Did you think in advance that the wedding of Kate and Wills was going to make you feel good?
No – me neither. After all how many royal weddings have turned into good marriages? The track record is fairly dire.
But I love celebrations so planned to watch it with a group of friends and go to two street parties afterwards.
The wedding turned out to be inspirational. Not just for me but for the sceptics in the room using it as an excuse for a glass or two of bubbly. (and for every one else as well)
So what made the Wedding magical? It was a combination of what is at the heart of any good business.
1. Connecting with one person.
Kate and William made their vows talking quietly to each other. It transformed a public event into a private wedding. .. which millions happened to watch.
Their connection to each other was communicated in the brief smiles and exchange of looks. They could easily have been more formal as “befits” a royal occasion.
Connecting with one person is the key: This is just as true of a royal wedding as an email, a speech, a website, a blog post or any form of communication. Don’t shout to be heard. Talk to one person – the right person. Speak in a conversation with a whole person. We work with people not roles, job titles or companies. People.
2. Know who you want to talk to / work with / attract / help.
Make choices about the type of client you do want to work with. The “person” is unlikely to be a prince (or could be?) and may be a mix of real people you know or would like to know.
Imagine your client as one person and get to know everything about them. Their hopes, fears, problems and what they hope for and want. (This can help you say No to the wrong people.)
3. Plan your environment to suit you.
The simplicity of Kate’s dress, the small size of her bouquet, the green and white flowers in Westminster Abbey, the trees going to Highgrove were all choices made to enhance the feeling of a genuine intimate wedding.
Choose your environment carefully to suit you. If in doubt choose a place you really like to meet potential clients. Dare to have your office in the colours that delight you. The more you make choices that reflect the values of your business the more you will communicate to the right people.
We tend to think the business card and the website are all that matters but of course it is so much more. Clients may choose to work with you for all kinds of reasons. People have chosen to work with me because of my shoes. Choose your shoes with care and be confident about the choice!
4. Be seen.
You are unlikely to travel in an open top horse-drawn carriage and wave at the crowds, but you can let people see you being happy!
Or being whatever the type of inspiration that comes naturally to you and is what your clients need. Don’t lock yourself away we need to see you!
Being seen and remembered is more important than the precise details of your product or service.
5. Use technology
How many people would have known about the wedding at all without the media? Help yourself with all the low cost and free internet-based media available today. You can send your message round the world faster, and more effectively…and best of all you don’t have to shout or spend a lot of money doing it.
May the feel-good of the wedding remain long in your business!
Another inspirational piece of writing Jean. You are a clever lady to relate the ins and outs of the Royal Wedding to how we see ourselves and communicate in business. I particularly like the bit where you write about Kate and Will exchanging their vows privately yet under the eye of the whole world to see and remember. You are right we don’t always have to shout to get our messages heard.
Thank you Jean for such an interesting article. I really admire the way you manage to provide positive advice to others. I have passed it on for others to be inspired too!