I have employed folks with amazing resumes and education; I have even called their old jobs to get references–but these folks turned out to be a big disappointment as workers.
Last week I talked about the importance of taking care of those who work for you, this week I’d like to address what I think makes a great employee. Here are a few important qualities I look for:
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I love folks who are rule breakers, even those who challenge me to break my own rules.
If you were a fly on our office wall, you’d hear a lot of very heated discussions (including yelling at times) of my staff defending their points of view. I LOVE THIS. I encourage my folks to teach me things I do not know.
- I need to feel an instinctive connection with my employees. I have met some people for the first time and offered them jobs almost immediately. When I first met my Executive Director Vivia Costalas I knew she was someone I needed on my team. I call her “my secret weapon.” She is a force to be reckoned with and always has the ability to go the extra mile to do a great job.
- Commitment: They need to live, breathe and love the event industry. One of my most committed folks is my CEO Xoua Vang. Since many of our businesses are in different time zones (Hong Kong, Indonesia, Europe, the Middle East), Xoua will be in the office until 2am working most days. That is what I call commitment.
- Fun: I tend to be very laid back with my life in general, and I love folks around me who are not afraid to stop and make a fool of themselves and have a good laugh. I have had the biggest laugh with Karell (my online Goddess), Jee, Camille, Rae, Merv, Nikita, Sanaw, Luiz, Duda, Junior, Anne and Iqbal.
The event business can be rather stressful at times, but we can survive anything with a good laugh. So, for me, no college degree or suits are required–just good ol’ fun creative folks.
If you were applying for a job in our company, what attributes do you think you could add to our group? Let me know.
PREVIOUS
George Bernard Shaw once said: “You see things and say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” That quote embodies how Preston Bailey approaches every event.
Lindsey
June 17, 2010
Positivity, helping hands, spirited designs, and a little lighthearted sarcasm
Sarah C.
June 17, 2010
Oh my day Preston!! I love this article. If I were applying for a position with your company I would bring lots to the table. I am a committed employee who loves what I do. When I have a task or multiple tasks I go at it full force and won’t stop until it’s right! I like bringing ideas to the table and maybe if I think it’s a VERY good idea I would really push for it to happen – no manipulation though! LOL I can have fun anywhere and also just sitting back and enjoying my surroundings. Here’s a plus…..I have a great smile!! LOL That’s just a few things I’d bring to the table.
Keep doing what you do Mr. Bailey! I love it! My boyfriend’s mom bought me Celebrations for Christmas and I absolutely love your work!
Izabela
June 17, 2010
Agree, this is not for everyone and the resume often doesn’t matter. I value being quick, able to resolve problems on the spot and people who do not panic. I am all about having fun that’s why my my folks we more often laugh than argue.
Allison
June 17, 2010
Style, sophistication, and a relentless passion for celebrating life! All the higher level details such as organization, problem-solving, and creativity are apart of my resume too. However, my true essence is centered around celebrating life and showing others how to truly cherish the one life they have.
Elyse Exposito
June 17, 2010
Excellent time management skills and the ability to multitask. In a fast-paced environment, like the event planning industry, it is paramount to also be able to work swiftly and independently. Clients and vendors will no doubt be impressed when you deliver (and even exceed) on your word.
Angela
June 17, 2010
You would never see me sweat! (LOL) Dedication, loyalty, long hours, and a passion for what I do. I always strive to exceed my clients expectations.
Jerry Anderson
June 17, 2010
I love what you stand for and I love what you are looking for. I am a minor event planner in my own right. I LOVE working in the industry. I live, breathe and sleep planning events and thinking of the next brilliant idea. I am currently working on a party for a friend of mine who just received his PhD and I have been working remotely while he was in Mexico. I called him on vacation with plenty of new ideas and perspectives. He told me to wait, rest and we could talk later. I have a mantra that works for me. I can rest when I am dead. Not that I am so hard at work I don’t understand play, but a person with a passion is not able to rest, the mind keeps working long after the body gives up. I am a genius in the making. I dream ideas and new and innovative ways to make a production memorable. Thats what anyone with a passion to create and implement should bring to the table. Simply their passion. Humor, passion, self sufficiency, creative brain cells, and just a huge cup of determination would be what I would offer. Degrees matter but is something anyone can obtain, but to have a mind, vision, and talent, is something you need to be born with or gifted by God. Those are the qualities I can bring! Those natural characteristics that are needed to work in the industry.
Connie Moore
June 17, 2010
A life time passion for flowers and the best Bridal Bouquets ever.
INDONES PLACIBE
June 17, 2010
as a hard working staff we just follow the rules and regulation of the company…..work in a good way and as a multitask persons,do what ever you want to do and to give respect and understanding each one of us”
Lisa
June 17, 2010
The knowledge that the devil is in the details (and I love those details) and most importantly, when you make a mistake…don’t freak out, just fix it!
