It’s good for your health as well as for your business!
I’ve been in Celebrancy for six years, loving every second of it and generally being very healthy throughout all of the wonderful, emotional events I have officiated. But, for the first time this week, I had to admit defeat. My kitchen has looked like a scene from Macbeth! Despite swallowing whole cloves of garlic, coated in manuka honey, sipping peppermint tea, infused with black pepper and steaming over various bubbling pots, I did not have the voice to respectfully lead a funeral service. ‘Waking’ from another night of tossing and turning, my head full of infection and worry, I had to make a professional call: I’d need a stand-in!
I also work as one of the mentors for The Academy of Modern Celebrancy, training aspiring celebrants who wish to come and make a difference in the industry. One of the exacting criteria we insist upon is ensuring that a written script can be read on first sight – with clarity over phrasing and punctuation; express instructions about staging and cueing music, or leading a ritual, or introducing tributes. So, I obviously apply this standard to my own writing and felt comfortable that I was transferring the baton, having done my best by this stage.
With all of the best preparation in the world, you can’t factor in every eventuality – this week, several of my colleagues have had events kiboshed by the snow, with services being delayed, or shifted to different venues and many guests unable to attend. But the show must go on, and clients must be reassured that they will have the ceremony they’re expecting, delivered by a professional who won’t let them down. There are occasions when we have to resort to back-up plans…and that’s when all the time, and love and energy that we’ve put into our networks comes into play; whether built on friendship, or professional esteem, these connections are vital to our survival!
I am so blessed to have such good friends and colleagues – but neither has come about by accident. There’s a lot of energy and time that goes into sustaining these connections.
Here’s how we can all maintain vibrant and beneficial professional networks:
Regularly Connect: Maintaining any network begins with consistent communication. A simple message, showing that you have noticed someone goes a long way. Send tailored notes to check in, share a relevant article, or congratulate a connection on their recent accomplishments. This personal touch makes your outreach thoughtful and meaningful.
Leverage social media: Actively engage with your network by liking, commenting on, or sharing posts. Highlight your expertise and stay visible within your professional community. The key is to show genuine interest in your contacts’ lives and careers, reminding them that your connection is authentic and enduring.
Offer Your Own Value and Support: A strong network is built on mutual value, genuine respect, and equity…not transactions!
Here are ways to contribute:
- Share Insight: Provide resources, articles, or advice related to industry trends, ceremony ideas, or public speaking. Sharing your knowledge keeps you top of mind.
- Proactively Help: Offer assistance with referrals, career advice, or collaborative opportunities. For example, if a connection is looking for a venue partner, introducing them to a reliable contact can strengthen all relationships. Being a helpful resource in your network reinforces your role as a valuable connection.
- Engage at Conferences and Meetups: Attend industry gatherings, workshops, and webinars to meet like-minded professionals. Face-to-face interactions at events are powerful for deepening relationships, allowing you to bond beyond online exchanges. Make it a habit to attend a mix of local and virtual events to stay connected with the broader industry community. And don’t forget to keep your profile updated, as your online presence keeps your network engaged.
I am very fortunate to be in the position that I’m in, hence I was able to call upon the services of a wonderful colleague, reasonably new to the industry, but a consummate professional. Far from being my competition, she held me up in that moment; we felt the true power of networking because it was so mutually beneficial; and we celebrated our connection…from a distance, due to the sniffles, although if she finds herself in a similar situation, I can provide cauldron and several herbal remedies, along with a promise that if she needs me, I’ll always be her back-up plan.
Latansani 