
By effectively delegating, elevating your team, and establishing clear accountability, you’ll free up your time to focus on what truly matters:
- Strategic planning: Develop marketing strategies, explore new revenue streams, and envision the future of your venue. Focusing on the future of your business will allow you to stay ahead of the dynamic, ever-changing events industry and to better weather any shifts in the market.
- Client & vendor relationships: Build stronger connections with your couples and vendor partners, ensuring unforgettable and successful wedding days for all.
- Work-life balance: Spend more time with loved ones, pursue hobbies, and enjoy the success of the beautiful venue you have created.
Remember, you don’t have to do it all; and your business will actually be more successful if you don’t try to. Embrace the power of delegation and watch your business – and your peace of mind – flourish.Need some additional help building your business so that you are able to more effectively delegate your work? Or are you looking to take a full step back from your venue? 828 Venue Management Company operates event venues across the nation and are experts in the venue management space. We bring expertise, unparalleled customer service, and a team of professionals dedicated to your venue and its success. Contact us today, we’d love to learn more about your unique venue and how we might partner together.