Bishwanie
June 17, 2010
What I would add to your group, Preston, is my entrepreneurial spirit/my true passion for creating something new. Every time I’m faced with an event, I take the time to get to know my clients, understand what they want and are asking for and devote myself wholeheartedly to making their dreams a reality. Realizing that this isn’t a cookie cutter “job” – I always challenge myself to come up with fresh/thoughtful ideas to give life to my clients’ vision. My goal is that each of my clients’ feel a genuine investment from me, as if they are my only client. My job is to take all the stress away from my clients, not only to ensure that they are in love with everything they see (my satisfaction comes from the look on their face), but more importantly, that they are having a blast. At the end of the day, when you turn a hobby into a career – you have fun (you have an energy/enthusiasm that people want to be around). That’s me!
Aleah + Nick
June 17, 2010
We appreciate your insight! We’re firm believers in taking a fun and more laid-back approach with our clients and the artists/vendors we work with. It makes such a difference in how they treat us and, most importantly, our clients. Knowing they have a really fun team to work with on numerous events makes all the difference! However, when it’s time to be stringent that comes into play. We take what we do very seriously as this is often one day in a couple’s life together that rests on us. We are constantly think outside the box and love to break the rules. This difference can make or break a client’s celebration. Providing an open planning environment is also key – we’re constantly growing as a team and as an industry and being open in learning from others is invaluable. Always striving to give 110% to each job is a necessity, no matter the client’s budget or desires. Most importantly, living and breathing this industry and everything it entails is key! We get such a kick out of telling people what we do. It’s our passion. Our drive. Our life.
As always, thank you for the post!
Aleah + Nick Valley
The Good Life Special Events
Katherine
June 17, 2010
I bring the funk! I love doing things that are deemed “too childish” for my age, and I love to challenge all preconceptions and stereotypes. No one dares to tell me something can’t be done because I will stay up for weeks just to prove them wrong!
Will
June 18, 2010
So, for me, no college degree or suits are required–just good ol’ fun creative folks. – I love this because it shows that the tangible qualities someone can bring to your business are so much more important to you than the type of suit you wear. It’s crazy that in some organisations (although they wouldn’t admit it) that they discriminate on the grounds of what shoes you wear to an interview…crazy!
Nice post, Preston.
Nicola Loughran
June 18, 2010
Hey Preston,recruit me on to your team!! i’m a person who is inspired by Travel and movement different cultures and walks of life, unique stlye and a very creative mind, i have no college or university degree and my background is in luxury fashion i’ve always had a creative flair and started a small business last year in floral/event design,so with a full time job i work around the clock! you inspire me so much and it would be life changing and an honour for me to be on your team,hope to here from you soon.
Andrea
June 18, 2010
The one aspect I could bring to the Preston Bailey brand is a phenomenal sales background with an amazing close ratio, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a ridiculous and sickening work ethic!
Cindy Sue
June 18, 2010
I don’t do sales.
I don’t follow ‘exact’ orders very well.
I don’t like being under someone’s thumb.
The only degree I have is from Life.
And I don’t own a suit.
What I do ‘do’ is have a creative mind that helps get me through life… and your encouraging words of having ‘that’ is good enough for me.
Thanks Preston, you’re a jewel.
Sharon Mesa
June 18, 2010
I agree about knowing immediately whether the fit is good. The merging of personality and style can be so beautiful and brings infinite possibilities.
I always bring strong work ethic and openness to everything I do so that my skills can enhance everyone involved in a project. If it’s unforgettable and becomes iconic then it is done well. But that just raises the bar for the next time.
I am always striving to exceed the last “impossible” thing accomplished.
Debbie Welch
June 18, 2010
I have sent you my resume several times and my biggest aspiration is to work at least one event with you. I own a bridal florist in the Tampa Bay Area in Florida and have years of experience . I believe that my strongest attribute is that I am very flexible – I am designing for the client and not my own personal tastes and look at each event as my greatest challenge. I am always looking forward- each event should be better than my last. I believe there is always something new to be learned and that my past experience helps me to break the rules! I believe if you can see your self doing something- you can make it happen. I can soooo see me working with you!
Debbie Welch
The Bride’s Bouquet
727.785.2562
Pamela
June 18, 2010
My mother was the ultimate party planner. Even though we were poor Mother would decorate our house in paper and plastic until the house looked like a palace.
She taught me how to plan and bring a celebration together using my imagination and creative skills.
With my obsessive compulsive nature I am a relentless pursuer of party perfection. I can work around the clock non- stop until everything is perfect. Then I will collapse with exhaustion until the next event.
