Successful Meetings - February 2008 - (Page 33)

> Pre-Event tem that work! Schedule the speech as the first thing in the meeting, or the last. First is good in case the rest of the meeting is a dog. Last is usually okay, too. Even if you’ve had a mediocre meeting there will be enthusiastic applause to celebrate the end of an incredibly pedestrian event. Identify an alternate producer. If you’re using an outside meeting planner, be sure to identify one or two others who could handle your job in an emergency. If your first choice doesn’t work, or goes out of business, you’ll have a standby. This could save your meeting and your reputation. there?” is not exactly a leadership launch. An audiovisual intro works if it ends with your picture, name, and title. If you are using live talent, have them escort you to the lectern. A senior management videotape intro works. If budget’s a problem, at least put up a slide with your name and title. Don’t hog the host slot unless you can pull it off. Managing two or three days of good introductory and transition material, plus your own presentation(s), is tough. Avoid introducing, or following, a weak presentation. Every sales meeting has one or two. You’ll know which they are. (Give the job to someone who’s after the same promotion you are.) Get yourself mentioned in other presentations. “As (your name) pointed out during last year’s meeting” or “Later this morning you’ll be hearing more about this from (your name).” Planner’s Workshop 6 poning recognition deprives recipients of additional time to enjoy congratulations, while increasing the dread of those who were passed over. Give the award ceremony a name: President’s Club, Winner’s Circle, Top Performers, or whatever, so it will gain in sound what it may lack in substance. Hand out the awards yourself. Or, if you have to, at least introduce the person who will. Don’t miss the chance to be identified with this delivery of psychic largesse. Furnish winners with some visible indication they won something so they can be spotted easily, e.g. a medallion, blazer, badge, sash, carnation, whatever. Feature somebody no one ever heard of. Pick out a bright junior staff person and give her a five-minute shot at the lectern. A magnanimous move like this is what legends (yours) are made of. Not to mention what it does for morale Position yourself carefully. Give serious thought to when, and how often, you appear onstage. Overexposure diminishes your impact. Pick and plan your shots. Never come on cold. Microphone tapping and “Can everyone hear me, out 7 9 8 Announce sales awards soon after the meeting starts. Post- > On Site Take Your Speaker Strategy Public By Marc Reede Does your speaker budget include $350,000 for Donald Trump? How about $200,000 for Tony Robbins? Or $125,000 for Bill Clinton? If your budget’s like most, you’ve likely got less than $25,000 to spend on a toprated speaker to motivate your sales team. So how do you give ’em $500,000 in speakers for Trump, Robbins, and Clinton at a fraction of the cost about $100 a head? Plan your these seminars are typically at upscale sports commeeting during a public motivation seminar. All you have to do is check out the Tony Robbins or plexes, the best move is to rent a suite (or series of the Get Motivated Seminars website. You’ve seen the suites) so that your team can all be together in a semifull-page ads in your local newspaper, I’m sure. There private atmosphere—amongst 10,000 of their closest you’ll find a schedule of cities and an all-star speaking friends. You may not get lunch with The Donald, but lineup that includes some of the most powerful—and you’ll learn from the best at a fraction of the cost! most expensive—names on the podium today. And Marc Reede is president of Beverly Hills, CA-based Nationwide you’ll likely have enough lead time to actually set your Speakers and Entertainment Inc. and a speaker at meeting indusmeeting during one of these full-day events. Since try events. Learn more at www.nationwidespeakers.com. SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS FEBRUARY 2008 mimegasite.com 33 http://www.nationwidespeakers.com http://mimegasite.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Successful Meetings - February 2008

Successful Meetings - February 2008
Contents
Editor's Note
Trade Shows
Events
Research
On the Record
Suppliers
Associations
Planner's Spotlight
Websites of the Month
Technology Talk
Personal Success
Food & Beverage
Pre-Event
On Site
Tools of the Trade
Pre-Event
The Rainbow Connection
The CVB in Your Backyard
Welcome to the Webolution
The Rail Deal
Spas with a Sense of Place
Places & Spaces
Mystic, CT.
Barcelona
Hong Kong
Florida’s East Coast
Atlantic City
Maui, Kauai, & Lanai
Aruba
Houston
Gurus

Successful Meetings - February 2008