(6004,1,'2017-05-12 20:36:31','2017-05-12 20:36:31','<h2>5 Things Preventing You From Being Transparent</h2>\r\n<h3>By Heather R. Huhman</h3>\r\nCorporate transparency is a hot topic right now, but there’s still a long way to go. A December 2016 BetterWorks <a href=\"http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/betterworks-employee-sentiment-survey-says-92-of-full-time-working-americans-would-work-harder-if-their-co-workers-could-see-their-goals-300376417.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">survey</a> of 1,000 employees found that 64 percent of respondents continued to feel that their company’s leadership wasn\'t transparent in communicating top goals. So, what are business leaders doing wrong?\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-6008 size-medium\" title=\"Corporate transparency is a hot topic right now, but there’s still a long way to go. A December 2016 BetterWorks survey of 1,000 employees found that 64 percent of respondents continued to feel that their company’s leadership wasn\'t transparent in communicating top goals. 5 Things Preventing You From Being Transparent\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/20160419174511-leadership-employees-careers-meeting-300x169.jpeg\" alt=\"Corporate transparency is a hot topic right now, but there’s still a long way to go. A December 2016 BetterWorks survey of 1,000 employees found that 64 percent of respondents continued to feel that their company’s leadership wasn\'t transparent in communicating top goals. 5 Things Preventing You From Being Transparent\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" />By seeing how others have missed the mark, other leaders can be on the lookout for similar problems in their own companies.\r\n\r\nHere are some mistakes workplace and HR experts have reported seeing firsthand when it comes to transparent leadership:\r\n<h2>1. Believing in the ‘that’s-above-your-pay-grade’ mentality</h2>\r\nMany leaders decide to keep things from their employees because they believe certain information is \"need-to-know.\" Information about how the company is performing or why decisions are made are deemed topics employees either aren’t interested in or have no right to know.\r\n\r\nHowever, leaving employees in the dark breeds distrust. “Employees start to ask ‘What is leadership hiding?’” Carl Seidman, a Chicago-based executive coach and consultant, told me. “Employees can become paranoid, fearful, feel unprotected by leadership, threatened in their roles, disengaged or even malicious if they feel resentful.”\r\n\r\nBut, by giving employees bigger-picture information, they feel valued. They stop thinking they’re expendable because they are included.\r\n\r\nSo, instead of thinking up reasons why employees shouldn’t know something, consider why they might want to. Are they worried they’re not meeting expectations? Do they believe that their work isn’t contributing to the team? Providing information on factors like profits can help alleviate those worries.\r\n\r\n“It\'s all rooted in trust,” Seidman pointed out. “If leaders trust their employees and employees trust their leaders, they should agree that each is acting in the best interest of the company.”\r\n<h2>2. Unclear goals and expectations</h2>\r\nWhen you\'re talking about transparent leadership, general expectations for employees often get overlooked. It’s not that these goals and responsibilities are purposefully kept a secret; companies just aren’t in the habit of making them overt.\r\n\r\nSo, it should come as no surprise that many employees are unsure about how they should be performing.\r\n\r\nA September 2015 Gallup <a href=\"http://www.gallup.com/opinion/gallup/185921/obsolete-annual-reviews-gallup-advice.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">survey</a> of 550 companies consisting of 2.2 million employees found that only 50 percent of those employees said they understood what was expected of them at work. The other half of employees said they had to guess.\r\n\r\nWith all the new performance management tools available, that’s inexcusable. For instance, <a href=\"http://latticehq.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lattice</a> allows an organization to set individual, team and company goals while providing feedback to employees about how they’re doing. Everything is laid out in a clear and easy-to-understand way, so employees don’t have to stumble around and hope they’re doing what they should to help the team succeed.\r\n\r\nAlso helpful: having an open discussion about what’s going on so everyone is informed and involved.\r\n\r\n“At my company, we meet bi-weekly to report on current workflow, what’s in the pipeline, potential new hires, marketing initiatives and anything else that is current,” Christy Lamagna, strategist at <a href=\"https://strategic.events/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Strategic Meetings &amp; Events</a> in Bernardsville, N.J., told me. “We also leave time at the end of each meeting for open discussion.”\r\n<h2>3. Undervaluing the motivational power of honesty</h2>\r\nTransparent leadership is about more than the big picture. It also trickles down to day-to-day performance management. Everyone from executives down to interns needs a clear understanding of how they’re doing with regard to their individual goals.\r\n\r\n“When business leaders avoid sharing real-time performance metrics, they waste time and miss a huge opportunity to motivate employees,” said David Kalt, CEO and founder of <a href=\"https://reverb.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Reverb.com</a> in Chicago. “A constant flow of important data helps employees see the company’s -- and their own -- successes and failures in real-time,\" Kalt said.\r\n\r\n\"This means employees can celebrate their successes and learn from their mistakes as they happen, rather than during an end-of-the-year banquet or quarterly review.”\r\n\r\nClear, constant feedback improves employees’ productivity by reassuring them of the quality of their work. And since that information is freely available to everyone, employees know that their performance is being noticed and appreciated by their managers.\r\n<h2>4. Fearing the worst</h2>\r\nMany employers withhold certain information because they fear it will cause employees to jump ship. Ironically, however, employees tend to fill in the voids with even worse assumptions.\r\n\r\nAll of a sudden, they begin fearing that executives are staying quiet because the company is going under and major layoffs are on the way. In reality, though, what leaders are hiding might be something much less ominous, like a slower sales month.\r\n\r\n“Employers hold a death grip on any negative news; as if employees are so ignorant as to believe that only good things happen to this particular company,” said Joe Campagna, president and executive HR consultant at My Virtual HR Director in Parlin, N.J. “Even when directly questioned by employees, I have seen executives deflect, duck or even lie. This starts a death spiral within a culture.”\r\n\r\nCampagna added that multiple aspects of a company may be affected: Engagement suffers. Great employees turn into toxic ones. Employee retention suffers. Any new initiatives designed to correct the hidden problem are dead in the water before they even start.\r\n\r\nBut bad news doesn’t have to be that destructive. “I always encourage my employers and my clients to be as transparent as possible,” said Campagna. “I counsel executives that negative news is a great opportunity to gain employee trust and loyalty and to raise productivity behind a common cause.”\r\n<h2>5. Missed opportunities to problem-solve</h2>\r\nAs the saying goes: When life hands you lemons, make lemonade. That applies to transparent leadership, as well.\r\n\r\nWhen something bad happens, like a dip in profits, instead of hiding the information from employees, approach it as an opportunity for the team to get creative. “My philosophy for my employees and my clients is to have open and effective communication. Whether it\'s a potential problem, a concern or a question, all these things can be best solved when shared with the rest of the team,” pointed out David Mitroff, founder of <a href=\"http://piedmontave.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Piedmont Avenue Consulting</a> in Oakland, Calif.\r\n\r\nThis reframes any problems as opportunities, making them seem less ominous to leaders and employees. Plus, it allows everyone to be involved in the solution, making employees feel important and indispensable.\r\n\r\nTransparency is something every organization should work toward. But there are still a lot of improvements to make. Understanding all the benefits that come with transparent leadership makes it easier to stay focused on that goal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>Tags: 5 Things Preventing You From Being Transparent, Transparent, Transparency, Corporate Events, Corporate Meetings, Event Planners, Event Planning, Strategic Events, Strategic Planner Tips, Strategic Planning, Leadership, Success, Entrepreneur</em>\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.entrepreneur.com\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6010\" title=\"Entrepreneur\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/1413842518-entrepreneur-logo.jpg\" alt=\"Entrepreneur\" width=\"295\" height=\"112\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','5 Things Preventing You From Being Transparent','','publish','open','open','','5-things-preventing-being-transparent','','','2018-02-13 14:21:11','2018-02-13 14:21:11','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=6004',0,'post','',0),(6008,3,'2017-05-13 14:02:42','2017-05-13 14:02:42','','5 Things Preventing You From Being Transparent','','inherit','open','closed','','20160419174511-leadership-employees-careers-meeting','','','2017-06-05 17:18:33','2017-06-05 17:18:33','',6004,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/20160419174511-leadership-employees-careers-meeting.jpeg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6010,3,'2017-05-13 14:04:58','2017-05-13 14:04:58','','1413842518-entrepreneur-logo','','inherit','open','closed','','1413842518-entrepreneur-logo','','','2017-10-27 21:01:27','2017-10-27 21:01:27','',6004,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/1413842518-entrepreneur-logo.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6043,1,'2017-05-25 18:47:40','2017-05-25 18:47:40','[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>32 Ways to Prospect for Sales Leads Without Cold Calling</h2>\r\n<h3>By Alexander Howard</h3>\r\nCold calling is one of the oldest tricks in the book. And like many old techniques, it\'s often outshined by newer, more efficient ways of doing business.