Do you know how to SpotME???

Yesterday I attended the 2010 MPI Leadership, Education and Awards program held at the Sheraton Chicago. I must say there were many things about the day that I really enjoyed but there was one aspect in particular that I was rather blown away by. The SPOTME device. For those of you who don't know what this is it's basically an oversized PDA that allows attendees to be engaged in the event.

One of the key features is business card sharing. By simply touching your device to another persons device all your personal information is then transferred to them, you can accumulate people until the end of the night and the information is then emailed to you. This is great if your the type of person who does not bring business cards but I would rather have the card (I know it's not very green) but then I can make notes on the back and to me there is something about using the sense of touch, it's one more way that I've connected with the person. Plus I like to email people first thing the next day and start to establish a relationship. It's now almost noon the following day and I've received nothing yet. (I seriously doubt this would fly in Japan.)

But aside from the Business Card Sharing there were features that were quite redeemable. There was an ask the speaker button where you could type questions as the speaker was talking and they were transmitted right to the front for the Q&A portion. Did I mention it is totally anonymous? This is great! It enables people who would normally not ask questions to be heard. It is also much easier to manage the Q&A session. Similar questions can all be answered at once, and it becomes clear what needs to be elaborated on more.

You can also send messages to other attendees and use the radar to find out who is standing around you or "spot" someone you'd like to speak to. Not to mention it has the full event agenda listed, there are voting capabilities, text messaging and other custom options. Overall I think the device is very cutting edge and it just shows how great the strides in our technology have become. The manner in which we hold meetings and conventions is really blossoming.

Just be sure to have your morning coffee before the meeting starts. One key feature is a beautiful picture that is taken of you on site and remains the screen on your Spotme all day. I'm curious to see if it's emailed with the business card information. This may not be the picture I want floating around...

How to get EVERY ONE to listen to you!

Nowadays it’s all about access. Blackberries and iphones that make you available 24/7; Facebook and twitter where people learn that you’ve just had chicken fried steak for dinner and blogs that showcase your personality & expertise on your company website.

These are all ways that you communicate with the world at large marketing yourself without ever meeting a soul. The next biggest step: Video marketing. A well-crafted video of what you do, how you work, or clients whom you’ve satisfied is that last qualifier some people need to pick up the phone and call you. Now EVERYONE had a website, FB page, Follow us on twitter tag… therefore we are still challenged with finding ways to make ourselves different.

A video blog, or intro to your company website allows you to say so much more than simple text with pretty fonts. The ability to watch someone describe their company, and capabilities allows for their body language, eye contact (yes even though it’s virtual) and their personality to shine through. You may or may not like a person/company and know instantly that they will or will not be the best company for you to go into business with.


BUT WATCH OUT!!!! Things can go both ways. If you have an underwhelming video with a blank background, Blair witch project hydraulics, and lame monotone content…. You will be discounted right away. It’s just like anything in business you can’t just have a product and expect it to sell. You have to work to make it attractive. A video on your site will not simply get people to buy your services you have to produce a video that entices people to buy.

Video marketing can be a very effective marketing tool when approached in a strategic manner. Put some thought into your video marketing campaigns before you hit the record button. Make it look amazing and people will think your amazing.

Need An Intern???

It's that time of year again. Time to freshen up the Quickbooks, reorganize client lists, run productivity reports on services, cost benefit analysis on marketing expenses....Basically it's time to push paper. I don't know about you but I as a business owner can't reconcile the time it takes to input all this data. These tasks are so necessary but so TIME CONSUMING! I need to spend my time getting the word out about my business, meeting new clients, producing events... So how do I do both??

That's easy; Interns! There are so many eager young minds who not only need the resume building but will really benefit from the experience of working with an established business owner and learning hands on tricks of the trade.

Now students this work may sound boring and mundane but it is the backbone of all business isn't it? We all had to learn how to do these things when we started out. Wouldn't it be true that if a company didn't have an understanding of how the finances work and who their target market is they wouldn't be in business?

That's not to say all they could do is paperwork. Of course they can be as involved as you want them to be. The sky is the limit with interns and with so many amazing Universities in Chicago the talent pool is endless.

Not only will they be helping you but by hiring interns you are giving back to your community and helping to shape the future leaders of tomorrow. - That was my humanity push

Check out these Universities to post your internship opportunities:

Depaul
Northwestern
Columbia College
Roosevelt Univesity
Lexington College
Loyola University
University Of Chicago

If your not local to Chicago try the University of Dreams for internships nationwide!

