Where in the world am I today?: North Vancouver, BC, Canada
I must admit that sometimes, in the heat of the moment I get excited and don’t always listen before I take action… Though this has never really gotten me into trouble I know that there are times when it’s better to shut up and not only listen, but actually hear what’s being said before taking action.
I reminded myself of this the other day when I got an email from a client that I’ll be working for later this month. I’m going to be acting as a pitch-man of sorts, a colourful host who will assist various vendors in making their presentations a little bit more interactive and a little bit more dynamic. I’m guessing that I’ll be able to incorporate many of the variety skills that I usually have at my disposal when I do my comedy juggling show, but this time around I’ll be taking on the role of a TV Magazine Show Host I suspect. The fact that I have a trunk full of skills at my disposal will make things that much more interesting which I suspect is why this client turned to me to mix things up a bit.
Anyway, I got an email from the client with a rough outline of what the script is to be for the various products that are going to be a part of this trade show situation along with the added information that I’d be getting contact information for all of the various vendors of these products that are going to be demo-ed some time in the coming week. Each of these vendors will likely have their own agenda and methods for making their presentations as successful as possible and I’m being thrust at them to help liven-up their presentations…
I’m really excited by the opportunity to partner with so many different people for this contract, but I’m also keenly aware that one of my primary jobs is to support and enhance with out diluting the main focus of the presentations. The key to making it successful is going to be to listen carefully to each presenter, hear what they’re saying, blend well with their presentation style and make each individual shine in front of their audience. I need to be able to reflect their energy, enhance their energy, encourage a bit of zaniness while at the same time not walk in and steal focus, my job is going to be to augment their focus not try to be the focus.
I think being a parent and perhaps some of the work I’ve done at the C.A.M.P. Program in Winnipeg will really prove an asset as in these other situations my prime directive is to use everything I’ve ever learned as a performer to shine the spotlight on someone else and encourage their success… It’s an odd sort of shift in focus when you stop trying to be the centre of attention and realize what the centre of attention needs to be and support it to the best of your ability.
Inevitably I’ll end up having the spotlight shone on me at times, but if I can remember to stay focused on the larger picture I should be able to ensure that the client that’s hiring me and all of the vendors that I’ll be working with will come out looking like the real heros at this trade show. If I do this successfully not only will the event be a success, I’ll also solidify my relationship with this particular client for similar opportunities in the future.