\r\n\r\nAn overreliance on cold calling can be a good indication that an independent sales agent is too inexperienced to know how to effectively reach his or her target audience. A good shortcut can save you hundreds of hours of misplaced effort and dead-end leads. That\'s why we\'ve reached out to 32 industry sales experts to provide highly-effective tips that\'ll help you put down the phone and pick up more clients.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/3hgz6.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1519773166662{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2>1. Get as Many Referrals as Possible</h2>\r\nBrett Wells (Chief Research Officer at Talent Plus, Inc.) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/BrettMWells\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@BrettMWells</a>\r\n\r\nSuccessful sales agents constantly receive referrals from their current clients. Why is this so important? <a class=\"mobx\" data-src=\"http://labs.openviewpartners.com/b2b-sales-stats/#.WScr2mjyvIW/embed\" data-type=\"iframe\" data-width=\"4000\" data-height=\"2000\" data-rel=\"gallery-name\"> According to OpenView Labs</a>, 73% of executives prefer salespeople referred by someone they know, 84% of B2B decision makers start the buying process with referrals, and referrals convert 30% better than leads generated from other sources. In the age of the Net Promoter Score, it’s important to ask why clients give ratings of 9 or 10. Always focus on relationship building and look for opportunities that add value. One of our consultants won over a referral just by sending a birthday card.\r\n\r\nWant to leverage referrals?\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Ask current clients if they would refer your services to a friend or colleague.</li>\r\n 	<li>For clients who respond positively, ask who they have in mind.</li>\r\n 	<li>Track your promoter’s connections on LinkedIn. If a connection’s promising, ask for an introduction.</li>\r\n 	<li>Share your successes with your clients, and express your appreciation via a handwritten note.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2ppzi83.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2> 2. Refine Your Content</h2>\r\nSteven Benson (CEO of BadgerMapping.com) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/SteveBenson\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@SteveBenson</a>\r\n\r\nManage your resources through effective outbound content, customer service, and content marketing. Do research on the language and terms your ideal customers use and create content that answers their biggest questions. Refining your content not only strengthens your brand, it improves the quality and interest of your average prospect.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/r94suw.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>3. Be Honest About Your Services</h2>\r\nKevin Smith (Managing Director at Brainstorm Creative Studios) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/brainstormcs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@brainstormcs</a>\r\n\r\nTransparency and flexibility are vital to success. Being honest about both the positive and negative aspects of your product is key to gaining trust and credibility in the marketplace. Recognizing your faults is vital to making a change. Flexibility will allow you to modify your product with each potential client and is an effective way to fix some of your negative aspects.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Colleen_Stanley_sales_leadership.png\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>4. Understand Your Prospects</h2>\r\nColleen Stanley (President at SalesLeadership, Inc.) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/eiselling\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@EiSelling</a>\r\n\r\nMake sure to identify the vital attributes of your ideal prospects. Otherwise, you’ll fall into the sales trap of being busy but not productive. Most salespeople only look at demographics such as size and revenue when developing a pursuit strategy. Equally important are the psychographics, or the attitudes and cultures of a potential client. Ask these questions:\r\n\r\n•Does the leadership believe in investing time and money in development, or do they subscribe to the sink or swim approach?\r\n\r\n•Do they value outside counsel or are they do-it-yourselfers?\r\n\r\n•Do they buy according to value or price?\r\n\r\nGet clear on your best-fit client. You can be the greatest seller in the world and not close a single deal if you focus on prospects that can’t or won’t buy your product.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2ex9e0m.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>5. Write Effective Linkedin InMail</h2>\r\nDavid Davies (Managing Director at Sandler Training) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/SandlerTV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@SandlerTV</a>\r\n\r\nLinkedIn InMail can be an incredibly effective prospecting tool when done right. Most InMails are too long, though. Too much ‘buy-my-stuff’ diatribe. ‘Click-baiting’ with things like hyperlinks and attachments can be a major turn-off. InMails, or even emails, should aim to be 100 words or less. That translates into just three simply constructed sentences:\r\n\r\n1: Make it personal: How do you know them? Find referrals, do research about potential clients, or dig up recent news about a company.\r\n\r\n2: Show that you know their “pain”: What’s the problem? Show that you understand their pain points and share some problems you’ve solved.\r\n\r\n3: Call to Action: What happens next? Suggest the next natural steps, typically in the form of a question.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2zfkf9u.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>6. Turn Your Network Into Your Extended Sales Team</h2>\r\nChristy Lamagna (President of Strategic Meetings &amp; Events) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/SMEChristy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@SMEChristy</a>\r\n\r\nYour network will lead you to your next sale. The key is knowing how to turn your network into your extended sales team. The power of imagery is amazing. Instead of asking for people to think of someone who may need my services, which is vague and nonspecific, I paint them a picture. I’ll say, “I’m looking for someone with a winter tan and who wears an expensive timepiece.” When they see that person, BOOM, I’m on their mind.\r\n\r\nIf you want your path to lead to success, draw your network a map so they know how to help you get there.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/5wb28y.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>7. Never Be Afraid to Ask For Referrals</h2>\r\nBrian Marsh (Sales Director at Futurepump) <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-marsh-83645a24/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LinkedIn</a>\r\n\r\nSuccessful agents know to always ask for referrals. Every meeting should end with \"do you know anyone else who would benefit from my product/service?\", even if your prospect didn’t decide on your service. Get creative. Tell as many people as possible what you sell and never be afraid to ask. Your results will skyrocket.\r\n\r\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2i0aoi1.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>8. Content, Content, and More Content!</h2>\r\nJeff Goldberg (Jeff Goldberg &amp; Associates) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/jeffgprospeaker\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@jeffgprospeaker</a>\r\n\r\nI frequently post content on my website and newsletter, but I especially like LinkedIn, as the audience is largely salespeople and managers. By offering valuable <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategically-building-your-information-pipeline/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">information</a> instead of a sales pitch for your product or service, readers will come to see you as generous and an expert in your field. My experience has been that offering enough valuable content on a regular basis brings the prospects to you, rather than the other way around. Make it easy for your prospects to ‘raise their hand!’ Produce and share valuable content as often as possible.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/1ysfx1.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>9. Keep A Healthy Sales Pipeline</h2>\r\nAli Mirza (President of Rose Garden Consulting) <a href=\"https://rosegardenconsulting.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rose Garden Consulting</a>\r\n\r\nKeep your pipeline full of rich and viable prospects. An empty pipeline can leave salespeople placing undue importance on a small number of clients. The problem is that so many want a healthy pipeline but don’t know how to maintain it. For me, most of my deals come to me through my network. I make myself available at all times for lending a helping hand with sales. I establish myself as the go-to expert. The small amount of time I spend offering free help provides me with immeasurable ROI. Those I help always tell their friends and everyone in their network, affording me a constant inflow of people seeking my help.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2cfqj3c-1.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>10. Track Tweets in Your Target Market</h2>\r\nMike Kawula (CEO of Social Quant) <a href=\"https://www.socialquant.net/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Social Quant\'s Website</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-tips-tweeting/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Twitter</a> is a phenomenal way to drive sales, regardless of whether you’re a local, national, international, online, or offline business. Don’t believe me? I grew my 50-person local cleaning business simply by following local tweets, starting conversations, and addressing pain points. This process also helped me grow a multi-million-dollar online office supply store by listening to and engaging with those mentioning our competitors. It’s an easy, painless alternative to cold calling that can literally happen within moments![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/23kcf4j.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>11. Do Your Homework</h2>\r\nJoe Templin (Managing Director at The Unique Minds Consulting Group) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/therealheadgeek\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@TheRealHeadGeek</a>\r\n\r\nDedicate fifteen minutes before a <a href=\"https://strategic.events/plan-meeting-first-question-ask/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">meeting</a> to do research and generate a list of potential introductions (ALWAYS ask to be introduced). Asking questions and showing you have already invested time earns you the right for more trust and introductions, and makes calling easy.