Having worked extensively
with museums and galleries in the past, we recently took a stand at the Museums
Association Exhibition and Conference. It was a great opportunity to talk to people
involved in all areas of the museums and galleries sector, from directors to
curators and suppliers to volunteers. Not only did it help re-establish some existing
relationships, it also helped lay the foundations for creating new ones in the
future.
What it also did was help us
to re-evaluate and re-confirm the key roles which are now developing at Park
Lane Research. Three months on from my first day, we can now plan to use these
more effectively.
We realised at the conference
networking events that I was much more comfortable than Barrie at approaching people I didn’t know,
and finding common ground. In the exhibition environment, there was a need to
take the plunge, to make that first approach, and to welcome people onto our
stand.
My role as student manager
for the English Department at University
of York has clearly stood
me in good stead for this. It meant I was forever at open days, showing round
prospective students and their parents and ‘selling’ the university and the
course I loved. This experience was boosted and enhanced by the work experience
I then gained at PR and Advertising agencies once I had graduated.
Over the years, this has
never been a major issue from a company success point of view – Barrie has been happy
with how things have gone – he’s built long-lasting relationships with clients
who have come back again and again and again.
My appointment, however, is
a recognition that the company does not have to continue to hide its light
under a bushel. My role is about marketing the company and playing to my
strengths, as well as promoting Barrie ’s.
So far as we’re concerned,
we’re starting to become the dream team – I’ll help generate more contacts,
more business; Barrie
will continue to deliver high quality research, underpinned by more than twenty
years experience.
Oh, and considering he’s my
Dad, we seem to get along quite nicely too!