Internal employee meetings and external client users conferences that involve presentations need the CEO (or other boss) engaged in selecting who will be speaking to the audience.
Too many senior executives fail to choose an active role in the event planning process, which sets them up for surprises. CEO's do not like surprises.
It is common for executives, who have attended a bazillion conferences in their career, to make blanket statements of what they are looking for in a speaker and then delegate the decision to others. Often nobody has thought deeply about the purpose of the meeting, and the learning objectives for the audience, and how the speaker will advance the success of the event.
"Topics" or "types" of speakers do not always translate into impactful presentations. If the boss (or someone they trust) has not seen a specific speaker live on stage, they need to pay more attention to the selection process.
In the planning stages many are not thinking through the realities of an event experience (unless the company has employed a professional meeting planner). Often speakers are selected because they are famous or they have accomplished something amazing in their industry. However, if nobody has ever seen the speaker present, the message might not be in alignment with the meeting's purpose (or worse, they have not perfected their public speaking skills).
The CEO (or other executive who "owns" the meeting) needs to be directly involved in the decisions about who will be the speaker(s). The speaker sets the tone for the entire event, and a mistake can cause the whole meeting to be flat.
Here are five reasons the boss cares who speaks at the company meeting:
1. Events cost a lot of money. A speaker's failure to captivate, motivate, inspire and educate an audience can flush the ROI of the meeting down the toilet.
2. Their reputation is on the line. The executive who own the meeting is the host of the event. If the event sucks, they are viewed in a negative light.
3. The audience wants both education and entertainment. Creating a positive experience will cause people to be more loyal toward the company. The reverse is true too.
4. The boss wants to be motivated too. Nobody wants to sit through a long and boring presentation. The boss has the ability to decide who takes the stage. If the speaker is awful it is their fault, and they know it.
5. Great ideas, stories, and inspiration spark action. The right speaker can make employees and clients take action. This can translate into productivity and profits for the company.
When planning a company meeting make sure the boss is involved in the speaker selection. Even if he or she claims they do not care or do not have the time, they have a invested interest in making sure the right speaker(s) are hired.
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
Thursday, April 07, 2011
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
Not Every Event Is A "TED Talk", Nor Should It Be
I am seeing a trend toward is shorter presentations. Many business speakers are being given fifteen or twenty minutes on stage instead of longer format presentations. I have had event planning professionals tell me the minimal time is better for the short attentions span of younger workers, but some have shared it is also a tactic to avoid having a speaker bomb on stage for too long.
Too many talks bomb. The average "blah" presentation is so pervasive that when a speaker captivates an audience it lingers on the soul.
Event organizers site the popularity of "TED Talks" as the spark to move toward the short format, but TED is a unique program. The speakers selected for the TED stage are vetted and coached to the extreme! Nobody on the TED program "wings it".
Yet not every event can or should be TED, and this trend is leaving many events short on high-impact learning. The desire for the substance over style in presentations can translate into bad conferences. There has to be a mix of both meat and rhetoric skill. It is not too much to ask for people to provide meaningful information and do it in a way that does not bore an audience.
For thousands of years humans have gathered to listen and learn from oratory. Ancient societies required the art of storytelling to pass information along from generation to generation. People are naturally inclined to hear presentations and be educated and entertained.
Today we live in an age of the sound-bite and "to the point" communications (think 140 characters or less), but most humans over the ages have learned through the presentation of captivating spoken words. The desire to be entertained by the presentation still exists every time butts are in seats and someone is on stage. Tribal elders never asked the keepers of their cultural histories to leave the style behind and only go with the basic information. Taking everything to short format is not always the best answer.
Selecting a speaker is an important decision in the planning of an industry convention, employee meeting or users conference.
The presentations set the tone for the event, and the right speakers weave the experiential essence that is necessary success. Much time is spent contemplating the message, but the wrong messenger can torpedo the mood of the crowd.
Experienced leaders know the power of having the right speaker, but most executives are too busy to be involved with speaker selection, so the final program can come up flat. Often celebrities or industry titans are selected because it is a safe choice. But when the budget does not allow for famous level fees, all bets are off as to who might take the stage.
Too often speakers are selected because they are smart or they have done something cool. Another mistake is thinking anyone with experience on a topic can connect with the audience. Public speaking is a skill, and one that matters.
In my work with corporations, law firms, associations and industry groups I find that too often speakers are not vetted in advance. When the audience would rather stick needles in than ears than listen to the speaker, the event will fail. Stringing three unskilled speakers together will not make a better hour. Even if the speaker is good, often they cannot get to the real meat in a short talk.
Not every event is a "Ted Talk", nor should it be. Take the time to look at the purpose and learning objectives of your event and select the right speakers who can accomplish those goals. Make sure you work with the speaker to find the right amount of time to allow them to have the impact you desire. Cookie cutter time frames will not always provide the best program for an event. A flow of long and short format presentations designed around the speakers programs will provide more value.
Work to find the right speaker who can deliver both high-level learning and motivate the crowd to take real action, and work with them to create the best atmosphere for the whole meeting.
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
Too many talks bomb. The average "blah" presentation is so pervasive that when a speaker captivates an audience it lingers on the soul.
Event organizers site the popularity of "TED Talks" as the spark to move toward the short format, but TED is a unique program. The speakers selected for the TED stage are vetted and coached to the extreme! Nobody on the TED program "wings it".
Yet not every event can or should be TED, and this trend is leaving many events short on high-impact learning. The desire for the substance over style in presentations can translate into bad conferences. There has to be a mix of both meat and rhetoric skill. It is not too much to ask for people to provide meaningful information and do it in a way that does not bore an audience.
For thousands of years humans have gathered to listen and learn from oratory. Ancient societies required the art of storytelling to pass information along from generation to generation. People are naturally inclined to hear presentations and be educated and entertained.
Today we live in an age of the sound-bite and "to the point" communications (think 140 characters or less), but most humans over the ages have learned through the presentation of captivating spoken words. The desire to be entertained by the presentation still exists every time butts are in seats and someone is on stage. Tribal elders never asked the keepers of their cultural histories to leave the style behind and only go with the basic information. Taking everything to short format is not always the best answer.
Selecting a speaker is an important decision in the planning of an industry convention, employee meeting or users conference.
The presentations set the tone for the event, and the right speakers weave the experiential essence that is necessary success. Much time is spent contemplating the message, but the wrong messenger can torpedo the mood of the crowd.
Experienced leaders know the power of having the right speaker, but most executives are too busy to be involved with speaker selection, so the final program can come up flat. Often celebrities or industry titans are selected because it is a safe choice. But when the budget does not allow for famous level fees, all bets are off as to who might take the stage.
Too often speakers are selected because they are smart or they have done something cool. Another mistake is thinking anyone with experience on a topic can connect with the audience. Public speaking is a skill, and one that matters.
In my work with corporations, law firms, associations and industry groups I find that too often speakers are not vetted in advance. When the audience would rather stick needles in than ears than listen to the speaker, the event will fail. Stringing three unskilled speakers together will not make a better hour. Even if the speaker is good, often they cannot get to the real meat in a short talk.
Not every event is a "Ted Talk", nor should it be. Take the time to look at the purpose and learning objectives of your event and select the right speakers who can accomplish those goals. Make sure you work with the speaker to find the right amount of time to allow them to have the impact you desire. Cookie cutter time frames will not always provide the best program for an event. A flow of long and short format presentations designed around the speakers programs will provide more value.
Work to find the right speaker who can deliver both high-level learning and motivate the crowd to take real action, and work with them to create the best atmosphere for the whole meeting.
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
The ABC's of Trade Shows and Conferences - S is for Social Media
When attending a conference it is a good idea to investigate in advance which social media tools are being utilized by the event managers, speakers, vendors and other attendees.
Blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and other online vehicles are often used to promote the event and share ideas. These can become meaningful channels for you to gain information about the keynote speakers, educational seminars, webinars, social events, sponsors, nearby attractions and "pirate events" (un-official parties, etc...). Social media is also a great way to discover who else will be in attendance and to promote yourself to others before you arrive.
Before the internet age there were limited ways to uncover additional information about the conference. Attendees had to rely on what was sent to them by those who organized the event. But now there is a plethora of details available, but too few people take advantage of social media before, during and after an event.
Those who are investigating these tools and using them are getting more from their participation.
If you are not active with social media, attending a conference is a good chance to dip your toe in the water and explore the reasons that these tools have become so powerful in our society. Opening a Twitter account to use at a conference is not a life-long commitment, but will allow you to experience how Twitter (or other social media tool) can work to your advantage.
If the event has a blog, it is a good practice to check in and read it regularly in the weeks leading up to the conference. Often the organizers and speakers will contribute valuable posts that will help you better understand the purpose of the keynotes and breakouts. This can expose you to unknown presenters, many of whom can bring more useful information than many of the famous industry speakers and celebrities. Leaving comments on the blog that can extend the conversation will allow the speakers and organizers to make adjustments that can benefit the whole audience. Also, when you leave smart comments, people will take notice, and thus be looking to meet you once they arrive on site.
LinkedIn and Facebook allow for special interest groups and pages to be established which can become the conduit for important information to be communicated. People can post to these communities and allow other interested attendees to quickly become informed. The power here, when used correctly, is that it will allow the "mini-society" of the conference to continue long after the event is over. I have seen several of these online conference community groups become long-term information and discussion boards.
Twitter is used during conferences to share real time information. Often people who are in great break-out sessions will "tweet" about the high quality speaker and information they are witnessing, causing people in dull presentations to change rooms. It is not uncommon to see people streaming into a great session halfway through because of the positive feedback on the Twitter stream. Event organizers will usually establish a "Hashtag" to use on Twitter during a conference that will allow interested parties to review this live information on their smart phones and other devices. The same is true for finding the best parties and other "hot spots" after hours... as people love to share good events with the conference community. While many people still do not use Twitter, it can be an amazing tool during a conference.
If you are already an active user of social media it is a good idea for you to blog, tweet or post tid-bits of knowledge that you learn at a conference. Not everyone in your network can or will attend events, and thus when you share what you have gained from being present, you are presenting a gift to others. Some will not care, but others will be very grateful that you posted a review of what you heard at an event. When you share information, you extend the value of your involvement.
The use of social media becomes a living history of the trade show or conference. When an event is a success, more people will attend the following year. If an event is a flop it cannot be kept secret. Those looking to attend in the future will know the value and make decisions accordingly.
Social media has become a key part of the event planning industry . All savvy conference managers and event professionals are paying close attention to these tools. Attendees must also embrace and participate in the online communities and information portals if they want to maximize their experience.
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com
Blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and other online vehicles are often used to promote the event and share ideas. These can become meaningful channels for you to gain information about the keynote speakers, educational seminars, webinars, social events, sponsors, nearby attractions and "pirate events" (un-official parties, etc...). Social media is also a great way to discover who else will be in attendance and to promote yourself to others before you arrive.
Before the internet age there were limited ways to uncover additional information about the conference. Attendees had to rely on what was sent to them by those who organized the event. But now there is a plethora of details available, but too few people take advantage of social media before, during and after an event.
Those who are investigating these tools and using them are getting more from their participation.
If you are not active with social media, attending a conference is a good chance to dip your toe in the water and explore the reasons that these tools have become so powerful in our society. Opening a Twitter account to use at a conference is not a life-long commitment, but will allow you to experience how Twitter (or other social media tool) can work to your advantage.
