Every great off-site meeting should have well crafted objectives that the top leadership team is committed to achieving. The off-site objectives should drive every other decision about the off-site meeting. They will influence the location, how many days, who will attend, and how much preparation time and resources you will need. So get started early, ideally 3-4 months before the meeting. Keep in mind your venue site; some companies book their venues 1+ years in advance.
Leaders sometimes underestimate what an important, and potentially defining, leadership moment such off-site meetings can be – for better or for worse! Invited participants assume that everything that happens, everything on the agenda, is there because the most senior leaders wanted it there. They expect to hear from the senior leaders, and they often are interested in the senior leaders’ reactions to what happens and what is discussed at the meeting. Be sure your senior leaders appreciate both the opportunities and risks that such meetings present. And be sure to design the meeting in such a way as to help them make the most of their leadership moments.
Meetings that have impact engage people - their minds and their hearts. Think of the few off-sites you’ve been to that really made a difference, off-sites that truly accelerated lasting, positive changes in your company or organization. What happened? Chances are that these meetings demonstrated a few important meeting design principles.
Get Creative, there are dozens of effective and engaging ways to accomplish off-site objectives - clustering people in smaller discussion groups, electronic “secret ballot” surveying, hands-on projects that help drive home key points and build relationships, panel discussion formats, customer speakers, and so on. Of course, the choice of methods is guided by your specific off-site meeting objectives and the design principles above. No matter how “cool” the method is, it has to be a “best choice” to serve off-site objectives and design principles. Splashy methods can make a meeting memorable; they are only worthwhile if they are created to delivering on the meeting objectives. Charisma Productions Network can help you develop what it takes in order to get your meeting objectives met and exceeding all of your expectations.
Off-site Meeting Design Principles
Connection before Content: People are encouraged to “connect” with each other, informally and personally. This happens early and often. If the meeting participants are to do any “real work” with each other at the off-site (e.g. make new organizational arrangements, commit resources, etc.), this foundation of personal connection is essential.
Conversations, not lectures: There is lots of conversation, and little lecture. The core principle here is that people typically learn more, and change more, when they have to formulate and express their ideas, not just listen to the ideas of others.
The right people: The “right” people are in the room. Building and paring the invite list for most off-sites is a challenge, and invariably additional people get added for political reasons. But be sure that enough of the right people are there – the ones with the knowledge, the power, and the influence to accomplish the meeting objectives - and the ability to bring the rest of the organization along with the new direction when they return to work. Be careful not to dilute the meeting with too many who are not well positioned to help.
An off-site is more than a list of agenda items: There is a coherent arc to the meeting, an overall story line. Each step of the meeting builds toward the next step, serving the overall objectives and deliverables. You get the sense that it is well choreographed, that there is a good reason for everything that is on the agenda.
The “how” says volumes about the “what”: How the meeting is conducted is in sync with the messages delivered at the meeting. For instance, if the message is that senior management wants ideas and input from the next levels of management, then lots of time at the meeting must be devoted to eliciting ideas, and demonstrating that (at least some of) the ideas will be acted upon. It isn’t, “55 minutes of slides with 5 minutes of Q&A.” Careful design helps the meeting itself “walk the talk.”
The off-site began before it started, and finished well after it ended: There is pre-work and communication that prepares you to be most effective in your time together and there is follow-up after the off-site that helps assure that things committed to at the off-site are accomplished and integrated into your on-going work.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
What Kind of Business Traveler are You?
In our many years of travel, we've come across our fair share of completely obnoxious travelers. The kind of traveler that flies mainly for business, people that are busy and need to get to their destinations on time for a meeting or a sales presentation. They usually have a ton of status, but because they never pay for these tickets themselves, they have earned themselves a false sense of entitlement.
You'll laugh at these things - but they are all from real people we've encountered.
Type A: The God Complex - Use this phrase a lot. Do You Know Who I Am is one of the most important tools of the obnoxious business traveler. The gate agent or flight attendant may know your name, but without your constant reminding of your importance, they'll never know just what a big shot you actually are.
Type B: The VIP - Don't settle for knowing you are an elite "platinum global services 1K member" - buy a lanyard and wear your elite status card around your neck. This way people can see how important you are. Wave the card at anyone that gets in your way.