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Morlyn_Duma_freelance_sales_consultant.png\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]12. Use Mail Shots\r\n\r\nMorlyn Duma Maturere (Freelance Sales Consultant) <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/morlyn-duma-maturure-b75717b1/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LinkedIn</a>\r\n\r\nSome of the best tactics that I have used, approved, and recommended include Mail Shots, social media, and online targeted sales. If your product or service targets small to medium-sized enterprises, sending Mail Shots to members under your local SME association can yield great results. Members who receive Mail Shots through their association have a high reading rate and (as long as a value proposition is great) at least 50% of the database will respond. Place your sales banners on websites that are frequented by your target market. For example, place a software sales banner on an online digital magazine site. That way, you\'ll develop a pipeline of prospects who are already interested in your product, are willing to take your call, and have a high chance at converting into clients![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/1zqx0sw.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>13. Research Your Prospects And Persist</h2>\r\nKeith Crispin (Sales Director at Aotea Global Services (GB) Ltd) <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithcrispin/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LinkedIn</a>\r\n\r\nApply your solution to the market: what verticals or sectors are likely to be your potential customers? Determine who your best fit is, be they large multinational companies, SMEs, government departments, charities, or whoever else. Then decide who it is you need to reach, such as C-graders, department heads, or line managers. Obtain information on potential customers, turnover rates, employees numbers, lines of business, geographical locations, etc. Research the names and email addresses of target prospects. Determine your contact strategy for the next six to twelve months and don’t be put off with rejection or non-availability. The key is persistence. Most salespeople give up when they don’t get a quick result. If it’s worth achieving, it’s worth persevering for.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Kimberly_Rath_sales_talent_plus.png\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>14. Become a Thought Leader</h2>\r\nKimberly Rath (Chairman &amp; Founder of Talent Plus) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/TalentPlusInc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@TalentPlusInc</a>\r\n\r\nEstablishing a social media presence and becoming a thought leader through blogging can make all the difference. Engaging your target audience encourages them to spend more time listening to you and becoming part of the conversation. LinkedIn has become an increasingly important tool in the sales world, not only for connecting directly to potential prospects but for engaging entire communities of individuals on a particular topic or discipline.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/ziubrp.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>15. Great Networking Takes Time</h2>\r\nBrian Cox (Mobile Consultant at Leadpro Expert) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/LeadproExpert\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@LeadproExpert</a>\r\n\r\nSales agents can’t go from cold contacts to account representatives without the right network. And they can’t do it overnight. You should plan to spend around six months within a particular industry in order to fully develop your network. While working in that industry at the operational level, connect with people and develop a list of contacts. This list can easily become the bedrock of your sales effort. You have to develop a solid list of contacts before you can hope to get known by other professionals.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2rgp4zo.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>16. Go Old-School - Visit Prospects In Person</h2>\r\nGene Caballero (Co-founder of GreenPal) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/gene_caballero?lang=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@gene_caballero</a>\r\n\r\nWhenever possible, pay a real-life visit to a potential customer and let them know who you are. It’s easy for clients to delete a voicemail or ignore an email, but meeting them in person might just give you the opportunity to get your foot in the door. It also shows that you’re willing to put forth a certain amount of effort. All in all, prospects tend to buy things from people they like.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2vl2r8o.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>17. Be Free With Your Advice</h2>\r\nJanet Efere (Sales Trainer and Coach at Tadpole Training) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/JanetEfere\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@JanetEfere</a>\r\n\r\nAdvertise yourself as someone who’s always willing to offer help and advice about sales. That doesn’t have to mean \'free consultation\' - people often see this as code for \'I\'m trying to persuade you to sign up for something.’ Just freely and generously share information, templates, and proven processes. You’ll be surprised how many recommendations it leads to. I don’t worry about the people who never come back. Anyone who’s serious about growing their business will take my <a href=\"https://strategic.events/meeting-pro-christy-lamagna/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">advice</a>, see that it works, and want to come back on a more formal basis. Those who don’t aren’t my ideal clients in the first place, so I never had anything to lose.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/29cl7br.jpg\" image_size=\"full\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>18. Look for Speaking Engagements</h2>\r\nDan Warman (Continuous Improvement Manager at US Acute Care Solutions) <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielwarman/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LinkedIn</a>\r\n\r\nAttend industry trade shows with the aim to get a speaking or presenting spot at one of their ‘breakout sessions.’ The opportunity won’t only get you and your company in front of potential customers, it also gives you the chance to demonstrate expertise without it feeling like a sales pitch. Just make sure your speeches aim to teach and coach. The increased sales should only be an added benefit. People come to these events to learn. Turn your presentation into ‘just another sales call’ and you\'ll lose them.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gretchen_Hydo_sales_coach.png\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>19. Utilize Your Alumni Network</h2>\r\nGretchen Hydo (Business Productivity &amp; Life Coach at Any Lengths Life Coaching) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/anylengthscoach\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@AnyLengthsCoach</a>\r\n\r\nTap into your alumni organization. Many have monthly mixers that provide a friendly environment, giving you the opportunity to meet with like-minded people. You never know where these connections may lead and who might refer you.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2luqpox.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>20. Make It Easy for People to Find You</h2>\r\nJanice Dru (Board Member at Inkwhy, Inc.) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/inkwhy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@Inkwhy</a>\r\n\r\nSet up your \"engine\" to get inbound requests for your products and services. Create a web page where you describe what you offer, answer frequently asked questions, and post testimonials from satisfied clients. Then make sure you also have an easy way for people to reach you, whether that be by phone, email address, or contact form. Start building a client list and follow up on communications and requests right away.\r\n\r\nPush out your <a href=\"https://strategic.events/content-master/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">content</a> across social media, as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter are the top three places to be. Know where your audience is and post there consistently.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2qalabs.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>21. Make the Call!</h2>\r\nJeb Blount (CEO of Sales Gravy, Inc.) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/SalesGravy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@SalesGravy</a>\r\n\r\nThe best salespeople keep a whole arsenal of tricks and methods. The key to successful prospecting is to use every resource you have available. And yes, that includes cold calling!\r\n\r\n\"Stop wasting time reading dumb articles about how to avoid cold calling and pick up the damn phone!\" - Jeb Blount[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Nick_Kane_Janek_Performance.png\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>22. Don’t Neglect Your Old Contacts</h2>\r\nNick Kane (Managing Partner at Janek Performance Group) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/janekpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@JanekPG</a>\r\n\r\nRevisit existing accounts you haven’t spoken to in some time. Don’t make the mistake of calling them for the sake of “checking in.” Instead, catch up on your clients’ recent developments. Maybe they’ve launched a new product, won an industry award, or come across a promotion. Use this intel as a lead-in for your call.\r\n\r\nYou also want to plan your call ahead of time. Think about what you want to accomplish with your call and how to go about doing it. Ask your clients if they’ve been satisfied with previous purchases and find out if there’s a need for your continued services. If the timing isn’t right to move forward with a new opportunity just yet, ask for a referral. This is something that should go both ways – sharing a referral with your customer can go a long way in building rapport and trust.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Thom_Singer_speaker.png\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>23. Help Out Others</h2>\r\nThom Singer (Professional Speaker/Master of Ceremonies) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/thomsinger\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@thomsinger</a>\r\n\r\nBe the one who helps others find success. Promote your prospects or introduce them to potential clients, vendors, partners, etc. The fastest way to get on my radar is to refer me business. I make sure to take calls from anyone who has helped me find success. Try to sell and maybe prospects will listen to you. But tweet about them and praise them in public and they\'ll want to know who you are and why you’re helping them win.