Andy Green, Co-founder AndyGreenCreativity, Grow Social Capital & Unstitution
Dublin Conversations
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-green-565325/
The Directors of IEM met with Andy Green a founder supporter of the Dublin Conversations following the successful Purpose Programme pilot he ran for them earlier in the year, to discuss how its roll out can boost not only individual IEM members but the whole events profession.
In April this year, nine IEM members came together online to explore ‘purpose’ as part of a trial with Dublin Conversations. Only the third programme of its kind to have been organised, it has become the test bed for Dublin Conversations to hone the programme and find out more about the events world.
The conversation focused on three key areas: purpose, progress and passion.
Purpose
Feedback on the pilot was fantastic and Andy was so impressed with the delegates that he is keen to work more closely with the IEM to help seize the opportunity that now presents itself. “We have been through the biggest shared global experience of our time, and it has triggered many questions – existential questions beyond our basic purpose to survive, grow and multiply, to the deeper meaning of why?” said Andy.
“It is not just knowing where you are going, but you will get there faster with a better map. We have opened a bigger window on the world, and who doesn’t want to be the number one person they can be in this new world? So, we now need to get to the heart of what motivates and drives us, our own purpose, and clarity.”
Responding to this, Chris Pateman, IEM Director, said, “It is great to hear this from Andy, and a joy is the fact that our delegates have come back smiling from the programme. The next 6 to twelve months are critical.”
Susan Spibey, IEM Director, said “The word ‘purpose’ is being used more and more, but this is not ‘here we go again’ – the programme is tried and tested, it is easily accessible for any one at any level and it is the critical change our society needs.”
Progress
Chris added, “Now is the time. This is about future-proofing with the flexibility, agility, fleet of foot and entrepreneurship of individuals that makes good quality professionals.”
All agreed that online events have just been treading water and social interactions and peer networking are always going to be better face to face. However, it won’t be back to how things were, events are changed forever, and with its new challenges and a new era of experiences and competencies for event professionals.
In its bid to support #buildbackbetter, the IEM held its first meeting to kick start the accreditation process and development of professional standards in sustainable event management on the 19th August. To find out more about this and to contribute, please visit https://event-managers.institute/diary-transforming-professional-standards-in-event-management/
Passion
The French put it very well – raison d’etre – it’s about finding you reason for being. As we emerge from the pandemic we need to adjust and refocus and #buildbackbetterevents. We can only do that by upping our game, being the very best we can be and by delivering the very best events we can offer. If ever there was a need for a professional body for the business of events, it is now.
Andy said, “Working with the IEM has changed my view on what events are. It is not a box ticking exercise or a ‘jolly’, but a profound vehicle. What I mean by that is sharing your time with someone is one of the most profound statements you can make to engage, earn trust, build a sense of togetherness, a shared experience like no other – dare I say, not just a marketing tool but much more. It’s those chance moments that turbo charge serendipity. So, it is remarkable that the IEM is the world’s first professional body to put Purpose as a central part of its member services.”
Only the passion and commitment of our event professionals will drive our industry forward. By working together, supporting each other and lifting each other up will we achieve our goals. To quote Richard John, one of the delegates on the pilot, “We’ll all be dead soon, so let’s do something amazing!””
The IEM Purpose Programme has been designed to be as online-friendly as possible, consisting of three fortnightly 60 minute workshops plus a similar amount of time required to work through eight tools to discover your values, beliefs, purpose and more along with the option of a 1:1 coaching session. We will be meeting some of the delegates from the pilot programme over the coming weeks. and you can find out more about the Purpose Programme, this exclusive Member Benefit, at https://event-managers.institute/purpose-programme/