Type C: The Snob - Once you are settled in your first class seat, pay close attention to people who don't look like they belong in your cabin. Feel free to tell them that the economy class cabin is in the back of the plane. Apply the same logic in the elite boarding line at the gate, or the elite check-in desk. Bonus points for using the phrase "shoo" in your rant.
Type D: The Empowered - If an airline employee gives you a hard time, remind them that you are more important, that you make more money, and that you pay their salary. It is important to make sure these people know their place. The phrase "I pay your salary" is a sure way to remind them that they need to help you.
Type E: The Over Indulgent - Don't settle for checking bags, that is for tourists and people with floral pattern luggage. All your bags belong in the main cabin. Ignore the gate agents talking about how many pieces of luggage you are allowed as those rules don't apply to you.
Type F: The Privileged - Being in "group one" is a bit of an insult to you - the airline needs to invent a secret "group zero" for people with your status. So, when you arrive at the gate, be sure to walk up towards the boarding doors and make it obvious that you will be boarding first. The objective here is to prevent being blocked by the status-less riff-raff.
Type G: The All Important One - Remember that your loud and obnoxious phone calls are another way to show people how important you are. Use lots of big words to confuse the uneducated people listening in on your call.
Also, don't forget to keep talking when you approach a customer service desk. Your call is always more important than their time. Walk up to the desk, hand them your ticket, and use hand movements to explain what you want them to do - but don't stop talking, no matter how unimportant the call may be.
Type H: The Demander - When requesting changes from the airline, always tell them, don't ask them. The commoners "ask" for an earlier flight - you tell the airline what you want, and demand that it happens.
Type I: The Degrader - Forget the whole "we are here for your safety" mantra - the flight attendant is actually a stewardess. Think of them as your personal servant. Don't settle for "a coke" - make insane demands. Ask for two and a half slices of lime with your coke. Or a coke with 4 ice cubes. Anything to make their lives just a little more miserable is going to make you feel a little happier with yourself.
Type J: The “Wait Until I’m Ready” Syndrome - Never let anyone rush you. If you are blocking the aisle when everyone wants to disembark, relax for a moment. Take your time to put your jacket on, turn on your phone and check your messages, and don't worry about the 140 people standing behind you. They are nowhere near as important as you.
If you have not been able to identify yourself with any of these types, consider yourself one of the few considerate business travelers who understand and value the importance of each person’s role in getting you to your meeting destination on time, relaxed and safely.
We’d like to continue with this topic, please send us your travel experiences so that we can share them in an upcoming article. Please send them to comments@cpnevents.com
You'll laugh at these things - but they are all from real people we've encountered.
Type A: The God Complex - Use this phrase a lot. Do You Know Who I Am is one of the most important tools of the obnoxious business traveler. The gate agent or flight attendant may know your name, but without your constant reminding of your importance, they'll never know just what a big shot you actually are.
Type B: The VIP - Don't settle for knowing you are an elite "platinum global services 1K member" - buy a lanyard and wear your elite status card around your neck. This way people can see how important you are. Wave the card at anyone that gets in your way.
Type C: The Snob - Once you are settled in your first class seat, pay close attention to people who don't look like they belong in your cabin. Feel free to tell them that the economy class cabin is in the back of the plane. Apply the same logic in the elite boarding line at the gate, or the elite check-in desk. Bonus points for using the phrase "shoo" in your rant.
Type D: The Empowered - If an airline employee gives you a hard time, remind them that you are more important, that you make more money, and that you pay their salary. It is important to make sure these people know their place. The phrase "I pay your salary" is a sure way to remind them that they need to help you.
Type E: The Over Indulgent - Don't settle for checking bags, that is for tourists and people with floral pattern luggage. All your bags belong in the main cabin. Ignore the gate agents talking about how many pieces of luggage you are allowed as those rules don't apply to you.
Type F: The Privileged - Being in "group one" is a bit of an insult to you - the airline needs to invent a secret "group zero" for people with your status. So, when you arrive at the gate, be sure to walk up towards the boarding doors and make it obvious that you will be boarding first. The objective here is to prevent being blocked by the status-less riff-raff.
Type G: The All Important One - Remember that your loud and obnoxious phone calls are another way to show people how important you are. Use lots of big words to confuse the uneducated people listening in on your call.
Also, don't forget to keep talking when you approach a customer service desk. Your call is always more important than their time. Walk up to the desk, hand them your ticket, and use hand movements to explain what you want them to do - but don't stop talking, no matter how unimportant the call may be.
