Asiana Fashion Show

As a requirement of the course event and operations and logistics, I was to undertake 30 compulsory hours of practical engagement in an event. It was a phenomenal experience to have been part of events of Asian Fashion show for 8 hours and World Trade Centre Dubai for 24 hours.  In the case of the Asiana Fashion show, it is vital to note that I was tasked with the responsibility of bringing out the best in the models by taking care of their dress code and makeup. Also, I also did engage in the planning of the arena where the models were to make their presentations for assessment by the judgments. In the case of World Trade Centre Dubai, I was tasked with the responsibility of a general assistant that means that I was second in command to the organizer of the event. The responsibilities bestowed upon me were highlighted during the initial meeting through which I was appointed to the position. It is, however, notable that the primary role that was tied to this position was answering to general queries that would emanate from those who were supposed to take part. In World Trade Centre Dubai, the event was an exhibition, and it required to be well organized, coordinated so that security would be top notch and that those attending would get value for their money. I am confident that these two events have the likelihood of influencing my future as they were high-status events and art-oriented which is my passion. A mention of some of these high-end events in my curriculum would win my dream job in the area of events management, and especially those with a bias towards art, such as trade expos and fashion shows.

Work Experience 1: Asiana Fashion Show 8

The Asiana Fashion show was the first to engage in after the instructor instructed that each of the students had to attain a minimum of 30 hours experience in events management. The show was a unique one that cultivated on my art creativity and innovativeness. The event took place at the University of West London, on May 1st, 2018. The event came into my knowledge after identifying an advertisement that had been made on Facebook by one Julia, the event organizer, looking for volunteers who would assist in carrying out the event successfully. Without ado, I did conduct her and expressed my interest in the volunteer position for the event.

It happens that Julia, the organizer of the event was not just taking any person for the event as the applications would be massive, so, she had to interview to understand what value that an individual would bring into it and how unique it would be. So, upon expressing my interest, Julia conducted me on messenger and asked about myself. I expressed myself to her and explained that I was a makeup and hair stylist and that is how I got the chance to volunteer for the event. It happens that I am an Asian too, so I would bring the aspect and taste of Asian fashion styling into the show, something that was unique and outstanding (Appa, Parvathiswara and Sivaramakrishna 2008).

When she got interested and realized how much value I would add into the fashion show, we exchanged contacts, communicated and got invited into a planning meeting that happened in the University one week before the actual event. During this meeting, Julia introduced me to the models who would take central attention of the show. It was pivotal of her to do so, as I had to understand them, and what would do well for them during that actual day. So, when the day came, I was taken into the makeup and styling room was I would meet the models to give them a glamour that would cause them to outshine their competitors. Also, my styling, which was one of the roles that assigned to me, would bring about the beauty of different code of dressing for some Asia cultural groupings namely Gujarat, Tamil, Punjab, Rajasthan, Pakistan, and Sri Lankan. All I had with me to make this role possible was my makeup kit and hairdressing vanities and at first, tried the Punjabi look which brought about exceptional brilliance into the entire styling endeavour. It was during this show that I tied a turban on a model for the first time.

After completing my primary role on time, which was styling and applying makeup on the models, I sought to volunteer in the setting of the stage where the actual performance would be centred. I assisted those in the arena in arranging tables and all other arrangements to ensure that everything was orderly (Van der Wagen 2006). During this tedious process of making the place neat and fit for the models to showcase their outfit and prowess, I noticed that the area was well beefed up with security such that no one would access a seat without a ticket and with any dangerous weapon.

I learned from the fashion show that success of an event largely lies on the ability of all those that are involved working together as a team towards a common objective, without seeking to satisfy their interests. For instance, I was required by the course to undertake some practical exercises in an event, after doing up the styling and make up for the models; I would call it a day, however, I noticed that there was some work on arrangement and it was not done. Even if, it was not my responsibility through assigning, I knew helping would ensure that the event took place on time and that it was up to standards. Teamwork involves engaging every person who is a member to a team, I utterly ignored enquiring from the models what they would be comfortable with and took it as my initiative to dictate what did befit them (Bowdin, et al. 2011). I believe that this is something that was not fair to the models, and if the show were to happen again, I would consult with them on the styling and makeup of their choice to convey a message of theirs that has been individualized.

