FESTIVALS WITHOUT BORDERS

WITH ROBERT BAIRD

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS 2024

It’s that time of year again: make up a list of New Year’s Resolutions. These are usually the things we want to focus on in 2024 to improve our organization. Setting new goals can encourage us to examine current practices and make improvements that will benefit the organization and help it move forward with renewed energy. So, here’s my list of New Year’s Resolutions for a Festival World of 2024.

1. New Year Commitment

Every Festival should commit to re-thinking their organization at the beginning of every year. You will want to examine where the organization is, where you want it to go and how you might get there. Engagement of employees, suppliers and attendees should be your goal. Use the new year to set realistic goals for improvement and growth.

2. Focus on your online presence

Technology continues to advance and opportunities for expanded online presence are continually developing. Just having a Facebook page is a big step for some organizations, but it is not the only step. Society is increasingly going online for a number of activities and your presence in the online community is a necessity to remain relevant. Your online presence will enhance your ability to attract festival attendees and “sell” your festival in new ways to newer markets. Expand your online activities as much as possible.

3. Start with your Employees

Your employees are usually the first point of contract with your patrons and a positive and enthusiastic employee becomes a goodwill ambassador. Given the changes in society and specifically work engendered by the recent pandemic, it is important to retain good employees and give them good reason to remain on the job. This could be a review of compensation and benefits, more flexible working hours, offering unique perks or simply creating a team environment where everyone matters.

4. Listen to your Employees

Be open to and encourage feedback from your employees – they often have their ear to the ground and can provide important perspectives. Listen and respond and you will find that the employees are motivated and know that their input is valued.

5. Diversify Your Hiring

Inclusive hiring practices can only benefit your organization and you need to be proactive to make your hiring choices meaningful. New and different perspectives can have unforeseen and positive results. Remote work has become the new standard and allows for the consideration of persons with disabilities or hiring from a wider geographical area.

6. Be More Considerate

While the pandemic has lessened, it is still with us and we need to be more considerate of other people. Everyone has been affected. Hybrid work models may have to be instituted for some, if not all, and a personal, compassionate approach is now required.

7. Balance Your Life More

Work and life have changed and the old expectations of driving to work, being in an office all day and then back home have given way to a more flexible approach to work. If we insist on the old ways we will lose people, to the detriment of our organization and we may have to change our mindset and put the emphasis on people and make sure they are happy and able to balance their lives more.

8. Listen to Your Patrons

Make it a priority to be in contact with your patrons consistently and regularly. Send surveys, have feedback forms available, use email and even direct calls. The responses from patrons should be viewed by those at the top of your organization. Using patron feedback can inform your processes and make the organization better.

9. Ensure that Growth is a Priority

You should aim to be better every year and not rest on your laurels. There is always something that can be improved. Measuring where you are and then taking steps to improve that measurement will ensure growth.

10. Set Clear Goals

Start off the year by setting down clear goals for yourself and your organization. If you don’t have goals, the year will go by without direction. You should review your goals monthly and then make any adjustments necessary with your team to make the goals a reality.

Robert Baird is President of BAM! Baird Artists Management Consulting in Toronto, Canada and an acknowledged expert in international touring including visas, withholding and taxation. He offers free advice to artists, agents, managers and venues and has an international clientele. He served for many years on the Executive Board of Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) and is a former Vice-President of that organization. He can be reached at: P: 1-800-867-3281 E: robert@bairdartists.com or for more information go to: www.bairdartists.com