Nothing is the way it used to be. Little is the same. Not much is a sure thing. The convergence of the economy, society and technology has turned the old ways of doing things upside down. The old rules for success have changed. Your ability to learn new things and adapt mean the difference between … [Read more…]
Step into any public venue today and you’ll see a variety of technology tools in use. Yet most of our face to face meetings still do not reflect the realities of our time. The Horizon Report 2010 examines key trends that will impact a variety of global sectors in the coming five years. These … [Read more…]
Did you happen to see the following string of tweets started by social media community manager Amber Naslund? Pointless Bland Conferences I don’t know which conference Naslund was talking about. It obviously struck a chord with several people. Unfortunately, this is not new to many conference participants. Educator Harold Jarche talked about The Conference Rut … [Read more…]
Information Indigestion. You can find it in the new book of conference diseases. Information indigestion is a symptom of the conference organizer’s inability to filter unnecessary topics from the conference agenda. It is a real dis-ease to conference participants. And the culprit is the conference content organizer. One of the biggest challenges facing meeting professionals … [Read more…]
I can’t get no conference satisfaction, I can’t get no conference satisfaction, ‘Cause I try and I try and I try and I try. I can’t get no, I can’t get no. When I’m sittin’ in your session and a man comes on the stage he’s tellin’ me more and more about some useless information … [Read more…]
As you shift from a focus of a short-term, one-night stand conference experience to a long term relationship (LTR) with potential and registered attendees, you need to plan things differently. A LTR view means you look at each year and think about how you can begin to develop, build and maintain a community experience all … [Read more…]
Seen recently in conference personal ads: Wanted – LTR* with conference registrants. Those desiring a STF* need not register. Looking for those that are interested in more than a casual relationship, where both of us have a commitment to each other’s success. Signed Conference Organizers *LTR – Long Term Relationship; STF – Short Term Fling … [Read more…]
Fires. They are powerful forces. Sometimes detrimental. Sometimes beneficial. Ultimately, fires are the visible, tangible effect of matter changing form. Fire is a chemical reaction. Just like fires, your meeting can serve as a visible, tangible effect of transformation. It can help people transform their professional lives, direction and goals. It can bring light to … [Read more…]
Ping. A pop-up reminder notice appears on my computer. I react with a sick-in-the-stomach-feeling and a sense of dread. It is time to attend that regularly scheduled meeting. I prepare myself for another wasted, boring, unproductive meeting. I feel like my hands are tied. It is another hour lost into the business black hole. You … [Read more…]
Just like highway accidents. You know you shouldn’t but you do it anyway. You are drawn to slow down, look and watch. Highways have Looky-Loos and most conferences have rubberneckers. Those attendees that watch others’ misfortune unveil and then play them over and over in slow motion as they discuss them with colleagues… Except for … [Read more…]