Blah
June 18, 2010
Wow. What would I bring to the table? Let me just say that I was born with an artistic backbone and am very creative and can think outside of the box when needed, but did not make that my career. I chose a more technical career path. I often wonder how successful I could have been had I chosen a career path in design (particularly in the event industry). At the moment from what I can say is a hobby, I would offer dedication, because creativity has been a part of me inheritely since I was a child and it comes naturally for me. Work, play, life, it would all blend together because it is something that I enjoy. This would not be an 8-5 job as I am in now, but would be around the clock, because while I’m not doing my “job” per se, I would constantly be thinking of new ideas. To expand on my creativity would be a dream and be so life fulfulling. I can say honestly that I am successful now and have a successful career, but leaving it all and having the chance to express my ideas and see them become reality would be mind blowing… and worth it too.
MELISSA
June 19, 2010
I THINK IT IS THE SOUL OF EVERYTHING THAT WE ALL ARE LOOKING FOR…………
IN THE “END” ONLY LOVE PREVAILS…
KEEP THAT NEXT TO YOU ALWAYS…
XXOO
MELISSA
Dianne Myers-Davis
June 20, 2010
I am creative, problem solver, and team player. Some of my best decisions are made when I am under pressure. I do not live my life by default, therefore, I am a definite rule breaker at times. I’ll do whatever it takes to get the job done. In my past job, I got my hands slapped a couple of times for bypassing many bosses and went straight to the VP because timing was of essence and my customers came first. I work well in a relaxed environment and do not like to be micro managed as it stifles my growth.
Chris Daniels
June 21, 2010
no limits on what can be accomplished……cool head with multiple task solving skills and when all else fails—-just do it and make it work while looking cool calm and collected doing so…..and tall enough to deco arches from the floor!
Brandi
June 22, 2010
I would bring my crazy excitement for all the details and my love for everything wedding and event!! As a matter of fact I start giggling, grinning, and kinda doin the Dr. Evil hands the minute a fun fresh idea pops in my head. I am a huge fan of brainstorming and feeding ideas back in forth with other creatives. I am still learning everyday, and am amazed and awed at some of the work I see in magazines and hope to someday beable to reach that type of client. I know I have it in me, just gotta keep working till I get there!
Coming from a pretty small area, it’s exciting to be able to reach some of the clients I have been lucky enough to work with and get to do some of those dream weddings I see only at a smaller scale.
Angela
June 23, 2010
Creative. Dedicated. Free-spirited. Honest. Humorous. Realistic. Simplistic.
This is me
Dona Carmen Milagros
June 25, 2010
If I were to win the “lottery” that is to say a job within your company Preston; I’d bring all the elements listed above AND the rhythm of dance. I love to dance and sing while I work, cook, decorate etc. Let’s just say it’s in my Latina Blood
Anaid Aguillón
June 29, 2010
The gift to create is incredible, the power capture the essence of a person, a dream or an emotion and transform it into something spectacular, where through your dare to propose ways to view more beyond a need, as each event is as unique as each person and their success depends on you and if you like a designer print the essence of customer in the event, this is what makes the difference making it unique event, for me this is like a painter that
end his masterpiece and signature , is here where you put your name and your team in the events we do, is incredible live the process again and again, imagine in my mind so you can create, take chances with
things I do not know if it’s possible to do them, but I think if your mind can create your hands too, is something that inspires you, that it not really is a job for me, is to do something that i love!!
norah
July 18, 2010
So Preston, suppose I were to sit “at your TABLE,” yah, I would turn it around on you, (AN HONEST
CONVERSATION) and I would simply SAY:
JUDGE ME NOT, like a BOOK COVER. DON’T JUST SEE mE, FOR WHO I AM. BUT ENVISION WHAT I CAN
BE AND WHAT I CAN DO. TREAT ME like the GEM I AM. A priceless POTENTIAL SEED with the ability to
TRANSFORM and EMPOWER your BUSINESS EMPIRE in the near future. TRY ME OUT BY FIRE, and then
make your DECISION. WHAT DO YOU SEE? CAn you see the Potential in me? Can you PINPOINT the
STRENGTH and WEAKNESS areas, and what will you do about it? And if you can find something in “ME,”
that “PROVES TO BE MOST uSEFUL,” use it to the best of your ability, but when you do so, SEEK TO
MOTIVATE, INSPIRE and EMPOWER me to become the BEST I CAN BE “at your table.” IT’S NOT ABOUT
ME, but it’s about making “your table” be the best it can be with the TALENTS and SKILLS that are
inspired by YOU (PreSTON). Anyone can bring “SOMETHING” to the table, but only a few can
“TRANSFORM IT” into a totally different entity. The “VERY BEST” of ME brings TRANSFORMATION. The
energy that YOU display, is the same ENERGY that will show IN ME. WHATEvER YOU WANT, BREATHE IT
IN ME, AND YOU’LL SEE IT COME TO LIFE. I NEVER seek to IMPRESS ANYONE. BUT WHAT I Have, is
WHAT I’LL BRING. TAke It or LEAVE it!