Jess Straub, Development & Sponsorship Manager at Nottingham Playhouse, shared her unique career trajectory and the pivotal moments that got her where she is today.

5 Things We Learnt from Jess:

• Strategic Corporate Networking: Develop strong corporate networks requires actively seeking out relevant events and leveraging LinkedIn to see where peers are engaging. 

• Network with Confidence: One effective tactic is to identify the most intimidating person in the room and approach them first. This can help build your confidence, making it easier to connect with others afterward.

• Goal-Oriented Work Days: Organize your week by dedicating specific days to different types of tasks. For example, setting aside Mondays for your most challenging tasks allows you to tackle them early in the week with fresh energy. 

• Genuine Follow-Up: After events, taking quick notes on interactions is essential for keeping track of relationships and sending personal follow-ups. "It’s not inauthentic to set yourself a little reminder" to reach out with a thoughtful message - this strengthens connections and shows your interest.

• Tailoring Pitches: Compared to 10 years ago, corporate budgets have decreased and ROI (Returns On Investment) expectations are higher. Highlight not only the value of the project but also specific benefits for the business. Showing how their support leads to “brand visibility” can make the pitch more appealing.

And a bonus tip from an events fundraiser: 

• Event Planning with Robust Contingencies: The best event planners in the world are ones who could not turn up to the event and the team could execute everything flawlessly. Prioritize detailed, transparent planning that others can easily follow.