In accordance with McGregor’s theory X and Y, it is notable that managers tend to apply the theory X in the instance that workers lack the ambition and request for incentives. On the contrary, managers adopt the theory Y if workers naturally drove and take responsibility on their own their own without having been requested by anyone to do so. It is clear from the research that theory X manager prefers to be autocratic, while the theory Y managers tend to encourage participation. This aspect is as evident in the case of this event as most of those involved were volunteers and them beyond what was required of them because they never expected any reward at the end, as it was out of choice, hence their self-drive. This is what consequently necessitated the decision by Julia not to get so much engaged into conducting of the activities that would see the event into success as she saw self-dedication that did not require anyone to get courses to anything. McGregor further elaborates on two approaches for managers using the X theory, and that is the hard and soft approach (Shone and Parry 2010). For the hard approach, the managers tend to issue intimidations, supervision, and punishment; however, it rarely works out. On the contrary, the soft approach entails reducing rules and doing away with any strict ones that can interfere with the morale of the employees and increase the cooperation of the employees. Nonetheless, these approaches were not applicable in our case, as the manager categorized our efforts to work as theory Y. Learning all of this is important as it would prepare me into leadership positions in the events management industry and I would have to know how to deal well with employees to ensure that I realize the optimal output from their involvement.

Work Experience 2: WORLD TRADE CENTRE DUBAI 24 hours – My role was a general assistant to main event organizer; I also helped in crowd control.

After the initial event which was the Asiana Fashion show, I realized that I was less of 24 hours towards the attainment of the 30-hour target that had been set for us in the course. I then had to look for ways of locating other events that would engage me for 24 hours, to fulfil the course requirement as well gain meaningful experience that would inform my future career. It is during the endeavours of looking for an event that would cover for the coursework hours that I met with Kingaa who was the general organizer for an exhibition that was supposed to be held at the World Trade Centre in Dubai (Philip 2003). After we met, I explained to her about myself and the course requirement, and she happily identified me to be her close assistant who would help in any way possible just to ensure that the event was a success. I was to handle all of the activities assigned to me by her; all focused on the exhibition.

Before, getting involved in the whole affair of planning for the event, the initial step was a meeting that involved all stakeholders including all of the volunteers who wished to be part of the undertaking. During this pivotal meeting, roles and responsibilities for each of the members were spelled out, so that each would know what was supposed of them when that material day came into effect (Getz 2005). Kingaa further reminded me of what she expected of me, and what emerged to be primary in my role during the preparation of the event were inquiries. I was the pillar that had all knowledge on the day of the exhibition, and readily accessible to those who were willing to take part. Some other roles that came up during the actual day of the event involved control of the crowd, thankfully, before this d-day, when a meeting had been conducted on the 18th, besides getting furnished with information, we were trained on how to handle the crowd and especially on how we could successfully control it to ensure that there was no lawlessness. During the event, I, however, learned that there was lots of confusion among all of the volunteers who had taken part in the event. I had to inform them once more of what was supposed of each of them as most of them did not even know of their stations and what was expected of them.

Also, I was also involved in one of the creativity workshops that took place on the actual day of the exhibitions in Dubai, because of my expertise in art. The participants were expected to come up with unique products that would later be replicated by those who took part in the exhibitions to examine if they understood the concept. It is during one of these rounds that I successfully developed a shoe for myself. It was out of an inspiration from a young artist lady, who had begun her shoe creation company at the age of 16 and succeeded in selling them online (Strigas and Newton 2003).

From this experience, I learned that the documentation of roles and responsibilities is key to the success of an event and it can avoid the confusion that was experienced on that particular event in Dubai. If the roles and responsibilities of each of the volunteers were well documented, the confusion would not have been witnessed as each would wake to read once more what was expected of them on the material day (Johnston 2001). I also learned the importance of constant communication and consultation among a team to ensure that a course is not halted. If the volunteers would have individually communicated or consulted on their roles early in the morning before the exhibition begun, then the confusion experienced would have been done away with. Essentially, no team member is supposed to feel inferior to the point of failing to seek for clarification and especially of what is supposed of them if they have to work towards a common goal.

If I were to get the chance again of overseeing an exhibition at World Trade Centre in Dubai once more like the general assistant, I would advise the leader in charge on a couple of issues. The first one would be documentation of responsibilities and roles of all those involved to avoid conflict of roles or confusion of who is supposed to do what. The other issue would be on training of all of the volunteers on their specific roles some days before the actual day, at least that would ensure that they know what they are doing leading to efficiency in the delivery of their assigned duties (Shone and Parry 2010).