If the event has a blog, it is a good practice to check in and read it regularly in the weeks leading up to the conference. Often the organizers and speakers will contribute valuable posts that will help you better understand the purpose of the keynotes and breakouts. This can expose you to unknown presenters, many of whom can bring more useful information than many of the famous industry speakers and celebrities. Leaving comments on the blog that can extend the conversation will allow the speakers and organizers to make adjustments that can benefit the whole audience. Also, when you leave smart comments, people will take notice, and thus be looking to meet you once they arrive on site.
LinkedIn and Facebook allow for special interest groups and pages to be established which can become the conduit for important information to be communicated. People can post to these communities and allow other interested attendees to quickly become informed. The power here, when used correctly, is that it will allow the "mini-society" of the conference to continue long after the event is over. I have seen several of these online conference community groups become long-term information and discussion boards.
Twitter is used during conferences to share real time information. Often people who are in great break-out sessions will "tweet" about the high quality speaker and information they are witnessing, causing people in dull presentations to change rooms. It is not uncommon to see people streaming into a great session halfway through because of the positive feedback on the Twitter stream. Event organizers will usually establish a "Hashtag" to use on Twitter during a conference that will allow interested parties to review this live information on their smart phones and other devices. The same is true for finding the best parties and other "hot spots" after hours... as people love to share good events with the conference community. While many people still do not use Twitter, it can be an amazing tool during a conference.
If you are already an active user of social media it is a good idea for you to blog, tweet or post tid-bits of knowledge that you learn at a conference. Not everyone in your network can or will attend events, and thus when you share what you have gained from being present, you are presenting a gift to others. Some will not care, but others will be very grateful that you posted a review of what you heard at an event. When you share information, you extend the value of your involvement.
The use of social media becomes a living history of the trade show or conference. When an event is a success, more people will attend the following year. If an event is a flop it cannot be kept secret. Those looking to attend in the future will know the value and make decisions accordingly.
Social media has become a key part of the event planning industry . All savvy conference managers and event professionals are paying close attention to these tools. Attendees must also embrace and participate in the online communities and information portals if they want to maximize their experience.
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com
Some Assembly Required: A Networking Guide for Graduates - Now Available on Kindle and other Digital Formats
College seniors are getting ready to launch into the workforce, but many are never taught how to make, grow and keep the business relationships that will ensure a long-term and successful career.
"Some Assembly Required: A Networking Guide for Graduates" (by Anne Brown and Thom Singer, New Year Publishing 2010) is now available on Kindle.
If you are about to graduate, or know someone who is just entering their work life.... this is a great book to help anyone realize the power of business relationships.
Looking for a graduation gift? This book will make a wonderful gift for any grad!
Available at Amazon.com and other book retailers online and in the real world.
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
"Some Assembly Required: A Networking Guide for Graduates" (by Anne Brown and Thom Singer, New Year Publishing 2010) is now available on Kindle.
If you are about to graduate, or know someone who is just entering their work life.... this is a great book to help anyone realize the power of business relationships.
Looking for a graduation gift? This book will make a wonderful gift for any grad!
Available at Amazon.com and other book retailers online and in the real world.
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
Monday, April 04, 2011
Spring Into Spring - "Some Assembly Required Newsletter" - April 2011
The April 2011 edition of the "Some Assembly Required Newsletter" has been sent.
Not on the list? You can sign up on the blog (upper right side).
CLICK HERE to read the online version (http://app.e2ma.net/app2/campaigns/archived/1404055/452e41008eef28b9e815d40f93e9069a/)
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
Not on the list? You can sign up on the blog (upper right side).
CLICK HERE to read the online version (http://app.e2ma.net/app2/campaigns/archived/1404055/452e41008eef28b9e815d40f93e9069a/)
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
Friday, April 01, 2011
Seven Things You Can Do If The Economy Has A "Double Dip"
Today is April 1st. This marks two years since I got laid off from my job as Director of Business Development with a consulting firm. April 2009 was about the worst time in the economic storms that have hit the world economy over the past three years, and the news hit me hard that day.... when I found out my job was being eliminated.
But two years later today marks a celebration. After I got the bad news I called my wife and told her I had been laid off and that I was not going to seek a new position (in April 2009 there were few positions available anyway). I was officially an entrepreneur.
Thus today is sort of the birthday of my career as a professional speaker, consultant, and mentor / coach.
But it was not really the first day of this career. I had launched my first book four years earlier, and New Year Publishing was already starting to prosper. I had been doing paid speaking events for some time, and knew this was what I really wanted to be doing for my vocation.
It has not been easy. I have had be creative to allow my family to maintain our lifestyle, and I have found that running your own business is harder than you think from the viewpoint of an employee. I have had success and failures along the way, but I have also had a lot of fun. I have learned more about business, people, relationships, and sales than I would have imagined possible in such a short time.
Had I not started my business before I got laid off I do not think I would have had the option to go on my own the past two years (although I am not really alone, as I have a wonderful family who supports the cause and a business partner in New Year Publishing who is a true visionary).
I am now working with several clients who want to set up a path toward working for themselves. Some want to be speakers / consultants, while others have different business plans... but the common thread is the desire to establish a safety net in case the economy hits another dip.
Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labor, published an article yesterday predicting a "Double Dip" in the economic conditions. If he is right then there is more tough times coming.
What can you do now to protect yourself from a worse economy?
1. Be realistic about your work situation. Many people, myself included, rationalize that while the economy is troubled, their job is secure. The truth is that if you work for someone else and they have to make tough decisions, you could be the one who gets cut. Hard times bring difficult choices. Do not pretend you are safe.
2. Put some money away for a rainy day. I had been working towards having a financial cushion for my family. I only had about 40% saved from the "magic" number I had invented, but that money kept us above water for two years as my business grew.
3. Know what you are very good at doing. Even in rough economic times there are jobs available. If you are clearly excellent at what you do then someone out there will want you as part of their team. This is not the time to simply be "good enough". You must be able to clearly show why your skills are unique and can help a company grow and succeed
4. Understand your existing non-compete agreements. I personally find it gross when employers lay people off because of the company's financial problems and then make a big deal about the enforceability of their "non-compete agreements". This is one sided and selfish, but very common. Many employers will waive the non-compete situation if the person is laid off because of the company's money constraints, but others will toss you out and keep you from working for anyone else. Do not assume if you get laid off that you can go to the competition.
5. Start networking NOW. Do not wait until you are out of work to begin to network. Most career consultants will encourage people to network when looking for a job, but everyone knows a "selfish-networker" who only shows up in their business community when they have a personal need. To harness the power of your network you must be actively cultivating relationships long before you need them. A great idea is to help people you know who are currently out of work. Make introductions for them, help them brainstorm and buy them lunch often while you are the one with a job. If the tables turn you don't want to be the guy who ignored them in their time of need.
6. Talk to your spouse and kids. What would you all expect from each other if one of you lost your job. Have a back up plan in place that you all buy into and can support. If you want to start your own business or become a consultant make sure everyone knows what that means for the family and the allocations of resources (aka: money and time).
7. Hire a coach. When money is tight you might not be able to rationalize working with a business / career / life coach. Yet sometimes it is very helpful to have the perspective of someone else who is not too close to your personal situation. All the best athletes work with several professional coaches to fine tune their games, and it is now very common for business executive to hire coaches to help them navigate their careers. In fact most successful people I know have worked with a coach or a mentor at some point in their lives. It is better to begin this work while you have the income stream and unlimited options. Waiting until you are hit by an economic speed bump can make it harder for you to see the choices ahead of you.
Good luck, and hopefully the economy will skyrocket instead of hitting a "Double Dip".... but either way you need to set yourself up for success!
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
But two years later today marks a celebration. After I got the bad news I called my wife and told her I had been laid off and that I was not going to seek a new position (in April 2009 there were few positions available anyway). I was officially an entrepreneur.
Thus today is sort of the birthday of my career as a professional speaker, consultant, and mentor / coach.
But it was not really the first day of this career. I had launched my first book four years earlier, and New Year Publishing was already starting to prosper. I had been doing paid speaking events for some time, and knew this was what I really wanted to be doing for my vocation.
It has not been easy. I have had be creative to allow my family to maintain our lifestyle, and I have found that running your own business is harder than you think from the viewpoint of an employee. I have had success and failures along the way, but I have also had a lot of fun. I have learned more about business, people, relationships, and sales than I would have imagined possible in such a short time.
Had I not started my business before I got laid off I do not think I would have had the option to go on my own the past two years (although I am not really alone, as I have a wonderful family who supports the cause and a business partner in New Year Publishing who is a true visionary).
I am now working with several clients who want to set up a path toward working for themselves. Some want to be speakers / consultants, while others have different business plans... but the common thread is the desire to establish a safety net in case the economy hits another dip.
Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labor, published an article yesterday predicting a "Double Dip" in the economic conditions. If he is right then there is more tough times coming.
What can you do now to protect yourself from a worse economy?
1. Be realistic about your work situation. Many people, myself included, rationalize that while the economy is troubled, their job is secure. The truth is that if you work for someone else and they have to make tough decisions, you could be the one who gets cut. Hard times bring difficult choices. Do not pretend you are safe.
2. Put some money away for a rainy day. I had been working towards having a financial cushion for my family. I only had about 40% saved from the "magic" number I had invented, but that money kept us above water for two years as my business grew.
3. Know what you are very good at doing. Even in rough economic times there are jobs available. If you are clearly excellent at what you do then someone out there will want you as part of their team. This is not the time to simply be "good enough". You must be able to clearly show why your skills are unique and can help a company grow and succeed
4. Understand your existing non-compete agreements. I personally find it gross when employers lay people off because of the company's financial problems and then make a big deal about the enforceability of their "non-compete agreements". This is one sided and selfish, but very common. Many employers will waive the non-compete situation if the person is laid off because of the company's money constraints, but others will toss you out and keep you from working for anyone else. Do not assume if you get laid off that you can go to the competition.
5. Start networking NOW. Do not wait until you are out of work to begin to network. Most career consultants will encourage people to network when looking for a job, but everyone knows a "selfish-networker" who only shows up in their business community when they have a personal need. To harness the power of your network you must be actively cultivating relationships long before you need them. A great idea is to help people you know who are currently out of work. Make introductions for them, help them brainstorm and buy them lunch often while you are the one with a job. If the tables turn you don't want to be the guy who ignored them in their time of need.
6. Talk to your spouse and kids. What would you all expect from each other if one of you lost your job. Have a back up plan in place that you all buy into and can support. If you want to start your own business or become a consultant make sure everyone knows what that means for the family and the allocations of resources (aka: money and time).
7. Hire a coach. When money is tight you might not be able to rationalize working with a business / career / life coach. Yet sometimes it is very helpful to have the perspective of someone else who is not too close to your personal situation. All the best athletes work with several professional coaches to fine tune their games, and it is now very common for business executive to hire coaches to help them navigate their careers. In fact most successful people I know have worked with a coach or a mentor at some point in their lives. It is better to begin this work while you have the income stream and unlimited options. Waiting until you are hit by an economic speed bump can make it harder for you to see the choices ahead of you.
Good luck, and hopefully the economy will skyrocket instead of hitting a "Double Dip".... but either way you need to set yourself up for success!
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
Thursday, March 31, 2011
The ABC's of Trade Shows and Conferences - R is for ROI
You should never attend a conference without a clear purpose. Just showing up and leaving your return on investment to chance is a sure way to not receive value from your participation.