Type H: The Demander - When requesting changes from the airline, always tell them, don't ask them. The commoners "ask" for an earlier flight - you tell the airline what you want, and demand that it happens.
Type I: The Degrader - Forget the whole "we are here for your safety" mantra - the flight attendant is actually a stewardess. Think of them as your personal servant. Don't settle for "a coke" - make insane demands. Ask for two and a half slices of lime with your coke. Or a coke with 4 ice cubes. Anything to make their lives just a little more miserable is going to make you feel a little happier with yourself.
Type J: The “Wait Until I’m Ready” Syndrome - Never let anyone rush you. If you are blocking the aisle when everyone wants to disembark, relax for a moment. Take your time to put your jacket on, turn on your phone and check your messages, and don't worry about the 140 people standing behind you. They are nowhere near as important as you.
If you have not been able to identify yourself with any of these types, consider yourself one of the few considerate business travelers who understand and value the importance of each person’s role in getting you to your meeting destination on time, relaxed and safely.
We’d like to continue with this topic, please send us your travel experiences so that we can share them in an upcoming article. Please send them to comments@cpnevents.com
Monday, May 3, 2010
The Importance of Meetings and Incentive Programs in a Down Economy
Historically, incentive programs and meetings have been the early victims of economic downturns. In the current economy it has impacted the industry, there are reports of cancellations, delayed plans, and general cutbacks. With that as background, it is wise to restate the need for continued use of incentives and meetings even if on a somewhat contained basis.
Some managers react to these situations by immediately cutting all “unnecessary” expenses without looking at bottom line impact. “Unnecessary” becomes a very subjective evaluation. Others assess the value of each program before deciding the reasonable course of action.
There are now numerous studies that show a very definite relationship between motivation, the work environment, and bottom line profits. Satisfied workers produce at a higher, more efficient rate. The management dictum that employees are satisfied just to have a job in difficult times has long been disproven. Keeping employees and customers satisfied especially in difficult times is the basis of reaping healthy profits.
Keeping your employees engaged and giving them the feeling of being part of the team and appreciated will help them with the mental stress and will improve their outlook. An employee with a positive attitude is just as contagious in improving morale in the workplace as a disgruntled employee is in destroying morale.
In the book, “Contented Cows Give Better Milk”, the authors compared business results of companies considered employers of choice with a comparable group of Fortune 500 companies. (An employer of choice is a company that is primarily people-driven.) Although the Employers of Choice had about 1/3 of the revenue of the others at the start of the study, over a 10-year period (one that included a recession), they:
Outperformed the latter about four to one in revenues,
Increased net income 202% vs. 139%,
Roughly doubled the net income of the latter group,
Added 79,000 jobs while the latter LOST 61,000 jobs.
The point: simply that a motivated, committed work force --- one that continues to be recognized by incentive programs that reward excellent performance --- continues to achieve growth while others stagnate.
Using these programs correctly is a competitive advantage, especially under difficult economic conditions. Measuring the success of incentive programs and meetings – whether return on investment (ROI) or return on objectives (ROO) or anything else – is the best way to show the value. Measurement as a tool for planners and business leaders is essential at all times. It addresses requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the need to demonstrate results to management, and, often, the justification for one’s job.
Both incentive suppliers and corporate planners say that they are increasingly asked for data related to measuring program results. ROI analysis also helps a company determine the impact of an incentive program across the entire operation, something that is crucial to avoiding long-term problems.
According to the MPI Foundation, “…ROI is THE single most important tool for a meeting professional. In today’s economy, with more and more meeting professionals answering to their Procurement office, the emphasis on ROI has never been more important.”
Employee Incentive Programs reward exceptional employees for reaching work goals, achieving milestones or simply doing a good job. These types of programs are designed to offer incentive and motivation in employees and increasing the overall performance of the company. An incentive program is a great way to show employees that you value theire input while at the same time increasing your business potential.
Some managers react to these situations by immediately cutting all “unnecessary” expenses without looking at bottom line impact. “Unnecessary” becomes a very subjective evaluation. Others assess the value of each program before deciding the reasonable course of action.
There are now numerous studies that show a very definite relationship between motivation, the work environment, and bottom line profits. Satisfied workers produce at a higher, more efficient rate. The management dictum that employees are satisfied just to have a job in difficult times has long been disproven. Keeping employees and customers satisfied especially in difficult times is the basis of reaping healthy profits.