In this particular scenario, I learned of the essence of Human relations theory that holds that

The learning that I experienced during the period that I was the general assistant of the exhibition planning goes in a long way of inspiring the manner in which I approach the future. During this particular occasion, I realized that I had the skill set, the leadership traits, and the management skills that would assist to propel and realize a highly successful event. It aided in my reconsideration of what I would want to do in the foreseeable future. I had never gained much interest in event management organizing or leadership other than taking part to showcase my artistic talent. I determined that on top of it, events organization and management was a new area that I would explore.

Evaluation and Conclusion

To begin with are some of the theories that have emanated from being of importance during the entire period of event practice. The first notable theory is theory X and Y by McGregor, as it stands out in indicating how the employees of an organization behave and how the managers in response manage them. In the case of theory X, the manager tends to be authoritative and can adopt either hard or soft approaches to ensure that they attain the desired outcome, however, they may tend to face difficulties as the workers are not often motivated and using the hard approach further motivates them towards the course (Bowdin, et al. 2011). However, from this particular events experience, it emerged that the workers who had taken part in both of the events would be well described by the theory as they were all selfless and self-driven and did not need anyone to push them towards what they were supposed to do. Even though, for the exhibition that happened in Dubai, there was some confusion, which did not show lack of willingness to work, which as a result of lack of clear communication on who was supposed to do what, where and when.

The second theory that became outstanding in this particular study was that of management theory of Fredrick Taylor. The theory is one that emphasizes on increase of production by workers through a breakdown of larger tasks into smaller activities that are easily achievable as a motivation to accomplish them swiftly (Johnston 2001). The theory is commonly known as classical management theory, and it seeks to ensure that efficiency is realized in any undertaking. The theory is commonly known for making workers who are more efficient. The volunteers were tasked with many responsibilities at once, in Dubai exhibition at once no matter they forgot them. It would have been better if they were assigned the responsibilities in bits and added others as they complete the initial ones. However, practicing this theory would have necessitated better outcome from the volunteers of the event, as they would be motivated to complete one activity to get assigned another, some issues would still emerge. Some of the issues that would emerge out of embracing this particular theory would include being the feeling by the workers as if they are an assembly line other than part of a creative team that is brought together to facilitate creative solutions. Some of the primary principles of the theory are; subdividing of responsibilities into smaller attainable subtasks, the delegation of responsibilities to workers and train them accordingly, monitor performance, and the allocation of work between managers and employees (McClelland 2010).

In conclusion, it is important to know that if I were to happen in the same events in future, I would still use the same theories to the advantage of the situation. For instance, it might happen that in future, the volunteers who come into an event do so to fulfill a requirement of their course like was required of us and without any self-drive. Performance would still be required of them as them only would be the only available workforce, and therefore, I would consequently, ensure that I adopt the soft approach as a way of trying to motivate them and attract them into self-drive. As regards to classical scientific theory, I would ensure that I train the volunteers on their roles before the actual day, and create a list of responsibilities as pointers so that they could concentrate on one at a time and move to the next upon completion of the current. Event management has emerged as a risky process that requires keen and through planning, and execution. Besides, it is clear from the two events that I was part of, teamwork, enforced by communication and consultation is key to an event’s success.

References

Appa, Rao, Rao Parvathiswara, and K Sivaramakrishna. Strategic Management and Business Policy. New Delhi: Excel Books India, 2008.

Bowdin, G, J Allen, W O’Toole, R Harris, and I McDonnell. Events Management. Butterworth Heinemann: Oxford, 2011.

Getz, D. Event Management, and Event Tourism. New York: Cognizant Communication Corporation, 2005.

Goldblatt, J. Special Events 7th Edition. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2013.

Johnston, R. Slack, N. Chambers, S. & Operations management 3rd Edition. Harlow: Financial Times Prentice-Hall, 2001.

McClelland, J. The Crowd, and the Mob: From Plato to Canetti. London: Unwin Hyman Ltd, 2010.

Philip, Sadler. Strategic Management. London: Kogan Page Publishers, 2003.

Shone, A, and B Parry. Successful Event Management. London: Continuum, 2010.

Strigas, A, and Jackson Newton. “Motivation: Volunteers to serve & succeed.” International Sports Journal, 2003: 111-123.

Van der Wagen, Lynn. Human Resources Management: Managing the Event Workforce. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 2006.

Asiana Fashion Show Photos

World Trade Centre Dubai Photos