But ROI is not always as easy to identify as the accountants want would hope. Your CFO may want to see the real numbers in the short run, but most bean-counters have no understanding of sales, marketing, competitive intelligence, and the power of business relationships. When it is not on a spread sheet, then can fail to understand the reason.
If you can land a new client directly because of your attending an event, more power to you! But most of the long-term value that you will get from being active at industry events will not be so easy to define.
That, however, does not mean there is not real return on investment from going to conferences, trade shows, seminars, etc....
To maximize you conference experience you must know your purpose for attending, and then be relentless in tracking how you implement what you learn, and tracing the future of the connections your establish.
I have witnessed people gain the benefits years later. Success in business should not be measured quarter by quarter, as many meaningful victories can take years to materialize. Without a way to monitor your progress from the knowledge you gain and the people you meet, you will forget the genesis of your wins when they arrive.
Know your purpose for attending an event. Be focused on achieving that purpose while present. Share what you learned with co-workers when you return home. Follow up with the people you encountered. And then track, track, track your progress.
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com
But ROI is not always as easy to identify as the accountants want would hope. Your CFO may want to see the real numbers in the short run, but most bean-counters have no understanding of sales, marketing, competitive intelligence, and the power of business relationships. When it is not on a spread sheet, then can fail to understand the reason.
If you can land a new client directly because of your attending an event, more power to you! But most of the long-term value that you will get from being active at industry events will not be so easy to define.
That, however, does not mean there is not real return on investment from going to conferences, trade shows, seminars, etc....
To maximize you conference experience you must know your purpose for attending, and then be relentless in tracking how you implement what you learn, and tracing the future of the connections your establish.
I have witnessed people gain the benefits years later. Success in business should not be measured quarter by quarter, as many meaningful victories can take years to materialize. Without a way to monitor your progress from the knowledge you gain and the people you meet, you will forget the genesis of your wins when they arrive.
Know your purpose for attending an event. Be focused on achieving that purpose while present. Share what you learned with co-workers when you return home. Follow up with the people you encountered. And then track, track, track your progress.
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com
Opening Keynote and Conference Catalyst
I had the honor of kicking off the Troux Worldwide Conference last week in Austin, Texas. It was a great event, and I applaud the team at Troux for taking a technical industry conference and transforming it into an experiential happening for everyone in attendance.
From the early planning stages they wanted to ensure the conference was not just a showcase of their company. While highlighting their success was important, the main focus for the company was on the attendees. They were working to create an exciting place for their industry to gather, and the information provided had to be powerful and not just about Troux.
This is where most companies fall short in the execution of their "users conference". I spoke to a meeting planner the other day who said "Our conference is ONLY about high-level technical product information. Nobody in our audience cares about the social aspects of a conference or any unrelated topics". Huh? Three days together and nobody wants anything fun, light or experiential? That type of assumption is what kills a meeting.
Troux Technologies is one of Austin's great homegrown companies, and their 2011 "Users Conference" was their largest to date. The event drew over 375 clients, prospects, vendors, partners, bloggers, and other VIP's in the Enterprise Architecture field. They succeeded in making the event a "must attend", and that was evident by the Twitter and blog comments that circulated throughout their industry.
"Users conferences" have become a popular venue for my "Conference Catalyst" program. When planning events many assume that people only come for the high-end technical information, but human beings are still social animals, no matter the reason is behind a gathering. While the sharing of quality knowledge is important, if people do not have a legitimate "experience" they get bored very fast. Those in attendance want to meet other people and network, but they stink at striking up meaningful conversations with strangers. Creating a fun (and not "hokey") social atmosphere can bring people together and allow them to establish long-term and mutually beneficial relationships.
The "Conference Catalyst" assists meeting planners in transforming regular business events into memorable happenings.
One attendee sent me the following email:
Another added:
"Just a quick note to tell you what a pleasure it was meeting you last week. Like you I attend many conferences and I have seen many of these folks at other events. I can tell you with great certainty that there was a great deal more networking happening through the course of 2 days than I have seen before with this crowd. Several people directly said that you changed [their] behavior at the conference and that [they] never realized how much more [they] could learn by simple networking."
My favorite part of the "Conference Catalyst" is getting emails from executives like these who might have been skeptical about why networking matters... but are then thrilled by discovering the real power of business relationships.
Thanks to Troux Technologies for having me as part of the 2011 Troux Worldwide Conference. It was great working with them, and I am impressed with all they do.
Have A Great Day
thom singer
From the early planning stages they wanted to ensure the conference was not just a showcase of their company. While highlighting their success was important, the main focus for the company was on the attendees. They were working to create an exciting place for their industry to gather, and the information provided had to be powerful and not just about Troux.
This is where most companies fall short in the execution of their "users conference". I spoke to a meeting planner the other day who said "Our conference is ONLY about high-level technical product information. Nobody in our audience cares about the social aspects of a conference or any unrelated topics". Huh? Three days together and nobody wants anything fun, light or experiential? That type of assumption is what kills a meeting.
Troux Technologies is one of Austin's great homegrown companies, and their 2011 "Users Conference" was their largest to date. The event drew over 375 clients, prospects, vendors, partners, bloggers, and other VIP's in the Enterprise Architecture field. They succeeded in making the event a "must attend", and that was evident by the Twitter and blog comments that circulated throughout their industry.
"Users conferences" have become a popular venue for my "Conference Catalyst" program. When planning events many assume that people only come for the high-end technical information, but human beings are still social animals, no matter the reason is behind a gathering. While the sharing of quality knowledge is important, if people do not have a legitimate "experience" they get bored very fast. Those in attendance want to meet other people and network, but they stink at striking up meaningful conversations with strangers. Creating a fun (and not "hokey") social atmosphere can bring people together and allow them to establish long-term and mutually beneficial relationships.
The "Conference Catalyst" assists meeting planners in transforming regular business events into memorable happenings.
One attendee sent me the following email:
"I came back with 13 business cards (I met more people but not all had cards). That’s probably 11 or 12 more than I would from a typical user conference.
The difference? Your quick-hit, easy approach"
Another added:
"Just a quick note to tell you what a pleasure it was meeting you last week. Like you I attend many conferences and I have seen many of these folks at other events. I can tell you with great certainty that there was a great deal more networking happening through the course of 2 days than I have seen before with this crowd. Several people directly said that you changed [their] behavior at the conference and that [they] never realized how much more [they] could learn by simple networking."
My favorite part of the "Conference Catalyst" is getting emails from executives like these who might have been skeptical about why networking matters... but are then thrilled by discovering the real power of business relationships.
Thanks to Troux Technologies for having me as part of the 2011 Troux Worldwide Conference. It was great working with them, and I am impressed with all they do.
Have A Great Day
thom singer
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Networking And The College Student - Sophomore Year Experience (SYE)
When it comes to networking and college students there is a lot of attention placed on seniors and freshmen.
Obviously seniors are looking for jobs.... and thus the focus on networking makes sense. Career centers work hard to try to teach soon-to-be graduates about how to position themselves for getting that first job.
Freshmen are a centerpiece of the development money invested by universities because they are new to the school and studies show that those that create solid friendships in the first semester are more likely to remain enrolled. There are entire programs built around "First Year Experience" (also known as FYE) to help these students transition into their college life.
But the "Sophomore Year Experience" (SYE) can be pivotal in creating the habits that lead these young adults toward establishing long-term and mutually beneficial relationships. Showing up to as a freshman can mean living in a dorm, having many scheduled activities and people around all the time. Friends all live together on the same floor, but the next year can mean putting in extra effort to keep friendships active.
At any age it is easy for people to drift apart from each other, but sophomore year can be the first experience living in an apartment, commuting to campus, and more than a year removed from high school friends. Facebook contacts without ongoing dialogue is not a network, and sophomores can find themselves slipping through the cracks. Social media can be helpful, but often is more of a facade to the real friendships that people need to succeed.
When I speak to college students I find it can be the sophomores who need to most help with relationships. By their junior year their friendships are often solid, and it is harder to change the habits created in cultivating connections. Life-long bonds are common for those who attend college together, but some people need help in learning how to creating meaningful connections.
More colleges and universities are realizing the importance of teaching their students to network. Recruiting brochures tout the power of the alumni network, but few are ever taught how to capitalize on the opportunities presented by being a college student. Too many students get lost in the crowd.
I spoke recently to a "Young Professionals Organization" and found these career-minded twenty-somethings actively taking notes and asking questions. Many had an "Ah-Ha" look on their faces as I explained how networking really worked. Misconceptions stripped away, the group was excited to attend future networking events, instead of grimacing at the thought. One women queried why "networking skills" were never taught at her college. She was mad that her expensive education left out this powerful part of her success toolbox.
I had a group of residence hall directors tell me that it is the sophomore year that can mean the most in the success of many students, and that smart schools are going beyond their "First Year Experience" investments and embracing the educational programs for the "Second Year Experience". Makes sense to me!
When sophomores are engaged in cultivating friendships they are making contacts that can bring opportunities to them throughout their lives. The sooner one begins establishing habits of making people a priority, the sooner they will reap the benefits that come from having a strong network.
Waiting until senior year can be too late!
How about you.... at what point in college did you make and cement the most important contacts from your college years?
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
"Some Assembly Required: A Networking Guide for Graduates" is available at Amazon.com
Obviously seniors are looking for jobs.... and thus the focus on networking makes sense. Career centers work hard to try to teach soon-to-be graduates about how to position themselves for getting that first job.
Freshmen are a centerpiece of the development money invested by universities because they are new to the school and studies show that those that create solid friendships in the first semester are more likely to remain enrolled. There are entire programs built around "First Year Experience" (also known as FYE) to help these students transition into their college life.
But the "Sophomore Year Experience" (SYE) can be pivotal in creating the habits that lead these young adults toward establishing long-term and mutually beneficial relationships. Showing up to as a freshman can mean living in a dorm, having many scheduled activities and people around all the time. Friends all live together on the same floor, but the next year can mean putting in extra effort to keep friendships active.
At any age it is easy for people to drift apart from each other, but sophomore year can be the first experience living in an apartment, commuting to campus, and more than a year removed from high school friends. Facebook contacts without ongoing dialogue is not a network, and sophomores can find themselves slipping through the cracks. Social media can be helpful, but often is more of a facade to the real friendships that people need to succeed.
When I speak to college students I find it can be the sophomores who need to most help with relationships. By their junior year their friendships are often solid, and it is harder to change the habits created in cultivating connections. Life-long bonds are common for those who attend college together, but some people need help in learning how to creating meaningful connections.
More colleges and universities are realizing the importance of teaching their students to network. Recruiting brochures tout the power of the alumni network, but few are ever taught how to capitalize on the opportunities presented by being a college student. Too many students get lost in the crowd.
I spoke recently to a "Young Professionals Organization" and found these career-minded twenty-somethings actively taking notes and asking questions. Many had an "Ah-Ha" look on their faces as I explained how networking really worked. Misconceptions stripped away, the group was excited to attend future networking events, instead of grimacing at the thought. One women queried why "networking skills" were never taught at her college. She was mad that her expensive education left out this powerful part of her success toolbox.
I had a group of residence hall directors tell me that it is the sophomore year that can mean the most in the success of many students, and that smart schools are going beyond their "First Year Experience" investments and embracing the educational programs for the "Second Year Experience". Makes sense to me!
When sophomores are engaged in cultivating friendships they are making contacts that can bring opportunities to them throughout their lives. The sooner one begins establishing habits of making people a priority, the sooner they will reap the benefits that come from having a strong network.
Waiting until senior year can be too late!
How about you.... at what point in college did you make and cement the most important contacts from your college years?