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Jonathan_Barteaux_sales.png\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>24. Diversify Your Approach</h2>\r\nJon Barteaux (Principal at Barteaux and Associates) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/barteaux?lang=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@barteaux</a>\r\n\r\nProspecting for new business is paramount for a tier-one sales organization. The key is to diversify: I use lead generation outsourcing to find a volume of qualified leads but I also use LinkedIn’s InMail to connect one-on-one with C-level prospects. I try and meet with those who share common interests or ideas, but often times I’ll simply ask to be referred to their peers or partners. I also use social media monitoring tools, making sure to be very specific in what I am looking for when I’m trying to connect with prospects over Linkedin.\r\n\r\nUse tools to diversify your approach, always with the <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-steps-achieve-business-goals/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">goal</a> to get the meeting and not to sell at first contact.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/1zc02s8.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>25. Write a Newsletter</h2>\r\nJessica Magoch (Co-Founder and CEO of JPM Sales Partners) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/jessicamagoch\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@JessicaMagoch</a>\r\n\r\nWhether via email or snail mail, being able to directly communicate with potential and existing customers is priceless. In exchange for their email, offer a valuable freebie (or opt-in) that relates directly to your target audience. Examples include cheat sheets, whitepapers, mini-video lessons, and templates. Once you receive a person’s email, you must respect it. All of our inboxes are overloaded, and you want people to keep subscribed so that they don’t miss any valuable content. A welcome email series, which you can automate with your email list manager, can take prospects down a carefully curated journey that builds your relationship. That way, when you finally introduce your product or service, you’ll be able to make highly-qualified, hot leads. People will feel they need what you\'re selling and want to buy it from you. And from that point on, you need to show them they were right!\r\n\r\nAlways use an email campaign manager, such as Mailchimp, to comply with anti-spam laws. And write every email as if you were speaking one-on-one with a friend or colleague.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2qcqp29.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>26. Create a Personalized Email Template</h2>\r\nJimmy Woodard (Business Development Manager at 360 Designs) <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmy-woodard-b1aaa620/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LinkedIn</a>\r\n\r\nHere’s a simple email that you can send to almost anybody in a company in order to reach a decision-maker:\r\n\r\n“Happy (day of the week) (name of person), Do you know who is the best person to talk to about (pain point/unique solution)? I have some ideas that I think your team will like. Thanks in advance, (your name).”\r\n\r\nUse a simple subject line like “quick question” and you’ll get at least a 25-30% response rate. Works like a charm![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/1zx2igz.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>27. Write a Letter</h2>\r\nTibor Shanto (Chief Sales Officer at Renbor Sales Solutions Inc.) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/TiborShanto\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@TiborShanto</a>\r\n\r\nIt’s important to stand out when prospecting, especially when your targets are at the senior level. Going retro, specifically with handwritten notes in hand-addressed envelopes and real, non-metered postage, can be an effective way to stand out. Your message should be brief, to the point, and provocative. If your message gets prospects to stop and consider what they read, then you’ll immeasurably increase your chances at engaging. Handwritten notes (I usually use greeting cards) will almost always get into the hands of your targets. Just remember that, while you’ll still likely make a phone call at some point, it won’t be nearly as cold.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2v3spy8.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>28. Embrace Social Media Selling</h2>\r\nElinor Stutz (Inspirational Speaker and Educational Trainer) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/smoothsale\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@smoothsale</a>\r\n\r\nMy prospecting process starts on Twitter. In 140 characters or less, I’m able to determine if there is synergy between the prospect and myself. I look for motivating, inspiring, and insightful information that both my followers and I can use. I then directly send a message to the prospect who initiated the tweet, moving to LinkedIn for a more detailed profile. I view website links and confirm contact information. After researching and confirming that there’s a connection to be made, I reach out once again to see if the person would like to have a conversation. I formally reach out over LinkedIn to see if they want to connect.\r\n\r\nI’ve had countless executives reach out to me over LinkedIn and ask to connect. Social media has made it much easier for me to make it into the C-Suite.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/v8eefp.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>29. Carry a Prospecting Letter with You</h2>\r\nChris Murray (Director at Varda Kreuz Training) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/VardaKreuz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@vardakreuz</a>\r\n\r\nWrite yourself a template. Leave the space where you’d normally write “Dear (prospect name)” blank. Your template should cover everything in a single paragraph: who you are, why you do what you do, how you’ve helped people just like them, etc. Finish by telling you prospects that you’re sorry you’ve missed them and that you’ll give them a call tomorrow. Sign it with your best pen, pop it in an envelope, and always keep a few in your bag.\r\n\r\nThe next time you’re at an appointment, note your prospect’s office on the way out. Look him or her up LinkedIn. If you can’t find them on LinkedIn, ask the receptionist who to address it. Then use the same pen you signed your name with to complete your letter and hand it over to the front desk. Call back the next day to book an appointment or log your prospect into your pipeline.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/9097qg.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>30. Maximize Your User Traffic</h2>\r\nJulien Arucci (Chief Commercial Officer for User Companies) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/JulienArucci\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@JulienArucci</a>\r\n\r\nTake advantage of customized forms and programs such as Userpop to maximize the potential of your websites.\r\n\r\nFacebook, LinkedIn, and Amazon Ads are all amazing platforms that you should already be active on![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/339u4v8.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>31. Avoid Self-Limiting Behavior</h2>\r\nAlen Mayer (Keynote Speaker, Author, and Coach) Alen\'s Blog\r\n\r\nSelling is a head game: if your head isn’t in the game, it’s likely you’ll start struggling with your numbers. Sales executives, managers, and business owners often hamstring themselves with self-limiting attitudes and behaviors. I’ve found a consistent series of stories that people tell themselves that end up supporting these bad behaviors and negative thoughts. Overcoming them by changing our attitudes and thought patterns can help ensure a successful career, higher revenues, and long-term sustainable success for even the most inexperienced sales executive.\r\n\r\nSome of the most common stories we tell ourselves include:\r\n\r\nI’ll make those calls tomorrow.\r\n\r\nThat lead will close.\r\n\r\nThe client likes me, so they’ll buy from me.\r\n\r\nThe prospect always tells the truth.\r\n\r\n“No” means “no forever”.\r\n\r\nIt’s not my fault.\r\n\r\nI can talk my way into a sale.\r\n\r\nIf you’re a sales rep or manager struggling with these self-limiting attitudes, I recommend the Iceberg Sales Model, which is designed to go below the waterline of our behaviors and tackle the underlying issues that plague our performance.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2lndf0y.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>32. Create Content That Actually Helps Your Audience</h2>\r\nRichard Stephens (Director &amp; Co-Founder of Angelfish Marketing) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/stephens94\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@stephens94</a>\r\n\r\nCold calling is dead! There are now over 200 million people on the global do-not-call list, and those you do manage to reach out to will likely be less than thrilled to hear from you. So why would anyone want to start a sales call with the prospect annoyed at them?\r\n\r\nThe biggest piece of advice I can offer is to nail your content <a href=\"https://strategic.events/marketing-shortcuts-for-driving-sales-in-a-hurry/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">marketing</a> by creating helpful media for your prospects that offers solutions to their business problems and attracts them to your website. You can then distribute this content online via social media platforms. This will help you make content that reaches the right people, grow your audience, and connect with prospects who are actually interested in what you have to offer.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2> And a few more bonus tips!</h2>\r\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/29mrar6.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>33. The Research-Tailored Approach</h2>\r\nRico Wyder (VP of sales at Avrios) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/ricowyder\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@ricowyder</a>\r\n\r\nUse a combination of in-depth research and tailored tactics. Create a \'prospect case\' for each company that you would like to target. Each prospect is influenced by its industry, its organization, and the individual to be targeted. Firstly, research every level that will influence the prospect. Map out who should be approached and evaluate online and offline strategies for each individual, especially if you want to go after more than one person in a company. Then create an appropriate approach and execute it. For example, a medium-sized construction company in Germany might always be best approached through the CEO using a personalized email. This internally triggers a referral email to the responsible person who you can then approach via phone call. Over time you will understand which tailored approach works depending on the company profile. Knowledge sharing is key here. A strong sales team can adjust and improve its approach over time.