Advice on what to do when things are not going to plan
Ever had a tough gig? A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to attend the Mercury Music Prize awards ceremony which was being filmed in Newcastle. It was a fun night out and a very proud moment when local lad Sam Fender scooped the prize. But, honestly, the highlight for me was seeing behind the scenes of how a live TV programme is made and watching the host Lauren Laverne in action (she is my broadcasting hero).
For me it was genuinely fascinating, and a couple of things surprised me. One was how much crowd control Lauren had to do (“come on, quiet down everyone”). Another was the car crash interview she did with last year’s winners who, despite her best efforts, barely managed one-word answers. And it was a reminder that even the most skilled professionals have a tough gig sometimes.
Sometimes the best you can do is just get through it
I’ve been there too – ambulances, fire alarms, missing children, tech fails, sullen audiences who won’t answer a single question, and bolshie loudmouths who won’t shut up. Nothing ever quite prepares you for it, but I’ve learned some tricks over the years which can help me at least get through to the end and get everyone home safe. Sometimes that absolutely counts as a win.
Preparation prevents panic
Here are three tips to help you get started with this
- Have a plan B (and maybe C, D, E…) – I have a theory that great event managers are massive overthinkers. They have a load of options filed away so they know what to do or who to call when things go pear-shaped. Think about what might go wrong, and what you would do to fix it. It doesn’t need to be elaborate, just a mental note or a phone number saved on your phone can be enough to stop you panicking.
- Agree ground rules – When I’m facilitating workshops, I almost always take the time to agree some ground rules at the start. It’s always the same stuff – don’t interrupt, respect everyone’s opinion, stay on topic, stick to time. But by explicitly stating these expectations at the start, it’s easier to deal with when things go awry.
- Style it out – Honestly, people don’t notice or remember as much as you think they do. And they will be quick to forgive truly unpredictable things like fire alarms or tech fails. The key thing is to handle hiccups smoothly and confidently. Something Lauren Laverne is a master of!
- So before your next event think about how you’ll handle any problems that arise, but know that even high-profile broadcasters don’t get it right every time.
Sometimes the best you can do is chalk it up to experience and turn it into a funny anecdote! Ask me off the record sometime about the presenter (now at the BBC) who was a complete @”*! to deal with.
