Head of HR at Rent For Event
Head of HR at Rent For Event
One of the best ways to get a feel for an A/V company while also planning out how you want to address your equipment needs is by doing an initial consultation. An initial consult can save you a tremendous amount of time, money and energy when it comes to renting and setting up the A/V for your event or party. We’ve done A/V consults for many of our clients in US and across Southern California that have helped them all have a better experience. Below are 4 reasons why you should get an initial consult before choosing the A/V company you want to work with.
Getting an initial consult is a great way to learn more about the A/V company you will be working with. Ask about their history, values, team, and culture while getting a feel for their thought process. How do they approach planning, how effective is the communication and do you get excited about the idea of working with them? Most of the initial consult will be about logistics, needs, goals, and things related to your event or party but it’s important to make time to better understand the company before moving forward.
As an A/V equipment renter, you have probably been sending emails with inquiries which is a great start but in order to really make sure the company understands your goals it is best to do a consult on video or even in person not only to get a real feel for who they are but to also make sure there is a lot of clarity established around your needs, goals and the communications around those things. A consult makes this process much faster and more in-depth than going back and forth over email which saves you precious time and makes sure you get more of what you are looking for when working with a company. Go into the consult with a clear idea of your goals and needs then be open to having a conversation around those things as long as it’s over video or in person, not by phone.
After you’ve gotten clear on your goals, you can begin to look at the details and logistics of what you will need to set up and do for the event. Take this time to go into details such as what equipment you will need, the ideal venue, whether or not there will be rigging and any other important details that can help create a pretty solid mutual understanding. Ask the company for what they believe the schedule would look like around setup, maintenance and tear down. You may discover an opportunity to adjust it in a way that saves you money on labor while also making the process easier for the company as well. Going through the details and schedule allows you to fill any blind spots and consider what may need to be adjusted early on.
Another great benefit of doing an initial consult first is that you can review case studies together in detail and ask for references to ensure you are making the right choice. Throughout this process, you have had a chance to get a taste of what it would be like to work with the company you are about to hire for the job. Reviewing case studies and references helps you get some 3rd party perspectives based on evidence and results before making a final decision. This will ensure you make the best choice all while saving time by covering these things during the initial consult instead of going in with a company blind.
Hopefully, by now you have a much clearer understanding as to why it’s so powerful to do an initial consult with A/V companies before you officially hire them. It is a simple and effective way to get a taste of what it’s like to work with them all while ironing out the details of your A/V needs early on.
