Project and Team Success in a Flexible, Collaborative Environment
Our star Project Manager, Natalie Simons, explains how she coordinates a supportive work environment where everyone contributes and recognizes wins.
Our own Natalie Simons acts as a liaison between the MainEvent team and the brands and agencies we serve. Working with a group of 10 people, she helps ensure that client requirements are met, and tasks are delegated and moved through the appropriate stages.
Andy Plax, COO of Network Ninja and Product Lead for MainEvent, sat down with Natalie recently to break down her keys to success.
Lean on the process for critical safeguards, but embrace human creativity and flexibility
Formal processes are crucial to ensuring that work is carried out efficiently and effectively. However, it’s also important to recognize that these processes are only one aspect of a successful team dynamic. The human element - including creativity, collaboration, and flexibility - is equally important, Natalie says.
“A flexible and open environment that encourages participation and engagement is crucial for a team's success.”
Natalie Simons, Mainevent Project Manager
Striking the right balance between process and flexibility
While formal processes provide a strong foundation for any organization, they can also stifle creativity and hinder progress if not approached with the right mindset. Andy emphasizes that a successful team strikes the right balance between process and flexibility, leveraging the strengths of each to maximize outcomes. “We need to have a formal process, but not be hamstrung by it,” he says. “It’s important to be flexible and adapt to new challenges as they arise.” By encouraging open communication and collaboration, team members can leverage both the structure of processes and the flexibility of human creativity to achieve their goals.
“Formal processes are important, but we need to be flexible and adapt to new challenges as they arise.”
Andy Plax, Mainevent COO
Innovation requires risk and creativity
Innovation is a key driver of progress and growth for any company. However, it’s important to acknowledge that innovation cannot be achieved without a willingness to try new things and experiment. While there are always risks involved in trying something new, it’s often necessary to take calculated risks in order to drive innovation and stay ahead of the competition. “It’s important to be willing to experiment and try new things, even if it doesn’t always work out. That’s how we learn and grow,” Andy says. By embracing creativity and being open to taking risks, companies can foster a culture of innovation and push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Balancing risk and protection: leveraging mature processes for innovation
Having mature processes and policies in place is essential for providing a stable foundation that allows for innovation to flourish. We spend a lot of time and effort on security and compliance, including SOC 2 and HIPAA.
These processes and policies create a framework for how to approach potential risks. For instance, by establishing risk management protocols and performing regular risk assessments, a company can mitigate potential negative outcomes and ensure that any innovative ideas are fully evaluated before implementation. In this way, mature policies can serve as a protective mechanism that allows for more freedom to experiment and innovate while still safeguarding against potential pitfalls.
Keeping people motivated while solving complex problems
Natalie believes that it’s essential to give people the freedom to express themselves because it fosters a positive work environment characterized by motivation, enthusiasm, and collaboration. When people feel heard and valued, they are more likely to be engaged and invested in their work, leading to increased productivity and creativity. Additionally, when people are free to express themselves, they can contribute to a culture of collaboration, where diverse perspectives are welcomed, and people work together to achieve common goals.
“Our team focuses on how to push projects forward - not on heirarchy or titles. Promoting transparency and celebrating wins also help keep people motivated over the long term.”
Natalie Simons, Mainevent Project Manager
Overall, Natalie’s philosophy highlights the importance of creating an inclusive and supportive work environment that values individual voices.
Celebrate wins with us
At Network Ninja, we believe in celebrating wins together. Whether it’s a project milestone, a successful client delivery, or a team member’s personal achievement, we take the time to acknowledge and celebrate our successes. We’re always looking for new team members who share this mindset and want to be a part of a culture of collaboration, support, and celebration.
And to our clients, we want you to know that when you work with us, you’re not just getting a team of professionals, but a group of individuals who are invested in your success and celebrate your victories as our own.
If you’d like to have Natalie spearhead your field marketing software project, book a demo of MainEvent now.