14 Jun 10 Meeting Planners That Save Money Can Earn Big
Meeting planners are often called upon to schedule meetings and other events, but there is often a sub-surface conflict that rarely gets addressed. The issue is the bottom line: money. Simply put, meeting planners that learn how to go about their tasks cost effectively can become very popular with the powers that be. Here are some tips:
Skip the Starbucks and buy and cappuccino machine – Spending money for coffees at a meeting seems like a great idea, and it is if it is a rare treat. Instead, look into purchasing a cappuccino machine and make delicious caffeinated beverages on the spot. It saves money in the long run while simultaneously making the business look as if it cares a lot about the comfort level of its staff.
Colored markers – Markers are great tools, but they do not all have to be black or red. It is easier to express many different statistics with many different colors, and colored markers are not very expensive. More lively presentations and a lack of confusion at prices comparable to what people pay for black or red markers is a bargain by any definition.
Whiteboards and rubbing alcohol – School districts on a limited budget already know this truck, but not all businesses do; wiping down whiteboards after a meeting is important, but water alone will not do the trick. Instead, use rubbing alcohol for a deep clean that will extend the life of a whiteboard substantially.
Saving money in these ways is a great way to justify a promotion for any meeting planner.
Tags: Bottom Line, Caffeinated Beverages, Cappuccino Machine, Coffees, Colored Markers, Conflict, Confusion, Different Colors, Great Tools, Lively Presentations, Meeting Planner, Meeting Planners, Rubbing Alcohol, Saving Money, Schedule Meetings, School Districts, Spending Money, Starbucks, Whiteboard, Whiteboards
07 Jun 10 Meeting Planners Make Breaking the Ice Easier
Most meetings come with a measure of tension integrated deeply into their very fabric. This is not unexpected because two or more parties tend to be attempting to both work to their individual benefit, but a smart meeting planner can actually reduce this tension in a few ways. Reducing tension can create a meeting environment that is more productive and causes all parties involved to work to their mutual benefit rather than look for individual opportunities that tend to come at the expense of one another.
Tables and presentation tools – Tables and presentation tools should be arranged in such a fashion that everyone is facing the same direction. The subliminal message of seating rivals or separate parties facing one another are those of conflict, but seating people side by side creates a sense of cooperation. Make sure that the room and charts/presentation materials are properly set up.
Lighting is important – Many venues, especially corner offices, have a tendency to pick up light at specific times of the morning or afternoon. Heightened light levels that are directional in nature tend to make some parties feel as if they are being assaulted by the light, and they may become less friendly as a result.
Comfort is paramount – everyone involved in a meeting should be made to feel comfortable. A stellar meeting planner knows this and makes preparations ranging from special meals and drinks down to height adjustable chairs for the vertically challenged.
Tags: Adjustable Chairs, Breaking The Ice, Conflict, Cooperation, Drinks, Environment, Fabric, Fashion, Lighting, Meeting Planner, Meeting Planners, Mutual Benefit, Nature, Paramount, Presentation Materials, Presentation Tools, Rivals, Subliminal Message, Tendency, Tension
27 Jul 09 “Eh…So What?” – How to Counter Public Criticism for Meetings
This is the response that some companies are giving to the idea of public criticism for their meetings. So why aren’t their head honchos worried about business, and what people will think? Because they are more concerned about what their employees think.
Leaders Being Leaders
If the executives of companies that are doing poorly go ahead and change meeting plans to accommodate public scrutiny, it may be for the best. But what about companies that are doing well? What about the ones who didn’t need a single penny of help from the government and have actually flourished in these hard times?
All companies should not be judged with the same jaundiced eye the public has gotten over the last year. In fact, they should be praised–they held themselves to high standards and should be permitted to continue along their successful route with no interference. This includes meetings. (more…)
Tags: Business People, Conflict, Interference, Jaundiced Eye, Jobs, Money, Public Criticism, Public Scrutiny, Reputation, Send Message, Successful Company, White Flag
14 Jul 09 How the Travel Promotion Act Will Help Meeting Planners
Although government guidelines for bailout companies have hurt the travel industry in many ways, the recent (June, 2009), bill S. 1023 holds promise that there will be help in the offing for the travel industry in general. This will eventually hit the meeting planner market. Here is how it will work.
The Act will contribute $425 million towards reducing the United States budget deficit over a decade’s time. It will increase jobs, stimulate the economy, and add to our tourism reputation. How much will it cost U.S. taxpayers? Zero.
S. 1023 will be paid for by a combination of contributions from private sources, plus a $10 charge for all foreign non-visa travelers to the U.S. Despite the challenges of an ongoing conflict between Republicans and Democrats, this bill has been popular in both camps. (more…)
Tags: Bailout, Conflict, Decade, Dollars Each Year, Foreign Travel, Government Guidelines, Meeting Planner, Meeting Planners, Partnerships, Private Sources, Promotion Act, Republicans And Democrats, Reputation, Taxpayers, Thousands Of New Jobs, Travel Industry, Travel Planners, Travel Promotion, United States Budget, United States Budget Deficit
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