Value + Service = $$$$$$$$$

It's really marketing 101 but sometime its best to review the basics. In this market competition is fierce. Not only with other companies but with ourselves. Cutting cost, improving company image, re-branding, re-positioning the analysis can be endless...

Lets talk about what really matters, the reason people really give you their hard earned money. VALUE. What is your value proposition? What value do you provide to your clients, the actual not the perceived.

So as we are all reading blogs about cutting costs, going to workshops about office efficiency, and listening to podcasts about increasing sales we need to remember the basics. Who are we as a company? What is the impression of our industry? Who are our customers? Finally, what VALUE do we provide for them?

Here are a few questions to get you started:

1. What value do clients and decision makers perceive about our general category of company and services?

2. What is the value clients and decision makers in our target market perceive about us as a firm?

3. What value do clients and decision makers in the market perceive about the specific services we offer?

4. What value do clients and decision makers in the market perceive about solving the particular problems that they currently have?

The Best Event Theme Ever....

I've been approached a lot lately about "THEMES" for events. Everyone wants something catchy, something different. Yet many people throw out the idea of Vegas, Mardi Gras, and Red Carpet etc... What these themes say to me are bad high school proms, very generic where favors can be sourced from Party City and visions of create paper and balloons dance in my head.

If you want an event that stands out then have a theme that stands out. Yes these tried and true Vegas, & Mardi Gras themes have their appeal because people know how to categorize them. They associate them with a fun wild night. It’s an easy sell but it's not one that will differentiate you. Your being measured against all the other Vegas & Mardi Gra parties these guests have been to in their lifetime.

A better way to incorporate themes into events and make your company stand out is to create an event around a theme in your business. Not really rocket science but it's best to keep things simple. You don't want to make people use their brains to connect the dots you want to connect the dots for them and tell their brains what to think.

Some good theme ideas:

1. Ballroom and Bubbles Fundraiser for a handcrafted soap store
2. Improv Movie premiere for the film Funny People
3. Glamorama Macy's annual fashion show

Each of these themes gives a nod to the actual work/service/or product provided and what the company wants to highlight. For example Glamorama - totally made up word but it gives the sense that something is glamorous and elegant therefore a person thinks and feels that your company and event will be glamorous and elegant. (see connecting the dots)

So next time you need a catchy theme for your event think about what your company does and how you want people to feel about it.

Inspiration That Lasts Forever

A friend is one of the most valuable possession a person can acquire. In this life of being an entrepreneur there are not too many who understand our plight. The drive for success, the unmitigated need to risk it all, and the confidence that no matter what we will figure it out. In my quest to start, grow and maintain this business there has been one friend that has been more than an inspiration, he's been a beacon of hope, a guiding light, and a constant source of support.

Even in the wake of his death Dan Taylor's overwhelming presence still surrounds me. As an extremely accomplished entrepreneur Dan has seen many success and a few mis-steps along the way. In his business coaching he was completely transparent. He let everyone know that success is difficult, that life is difficult, but what you do with it when it gets difficult is what matters.

He was larger than life itself and his legacy will live on in the pages of history. A successful man who used his money to do good. Who built his company to provide solutions to people's needs, not dump money in own his pockets. A man who would take time out of his day to help fix yours at a moment's notice. A man who treated his clients just like he treated his friends. With respect, love, generosity and understanding.

I am blessed to have had such a role model in my life. He has shown me so much in the ways of business, challenging authority, standing up for what is right, and treating clients with as much kindness and understanding as I would my best friend.

Thank you Dan. There are so many of us who are so much better because of you.

Use Chicago as your Client Appreciation Event...

This city has so much to offer and at this time of year albeit cold outside there is no shortage of things to do. All business men expect a trip to Morton's, Gibsons, Ruth Chris etc for a meeting. Or a pre-printed holiday card. The key to business is standing out, differentiating yourself from your competitors. Just think for a moment, how many holiday party invites have you gotten that result in an evening at a hotel? While yes this may be the best way to go for a large scale event what about your smaller ones?? The every day gestures you make for your clients. Have you even seen everything Chicago has to offer??

Next time instead of sending a bucket of Garrets popcorn how about sending tickets to:

"A Christmas Carol" at the Goodman Theater.
OR
Second Citys Exceedingly Dysfunctional Holiday Revue.

There are so many things I can't list them all, (plus Chicago Traveler already has a good start)

Don't forget to check out the city of Chicago Special Events. It's the best way to stay up to date on things going on in the city. They are most often free and a great way to entertain clients. Especially those coming from out of town.

- Chicago is great raw material, USE IT!