Lessons from Organising a Client Visit

In my career, I’ve often found myself climbing the ladder, facing challenges that kept me awake at night. Surprisingly, it wasn’t the technical aspects of implementing IT systems or solving software problems that caused me the most anxiety. Instead, it was dealing with people – navigating conflicts, disagreements, and the need to be more assertive in social situations. Talking on stage, engaging in conversations, and developing people skills were particularly stressful for me.

Recently, I encountered a significant challenge that tested my abilities and pushed me out of my comfort zone. I was tasked with organizing a client’s visit to our company – a completely new experience for me. This involved coordinating a five-day visit, managing logistics, ensuring hospitality, and presenting our operations to the client. It felt like a massive exercise, similar to event management, and it was overwhelming.

The pressure was immense, and many nights I lost sleep worrying about the details. What if something went wrong? What if I missed something important? Despite these fears, I persevered, determined to do my best.

To my surprise, the experience turned out to be incredibly enriching. In those five days, I learned more than I had in the past five years. The intense planning, coordination, and interaction with various people taught me invaluable lessons. I gained insights into customer service, social skills, and the inner workings of our company.