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
"Some Assembly Required: A Networking Guide for Graduates" is available at Amazon.com
The Speaker's Value Is More Than The Presentation
Jeff Hurt had a great post on the "Velvet Chainsaw's Midcourse Corrections" blog about "Why Your Conference Needs Meeting Anthropologists".
Anthropology is the science of humans -- especially the study of humans in relation to distribution, origin, classification, and relationship of races, physical character, environmental and social relations, and culture. In regards to your meeting, when you have feedback from a third party who can observe and participate with your attendees, you will be able to make improvements for future gatherings, but also on the fly during the current conference.
Many meeting planners claim to be on top of these reviews themselves, or they rely on the after-event surveys. However, most often the running of the event is all-encompassing while on-site. After the event it is hard to piece together the parts that can really make a difference, thus making sure that keen observations are happening in real-time can be valuable.
Jeff's post reminded me about why hiring the right speaker(s) can have a powerful impact on an event, beyond what is said from the stage. Many professional speakers can attend 50 - 100 events per year. It does not take long until they can become experts in observing the good, the bad, and the ugly of the meetings industry.
Too many speakers do not join the mini-societies that occur at events. They arrive just before their talk, and fly out as quickly as possible after they complete Q & A. However, others become trusted advisers to the the meeting planners and freely participate with attendees, attend all meals, and share their ideas to improve the meeting. A speaker who is engaged with the whole conference can bring more value than just the words they utter from the podium.
I find that meeting planners and conference attendees are happy when I am willing to be active in more parts of their conference than just my keynote. The speakers can often help in the planning stages, as many who organize smaller corporate events (for example: technical users group conferences hosted by companies) are not full-time experienced meeting professionals. Often a marketing professional or an administrator are assigned the task of planning the conference on top of their regular job. Turning to the speakers for assistance in brain-storming ideas can be instrumental in creating a memorable experience. When the speaker is a resource for the meeting planner it is a win / win situation.
Additionally, keynote speakers who are part of the meeting team can help fill in if problems occur on site. I recently had a meeting planner turn to me to fill in when a breakout session speaker could not attend at the last minute. Most speakers have more than one topic they can present, and since they are already present they are the perfect solution to fill in if needed. Most will not charge more to step in an solve a problem. The breakout I hosted was a big hit with the audience, as they had already gotten to know me via the keynote and it showcased that I had other expertise beyond just what they had seen on the main stage. Win / win!
Your speaker's experience in having attended hundreds of meeting should be a tool for the meeting planner. Even meeting planners with decades of experience should tap into the observations of the speakers. A seasoned event professional recently asked me about what I had seen at other events to create more value for the sponsors at trade shows. Together we talked through several ideas and then created a pre-event series for the vendors on how to maximize their participation, which I presented (both by webinar a month in advance and live the night before the conference). It helped her create more value for the sponsors, and exposed my programs to another group of people. Win / win.
Hiring the right speaker(s) who care about the success of your event and who are willing to become a key member of the conference team will bring more value to everyone involved.
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com
Anthropology is the science of humans -- especially the study of humans in relation to distribution, origin, classification, and relationship of races, physical character, environmental and social relations, and culture. In regards to your meeting, when you have feedback from a third party who can observe and participate with your attendees, you will be able to make improvements for future gatherings, but also on the fly during the current conference.
Many meeting planners claim to be on top of these reviews themselves, or they rely on the after-event surveys. However, most often the running of the event is all-encompassing while on-site. After the event it is hard to piece together the parts that can really make a difference, thus making sure that keen observations are happening in real-time can be valuable.
Jeff's post reminded me about why hiring the right speaker(s) can have a powerful impact on an event, beyond what is said from the stage. Many professional speakers can attend 50 - 100 events per year. It does not take long until they can become experts in observing the good, the bad, and the ugly of the meetings industry.
Too many speakers do not join the mini-societies that occur at events. They arrive just before their talk, and fly out as quickly as possible after they complete Q & A. However, others become trusted advisers to the the meeting planners and freely participate with attendees, attend all meals, and share their ideas to improve the meeting. A speaker who is engaged with the whole conference can bring more value than just the words they utter from the podium.
I find that meeting planners and conference attendees are happy when I am willing to be active in more parts of their conference than just my keynote. The speakers can often help in the planning stages, as many who organize smaller corporate events (for example: technical users group conferences hosted by companies) are not full-time experienced meeting professionals. Often a marketing professional or an administrator are assigned the task of planning the conference on top of their regular job. Turning to the speakers for assistance in brain-storming ideas can be instrumental in creating a memorable experience. When the speaker is a resource for the meeting planner it is a win / win situation.
Additionally, keynote speakers who are part of the meeting team can help fill in if problems occur on site. I recently had a meeting planner turn to me to fill in when a breakout session speaker could not attend at the last minute. Most speakers have more than one topic they can present, and since they are already present they are the perfect solution to fill in if needed. Most will not charge more to step in an solve a problem. The breakout I hosted was a big hit with the audience, as they had already gotten to know me via the keynote and it showcased that I had other expertise beyond just what they had seen on the main stage. Win / win!
Your speaker's experience in having attended hundreds of meeting should be a tool for the meeting planner. Even meeting planners with decades of experience should tap into the observations of the speakers. A seasoned event professional recently asked me about what I had seen at other events to create more value for the sponsors at trade shows. Together we talked through several ideas and then created a pre-event series for the vendors on how to maximize their participation, which I presented (both by webinar a month in advance and live the night before the conference). It helped her create more value for the sponsors, and exposed my programs to another group of people. Win / win.
Hiring the right speaker(s) who care about the success of your event and who are willing to become a key member of the conference team will bring more value to everyone involved.
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com
Monday, March 28, 2011
The ABC's of Trade Shows and Conferences - Q is for Questions (#eventprofs)
When you attend a convention or other business event you will find yourself attending many speeches, panel discussions, product announcements and other presentations. Inevitably as the time comes to an end they will ask for questions for the audience. Pay attention, as this can be a pivotal opportunity for you to maximize your participation at the conference.
"Are there any questions?" are four words that can be the kiss of death for any presentation. The pause that can occur after these words leave the stage can kill the mood of the whole room. Nobody likes that awkward silence.... neither the speaker, nor those in the chairs, find any joy in good vibes being sucked out of the room.
The audience has an obligation to the presenters to not let them fall flat (unless they sucked... but that is a whole different discussion). There are often dozens of people in any audience who want to ask questions, but for their own reasons are never the first to raise their hand. However once one or two people have inquired the speaker, it is often the end of time that stops the Q&A portion. Help get the ball rolling by asking the first question!
When you ask an intelligent question that gets the speakers to elaborate on their message, you are noticed by all in the room. The speaker is grateful for the opportunity to go deeper (and not have dead air in the auditorium), and the audience appreciates the insight of the questioner. Often when you ask good questions following a presentation, others will come up to you during breaks and compliment you on asking the same question they were thinking. It can position you as a smart and active member of the crowd, and allow you to have side conversations on meaningful topics.
But beware, you must to be careful not to abuse the power of asking questions. We have all seen the person who rushes the microphone at every conference (and often ever session they attend) only to give a commercial for their company and add their own point of view to mix. They are not sincere, and are considered obnoxious.
Sometimes people who compete with the speakers, have differing opinions to the presenters, or otherwise have an axe to grind will use this opportunity to get on a soap box of their own. This rarely makes the person asking the question appear in a good light. Even if you disagree with what was said in the main presentation, remember to be respectful in how you address those on stage. Being a jerk or a bully never builds your reputation.
This does not mean you need to remain silent if you disagree with the validity information. It just means that when asking questions you must make sure not to put the spotlight on yourself. Keep the conversation focused on the topic, not the personalities and brands. Remember that the person was selected to make a presentation, and that brings with it an expectation of expertise. Honor them in your choice of words even when asking about other viewpoints.
While listening to a presentation constantly ask yourself if there is anything worthy of asking a follow up question. If you genuinely have something to ask that will benefit the speaker and the audience, do not hesitate. Everyone wins when you step up and ask questions.
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com
"Are there any questions?" are four words that can be the kiss of death for any presentation. The pause that can occur after these words leave the stage can kill the mood of the whole room. Nobody likes that awkward silence.... neither the speaker, nor those in the chairs, find any joy in good vibes being sucked out of the room.
The audience has an obligation to the presenters to not let them fall flat (unless they sucked... but that is a whole different discussion). There are often dozens of people in any audience who want to ask questions, but for their own reasons are never the first to raise their hand. However once one or two people have inquired the speaker, it is often the end of time that stops the Q&A portion. Help get the ball rolling by asking the first question!
When you ask an intelligent question that gets the speakers to elaborate on their message, you are noticed by all in the room. The speaker is grateful for the opportunity to go deeper (and not have dead air in the auditorium), and the audience appreciates the insight of the questioner. Often when you ask good questions following a presentation, others will come up to you during breaks and compliment you on asking the same question they were thinking. It can position you as a smart and active member of the crowd, and allow you to have side conversations on meaningful topics.
But beware, you must to be careful not to abuse the power of asking questions. We have all seen the person who rushes the microphone at every conference (and often ever session they attend) only to give a commercial for their company and add their own point of view to mix. They are not sincere, and are considered obnoxious.
Sometimes people who compete with the speakers, have differing opinions to the presenters, or otherwise have an axe to grind will use this opportunity to get on a soap box of their own. This rarely makes the person asking the question appear in a good light. Even if you disagree with what was said in the main presentation, remember to be respectful in how you address those on stage. Being a jerk or a bully never builds your reputation.
This does not mean you need to remain silent if you disagree with the validity information. It just means that when asking questions you must make sure not to put the spotlight on yourself. Keep the conversation focused on the topic, not the personalities and brands. Remember that the person was selected to make a presentation, and that brings with it an expectation of expertise. Honor them in your choice of words even when asking about other viewpoints.
While listening to a presentation constantly ask yourself if there is anything worthy of asking a follow up question. If you genuinely have something to ask that will benefit the speaker and the audience, do not hesitate. Everyone wins when you step up and ask questions.
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com
Saturday, March 26, 2011
The ABC's of Trade Shows and Conferences - P is for Pre-Planning and Post-Participation
Attending a trade show or other business conference is not just about time you spend at the event itself. The work you put in before and after attending will be what ensures your successful return on investment. Too many people simply show up and then go home... then question if they really got the maximum impact out of their participation.
Spending the time in advance to create a plan for who you want to meet and what sessions you want to attend is key. When you have clients, prospects and other contacts who you know, or suspect, will be present it is smart to reach out to them a few weeks before the event. Schedule times to meet for conversations and / or sitting together for keynotes or at meals. This is especially important at large events, where if you leave it to chance you many never see each other.
More and more conference organizers are hosting pre-event webinars and utilizing event industry technologies to establish the community in advance. Do not ignore these opportunities to discover information about the event and the people who will be present. Some of the tools used do require you to fill out a new profile, while others, like Presdo Match will connect to your LinkedIn profile. In either case it is worth your time to establish yourself on these services and participate. This will allow you to learn about the make up of the audience and identify people whom you might want to meet. It also allows other people to learn about you. Again, contacting them in advance will give you the best chance of meeting up in person.
After the event you must take ownership of the follow up, or the people whom you met will quickly drift away. You do not need to reach out to every person whom you met, but the ones with whom you had meaningful conversations are worth sending an email or handwritten note. Be sure to let them know you enjoyed meeting them and that you hope to keep in touch. If you do not take this simple step it is most likely that you will not have any future contact, until the following year, if you both return to the conference.