Keeping your employees engaged and giving them the feeling of being part of the team and appreciated will help them with the mental stress and will improve their outlook. An employee with a positive attitude is just as contagious in improving morale in the workplace as a disgruntled employee is in destroying morale.
In the book, “Contented Cows Give Better Milk”, the authors compared business results of companies considered employers of choice with a comparable group of Fortune 500 companies. (An employer of choice is a company that is primarily people-driven.) Although the Employers of Choice had about 1/3 of the revenue of the others at the start of the study, over a 10-year period (one that included a recession), they:
Outperformed the latter about four to one in revenues,
Increased net income 202% vs. 139%,
Roughly doubled the net income of the latter group,
Added 79,000 jobs while the latter LOST 61,000 jobs.
The point: simply that a motivated, committed work force --- one that continues to be recognized by incentive programs that reward excellent performance --- continues to achieve growth while others stagnate.
Using these programs correctly is a competitive advantage, especially under difficult economic conditions. Measuring the success of incentive programs and meetings – whether return on investment (ROI) or return on objectives (ROO) or anything else – is the best way to show the value. Measurement as a tool for planners and business leaders is essential at all times. It addresses requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the need to demonstrate results to management, and, often, the justification for one’s job.
Both incentive suppliers and corporate planners say that they are increasingly asked for data related to measuring program results. ROI analysis also helps a company determine the impact of an incentive program across the entire operation, something that is crucial to avoiding long-term problems.
According to the MPI Foundation, “…ROI is THE single most important tool for a meeting professional. In today’s economy, with more and more meeting professionals answering to their Procurement office, the emphasis on ROI has never been more important.”
Employee Incentive Programs reward exceptional employees for reaching work goals, achieving milestones or simply doing a good job. These types of programs are designed to offer incentive and motivation in employees and increasing the overall performance of the company. An incentive program is a great way to show employees that you value theire input while at the same time increasing your business potential.
Friday, March 26, 2010
What Type of Business Traveler Are You?
In our many years of travel, we've come across our fair share of completely obnoxious travelers. The kind of traveler that flies mainly for business, people that are busy and need to get to their destinations on time for a meeting or a sales presentation. They usually have a ton of status, but because they never pay for these tickets themselves, they have earned themselves a false sense of entitlement.
You'll laugh at these things - but they are all from real people we've encountered.
Type A: The God Complex - Use this phrase a lot. Do You Know Who I Am is one of the most important tools of the obnoxious business traveler. The gate agent or flight attendant may know your name, but without your constant reminding of your importance, they'll never know just what a big shot you actually are.
Type B: The VIP - Don't settle for knowing you are an elite "platinum global services 1K member" - buy a lanyard and wear your elite status card around your neck. This way people can see how important you are. Wave the card at anyone that gets in your way.
Type C: The Snob - Once you are settled in your first class seat, pay close attention to people who don't look like they belong in your cabin. Feel free to tell them that the economy class cabin is in the back of the plane. Apply the same logic in the elite boarding line at the gate, or the elite check-in desk. Bonus points for using the phrase "shoo" in your rant.
Type D: The Empowered - If an airline employee gives you a hard time, remind them that you are more important, that you make more money, and that you pay their salary. It is important to make sure these people know their place. The phrase "I pay your salary" is a sure way to remind them that they need to help you.
Type E: The Over Indulgent - Don't settle for checking bags, that is for tourists and people with floral pattern luggage. All your bags belong in the main cabin. Ignore the gate agents talking about how many pieces of luggage you are allowed as those rules don't apply to you.
Type F: The Privileged - Being in "group one" is a bit of an insult to you - the airline needs to invent a secret "group zero" for people with your status. So, when you arrive at the gate, be sure to walk up towards the boarding doors and make it obvious that you will be boarding first. The objective here is to prevent being blocked by the status-less riff-raff.
Type G: The All Important One - Remember that your loud and obnoxious phone calls are another way to show people how important you are. Use lots of big words to confuse the uneducated people listening in on your call.
Also, don't forget to keep talking when you approach a customer service desk. Your call is always more important than their time. Walk up to the desk, hand them your ticket, and use hand movements to explain what you want them to do - but don't stop talking, no matter how unimportant the call may be.
Type H: The Demander - When requesting changes from the airline, always tell them, don't ask them. The commoners "ask" for an earlier flight - you tell the airline what you want, and demand that it happens.
