Gardian
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Q & A with Ashley Uhl, meeting planner for Event Garde.
Q: Learn: Let’s say you’re helping your child or friend with some homework. What’s your strategy for helping them learn a difficult topic?
A: I try to break things down into manageable parts. When the whole task seems too big or too daunting, setting smaller goals along the way helps to build confidence and achieve results.
Q: Network: What’s your No. 1 networking trick?
A: Ask questions. I’m terrible at small talk, so tend to go to networking events armed with questions that will get other people talking. Some of my favorites are, “What do you enjoy doing outside of work?” and “What’s the worst piece of career advice you’ve ever gotten?” Those two questions help me get to know someone personally, and also allow us to share a laugh. Because, wow, there is some BAD advice out there.
Q: Transfer: What resources/tools do you find most helpful in helping you retain knowledge?
A: I have a terrible memory, so I have to write everything down. Smartsheet is a MUST HAVE tool for me, as I can not only write everything down in an organized and easily accessible way, but also can set reminders to get emails before a task is due.
Q: Please share with us a resource you can’t live without.
A: Well, Smartsheet is obviously important. But in addition to that, Doodle is great. Everyone is so busy, and Doodle makes it easy to send a quick poll out to everyone to enter their availability so we can get things scheduled, and skip the 6,000 emails trying to schedule one meeting.
Q: What is your favorite summer activity and why?
A: Each Memorial Day weekend, my town hosts a three-day fair that is very 1950s. It’s been the same since I was a kid; same rides in the same places, same vendors, same food. I love taking my kids there now and watching everything anew through their eyes. Plus, there’s ENORMOUS ice cream cones – and who doesn’t love that? We also recently bought our first home, so roasting s’mores over the fire pit in the back yard is quickly becoming a favorite summer activity.