Additionally, if the conference planners host post-event webinars, it is recommended that you participate. Follow-on information is often shared by speakers and others in an attempt to keep the mini-society of the event going into the future. Again the online technology can provide you with ways to re-connect with other attendees and monitor industry information that is being shared within the community.
Do not just "wing it" if you are participating in an event, commit to getting involved early and staying active once you return home. This will give you a better chance of discovering the value of attending events. Remember..these days an event is more than just the physical meeting.
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com
Spending the time in advance to create a plan for who you want to meet and what sessions you want to attend is key. When you have clients, prospects and other contacts who you know, or suspect, will be present it is smart to reach out to them a few weeks before the event. Schedule times to meet for conversations and / or sitting together for keynotes or at meals. This is especially important at large events, where if you leave it to chance you many never see each other.
More and more conference organizers are hosting pre-event webinars and utilizing event industry technologies to establish the community in advance. Do not ignore these opportunities to discover information about the event and the people who will be present. Some of the tools used do require you to fill out a new profile, while others, like Presdo Match will connect to your LinkedIn profile. In either case it is worth your time to establish yourself on these services and participate. This will allow you to learn about the make up of the audience and identify people whom you might want to meet. It also allows other people to learn about you. Again, contacting them in advance will give you the best chance of meeting up in person.
After the event you must take ownership of the follow up, or the people whom you met will quickly drift away. You do not need to reach out to every person whom you met, but the ones with whom you had meaningful conversations are worth sending an email or handwritten note. Be sure to let them know you enjoyed meeting them and that you hope to keep in touch. If you do not take this simple step it is most likely that you will not have any future contact, until the following year, if you both return to the conference.
Additionally, if the conference planners host post-event webinars, it is recommended that you participate. Follow-on information is often shared by speakers and others in an attempt to keep the mini-society of the event going into the future. Again the online technology can provide you with ways to re-connect with other attendees and monitor industry information that is being shared within the community.
Do not just "wing it" if you are participating in an event, commit to getting involved early and staying active once you return home. This will give you a better chance of discovering the value of attending events. Remember..these days an event is more than just the physical meeting.
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com
Friday, March 25, 2011
Treat The Good Ones Like GOLD
Two blog posts I read today inspired this blog post.
The first is by Chris Brogan. Chris wrote about flaws, and in reading his post it seems that maybe the critical jerks that populate our world were impacting his mood as he sat at his computer. He is right, we all have flaw, but they should not define us more than the amazing things we do to impact the society around us.
The second was by Leslie Morris (my editor, business partner, friend, and an impressive communications consultant). Her post contemplated if being a "giver" was born or bred. She discusses how some people, regardless of their own situation in life, find ways to serve.... while others are oblivious to the needs of others. She is right that many wonderful people just never seem to discover the easy ways they can positively impact the world.
Well meaning people often can easily slip into self-focus. This can be gossip and finger-pointing or the lack of philanthropic awareness and efforts. This happens to everyone at some point, as just getting through the day can sometimes be overwhelming. Yet it is in the patterns we find character.
I believe most people want to do good and assist others in achieving success. They want to be a beacon of the positive. This desire often becomes confused with actual action, and can even blind them to their lack of effort or negativity. Many make promises and never follow through, yet internally view making the promise as equal to the completed action. Others think that "constructive criticism" 100% of the time is a gift (ummmm, not always!)
We all have made mistakes, and we all come up short on expectations sometimes. Flaws are part of being human. When this happens there is a long line of people willing to share our flaws with the world... But few are the ones who line up to praise others for their successes. When you find these rare souls who help for the sake of helping... and who give for the sake of giving... treat them like GOLD.
My business partner (The publisher at New Year Publishing and Leslie's husband, Dave) is one of these people who finds the good in others and supports them in the efforts to go for their dreams. I would never have become a full time speaker, author, and consultant if he had not seen my goals as legitimate and found ways to assist me to make them bigger than real.
He regularly does stuff to lift others up and avoids slamming people for flaws. Additionally he has had a very successful career. Some mistakenly say he can do good things because he is so successful.... but I know it is the other way around.... He IS successful because most of the time he focuses on the good parts of people and not the bad.... and gives of himself.
You can't change the selfish people, the gossips, the mean-kids, the dream-killers, and the jerks. But you can avoid being one of those yourself. Additionally you must remember to treat the good people in your life like they are made of gold!
Have A Great Day
thom singer
The first is by Chris Brogan. Chris wrote about flaws, and in reading his post it seems that maybe the critical jerks that populate our world were impacting his mood as he sat at his computer. He is right, we all have flaw, but they should not define us more than the amazing things we do to impact the society around us.
The second was by Leslie Morris (my editor, business partner, friend, and an impressive communications consultant). Her post contemplated if being a "giver" was born or bred. She discusses how some people, regardless of their own situation in life, find ways to serve.... while others are oblivious to the needs of others. She is right that many wonderful people just never seem to discover the easy ways they can positively impact the world.
Well meaning people often can easily slip into self-focus. This can be gossip and finger-pointing or the lack of philanthropic awareness and efforts. This happens to everyone at some point, as just getting through the day can sometimes be overwhelming. Yet it is in the patterns we find character.
I believe most people want to do good and assist others in achieving success. They want to be a beacon of the positive. This desire often becomes confused with actual action, and can even blind them to their lack of effort or negativity. Many make promises and never follow through, yet internally view making the promise as equal to the completed action. Others think that "constructive criticism" 100% of the time is a gift (ummmm, not always!)
We all have made mistakes, and we all come up short on expectations sometimes. Flaws are part of being human. When this happens there is a long line of people willing to share our flaws with the world... But few are the ones who line up to praise others for their successes. When you find these rare souls who help for the sake of helping... and who give for the sake of giving... treat them like GOLD.
My business partner (The publisher at New Year Publishing and Leslie's husband, Dave) is one of these people who finds the good in others and supports them in the efforts to go for their dreams. I would never have become a full time speaker, author, and consultant if he had not seen my goals as legitimate and found ways to assist me to make them bigger than real.
He regularly does stuff to lift others up and avoids slamming people for flaws. Additionally he has had a very successful career. Some mistakenly say he can do good things because he is so successful.... but I know it is the other way around.... He IS successful because most of the time he focuses on the good parts of people and not the bad.... and gives of himself.
You can't change the selfish people, the gossips, the mean-kids, the dream-killers, and the jerks. But you can avoid being one of those yourself. Additionally you must remember to treat the good people in your life like they are made of gold!
Have A Great Day
thom singer
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Does Your Conference Have A Catalyst?
This week I served as "The Conference Catalyst" for two conventions. This presentation has become a popular product with meeting planners and other event professionals as it helps transform the networking at events into high impact connecting.
I get a kick out those in the audiences who tell me they were skeptical of a talk on networking and communication skills at a high-learning conference who then are inspired to get out of their comfort zones and meet new people. It is common that people inform me they have run out of business cards (and talked to more people than ever before at an event) or that they started up a conversation with "just the right person".
The first event this week was the MTO Summit in Chicago. It was made of of conference planners who came to Chicago to experience the latest technologies that are impacting and changing the meeting business. It was a great gathering and in addition to doing an action oriented presentation, it was also a learning experience that helped me shape my own business...AND I met some great people.
I then flew home to Austin and went straight from the airport to a dinner to kick-off the Troux Technologies Worldwide Conference. Industry events and "users conferences" have become a great venue for "The Conference Catalyst". Troux was very focused on creating an experience that was all about maximizing this event for their clients, prospects and other Enterprise Architecture (EA) professionals who would be in attendance. It was fun to work with everyone and make so many new contacts with these cool people.
The "Catalyst" program is designed to encourage engagement with a focus on making meaningful connections. While each event is unique, I can be involved with the conference from the planning stages through every breakout session and meals. I often help the organizers design the schedule, host pre and post-event webinars, conduct training programs for vendors, and then inspire the audience to take their new connections beyond their time at the event. I am thrilled to be "The Conference Catalyst"!
I enjoyed meeting those who were in attendance at both events. If your event could use a new exciting spark, please contact me for more information: www.conferencecatalyst.com
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com
I get a kick out those in the audiences who tell me they were skeptical of a talk on networking and communication skills at a high-learning conference who then are inspired to get out of their comfort zones and meet new people. It is common that people inform me they have run out of business cards (and talked to more people than ever before at an event) or that they started up a conversation with "just the right person".
The first event this week was the MTO Summit in Chicago. It was made of of conference planners who came to Chicago to experience the latest technologies that are impacting and changing the meeting business. It was a great gathering and in addition to doing an action oriented presentation, it was also a learning experience that helped me shape my own business...AND I met some great people.
I then flew home to Austin and went straight from the airport to a dinner to kick-off the Troux Technologies Worldwide Conference. Industry events and "users conferences" have become a great venue for "The Conference Catalyst". Troux was very focused on creating an experience that was all about maximizing this event for their clients, prospects and other Enterprise Architecture (EA) professionals who would be in attendance. It was fun to work with everyone and make so many new contacts with these cool people.
The "Catalyst" program is designed to encourage engagement with a focus on making meaningful connections. While each event is unique, I can be involved with the conference from the planning stages through every breakout session and meals. I often help the organizers design the schedule, host pre and post-event webinars, conduct training programs for vendors, and then inspire the audience to take their new connections beyond their time at the event. I am thrilled to be "The Conference Catalyst"!
I enjoyed meeting those who were in attendance at both events. If your event could use a new exciting spark, please contact me for more information: www.conferencecatalyst.com
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com
Monday, March 21, 2011
The ABC's of Trade Shows and Conferences - O is for Organizers
Many people do not give thought to the legions of people it takes to successfully execute a trades show, conference or other large scale business events. Even small seminars require professional planning to ensure a good experience for those who are in attendance.
The meeting planning industry is a multi-billion dollar business. Those who choose to work in this area are often some of the hardest working professionals you will ever meet. Without these dedicated people the rest of the benefits that come from participating in events would not exist.
When you attend an event remember the work that takes place behind the scenes. Seek out those who work to make you attendance at the conference a success and say two little words; "Thank You". Once they recover from the shock, the meeting professionals will remember you forever. Establishing long-term and mutually beneficial relationship with meeting planners will expose you to many opportunities at future events.
Meeting organizers work tirelessly, but rarely receive kudos. Be the person who highlights their hard work and shows them that their efforts are appreciated.
**PS- Many executives (in a variety of industries) tell me that then they seek to hire new employees for their companies they look for people who have successful experience in the meetings industry, as these people are accustomed to putting in the extra effort to ensure success. I know this to be true, as my wife spent ten years in Catering and Sales for a major hotel. Long hours and low pay... but amazing "in the trenches" business experience!
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com
The meeting planning industry is a multi-billion dollar business. Those who choose to work in this area are often some of the hardest working professionals you will ever meet. Without these dedicated people the rest of the benefits that come from participating in events would not exist.
When you attend an event remember the work that takes place behind the scenes. Seek out those who work to make you attendance at the conference a success and say two little words; "Thank You". Once they recover from the shock, the meeting professionals will remember you forever. Establishing long-term and mutually beneficial relationship with meeting planners will expose you to many opportunities at future events.
Meeting organizers work tirelessly, but rarely receive kudos. Be the person who highlights their hard work and shows them that their efforts are appreciated.