Type I: The Degrader - Forget the whole "we are here for your safety" mantra - the flight attendant is actually a stewardess. Think of them as your personal servant. Don't settle for "a coke" - make insane demands. Ask for two and a half slices of lime with your coke. Or a coke with 4 ice cubes. Anything to make their lives just a little more miserable is going to make you feel a little happier with yourself.
Type J: The “Wait Until I’m Ready” Syndrome - Never let anyone rush you. If you are blocking the aisle when everyone wants to disembark, relax for a moment. Take your time to put your jacket on, turn on your phone and check your messages, and don't worry about the 140 people standing behind you. They are nowhere near as important as you.
If you have not been able to identify yourself with any of these types, consider yourself one of the few considerate business travelers who understand and value the importance of each person’s role in getting you to your meeting destination on time, relaxed and safely.
We’d like to continue with this topic, please send us your travel experiences so that we can share them in an upcoming article. Please send them to comments@cpnevents.com
You'll laugh at these things - but they are all from real people we've encountered.
Type A: The God Complex - Use this phrase a lot. Do You Know Who I Am is one of the most important tools of the obnoxious business traveler. The gate agent or flight attendant may know your name, but without your constant reminding of your importance, they'll never know just what a big shot you actually are.
Type B: The VIP - Don't settle for knowing you are an elite "platinum global services 1K member" - buy a lanyard and wear your elite status card around your neck. This way people can see how important you are. Wave the card at anyone that gets in your way.
Type C: The Snob - Once you are settled in your first class seat, pay close attention to people who don't look like they belong in your cabin. Feel free to tell them that the economy class cabin is in the back of the plane. Apply the same logic in the elite boarding line at the gate, or the elite check-in desk. Bonus points for using the phrase "shoo" in your rant.
Type D: The Empowered - If an airline employee gives you a hard time, remind them that you are more important, that you make more money, and that you pay their salary. It is important to make sure these people know their place. The phrase "I pay your salary" is a sure way to remind them that they need to help you.
Type E: The Over Indulgent - Don't settle for checking bags, that is for tourists and people with floral pattern luggage. All your bags belong in the main cabin. Ignore the gate agents talking about how many pieces of luggage you are allowed as those rules don't apply to you.
Type F: The Privileged - Being in "group one" is a bit of an insult to you - the airline needs to invent a secret "group zero" for people with your status. So, when you arrive at the gate, be sure to walk up towards the boarding doors and make it obvious that you will be boarding first. The objective here is to prevent being blocked by the status-less riff-raff.
Type G: The All Important One - Remember that your loud and obnoxious phone calls are another way to show people how important you are. Use lots of big words to confuse the uneducated people listening in on your call.
Also, don't forget to keep talking when you approach a customer service desk. Your call is always more important than their time. Walk up to the desk, hand them your ticket, and use hand movements to explain what you want them to do - but don't stop talking, no matter how unimportant the call may be.
Type H: The Demander - When requesting changes from the airline, always tell them, don't ask them. The commoners "ask" for an earlier flight - you tell the airline what you want, and demand that it happens.
Type I: The Degrader - Forget the whole "we are here for your safety" mantra - the flight attendant is actually a stewardess. Think of them as your personal servant. Don't settle for "a coke" - make insane demands. Ask for two and a half slices of lime with your coke. Or a coke with 4 ice cubes. Anything to make their lives just a little more miserable is going to make you feel a little happier with yourself.
Type J: The “Wait Until I’m Ready” Syndrome - Never let anyone rush you. If you are blocking the aisle when everyone wants to disembark, relax for a moment. Take your time to put your jacket on, turn on your phone and check your messages, and don't worry about the 140 people standing behind you. They are nowhere near as important as you.
If you have not been able to identify yourself with any of these types, consider yourself one of the few considerate business travelers who understand and value the importance of each person’s role in getting you to your meeting destination on time, relaxed and safely.
We’d like to continue with this topic, please send us your travel experiences so that we can share them in an upcoming article. Please send them to comments@cpnevents.com
Monday, March 22, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
The Importance of Off-Site Meetings
Off site corporate meetings, many companies are saying this has become a great expense that is not necessarily helpful in promoting their product and building employee morale or making them more efficient. Through research we have found that this is quite the opposite. A survey of Fortune 500 companies shows face-to-face meetings have the highest return on investment of any marketing tool available to them.