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/10zsn5t.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>34. Make a \"Portable Exhibition Stand\"</h2>\r\nBruce King (Presenter and coach) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/brucemking\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@brucemking</a>\r\n\r\nOne of our salespeople became horrified when she realized that, instead of making phone calls in a comfortable office, she would have to spend her first two weeks on the job visiting industrial estates and asking to speak with managing directors. The first day she went to 65 offices and was ejected from most. She called me in absolute panic. I gave her instructions, and the following morning she purchased a small pop-up exhibition stand that could be erected in under three minutes.\r\n\r\nShe walked through her first door, quickly erected her ‘trade stand’ in the reception area, and placed company literature on top of it. Nobody had time to question what she was doing. She walked over to the reception desk, smiled, and asked that the MD come out for a quick demonstration. It was an irresistible approach. They came, they saw, she conquered! She made 23 sales in her first week. And while there might be better ways, the routine still works in a pinch![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sq5ycw.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>35. Write a Book!</h2>\r\nJonny Cooper (Founder of TheSuccessParty.com) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/thesuccessparty\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@thesuccessparty</a>\r\n\r\nCold calling sucks, and it\'ll suck the life right out of you if you let it. Don’t. Here are just a few of the benefits you can reap writing a successful book:\r\n\r\nYou’ll become a trusted expert and authority in your field.\r\n\r\nYou\'ll make money doing it.\r\n\r\nA book’s on sale 24-hours a day, and broadcasts you to your audience even while you sleep!\r\n\r\nSounds pretty great huh? Here\'s how you start:\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Come up with a great title. Something like, “My 7 Life Mistakes: How I Screwed Up Everything And Came Out The Other Side”</li>\r\n 	<li>Make a plan for seven to ten chapters. A successful book can be as short as 60 pages.</li>\r\n 	<li>Write something every day and keep to a 30-day deadline.</li>\r\n 	<li>Don’t edit as you write. It spoils the flow.</li>\r\n 	<li>Hire an independent contractor for some groovy cover art.</li>\r\n 	<li>Get some pre-launch buzz from your social network.</li>\r\n 	<li>Finally, list your book on Amazon using their awesome guide to self-publishing.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"http://blog.commissioncrowd.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6127\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/800.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"314\" height=\"103\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout][/vc_column][/vc_row]','32 Ways to Prospect for Sales Leads Without Cold Calling','','publish','open','open','','32-ways-prospect-sales-leads','','','2018-02-27 23:12:54','2018-02-27 23:12:54','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=6043',0,'post','',0),(6045,3,'2017-05-25 17:28:59','2017-05-25 17:28:59','','Cold calling is one of the oldest tricks in the book. And like many old techniques, it\'s often outshined by newer, more efficient ways of doing business.','','inherit','open','closed','','bitmogi-copy','','','2018-01-04 21:16:02','2018-01-04 21:16:02','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Bitmogi-copy.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(6050,3,'2017-05-25 17:41:15','2017-05-25 17:41:15','','Memorial Day Hero Quote','','inherit','open','closed','','memorialday17final','','','2017-10-27 21:01:15','2017-10-27 21:01:15','',0,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/MemorialDay17FINAL.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(6051,3,'2017-05-25 17:45:26','2017-05-25 17:45:26','','Paul\'s House VALOR Clinic Foundation','','inherit','open','closed','','c0ypt3auuaawghf','','','2017-10-27 21:00:56','2017-10-27 21:00:56','',0,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/C0Ypt3AUUAAwGHf.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6054,3,'2017-05-25 17:49:14','2017-05-25 17:49:14','','Memorial Day','','inherit','open','closed','','capturejfk','','','2017-10-27 21:00:38','2017-10-27 21:00:38','',0,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/CaptureJFK.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6057,3,'2017-05-25 18:02:21','2017-05-25 18:02:21','','Brett Wells','','inherit','open','closed','','3hgz6','','','2017-10-27 20:45:04','2017-10-27 20:45:04','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/3hgz6.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6059,3,'2017-05-25 18:04:42','2017-05-25 18:04:42','','Steven Benson','','inherit','open','closed','','2ppzi83','','','2017-10-27 20:11:52','2017-10-27 20:11:52','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2ppzi83.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6065,3,'2017-05-25 19:12:08','2017-05-25 19:12:08','','Kevin Smith','','inherit','open','closed','','r94suw','','','2017-10-27 20:45:21','2017-10-27 20:45:21','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/r94suw.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6066,3,'2017-05-25 19:15:40','2017-05-25 19:15:40','','Colleen Stanley','','inherit','open','closed','','colleen_stanley_sales_leadership','','','2017-10-27 20:45:35','2017-10-27 20:45:35','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Colleen_Stanley_sales_leadership.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(6070,3,'2017-05-25 19:30:23','2017-05-25 19:30:23','','David Davies','','inherit','open','closed','','2ex9e0m','','','2017-10-27 20:45:52','2017-10-27 20:45:52','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2ex9e0m.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6073,3,'2017-05-25 19:35:13','2017-05-25 19:35:13','','Christy Lamagna','','inherit','open','closed','','2zfkf9u','','','2017-10-27 20:46:20','2017-10-27 20:46:20','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2zfkf9u.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6074,3,'2017-05-25 19:39:07','2017-05-25 19:39:07','','Brian Marsh','','inherit','open','closed','','5wb28y','','','2017-10-27 20:18:17','2017-10-27 20:18:17','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/5wb28y.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6075,3,'2017-05-25 19:41:48','2017-05-25 19:41:48','','Jeff Goldberg','','inherit','open','closed','','2i0aoi1','','','2017-10-27 20:29:13','2017-10-27 20:29:13','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2i0aoi1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6076,3,'2017-05-25 19:45:12','2017-05-25 19:45:12','','Ali Mirza','','inherit','open','closed','','1ysfx1','','','2017-10-27 20:46:49','2017-10-27 20:46:49','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/1ysfx1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6077,3,'2017-05-25 19:46:27','2017-05-25 19:46:27','','Mike Kawula','','inherit','open','closed','','2cfqj3c-1','','','2017-10-27 20:31:34','2017-10-27 20:31:34','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2cfqj3c-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6081,3,'2017-05-25 19:59:48','2017-05-25 19:59:48','','Joe Templin','','inherit','open','closed','','23kcf4j','','','2017-10-27 20:30:45','2017-10-27 20:30:45','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/23kcf4j.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6082,3,'2017-05-25 20:00:22','2017-05-25 20:00:22','','Morlyn Duma Maturere','','inherit','open','closed','','morlyn_duma_freelance_sales_consultant','','','2017-10-27 20:47:07','2017-10-27 20:47:07','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Morlyn_Duma_freelance_sales_consultant.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(6083,3,'2017-05-25 20:04:28','2017-05-25 20:04:28','','Keith Crispin','','inherit','open','closed','','1zqx0sw','','','2017-10-27 20:47:25','2017-10-27 20:47:25','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/1zqx0sw.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6084,3,'2017-05-25 20:05:29','2017-05-25 20:05:29','','Kimberly Rath','','inherit','open','closed','','kimberly_rath_sales_talent_plus','','','2017-10-27 20:47:44','2017-10-27 20:47:44','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Kimberly_Rath_sales_talent_plus.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(6102,3,'2017-05-26 14:39:53','2017-05-26 14:39:53','','Brian Cox','','inherit','open','closed','','ziubrp','','','2017-10-27 20:48:03','2017-10-27 20:48:03','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/ziubrp.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6103,3,'2017-05-26 14:40:53','2017-05-26 14:40:53','','Gene Caballero','','inherit','open','closed','','2rgp4zo','','','2017-10-27 20:48:20','2017-10-27 20:48:20','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2rgp4zo.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6104,3,'2017-05-26 14:42:20','2017-05-26 14:42:20','','Janet Efere','','inherit','open','closed','','2vl2r8o','','','2017-10-27 20:12:06','2017-10-27 20:12:06','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2vl2r8o.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6105,3,'2017-05-26 14:42:48','2017-05-26 14:42:48','','Dan Warman','','inherit','open','closed','','29cl7br','','','2017-10-27 20:48:40','2017-10-27 20:48:40','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/29cl7br.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6106,3,'2017-05-26 14:45:50','2017-05-26 14:45:50','','Gretchen Hydo','','inherit','open','closed','','gretchen_hydo_sales_coach','','','2017-10-27 20:50:52','2017-10-27 20:50:52','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gretchen_Hydo_sales_coach.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(6107,3,'2017-05-26 14:46:19','2017-05-26 14:46:19','','Janice Dru','','inherit','open','closed','','2luqpox','','','2017-10-27 20:10:50','2017-10-27 20:10:50','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2luqpox.