**PS- Many executives (in a variety of industries) tell me that then they seek to hire new employees for their companies they look for people who have successful experience in the meetings industry, as these people are accustomed to putting in the extra effort to ensure success. I know this to be true, as my wife spent ten years in Catering and Sales for a major hotel. Long hours and low pay... but amazing "in the trenches" business experience!
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com
Sunday, March 20, 2011
The ABC's of Trade Shows and Conferences - N is for Nametags
Many people hate nametags. When they attend events where they try to avoid wearing them, or they place them under their jacket. If they plan events, they rationalize all types of reasons not to provide nametags to their guests.
But this is ridiculous. The nametag is one of the best tools to making connections at conferences, trade shows, and other events. It not only makes you more approachable, but when other people are wearing a nametag it provides you with enough information to start a conversation.
My friend Scott Ginsberg of "Hello My Name is Scott" has made a career of approachability. Scott wears a nametag 24 hours a day, and it sparks all sorts of conversations (yes, he has "Hello My Name Is Scott" tattooed on his chest!). In his books and keynote speeches he shares the power of why wearing a nametag has made him more successful when attending events and beyond. He knows more about nametags than any other person on the planet.
While you do not need to display a nametag all the time, you must wear your nametag when attending an event. Not only is it often your pass into the sessions and trade show floor, it is also the only way to be part of the mini-society that exists when attending an event. It equalizes the playing field, helps eliminate cliques, and nametags at larger events are in plastic or cloth casing that provide you with a convenient place to carry your business cards.
If you are planning an even you must pay attention to the functionality of the nametags you provide your attendees. Make sure that the font is large enough to to be read at a distance and that you have the persons first name, last name, and company name. If the event includes people from across a variety of geographic areas, also include the city where the person lives. All of this information works together to allow for conversations to easily begin.
I once attended an event hosted by a law firm where the senior partners did not like the idea of nametags. They figured they knew all their clients, and falsely believed that nametags would make their event feel cheesy. Instead, the lack of nametags made the event dull. While the clients knew their lawyers, they did not know the other lawyers in the firm, or the other people in attendance. With over 200 people at the event, there was very little conversation. People sat in small groups and did not meet anyone new. Many in attendance felt the event was boring, and the it was clearly because the lawyers put their own opinions ahead of helping people connect.
When attending an event, or planning and event, embrace the nametag!
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com
But this is ridiculous. The nametag is one of the best tools to making connections at conferences, trade shows, and other events. It not only makes you more approachable, but when other people are wearing a nametag it provides you with enough information to start a conversation.
My friend Scott Ginsberg of "Hello My Name is Scott" has made a career of approachability. Scott wears a nametag 24 hours a day, and it sparks all sorts of conversations (yes, he has "Hello My Name Is Scott" tattooed on his chest!). In his books and keynote speeches he shares the power of why wearing a nametag has made him more successful when attending events and beyond. He knows more about nametags than any other person on the planet.
While you do not need to display a nametag all the time, you must wear your nametag when attending an event. Not only is it often your pass into the sessions and trade show floor, it is also the only way to be part of the mini-society that exists when attending an event. It equalizes the playing field, helps eliminate cliques, and nametags at larger events are in plastic or cloth casing that provide you with a convenient place to carry your business cards.
If you are planning an even you must pay attention to the functionality of the nametags you provide your attendees. Make sure that the font is large enough to to be read at a distance and that you have the persons first name, last name, and company name. If the event includes people from across a variety of geographic areas, also include the city where the person lives. All of this information works together to allow for conversations to easily begin.
I once attended an event hosted by a law firm where the senior partners did not like the idea of nametags. They figured they knew all their clients, and falsely believed that nametags would make their event feel cheesy. Instead, the lack of nametags made the event dull. While the clients knew their lawyers, they did not know the other lawyers in the firm, or the other people in attendance. With over 200 people at the event, there was very little conversation. People sat in small groups and did not meet anyone new. Many in attendance felt the event was boring, and the it was clearly because the lawyers put their own opinions ahead of helping people connect.
When attending an event, or planning and event, embrace the nametag!
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Trade Show Sponsors Regularly Flush Money Down The Toilet
Sponsoring a conference, convention, seminar or other business gatherings is a fantastic way for a company to gain exposure, connect with prospects, visit with clients, access to industry experts, and showcase their products and services.
Often these sponsorships include a booth on the trade show floor, or in the networking area. These booths are not just a fancy place to place brochures, but instead a home base which will be the first impression of your company to all in attendance. How you present yourself 100% of the time at your booth can impact your return on investment for your sponsorship.
I am usually appalled at the raging failure that occurs when companies are sponsoring events. The level of opportunities lost via poor trade show booth execution must be in the billions of dollars annually. I regularly am asked to work with sales and marketing teams who are making a big investment in an industry trade show to make sure they understand the importance of how they present themselves to maximize their conference participation. Often employees roll their eyes at the nuances that I believe cause companies to be wasting money.... but the little things matter and people are always watching (While employees roll their eyes, owners and managers nod their heads!)
I spent an hour walking the trade show floor this week at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival in Austin, Texas. There were easily over 400 companies who had booths, and most missed out on maximizing the conference through their lack-luster presentation and booth design.
Boring does not get noticed. Investing in a sponsorship is about more than having your name on the wall of a booth with a table of key-chains and candy bowls. In an era when many companies have elaborate booth design, a poster and brochures just does not make the grade.
But worse that the booth's design is how the people who staff the booth present themselves. After witnessing over a dozen company displays with nobody in their booth or people on their phones and laptops I began photographing these massive booth failures.
My intention was to post these photos on this blog, but after 40 such pictures, I began to worry about my photo essay getting someone fired. I am not sure what it costs to have a booth at a major event like SXSW, but I assume any CEO who sees pictures of their employees at a trade show reading books, texting, typing wildly on a laptop, chatting on the phone, or nearly sleeping might not be happy. I would never want to be the cause of someone losing their job, so I am not posting the pictures.
While many booths did have outward facing people, and some engaged in conversations with other convention attendees, only ONE booth had a person who stepped out and engaged me in a conversation that was both friendly and inviting. I almost could not believe it after roaming nearly all the rows of booths.
His name was Paul Chambers from Quotegine. He was amazingly friendly, and made me want to learn more about his company. They have an interesting technology for small business that allows them to create and manage the proposal process in a way that levels the field with larger companies. I am actually interested in learning more.
I shared my photo essay with Paul and told him he was the only person in over 400 booths who really got it right. I wanted to tell his boss about his being a FANTASTIC employee (and worthy of a raise) but it turns out that Paul is the CEO of the company.
Interesting, huh?
This piece of information about Paul being the CEO of Quotegine and his working so hard to maximize the investment of being at the conference was not lost on me.
Some with whom I shared my photo essay did defend the booth workers by pointing out that they day before had been a busy day, and that many of the attendees might be tired. One person said that those on laptops and phones need to keep up with work, but for decades trade shows existed without wireless access... so I don't buy that you cannot stay off the electronics for the time you are working a shift at a booth.
If your company is spending money to have a booth at a trade show, you need to raise the bar or just flush the money down the toilet.
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com
Often these sponsorships include a booth on the trade show floor, or in the networking area. These booths are not just a fancy place to place brochures, but instead a home base which will be the first impression of your company to all in attendance. How you present yourself 100% of the time at your booth can impact your return on investment for your sponsorship.
I am usually appalled at the raging failure that occurs when companies are sponsoring events. The level of opportunities lost via poor trade show booth execution must be in the billions of dollars annually. I regularly am asked to work with sales and marketing teams who are making a big investment in an industry trade show to make sure they understand the importance of how they present themselves to maximize their conference participation. Often employees roll their eyes at the nuances that I believe cause companies to be wasting money.... but the little things matter and people are always watching (While employees roll their eyes, owners and managers nod their heads!)
I spent an hour walking the trade show floor this week at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival in Austin, Texas. There were easily over 400 companies who had booths, and most missed out on maximizing the conference through their lack-luster presentation and booth design.
Boring does not get noticed. Investing in a sponsorship is about more than having your name on the wall of a booth with a table of key-chains and candy bowls. In an era when many companies have elaborate booth design, a poster and brochures just does not make the grade.
But worse that the booth's design is how the people who staff the booth present themselves. After witnessing over a dozen company displays with nobody in their booth or people on their phones and laptops I began photographing these massive booth failures.
My intention was to post these photos on this blog, but after 40 such pictures, I began to worry about my photo essay getting someone fired. I am not sure what it costs to have a booth at a major event like SXSW, but I assume any CEO who sees pictures of their employees at a trade show reading books, texting, typing wildly on a laptop, chatting on the phone, or nearly sleeping might not be happy. I would never want to be the cause of someone losing their job, so I am not posting the pictures.
While many booths did have outward facing people, and some engaged in conversations with other convention attendees, only ONE booth had a person who stepped out and engaged me in a conversation that was both friendly and inviting. I almost could not believe it after roaming nearly all the rows of booths.
His name was Paul Chambers from Quotegine. He was amazingly friendly, and made me want to learn more about his company. They have an interesting technology for small business that allows them to create and manage the proposal process in a way that levels the field with larger companies. I am actually interested in learning more.I shared my photo essay with Paul and told him he was the only person in over 400 booths who really got it right. I wanted to tell his boss about his being a FANTASTIC employee (and worthy of a raise) but it turns out that Paul is the CEO of the company.
Interesting, huh?
This piece of information about Paul being the CEO of Quotegine and his working so hard to maximize the investment of being at the conference was not lost on me.
Some with whom I shared my photo essay did defend the booth workers by pointing out that they day before had been a busy day, and that many of the attendees might be tired. One person said that those on laptops and phones need to keep up with work, but for decades trade shows existed without wireless access... so I don't buy that you cannot stay off the electronics for the time you are working a shift at a booth.
If your company is spending money to have a booth at a trade show, you need to raise the bar or just flush the money down the toilet.
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Is It Bad To Be A Networker?
My friend Eugene wrote the following post on his blog:
"For the second time this month, someone who knows me well introduced me to others as a networker or a connector.
Yikes, this is NOT how I want to be known. And, I have not framed what I do any more competently than to leave this as the only description easily available to close friends.
I’m gonna work on this. It needs to be about helping others accomplish important political and community building objectives, about my past business experience intersecting with social entrepreneurship to help make great things happen."
I was taken back by his passion of NOT wanting this label, as I think the terms his friends have used to describe him are given as the highest compliment. I believe he has attached other meanings to the words "networker" and "connector" that he views as less than an honor.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Collaboration Over Competition (#collabsxsw)
I have been writing a lot lately about collaboration. The concept of "Cooperative Significance" has become a centerpiece of my training, speaking and mentoring programs.
While attending the SXSW Interactive Conference I sat in on a panel on the subject of going beyond just "working together" and instead establishing long-term and mutually-beneficial relationships... even with the competition.
Too many people instantly hate the idea of a competitor, but often two or more who have similar businesses can come together and create synergies that help both find more success.
Sally Strebel, Derek Neighbors, Kristie Wells and Jay Baer did a great job of collaborating on the panel. They shared a passion for people that goes beyond just the words spoken. Below are some nuggets I took to heart from their discussion:
For collaboration to work, everyone must be engaged in the project. Collaborating is not one person taking the other on a piggy back ride.
Some don't want to work with others because they do not want to divide ownership, but 10% of something HUGE can be much more than 100% of something small.
Those who are bad collaborators usually have fears. They are scared of the other person taking over, stealing ideas or intellectual property, or otherwise being screwed over. But the universe is made up of good people, and while some folks will take advantage or you, most will not. Do not miss out on the powerful benefits because there are a few selfish jerks out there. If you don't collaborate, what you risk is what you do not get in the end.