"Knowledge sessions" held throughout the day would aid companies in crafting new strategies to highlight the inherent importance of in-person gatherings. As quoted by Ben Stein, Actor, lawyer, economist and Nixon speechwriter "The truth is that business meetings are usually not a waste of time, even if they are held in Las Vegas or at a resort with a golf course near a Southern California beach," Stein said. "They are not decadent, with rare exception.
Off –site corporate presentations serve as an effective tool for convincingly presenting your company, and its products and services to your target audience. Since corporate presentations today use flash and other hi-end multimedia tools to develop highly engaging and creative presentations; it is not always within the wherewithal of the company to do this on its own. Hence, corporate firms, both big and small are today outsourcing such work to professional companies such as Charisma Productions Network, which specialize in such areas.
An impressive corporate presentation not only effectively showcases your products and services but it also helps in enhancing your corporate image and add value to your business.
A corporate meeting complete with impressive animation, videos, photos, voice over and music would definitely have more impact on the target audience as compared to a static presentation. Therefore various companies incorporate flash into their corporate meeting in order to make them more appealing and impressive. Audio video solutions help in grabbing the attention of the users in relation to the subject highlighted in the meeting or event, thus motivating them and engaging them with the subject. Moving images have a powerful impact amongst the viewers as they have the ability to portray and inspire hidden emotions.
In an off-site corporate presentation you can present all information in an interesting and user-friendly manner, giving details such as the company’s goal, product/services details, various services, catalogues, infrastructure manpower, and growth pattern and just about anything you wish to. You can use images and video clips of your company, its people, its infrastructure, etc, in the presentation. This enhances credibility and also enables your customers, dealers and investors to have a look at your company.
For creating corporate presentations, you should approach a professional production company, such as Charisma Productions Network, to create innovative presentations which would enable you to communicate to your audience easily, make them aware of your company and influence their decisions.
Offsite Meetings and Productions benefit:
Clients- With the help of a corporate presentation you can tell prospective customers in detail about your services and show details of your previous successful work. This way you lend credibility to your work and new as well as existing customers get to know what benefits they stand to derive from you.
For educating or updating employees- You can make corporate meetings to impart training to your employees, help them update themselves and improve their skill sets. It can also be used for maintaining good internal communications among employees of different departments.
Trade fairs & exhibitions- You can demonstrate about your company, various products and services at trade shows with the help of a professional looking corporate presentation.
Conferences & important meetings- In conferences and critical meetings, a presentation helps you to convey your point in a much clearer and profound manner.
Product launches- Whenever your company is launching new products in the market; you can efficiently inform the prospective buyers what your product is all about by giving a presentation.
Meetings facilitate engagement. People engage by being invited into the game. If they know the business goal, the team goal and the role they have to play then they're more likely to truly plug in to the business. If they don't know what the business is trying to achieve, how can they connect with business goals alone at their desk? Off-site meetings and presentations still hold a powerful message, one that a web conference or phone conference cannot compare to.
"Knowledge sessions" held throughout the day would aid companies in crafting new strategies to highlight the inherent importance of in-person gatherings. As quoted by Ben Stein, Actor, lawyer, economist and Nixon speechwriter "The truth is that business meetings are usually not a waste of time, even if they are held in Las Vegas or at a resort with a golf course near a Southern California beach," Stein said. "They are not decadent, with rare exception.
Off –site corporate presentations serve as an effective tool for convincingly presenting your company, and its products and services to your target audience. Since corporate presentations today use flash and other hi-end multimedia tools to develop highly engaging and creative presentations; it is not always within the wherewithal of the company to do this on its own. Hence, corporate firms, both big and small are today outsourcing such work to professional companies such as Charisma Productions Network, which specialize in such areas.
An impressive corporate presentation not only effectively showcases your products and services but it also helps in enhancing your corporate image and add value to your business.
A corporate meeting complete with impressive animation, videos, photos, voice over and music would definitely have more impact on the target audience as compared to a static presentation. Therefore various companies incorporate flash into their corporate meeting in order to make them more appealing and impressive. Audio video solutions help in grabbing the attention of the users in relation to the subject highlighted in the meeting or event, thus motivating them and engaging them with the subject. Moving images have a powerful impact amongst the viewers as they have the ability to portray and inspire hidden emotions.