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6108,3,'2017-05-26 14:47:42','2017-05-26 14:47:42','','Jeb Blount','','inherit','open','closed','','2qalabs','','','2017-10-27 20:51:10','2017-10-27 20:51:10','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2qalabs.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6109,3,'2017-05-26 14:49:19','2017-05-26 14:49:19','','Nick Kane','','inherit','open','closed','','nick_kane_janek_performance','','','2017-10-27 20:53:14','2017-10-27 20:53:14','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Nick_Kane_Janek_Performance.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(6110,3,'2017-05-26 14:51:24','2017-05-26 14:51:24','','Thom Singer','','inherit','open','closed','','thom_singer_speaker','','','2017-10-27 20:53:39','2017-10-27 20:53:39','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Thom_Singer_speaker.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(6111,3,'2017-05-26 14:51:59','2017-05-26 14:51:59','','Jon Barteaux','','inherit','open','closed','','jonathan_barteaux_sales','','','2017-10-27 20:53:51','2017-10-27 20:53:51','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Jonathan_Barteaux_sales.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(6112,3,'2017-05-26 14:52:33','2017-05-26 14:52:33','','Jessica Magoch','','inherit','open','closed','','1zc02s8','','','2017-10-27 20:54:04','2017-10-27 20:54:04','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/1zc02s8.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6113,3,'2017-05-26 14:55:53','2017-05-26 14:55:53','','Jessica Magoch','','inherit','open','closed','','2qcqp29','','','2017-10-27 20:56:14','2017-10-27 20:56:14','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2qcqp29.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6114,3,'2017-05-26 14:56:21','2017-05-26 14:56:21','','Tibor Shanto','','inherit','open','closed','','1zx2igz','','','2017-10-27 20:56:24','2017-10-27 20:56:24','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/1zx2igz.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6115,3,'2017-05-26 14:56:52','2017-05-26 14:56:52','','Elinor Stutz','','inherit','open','closed','','2v3spy8','','','2017-10-27 20:56:36','2017-10-27 20:56:36','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2v3spy8.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6116,3,'2017-05-26 14:58:25','2017-05-26 14:58:25','','Chris Murray','','inherit','open','closed','','v8eefp','','','2017-10-27 20:56:47','2017-10-27 20:56:47','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/v8eefp.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6117,3,'2017-05-26 14:58:44','2017-05-26 14:58:44','','Julien Arucci','','inherit','open','closed','','9097qg','','','2017-10-27 20:57:00','2017-10-27 20:57:00','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/9097qg.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6118,3,'2017-05-26 14:59:06','2017-05-26 14:59:06','','Alen Mayer','','inherit','open','closed','','339u4v8','','','2017-10-27 20:57:15','2017-10-27 20:57:15','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/339u4v8.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6119,3,'2017-05-26 15:00:57','2017-05-26 15:00:57','','Richard Stephens','','inherit','open','closed','','2lndf0y','','','2017-10-27 20:58:17','2017-10-27 20:58:17','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2lndf0y.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6120,3,'2017-05-26 15:04:06','2017-05-26 15:04:06','','Rico Wyder','','inherit','open','closed','','29mrar6','','','2017-10-27 20:58:54','2017-10-27 20:58:54','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/29mrar6.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6121,3,'2017-05-26 15:04:50','2017-05-26 15:04:50','','Bruce King','','inherit','open','closed','','10zsn5t','','','2017-10-27 20:59:45','2017-10-27 20:59:45','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/10zsn5t.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6122,3,'2017-05-26 15:05:19','2017-05-26 15:05:19','','Jonny Cooper','','inherit','open','closed','','sq5ycw','','','2017-10-27 20:04:37','2017-10-27 20:04:37','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sq5ycw.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6124,3,'2017-05-26 15:15:47','2017-05-26 15:15:47','','Memorial Day','','inherit','open','closed','','jfk','','','2017-09-26 16:25:38','2017-09-26 16:25:38','',0,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/JFK.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6127,3,'2017-05-26 15:26:25','2017-05-26 15:26:25','','Commission Crowd Logo','','inherit','open','closed','','800','','','2017-10-27 20:44:03','2017-10-27 20:44:03','',6043,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/800.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(6139,1,'2017-05-26 16:23:02','2017-05-26 16:23:02','<h2>Remembering who made the first barbecue of the season possible.</h2>\r\nThe thought of officially kicking off the summer with a gathering of friends, food and cocktails has me pushing the week to end so I can start making potato salad and marinating steaks. The only thing that takes priority over writing out my grocery list is writing a check to the Veteran’s association I <a href=\"http://www.valorclinic.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">support</a>, and making sure I call the veteran’s in my life to express my gratitude.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-6051\" title=\"Memorial Day\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/C0Ypt3AUUAAwGHf.jpg\" alt=\"Memorial Day\" width=\"299\" height=\"200\" />While all days off are to be celebrated, Memorial Day is one that deserves not just our enjoyment, but our respect, appreciation, and acknowledgement of what it stands for.\r\n\r\nPerhaps you have a family member or friend, or both, who has served in the military. Some of you reading this may have a loved one actively stationed overseas, and spend countless hours waiting to hear from them and assure yourself they are safe. Perhaps you have a grandfather or uncle who served years ago and who passed before you knew them, or a relative who served our country but who won’t talk about their time in the armed forces.\r\n\r\nRegardless, the people who literally devote their lives either entirely or for a period of time, and who put themselves in harm’s way to protect a nation of people, the overwhelming majority of whom they have never met, are heroes. In turn, we won’t meet 99.9% of the people who have served our country, and in turn us, yet we owe each of them our freedom and life as we know it.\r\n\r\nMake a moment to reflect on why Memorial Day was created and how we can use the day as a reminder of our responsibility to honor, thank and support all those who have given so much, so freely and so selflessly. For more information on ways to support Veterans, both locally or nationally, go to:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.valorclinic.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Valor Clinic Foundation</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.hopeforthewarriors.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hope for the Warriors</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.wwfs.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Wounded Warriors Family Support</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.puppiesbehindbars.com/home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Puppies Behind Bars</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.thanksusa.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Thanks USA</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.fisherhouse.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Fisher House Foundation</a>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-6054 size-full\" title=\"On Memorial Day we support those who served our country the United States of America. Remembering who made all this possible.\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/CaptureJFK.jpg\" alt=\"Memorial Day\" width=\"1331\" height=\"634\" />\r\n\r\n<em>Tags: Memorial Day, Memorial Day Weekend, Memorial, Veteran, Veterans, USA, Support Our Troops, Support Our Veterans, United States, America, United States of America, Remember Those Who Made All This Possible</em>','Memorial Day: Remember Those Who Made All This Possible','','publish','open','open','','memorial-day-support-united-states-troops','','','2018-02-13 14:24:59','2018-02-13 14:24:59','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=6139',0,'post','',0),(6155,1,'2017-06-01 00:01:57','2017-06-01 00:01:57','[mk_page_section bg_color=\"#211551\" bg_stretch=\"true\" min_height=\"20\" padding_top=\"0\" padding_bottom=\"0\" sidebar=\"sidebar-1\"][vc_column][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=\"true\" tag_name=\"h1\" color=\"#d6a461\" size=\"25\" line_height=\"50\" margin_top=\"20\" margin_bottom=\"0\" font_family=\"Palatino Linotype, Book Antiqua, Palatino, serif\" font_type=\"safefont\" align=\"right\"]MASHED POTATO DOUGHNUTS[/mk_fancy_title][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=\"true\" tag_name=\"h3\" color=\"#ffffff\" size=\"12\" line_height=\"50\" letter_spacing=\"2\" margin_bottom=\"0\" font_family=\"Open+Sans\" font_type=\"google\" align=\"right\"]HOME &gt;&gt; <strong>TASTEBUZZ</strong>[/mk_fancy_title][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row][/vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][mk_tooltip text=\"Taste Buzz Archive\" tooltip_text=\"Click to visit Taste Buzz Archive\" href=\"https://strategic.events/tastebuzz/\"][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][vc_single_image image=\"1118\" img_size=\"full\" onclick=\"custom_link\" css_animation=\"appear\" link=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-home/tastebuzz/\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/donut.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1512506881168{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">We first sampled these yummy treats in New York. Not only are they delicious, they are the perfect way to use leftover mashed potatoes!</h3>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>Mashed Potato Doughnuts</h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">INGREDIENTS\r\nPackage (1/4 Ounce) Active Dry Yeast\r\n1 Cup Warm Buttermilk (110° to 115°)\r\n1-1/2 Cups Warm Mashed Potatoes (Without Added Milk and Butter)\r\n3 Eggs\r\n1/3 Cup Butter, Melted\r\n3 Cups Sugar, Divided\r\n4 Tsp Baking Powder\r\n1-1/2 Tsp Baking Soda\r\n1 Tsp Salt\r\n1 Tsp Ground Nutmeg\r\n6 Cups All-Purpose Flour\r\nOil for Deep-Fat Frying\r\n1/2 Tsp Ground <strong>Tone\'s® Ground Cinnamon</strong></p>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]INSTRUCTIONS:\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm buttermilk. Add potatoes, eggs and butter. Add 2 cups sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and 3 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Do not knead.