We have a tendency to return to the way things have always been done. When we repeat the same process over and over again, the brain says, “Hey, we’ve done this many times. Let me automate it and you don’t have to think about it anymore.” That’s not always good when it comes to conference planning. We get stuck in mental models that may have worked in the past and are usually out of step with today. We have to work hard at shifting out mindsets and creating new MindShifts that cure old … [Read more...]
Use These Healthy Conference MindShifts To Thwart Poisonous Thinking
Sometimes, we just have to stop using old-school thinking. We have to move beyond this thought, “Well, it’s worked for us in the past so it must be the right thing to do now or in the future.” Some of our thinking is out of context with the today’s world. When it comes to conference planning, we need a new hat, a new attitude and a new dress to give Patti Labelle a nod. We need new thinking. We need healthier MindShifts. Three More Conference MindShifts Read about the first two … [Read more...]
Three More MindShift Antidotes To Poisonous Toxic Conference Mindsets
Antidote: a substance that can counteract a form of poisoning (and in the case of conferences, ingrained, fixed, established methods of thinking). An antidote neutralizes or prevents something harmful, damaging or dangerous. Some antidotes require antivenom used to treat a lethal situation. Many conference planning teams need antidotes to their panacea outdated thinking processes. They need new conference mindshifts. These conference mindshifts can serve as antivenom to prevent … [Read more...]
Creating Some Astonishingly Noble Meeting Mojo With Forward Leaning Conference MindShifts
As a conference organizer you have the amazing opportunity to create some noble and transformative meeting mojo! We just need the right thinking tools to do conferences better. We have to reframe our lens, filters and thinking so that we can propel our customers into the future advantageously. We have to move beyond gathering and reviewing our surface stats from the past. We have to let go of the attitude that the old way is better. And we can’t fall into the routine of only looking at the … [Read more...]
Conference Cloning: Principles Not Practices
Many of us do it. We seek the next great idea. We read lists of tips and tricks in search of one unique takeaway we can try at our event. We observe what other conferences are doing. We turn to the experts and others who have had success and ask them how they did it. We complain if an expert doesn't tell us how to do something so we can copy them. Conference Impersonators Sure imitation is one of the greatest forms of flattery as the old adage states. Yet too often, conference … [Read more...]
Your Rigid Thinking May Block Conference Improvements
Did you learn how to ride a bicycle as a kid? We often say, “Well, it’s just like riding a bicycle. Once you learn how, you’ll never forget.” But what if you had to forget everything you learned about riding a bicycle? What if you had to unlearn and start over? Could you learn, unlearn and relearn how to ride a bicycle? Your Cognitive Bias Equals Rigid Thinking You probably said yes, that you could learn, unlearn and relearn how to ride a bicycle. And therein lies your biggest … [Read more...]
Four Visionary Leadership Conference Mindsets Needed In The 21st Century
Vision…it’s easy to talk about. It’s hard to create and implement. And it’s often even harder to upgrade. What’s your vision for the 21st Century conference? How are conferences evolving? As the new year starts, there’s no time like the present to think about creating a fresh vision and adopting a new frame of mind for your next conference. Four Visionary Conference States Of Mind The world continues to evolve at a rapid and accelerated pace. Conferences are in a unique position to … [Read more...]
Four Commitments That Block Conference Reinvention
Some conferences keep pace with changing times. Others seem stuck in a time warp. Tradition led them to success in the past and they expect it will in the future. Most organizations respond to changing times in some way. Many respond by increasing the flurry of activity that has resulted in past success. Usually, that’s the wrong response. Active Inertia: The Early Failure Warning Sign Active inertia is the primary reason organizations fail to adapt to changing business environments says … [Read more...]