In an off-site corporate presentation you can present all information in an interesting and user-friendly manner, giving details such as the company’s goal, product/services details, various services, catalogues, infrastructure manpower, and growth pattern and just about anything you wish to. You can use images and video clips of your company, its people, its infrastructure, etc, in the presentation. This enhances credibility and also enables your customers, dealers and investors to have a look at your company.
For creating corporate presentations, you should approach a professional production company, such as Charisma Productions Network, to create innovative presentations which would enable you to communicate to your audience easily, make them aware of your company and influence their decisions.
Offsite Meetings and Productions benefit:
Clients- With the help of a corporate presentation you can tell prospective customers in detail about your services and show details of your previous successful work. This way you lend credibility to your work and new as well as existing customers get to know what benefits they stand to derive from you.
For educating or updating employees- You can make corporate meetings to impart training to your employees, help them update themselves and improve their skill sets. It can also be used for maintaining good internal communications among employees of different departments.
Trade fairs & exhibitions- You can demonstrate about your company, various products and services at trade shows with the help of a professional looking corporate presentation.
Conferences & important meetings- In conferences and critical meetings, a presentation helps you to convey your point in a much clearer and profound manner.
Product launches- Whenever your company is launching new products in the market; you can efficiently inform the prospective buyers what your product is all about by giving a presentation.
Meetings facilitate engagement. People engage by being invited into the game. If they know the business goal, the team goal and the role they have to play then they're more likely to truly plug in to the business. If they don't know what the business is trying to achieve, how can they connect with business goals alone at their desk? Off-site meetings and presentations still hold a powerful message, one that a web conference or phone conference cannot compare to.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Cold Calling...A Curse or a Blessing
In this crazy, mixed up world of technology, how do I get to my customer without having to go through the secret service aka the receptionist? I have been in customer service and sales for most of my adult life and it used to be quite easy to do sales calls over the phone. You called a company, asked to speak to the person in charge of meetings and events and the receptionist would put you directly through. Now-a-days, it seems as if that department no longer exists, the receptionist either hands you off to whomever she thinks can answer your question or merely tells you that they no longer do that. Please, tell me of one company that no longer holds meetings.
Then there is the other receptionist who holds an inquisition when you ask who is in charge of meetings. And have you ever asked a receptionist to provide you with someone’s email address? You would think if they can provide you with the person’s extension or direct line; what difference does it make getting someone’s email address? The person on the other end can easily delete it if they do not have the time or interest in reading about your company. People just don’t want to be bothered. No matter how good of an idea or how beneficial something may be. People are very reluctant to give something new a try, unless it comes recommended from colleagues in the industry.
When you need a service and go to the internet and find a company, see their webpage, yes they look like what you need. What do you do? Do you call and find out about them, who they are, what they do. Do they know your company’s culture and understand what your scope of work is? Do you know their company’s culture?
Cold calling is definitely not what it used to be. Where has that personal touch gone? In this technology ridden world it seems that people no longer have time to talk, it’s the old adage “Don’t call us, we’ll call you”. Cold calling comes down to building a relationship and that personal touch. So when you do receive a cold call from a company that you’ve not done business with before. Take a moment and listen to what they have to offer. You may never know what added value they can bring to your business. Don’t be rude on the phone, people doing the calls do remember you, believe me. Then when you need them, those missed opportunities are the ones that can hurt you in the end. In business no one should become comfortable with a company, like an old pair of shoes. When you get comfortable, you get sloppy and you can become blindsided very quickly.
If cold calling was easy and always fun, everyone would be able to do it. But it’s not always easy and fun. A good friend of mine used to say that hospitality/meetings industry suppliers are great huggers, but not hunters. I repeat this assertion most respectfully: we forge great, often long-lasting relationships and even friendships. But many find taking the first steps very difficult.
Social media has taken over and it is getting harder and harder to get your foot in the door. I believe that all medias work, but it has a lot to do with timing. If someone is looking for your specific expertise for an upcoming event and you were able to call, or send an email at the right time, you have a chance to make a contact. Also consistency is the name of the game. Don’t just send one flyer or email or make one call. Be consistent and persistent. Eventually they’ll tire out of getting your “junk” and actually speak to you. That’s when you have your 3 minutes of opportunity. Talk to the person on the other side with the expectation that you can serve the other person that you can make them smile and make the 3 minutes they give you of value to them. Remember…I am here to serve you…like the Michael Jackson song…”I’ll be there…just call my name and I’ll be there”.