</li>\r\n 	<li>Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.</li>\r\n 	<li>Turn onto a floured surface; divide into fourths. Roll each portion to 1/2-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 3-in. doughnut cutter.</li>\r\n 	<li>In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 360°. Fry doughnuts, a few at a time, until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels. Combine remaining sugar and cinnamon; roll doughnuts in cinnamon-sugar while warm. Yield: about 2 dozen.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][ultimate_modal modal_title=\" STRATEGIC TIP:\" btn_bg_color=\"#211551\" btn_txt_color=\"#d6a461\" btn_text=\"STRATEGIC TIP\" modal_style=\"overlay-simplegenie\" overlay_bg_color=\"#211551\" content_bg_color=\"#d6a461\" content_text_color=\"#211551\" header_bg_color=\"#211551\" header_text_color=\"#d6a461\" modal_border_style=\"dotted\" modal_border_width=\"1\" modal_border_color=\"#d6a461\" modal_border_radius=\"12\"]<strong>Frying Temperature</strong>\r\n\r\nThis is where doughnuts go wrong for so many people. Doughnuts are often added to the oil when it’s too hot, resulting in overdone doughnuts, or when it’s too cool, and then you get oily doughnuts. Your thermometer may be your most valuable tool when making your doughnuts.\r\n\r\nThe ideal temperature to add your doughnuts is 360 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember to let your oil reach the same temperature after each batch, as adding the doughnuts will bring the temperature down.<img class=\"wp-image-6163 alignright\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/13815-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"152\" height=\"152\" />[/ultimate_modal][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"]','Mashed Potato Doughnuts','','publish','open','open','','mashed-potato-doughnuts','','','2018-02-19 22:49:18','2018-02-19 22:49:18','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=6155',0,'post','',0),(6158,3,'2017-05-31 14:23:18','2017-05-31 14:23:18','','Mashed Potato Doughnuts','','inherit','open','closed','','donut','','','2017-06-07 16:45:09','2017-06-07 16:45:09','',6155,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/donut.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6163,3,'2017-05-31 14:34:27','2017-05-31 14:34:27','','Christy Doughnut Bitmoji','','inherit','open','closed','','13815-1','','','2017-10-27 20:42:07','2017-10-27 20:42:07','',6155,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/13815-1.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(6189,1,'2017-06-09 15:59:44','2017-06-09 15:59:44','<h2>Advice from a Meeting Pro: Take a Chance</h2>\r\n<h3><strong><img class=\"alignright wp-image-6192\" title=\"As meeting professional and educator Christy Lamagna, a 2017 Changemaker, shares her hard-won business lessons. MeetingsNet’s annual Changemaker list recognizes 20 outstanding meetings professionals for their efforts to move their organizations and the industry forward. Advice from a Meeting Pro: Take a Chance\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Lamagna.jpg\" alt=\"As meeting professional and educator Christy Lamagna, a 2017 Changemaker, shares her hard-won business lessons. MeetingsNet’s annual Changemaker list recognizes 20 outstanding meetings professionals for their efforts to move their organizations and the industry forward. Advice from a Meeting Pro: Take a Chance\" width=\"363\" height=\"189\" /></strong></h3>\r\n<strong>As meeting professional and educator Christy Lamagna, a 2017 Changemaker, shares her hard-won business lessons.</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>MeetingsNet’s annual Changemaker list recognizes 20 outstanding meetings professionals for their efforts to move their organizations and the industry forward in unique and positive ways. <a href=\"http://www.meetingsnet.com/association-conventions-and-expos/2017-changemakers-change-good\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Find all the profiles here.</a></strong>\r\n<h3>Christy Lamagna, CMP, CMM, CTSM</h3>\r\nFounder\r\nStrategic Meetings &amp; Events\r\n<em>For her dogged and ongoing efforts to educate her peers and share lessons learned</em>\r\n<h2>Making Change</h2>\r\nI have taught two college courses for 10 years: strategic planning and strategic production. I produce a tremendous amount of content; I want to share what I have learned with anyone who wants to learn it. I mentor dozens of people a year, which has resulted in some fascinating and some mind-boggling conversations!\r\n\r\nMy current goal is to help change the perception of the meetings industry. We need to become strategic planners and move away from the party planner perception that stigmatizes us.\r\n\r\nAt my company, making change has led to maturity. Our templates and forms have been fine-tuned, our processes have been streamlined, and we are more mindful of clients who would take advantage of our time if not kept in check. We work very hard to learn from our mistakes. They’re great teaching tools if you pay attention.\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">“There is so much to learn, and people are generous in their replies if you ask good questions and genuinely listen to their answers.”</h2>\r\n<h2>What’s Next?</h2>\r\nMy goal with my company is to bring each member of the team into an area they’ve not yet experienced so they stretch their skills. Boredom is death for over-achieving professionals.\r\n<h2>Change Management</h2>\r\nTake a chance. Nothing worth having comes without risk. Being afraid is okay. Being brave is not the absence of fear, it is acting in the face of it.\r\n<h2>Role Models</h2>\r\nI don’t have just one person to thank. From how to dress, to how to run a staff meeting or manage a team, even what books to read, I’ve learned from those I’ve met along the way. I love being in a room full of people smarter than I am. (It happens a lot!)\r\n\r\nI ask other CEOs how they manage the isolation that comes with being the boss. It’s not something people outside that role consider but it’s a challenge at times. I also ask others what they are reading or struggling with in that moment and how they’re handling it. There is so much to learn, and people are generous in their replies if you ask good questions and genuinely listen to their answers.\r\n<h2>Best Business Advice</h2>\r\nGo out and look for important people because important people aren’t looking for you.\r\n<h2>Giving Back</h2>\r\nI am on the Board of Directors of <a href=\"https://asyv.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village</a> and an active contributor to <a href=\"http://roswellhforh.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hearts for Honduras</a> and <a href=\"http://www.valorclinic.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Valorclinic.org</a>, a foundation to help homeless veterans. My philosophy of giving back is based on “tikkun olam,\" which means “repair of the world.”\r\n<h2>Thinking Differently</h2>\r\nI got asked to leave the Girl Scouts. I wanted to run the meetings, not attend them, so it seems I have always looked at things from my own perspective with varying levels of success! I’ve rarely fit in, so I have learned to use it to my advantage.\r\n<h2>Got a Spare Hour?</h2>\r\nMy number one pleasure: reading. From Dostoyevsky to cookbooks, everything interests me. (But it must be in print—no e-books.) Naps are a close second.\r\n\r\n<strong>BACK TO THE FULL LIST OF <a href=\"http://www.meetingsnet.com/association-conventions-and-expos/2017-changemakers-change-good\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">2017 CHANGEMAKERS</a></strong>\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http://www.meetingsnet.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-1342 size-full\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/MeetingsNet.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"33\" /></a></p>\r\n[/mk_mini_callout]','Advice from a Meeting Pro: Take a Chance','','publish','open','open','','advice-meeting-pro-christy-lamagna','','','2018-02-13 14:35:43','2018-02-13 14:35:43','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=6189',0,'post','',0),(6192,3,'2017-06-09 15:14:00','2017-06-09 15:14:00','','Advice from a Meeting Pro: Take a Chance As meeting professional and educator Christy Lamagna, a 2017 Changemaker, shares her hard won business lessons.','','inherit','open','closed','','lamagna','','','2017-06-12 13:39:05','2017-06-12 13:39:05','',6189,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Lamagna.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6224,1,'2017-06-19 00:00:46','2017-06-19 00:00:46','<h1>Information Pipeline</h1>\r\n<h2>Strategically Building Your Information Pipeline</h2>\r\n<h3>By Christy Lamagna CMP, CMM, CTSM</h3>\r\n<img class=\"wp-image-6226 aligncenter\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Information-Pipeline-Capture.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"437\" height=\"245\" />It took a lot of convincing, but after doing the research, I was finally forced to acknowledge that multi-tasking really does decrease productivity. That tidbit of discouraging news left me looking for a solution as I still have more things to do than time to do them. Thus, my quest to find a working and affordable cloning machine began. I am disappointed to report that I have had no luck thus far. Not one to admit defeat, I went to ‘Plan B’ and found an abundance of useful tools online that save me time, put money in my pocket and best of all, make me look a lot smarter than I actually am.\r\n\r\nNow I’m ‘magically’ mapping the most efficient routes for site visits, know what time sunset is when <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-event-planning-profession/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">planning</a> any evening reception within a moment of someone asking, am up to date on the latest industry trends and area hot spots, can speak to all kinds of social media tools and services to boost one’s digital footprint and can speak with authority on what new technology is worth using for programs.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-6247\" title=\"I’m all about sharing the love so I’ve compiled a list of the sites my team and I have researched and found most useful, in hopes of adding time, money and relevant information to your world. Strategically Building Your Information Pipeline\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/dreamstime_s_34496856.jpg\" alt=\"I’m all about sharing the love so I’ve compiled a list of the sites my team and I have researched and found most useful, in hopes of adding time, money and relevant information to your world. Strategically Building Your Information Pipeline\" width=\"516\" height=\"330\" />All this and I’m saving time. Now let’s get to the money saving. I’ve found sites that pay me to shop (what’s not to love?) that find me discounts on both business and leisure travel, and that offer free tools to boost my social media that I would have otherwise, unwittingly paid for.