Patience, Persistence and Passion

Over the past few weeks I've been in several situations that all lend themselves to human interaction. And while they are very divergent activities (a wedding, a fishing trip and a meeting with my management), several themes rang true. These same themes lend themselves to face-to-face marketing and trade shows.

1. Patience.
2. Persistence.
3. Passion.

A wedding is the ultimate event when it comes to planning. There is every detail to attend to on a schedule rivaling a space shuttle launch. And let's not talk about budget. Everyone involved had to be patient, there was a persistence in making sure we all followed through with our respective roles and the passion with which it was all orchestrated goes without saying.

When our company's management came to town for an annual review, the same attributes were present: we had been persistent in meeting our goals, they had been patient with us in meeting them (and reporting them) and it was evident we had a pasion for the work we were doing for the company.

The fishing trip was the ultimate example, however: no one can sit in a boat waiting for a fish and braving the elements without being patient, persisting despite the bugs and rain and they sure must have passion for the sport.

I know this more of a "think piece" than usual, but I didn't want the lesson lost on us in the trade show industry:

1. We must be patient with our managers as well as our customers.
2. We must be persistent in promoting our view that trade shows are integral to the business cause of the company.
3. We must continue to have a passion for the work that we do.

TTSG