Recently I read that many meeting managers or event planners refuse to take calls or emails from new companies that they don’t know. As a meeting planner, don’t you want to be educated and know who’s available to serve you company the best? Or do you want to wait until the need is there and your decision is based more on desperation because of time constraints or whomever you found online not someone you have had a previous contact with? Isn’t it better to know what’s available out there?
As a meeting planner ask yourself one question: When I am depending on a meeting provider, do I put the fate of the meeting’s success in the care of a stranger that I looked up on the internet or someone that I have spoken to on a few occasions who really cared about getting my business and who was not hesitant to provide me with references up front?
Cold calling works in conjunction with an integrated, strategic approach that encompasses your web presence, your networking activities and the knowledge of the sales person who calls and offers a service that you may have been looking for and not found online. Be open to new ideas, as we have opened ourselves up to new technologies. In the same respect, work smart; open yourself up while other people are trying to educate you Be proactive in your decision making, don’t get too comfortable because something can always go wrong.
Then there is the other receptionist who holds an inquisition when you ask who is in charge of meetings. And have you ever asked a receptionist to provide you with someone’s email address? You would think if they can provide you with the person’s extension or direct line; what difference does it make getting someone’s email address? The person on the other end can easily delete it if they do not have the time or interest in reading about your company. People just don’t want to be bothered. No matter how good of an idea or how beneficial something may be. People are very reluctant to give something new a try, unless it comes recommended from colleagues in the industry.
When you need a service and go to the internet and find a company, see their webpage, yes they look like what you need. What do you do? Do you call and find out about them, who they are, what they do. Do they know your company’s culture and understand what your scope of work is? Do you know their company’s culture?
Cold calling is definitely not what it used to be. Where has that personal touch gone? In this technology ridden world it seems that people no longer have time to talk, it’s the old adage “Don’t call us, we’ll call you”. Cold calling comes down to building a relationship and that personal touch. So when you do receive a cold call from a company that you’ve not done business with before. Take a moment and listen to what they have to offer. You may never know what added value they can bring to your business. Don’t be rude on the phone, people doing the calls do remember you, believe me. Then when you need them, those missed opportunities are the ones that can hurt you in the end. In business no one should become comfortable with a company, like an old pair of shoes. When you get comfortable, you get sloppy and you can become blindsided very quickly.
If cold calling was easy and always fun, everyone would be able to do it. But it’s not always easy and fun. A good friend of mine used to say that hospitality/meetings industry suppliers are great huggers, but not hunters. I repeat this assertion most respectfully: we forge great, often long-lasting relationships and even friendships. But many find taking the first steps very difficult.
Social media has taken over and it is getting harder and harder to get your foot in the door. I believe that all medias work, but it has a lot to do with timing. If someone is looking for your specific expertise for an upcoming event and you were able to call, or send an email at the right time, you have a chance to make a contact. Also consistency is the name of the game. Don’t just send one flyer or email or make one call. Be consistent and persistent. Eventually they’ll tire out of getting your “junk” and actually speak to you. That’s when you have your 3 minutes of opportunity. Talk to the person on the other side with the expectation that you can serve the other person that you can make them smile and make the 3 minutes they give you of value to them. Remember…I am here to serve you…like the Michael Jackson song…”I’ll be there…just call my name and I’ll be there”.
Recently I read that many meeting managers or event planners refuse to take calls or emails from new companies that they don’t know. As a meeting planner, don’t you want to be educated and know who’s available to serve you company the best? Or do you want to wait until the need is there and your decision is based more on desperation because of time constraints or whomever you found online not someone you have had a previous contact with? Isn’t it better to know what’s available out there?
As a meeting planner ask yourself one question: When I am depending on a meeting provider, do I put the fate of the meeting’s success in the care of a stranger that I looked up on the internet or someone that I have spoken to on a few occasions who really cared about getting my business and who was not hesitant to provide me with references up front?
Cold calling works in conjunction with an integrated, strategic approach that encompasses your web presence, your networking activities and the knowledge of the sales person who calls and offers a service that you may have been looking for and not found online. Be open to new ideas, as we have opened ourselves up to new technologies. In the same respect, work smart; open yourself up while other people are trying to educate you Be proactive in your decision making, don’t get too comfortable because something can always go wrong.
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