This does not mean you should work with everyone. You must like and trust the people with whom you work on projects. A good rule of thumb is are they the type of person you would invite to your house for dinner. The way to know if you like them? Happy Hour (this panel liked to drink... they also gave out shots of Tequila to audience members who asked good questions).
Happy Hour does not necessarily mean drinking... their point was to sit down and talk with others. The old school business mentality was that life is a zeo-sum game. You cannot both win. But savvy entrepreneurs today think everyone can have more if they work well with others (and having more is not always money!).
We live in a world where we do not value people enough. To succeed we need others.
Be honest with yourself about what you are good at, and the areas you fall short. Look for partners who can compliment you and vice versa.
The only difference between collaborators and competitors is how you leave the relationship.
Have A Great Day
thom singer
While attending the SXSW Interactive Conference I sat in on a panel on the subject of going beyond just "working together" and instead establishing long-term and mutually-beneficial relationships... even with the competition.
Too many people instantly hate the idea of a competitor, but often two or more who have similar businesses can come together and create synergies that help both find more success.
Sally Strebel, Derek Neighbors, Kristie Wells and Jay Baer did a great job of collaborating on the panel. They shared a passion for people that goes beyond just the words spoken. Below are some nuggets I took to heart from their discussion:
For collaboration to work, everyone must be engaged in the project. Collaborating is not one person taking the other on a piggy back ride.
Some don't want to work with others because they do not want to divide ownership, but 10% of something HUGE can be much more than 100% of something small.
Those who are bad collaborators usually have fears. They are scared of the other person taking over, stealing ideas or intellectual property, or otherwise being screwed over. But the universe is made up of good people, and while some folks will take advantage or you, most will not. Do not miss out on the powerful benefits because there are a few selfish jerks out there. If you don't collaborate, what you risk is what you do not get in the end.
This does not mean you should work with everyone. You must like and trust the people with whom you work on projects. A good rule of thumb is are they the type of person you would invite to your house for dinner. The way to know if you like them? Happy Hour (this panel liked to drink... they also gave out shots of Tequila to audience members who asked good questions).
Happy Hour does not necessarily mean drinking... their point was to sit down and talk with others. The old school business mentality was that life is a zeo-sum game. You cannot both win. But savvy entrepreneurs today think everyone can have more if they work well with others (and having more is not always money!).
We live in a world where we do not value people enough. To succeed we need others.
Be honest with yourself about what you are good at, and the areas you fall short. Look for partners who can compliment you and vice versa.
The only difference between collaborators and competitors is how you leave the relationship.
Have A Great Day
thom singer
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Selfish - There's An App For That!
Is technology making people more self-centered?
People are buried in their smart phones, media devices, iPads, iPods, laptops, GPS, gaming devices, and other tech apparatus all the time and some never see anyone or anything beyond our own hand-held devices.
I enjoy the YouTube video of the woman in the mall who falls into a fountain while texting as she walks. It perfectly shows how into self we can get.
We spend so much time in our own "stuff" that I believe it is getting harder for people to look outside. We thought that technology, the internet and social media were going to make it easier to connect with others, and yet it can have the opposite effect.
This discussion of being self-focused plays into networking at live face-to-face events. The ease of sending a LinkedIn or Facebook friend request is making some folks more hesitant and less comfortable having conversations. It is becoming more difficult to approach others, and I am being asked to mentor people on how to begin conversations at live events.
There seems to be a misguided feeling that networking is about self. Who can I meet who can help me? How do I get on that person's radar? Me. Me. Me. If it is not easy, people do not want to do it. When there is not clear path to payday... they rationalize themselves away from humans and back to technology.
I find that networking only works when it is honestly about developing long-term, mutually-beneficial relationships where both parties achieve more because of the relationship than they would have without it. This cannot work if one person has selfish motivations (some self-focused reasons are normal, yes, but it cannot be the only reason). It takes work, and giving, up front or there is no foundation for a real relationship.
And yet people are always showing they are not interested in making things better for the other guy. Oh, they want to... they hope they will.... but they revert back to self on the most basic things.
This is evident in the simplest tools in networking.... Business Cards. The argument comes up every May around the SXSW Interactive Conference, as I encourage people to bring plenty of business cards. This is one of the most friendly and open hearted events, and the networking is HUGE. People love to make connections at SXSW, but meeting someone once does not make them part of your network. Meeting someone once makes them someone you have met once. The real networking is in the follow up.
But how can anyone properly follow up if there is no exchange of contact info? And this is where it breaks down. I always hear people say "Business Cards? This is a tech events, no cards.... just digital!".
"I don't carry cards, we can use technology to connect on the spot at SXSW"
Sounds good, but it is really a self-focused answer. I am not talking either or.. I am saying be prepared to interact with anyone you might meet.... even those who are not your tech equal.
Here is why some of the anti-business card arguments fall short.....
1. Do not assume everyone uses the same applications. If you use one tool (like Bump), and they use another, you are making an assumption that yours is superior. One of you will need to change or simply pass without trading info. If you had a card and you are not a perfect match on a digital level, you have an easy way to trade information. It shows you are prepared and not just in lust with the hottest app.
2. Telling them to link via LinkedIn or Facebook makes does not take into consideration that people use these social media tools differently. Some people do not like to immediately link to every person they cross paths with, as they believe that it adds too much noise. They reserve these for those they have established relationships with.
A policy that restricts all linking is neither "right" nor "wrong" ... just different. If the other person does not want to link to you just because you sat next to each other in a breakout session does not make them a bad person. In fact, often the people who cherish the cultivation of real relationships are the ones you especially want to know better.
3. Telling someone to "Google Me" is asking them to do additional work to find you later. If they are bad with names, or if you name is "Bob Smith" this can become a time consuming and difficult search. Many will abandon following up with you if you make them work for it.
4. "Cards are so uncool" - Oh please.... get over needing to be cool, and be practical. Besides, I bet you some of the coolest people you have ever met carry business cards! If your "shtick" is about not having cards it makes me want to barf.... do not have a "shtick". (yes, a person last year told me "not having a business card is part of my aloof persona". HUH?)
5. "I don't want people to follow up with me... I want to select who I follow up with" is another statement I hear from some folks. Just think about that one for a minute. I don't think I need to discuss why this sounds self-centered.
6. "I forget to bring cards". This might sends a message that you did not think ahead. It is not that difficult, as you remembered to wear underwear (or not).
techy".... it just shows that you want to make it simple for the other person to find you if they choose to do that.
****One last point.... Do not be a business card pusher. You do NOT need to trade cards with everyone you meet. There should be a legitimate reason to trade cards. Some people walk around and shove cards in the hands of strangers, and then wonder why networking does not work for them. You need to see a purpose for the card exchange or the paper in your hand becomes trash very quickly.
****Note, I am not calling anyone "selfish", I am just saying some people are not thinking this topic through all the way. The world "selfish" seems to be very very sensitive to some folks. I find this discussion sends some into a wild response that I am somehow attacking them (yes, I have been called a "dick" for my strong belief that a business card is still important in the digital age!). What I am saying is that you need to think of your motivation for not having a card. Is it to make your life easier, or the other person's life easier? That is the question for discussion.
I welcome comments!
Have A Great Day
thom singer
People are buried in their smart phones, media devices, iPads, iPods, laptops, GPS, gaming devices, and other tech apparatus all the time and some never see anyone or anything beyond our own hand-held devices.
I enjoy the YouTube video of the woman in the mall who falls into a fountain while texting as she walks. It perfectly shows how into self we can get.
We spend so much time in our own "stuff" that I believe it is getting harder for people to look outside. We thought that technology, the internet and social media were going to make it easier to connect with others, and yet it can have the opposite effect.
This discussion of being self-focused plays into networking at live face-to-face events. The ease of sending a LinkedIn or Facebook friend request is making some folks more hesitant and less comfortable having conversations. It is becoming more difficult to approach others, and I am being asked to mentor people on how to begin conversations at live events.
There seems to be a misguided feeling that networking is about self. Who can I meet who can help me? How do I get on that person's radar? Me. Me. Me. If it is not easy, people do not want to do it. When there is not clear path to payday... they rationalize themselves away from humans and back to technology.
I find that networking only works when it is honestly about developing long-term, mutually-beneficial relationships where both parties achieve more because of the relationship than they would have without it. This cannot work if one person has selfish motivations (some self-focused reasons are normal, yes, but it cannot be the only reason). It takes work, and giving, up front or there is no foundation for a real relationship.
And yet people are always showing they are not interested in making things better for the other guy. Oh, they want to... they hope they will.... but they revert back to self on the most basic things.
This is evident in the simplest tools in networking.... Business Cards. The argument comes up every May around the SXSW Interactive Conference, as I encourage people to bring plenty of business cards. This is one of the most friendly and open hearted events, and the networking is HUGE. People love to make connections at SXSW, but meeting someone once does not make them part of your network. Meeting someone once makes them someone you have met once. The real networking is in the follow up.
But how can anyone properly follow up if there is no exchange of contact info? And this is where it breaks down. I always hear people say "Business Cards? This is a tech events, no cards.... just digital!".
"I don't carry cards, we can use technology to connect on the spot at SXSW"
Sounds good, but it is really a self-focused answer. I am not talking either or.. I am saying be prepared to interact with anyone you might meet.... even those who are not your tech equal.
Here is why some of the anti-business card arguments fall short.....
1. Do not assume everyone uses the same applications. If you use one tool (like Bump), and they use another, you are making an assumption that yours is superior. One of you will need to change or simply pass without trading info. If you had a card and you are not a perfect match on a digital level, you have an easy way to trade information. It shows you are prepared and not just in lust with the hottest app.
2. Telling them to link via LinkedIn or Facebook makes does not take into consideration that people use these social media tools differently. Some people do not like to immediately link to every person they cross paths with, as they believe that it adds too much noise. They reserve these for those they have established relationships with.
A policy that restricts all linking is neither "right" nor "wrong" ... just different. If the other person does not want to link to you just because you sat next to each other in a breakout session does not make them a bad person. In fact, often the people who cherish the cultivation of real relationships are the ones you especially want to know better.
3. Telling someone to "Google Me" is asking them to do additional work to find you later. If they are bad with names, or if you name is "Bob Smith" this can become a time consuming and difficult search. Many will abandon following up with you if you make them work for it.
4. "Cards are so uncool" - Oh please.... get over needing to be cool, and be practical. Besides, I bet you some of the coolest people you have ever met carry business cards! If your "shtick" is about not having cards it makes me want to barf.... do not have a "shtick". (yes, a person last year told me "not having a business card is part of my aloof persona". HUH?)
5. "I don't want people to follow up with me... I want to select who I follow up with" is another statement I hear from some folks. Just think about that one for a minute. I don't think I need to discuss why this sounds self-centered.
6. "I forget to bring cards". This might sends a message that you did not think ahead. It is not that difficult, as you remembered to wear underwear (or not).
techy".... it just shows that you want to make it simple for the other person to find you if they choose to do that.
****One last point.... Do not be a business card pusher. You do NOT need to trade cards with everyone you meet. There should be a legitimate reason to trade cards. Some people walk around and shove cards in the hands of strangers, and then wonder why networking does not work for them. You need to see a purpose for the card exchange or the paper in your hand becomes trash very quickly.
****Note, I am not calling anyone "selfish", I am just saying some people are not thinking this topic through all the way. The world "selfish" seems to be very very sensitive to some folks. I find this discussion sends some into a wild response that I am somehow attacking them (yes, I have been called a "dick" for my strong belief that a business card is still important in the digital age!). What I am saying is that you need to think of your motivation for not having a card. Is it to make your life easier, or the other person's life easier? That is the question for discussion.
I welcome comments!
Have A Great Day
thom singer
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Forty Days Vegan
Today marks the beginning of Lent.
This year I have decided to go vegan for the forty day period. It is more an adventure in discipline than anything else.
I was not sure I could do this, and so a while back I tried a few "Test Days" of eating a plan-based diet to see if I could manage this quest. One day lead to two days. Two days became three. I have now been vegan for ten days.
Thus, this is really fifty days vegan.
I am enjoying the experience and I feel great. I have even survived a four day business trip and having to navigate eating at a corporate conference. AND... the hotel was down the street from an In N Out Burger, and I did not cave in on my convictions!
I am going to write about my experiences eating vegan on a separate blog (http://www.fortydaysvegan.blogspot.com). Check out how it has gone so far!
I welcome your advice, ideas, support, restaurant suggestions, recipes, etc...
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
This year I have decided to go vegan for the forty day period. It is more an adventure in discipline than anything else.
I was not sure I could do this, and so a while back I tried a few "Test Days" of eating a plan-based diet to see if I could manage this quest. One day lead to two days. Two days became three. I have now been vegan for ten days.
Thus, this is really fifty days vegan.
I am enjoying the experience and I feel great. I have even survived a four day business trip and having to navigate eating at a corporate conference. AND... the hotel was down the street from an In N Out Burger, and I did not cave in on my convictions!
I am going to write about my experiences eating vegan on a separate blog (http://www.fortydaysvegan.blogspot.com). Check out how it has gone so far!
I welcome your advice, ideas, support, restaurant suggestions, recipes, etc...
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Does Your Team Understand "Cooperative Significance"?
Are you working alone inside a company or are you part of a "cooperative team"?
All people want to feel significant. At home, at work, in their community, etc.... we want to make a difference through our actions. I know that is important to me, and it is important to the people with whom I mentor.
Does your company understand the meaning of "Cooperative Significance"?
Cannot see the video? Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyGs7gJyE0A
Have A Great Day
thom singer
All people want to feel significant. At home, at work, in their community, etc.... we want to make a difference through our actions. I know that is important to me, and it is important to the people with whom I mentor.
Does your company understand the meaning of "Cooperative Significance"?
Cannot see the video? Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyGs7gJyE0A
Have A Great Day
thom singer
Sunday, March 06, 2011
Technology Conferences Bring Amazing Networking Opportunities (#cwp100 #sxswi)
If you are attending this week's Computerworld Premier 100 or South by Southwest Interactive Conferences, be sure to take advantage of the powerful networking opportunities.
A main reason people cite for attending a multi-day conference is for the "Networking Opportunities", and yet once they arrive, they fail to take the necessary steps to create connections. When you take ownership of your networking, you will have more success at the event.
Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com
A main reason people cite for attending a multi-day conference is for the "Networking Opportunities", and yet once they arrive, they fail to take the necessary steps to create connections. When you take ownership of your networking, you will have more success at the event.
Ten Tips For Networking At A Multi-Day Conference
1. Have a plan. Know in advance whom you want to meet (directly or the type of people), which speakers you want to hear, and which vendor's trade show booths you want to visit.
2. Bring plenty of business cards. In today’s digital world some argue against the importance of business cards. But having a card is not for you, it is for the other person. Some people forget names quickly and asking for a card helps them recall you later. Telling someone “Google Me” is making them work to keep in touch. Additionally we don’t all use the same technologies, so using BUMP (or another digital tool) assumes we all adopt the same technologies. Not carrying business cards can be selfish, and selfish is so last year!
3. Do not focus on meeting the celebrity speakers. While meeting famous authors, speakers, and other industry gurus is fun, you are one of hundreds who will come up to them and shove a card in their hands. Instead, place your focus on meeting other people in attendance at the event. It is the other attendees who you are most likely to bond with and create real long lasting mutually beneficial friendships.
4. Talk to the people sitting next to you. When you walk into a seminar, take the time before the presentation begins to say hello to the people seated around you. I call this the "power of hello". Once you have said something as simple as "hello", it will be easier to talk with them later in the week if you see them again.
5. Ask questions of people you meet. Never lead with your "elevator pitch". People are more interested in themselves than they are in you, so ask them questions to help them get to talking.
6. Put your technology away. Do not run to your iPhone, BlackBerry, or laptop at every break. When you are working on electronics you send the message that you are unapproachable because you are busy. People will jump to negative conclusions about you and move their attention to others. Utilize the time on breaks to converse with others. Look around and smile rather than texting like crazy.
7. Do not automatically send a LinkedIn or Facebook request. Too often people immediately send social networking link requests to people they just met. However, different people have different policies about whom they link with. If they believe in only connecting with those whom they have established relationships, you make it awkward if you send them a link too early (which they then ignore). Best is to ask people if they would welcome such a link at this time. Be respectful of the fact that they might use social networking differently than you do. Immediately following them on Twitter is okay, as Twitter does not require a mutual connection acceptance.
8. Read their stuff. Many people are active bloggers, tweeters, authors, etc... If people create the written word, seek out their work and read it. It is a great way to get to know people by reading their stuff, but they will also be honored when you tell them that you read their blog or follow them on Twitter.
9. Introduce others. When you meet cool people, be the conduit that connects them with others who might be beneficial to them. This includes others at the conference, as well as other people you might know back home. If you ask the right types of questions, you will easily spot connections that can help others. Don't ever worry about "what's in it for me", but instead just be the person who helps others. You will over time that others will help you too.
10. Follow up. If you meet interesting people and you never follow up, it makes no difference. Own the follow up after you meet people and send them an email (or better yet, a handwritten note) telling them how much you enjoyed talking with them, and plan for future discussions.
11. Do more than others expect from you. Bring more to a new relationship than the other person expects and they will always remember you as someone who is a giver. Invite them to sit with you at lunch or dinner and introduce them to your group of friends. Those who give always get more down the line.
If you will be at either event I hope you will come see me speak (I am speaking at both). Come find me and introduce yourself. Also you can follow me on Twitter at @thomsinger.
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com
Saturday, March 05, 2011
The ABC's of Trade Shows and Conferences - M is for Meals
Attending a trade show is a lot of work. The agenda at most of these events keeps business professionals occupied for the whole day and well into the evening. The powerful inspirational keynotes, education rich break-out sessions, and the time wandering the trade show floor does not allow much time for checking in with the office, or to grab a few minutes of peace and quiet.
Many attendees who are primarily focused on knowledge gathering an event look at the breakfasts, networking breaks, lunches, happy hours and dinners as a time to skip out and get away. But the meal times are the most important opportunities to make meaningful connections with other people.
Everyone likes the idea of making a connection that leads to a future job opportunity, a new client, or a possible strategic partnership developing from king industry contacts. While these types of game-changing events do come from attending conferences, they do not happen by accident. You have to work to make, grow and keep your business relationships.
Be strategic in your plan for how to maximize your meal times while at a conference. Too many people leave their seating to chance, and never end up meeting anyone of consequence.They wonder aimlessly looking for a chair.
Better if you plan whom to sit with.
As you meet people throughout the day, ask them with whom they will be sitting at lunch or dinner. When you can create a plan to sit together with those you have already established an initial connections, you can them go deeper in your conversations during the meal.
Sitting at a random table is a game of "networking roulette". Yes, you might win big, but you also might shoot your chances of best utilizing the meal time.
It is also a great idea to agree to meet someone you have talked with briefly for breakfast the next morning. If you look at the conference schedule there is often a full hour or more set for breakfast, but most people run in just before the open session to grab a cup of coffee or a bagel. This time can be used for meaningful conversations. When you plan discussions with intention you will find more success.
Another mistake is some folks leave the conference to grab dinner with an old friend who lives in the city they are visiting. While it is wonderful and important to cultivate personal relationships, if you are attending a conference for business purposes, and your company is paying for you to be there, you should not skip out on any of the scheduled events. Meals are the engine of trade shows, conferences, seminar, and other gatherings. Humans are social creatures and for thousands of years have come together in groups to dine. It is primal. It is how we bond with others.
If you are on a special diet or have food allergies you need to plan ahead for the best way to handle the buffet line or plated meals. Most hotels will happily accommodate vegetarian, vegan, dairy free, Kosher, and other special needs if you give them advanced notice. Before arriving at the event make contact with the event organizer and / or the venue to find out the best options for your situation. Do not make your food needs an excuse for missing out on the chance to make contacts.
While at a conference treat the meals as your networking pot of gold. A little conversation could lead to a big opportunity down the line.
Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com
Many attendees who are primarily focused on knowledge gathering an event look at the breakfasts, networking breaks, lunches, happy hours and dinners as a time to skip out and get away. But the meal times are the most important opportunities to make meaningful connections with other people.
Everyone likes the idea of making a connection that leads to a future job opportunity, a new client, or a possible strategic partnership developing from king industry contacts. While these types of game-changing events do come from attending conferences, they do not happen by accident. You have to work to make, grow and keep your business relationships.
Be strategic in your plan for how to maximize your meal times while at a conference. Too many people leave their seating to chance, and never end up meeting anyone of consequence.They wonder aimlessly looking for a chair.
Better if you plan whom to sit with.
As you meet people throughout the day, ask them with whom they will be sitting at lunch or dinner. When you can create a plan to sit together with those you have already established an initial connections, you can them go deeper in your conversations during the meal.
Sitting at a random table is a game of "networking roulette". Yes, you might win big, but you also might shoot your chances of best utilizing the meal time.
It is also a great idea to agree to meet someone you have talked with briefly for breakfast the next morning. If you look at the conference schedule there is often a full hour or more set for breakfast, but most people run in just before the open session to grab a cup of coffee or a bagel. This time can be used for meaningful conversations. When you plan discussions with intention you will find more success.
Another mistake is some folks leave the conference to grab dinner with an old friend who lives in the city they are visiting. While it is wonderful and important to cultivate personal relationships, if you are attending a conference for business purposes, and your company is paying for you to be there, you should not skip out on any of the scheduled events. Meals are the engine of trade shows, conferences, seminar, and other gatherings. Humans are social creatures and for thousands of years have come together in groups to dine. It is primal. It is how we bond with others.
If you are on a special diet or have food allergies you need to plan ahead for the best way to handle the buffet line or plated meals. Most hotels will happily accommodate vegetarian, vegan, dairy free, Kosher, and other special needs if you give them advanced notice. Before arriving at the event make contact with the event organizer and / or the venue to find out the best options for your situation. Do not make your food needs an excuse for missing out on the chance to make contacts.
While at a conference treat the meals as your networking pot of gold. A little conversation could lead to a big opportunity down the line.
Have A Great Day
thom singer
Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com
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I have found (and I preach) that the definition of networking is:
“The creation of long-term and mutually beneficial relationships where all the parties involved find more success and satisfaction than they would without the association”
If you look at in those terms, one should be proud. When you can connect people to others with whom they take actions to better the world, that can never be a bad thing.
I believe many fall prey to the negative mis-conceptions of the words. While I do not enjoy the negative side of "networking", I am a believer that when it is done correctly, for the right reasons, there is not many a more noble set of actions a person can take.
By any name one who is a catalyst for the success should be a good thing!
Have A Great Day.
thom singer