\r\n\r\nSpeaking of money, I found a great currency converter that allows me to see what kind of deal I may or may not be getting when traveling abroad or doing multiple currency budgets, allowing me to more accurately track and report my final spend. While I’m dabbling in all things international, I use my metrics conversion site to turn feet into meters and gallons into liters, so no chance of any foolish mistakes when estimating ballroom capacity or ordering coffee.\r\n\r\nTalk of bedbugs has subsided but my loathing of those insidious buggers has not, so the bedbug registry is a site I visit. Couple that with sites that tell me where the most happening places to eat, drink and be seen are, and my clients have a home run of information on their hands. I’m all about sharing the love so I’ve compiled a list of the sites my team and I have researched and found most useful, in hopes of adding time, money and relevant information to your world.\r\n\r\nMy guess is you have some trusted sites of your own. Why not share your most used and useful sites with the rest of us? Tweet them to: <a href=\"https://twitter.com/SMEChristy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@SMEChristy</a> or email them to me at: <a href=\"mailto:Christy.lamagna@strategic.events\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Christy.lamagna@strategic.events</a> and I’ll add the best ones to our running list of ‘must visit’ sites. And if anyone has a lead on that cloning machine, I’m ready to write a check…..[mk_button size=\"large\" url=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Bulding-Your-Pipeline-Resource-Page.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" align=\"center\" fullwidth=\"true\"]Get Access to SME\'s Information Pipeline[/mk_button]','Strategically Building Your Information Pipeline','','publish','open','open','','strategically-building-your-information-pipeline','','','2018-02-21 14:35:35','2018-02-21 14:35:35','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=6224',0,'post','',0),(6226,3,'2017-06-12 19:34:59','2017-06-12 19:34:59','','Keep the Ideas Flowing: Build Your Information Pipeline','','inherit','open','closed','','information-pipeline-capture','','','2017-06-13 16:22:15','2017-06-13 16:22:15','',6224,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Information-Pipeline-Capture.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6235,3,'2017-06-12 19:45:25','2017-06-12 19:45:25','','Build your information pipeline','','inherit','open','closed','','61322','','','2017-06-12 19:46:46','2017-06-12 19:46:46','',6224,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/61322.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6247,3,'2017-06-13 12:49:16','2017-06-13 12:49:16','','Strategically Building Your Information Pipeline','','inherit','open','closed','','dreamstime_s_34496856','','','2017-10-27 20:41:26','2017-10-27 20:41:26','',6224,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/dreamstime_s_34496856.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6280,3,'2017-06-15 13:30:28','2017-06-15 13:30:28','','Barry Zidel Head Shot','','inherit','open','closed','','bz-pic','','','2017-10-27 20:41:10','2017-10-27 20:41:10','',6276,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/BZ-pic.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6284,1,'2017-06-15 16:47:02','2017-06-15 16:47:02','<h2>Discovery Sessions: Establish the Meetings\' Goal</h2>\r\n<h3>By Christy Lamagna, CMP, CMM, CTSM</h3>\r\n• The most important meeting you have likely never heard of\r\n• Goal-centric actions\r\n• Creating a clear vision\r\n\r\nWhat if I told you that the most important meeting you could ever have, one your entire career hinges upon, is one you have not only never had, but one you may not even know exists? Not only that, but this meeting is the linchpin in the strategic plan that will completely reinvent and redefine the event profession.\r\n​\r\nMost events are legacy events, meaning they happen each year (think sales meetings and incentive trips). When the appropriate date arrives, we hold a meeting to discuss theme, budget, marketing, assign tasks, and get to work. If that’s the way you’re planning, you are making a <a href=\"https://strategic.events/why-planners-need-to-get-strategic/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HUGE</a> mistake.\r\n\r\nThe result usually looks like this: as the planning progresses, we often struggle to get face time with key executives, watch deadlines we set pass, with little regard from those ignoring them, and have plans changed without our input. The result is wasted time, resources, and money. As the event draws closer, our workdays expand later into the night and further into weekends. Simultaneously, our frustration mounts as it appears as if no one respects our skills, or takes our work seriously. It’s kind of a miserable experience.\r\n\r\nIf we are going to survive as an industry, there needs to be a committed effort to learn how to plan events that truly drive business and deliver results. <strong>To do that, means being strategic in everything we do and making all our actions goal-centric. Nothing happens until a clear goal is articulated, defined, confirmed, and committed to.</strong> Those who embody this strategic philosophy will earn the title of, ‘<a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-event-planning-profession/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">strategic planner</a>’ or ‘<a href=\"https://strategic.events/event-strategist/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">event strategist</a>.’ Meeting or event planner titles will be extinct, but we’ll get to that down the road.\r\n​\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-6286\" title=\"What if I told you that the most important meeting you could ever have, one your entire career hinges upon, is one you may not even know exists? Not only that, but this meeting is the linchpin in the strategic plan that will completely redefine the event profession. Read Discovery Sessions: Establish the Meetings’ Goal  \" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/binoculars_orig.jpg\" alt=\"What if I told you that the most important meeting you could ever have, one your entire career hinges upon, is one you may not even know exists? Not only that, but this meeting is the linchpin in the strategic plan that will completely redefine the event profession. Read Discovery Sessions: Establish the Meetings’ Goal  \" width=\"476\" height=\"318\" />There is a system to this, that while simple, is not easy. If we approach the planning process from this strategic perspective, everything changes. We start the planning process two months earlier than is customary with a discovery session. This is the single most important meeting you will have for the entire lifecycle of the planning process.\r\n\r\n<strong>A discovery session is designed to establish the meetings’ goal.</strong> In order to do that attendees must:\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Articulate what each stakeholder thinks the goal of the meeting is.</li>\r\n 	<li>Define terms. This means establishing clear metrics for success, spend, attendance; whatever the variables are that connect with the goal and how it should be measured.</li>\r\n 	<li>Come to a unanimous consensus as a group on the goal and the metrics.</li>\r\n 	<li>Commit to both the goal and the metrics and agree that this plan is now set in stone or cannot be changed without the entire group present and agreeing to the change.</li>\r\n 	<li>Reiterate that in your role as a professional strategist, you are going to carry out the plan and are an integral part of the achievement of all stated goals.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nOnly key stakeholders should be invited. To define ‘stakeholder’ think in terms of whose budget underwrites the event or where the blame lands if it tanks. Discovery sessions are not brainstorming sessions or kickoffs. Their sole purpose is to get a consensus on a goal and how it will be measured. Without this critical, <a href=\"https://strategic.events/first-step-planning-process/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">first step</a>, we are destined to plan in an environment of frustration, confusion, indecision, and waste.\r\n\r\nDiscovery sessions uncover a myriad of challenges that have always existed but have never been properly exposed and diagnosed. For instance, the group may not have the same goal in mind or the metrics are not easily agreed upon. This is why decisions are made and changed, deadlines missed, and money and time squandered. This is also why planners are not seen as an integral part of an organization. This one meeting creates a clear vision, gives the meeting a precise target to hit, and establishes the strategic planner as the key to a successful execution.\r\n\r\nIf you just had an ‘a-ha’ moment, please keep an eye out for my next column. If you can’t see a distinction between the two options, you may be part of the problem which means you need this info even more.\r\n\r\nIf you are ready to bring a <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-steps-achieve-business-goals/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">strategic vision</a> to your organization, here are three things you can do:\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Pay attention to your work environment. Are you reacting to changes or are you carrying out a clear plan? Noticing a challenge is the first step toward fixing it.</li>\r\n 	<li>Identify key stakeholders for the meetings you are planning. It may take some time to sort out those who have opinions from those who are paying and are ultimately responsible for the meeting’s success.</li>\r\n 	<li>Get your team to start thinking strategically; everyone needs to know not just what they are doing, but why. What’s the end goal? That drives focus.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nThere is much to be done, but we are just the people to <a href=\"https://strategic.events/how-to-become-strategic-planner-change-future/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tackle the challenge</a>. And we have so much to gain. Let’s keep the conversation going. Email me with your feedback, questions, ideas, and names of people who should be featured in future columns at: <a href=\"mailto:Christy.Lamagna@Strategic.Events\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Christy.Lamagna@Strategic.Events</a>, follow me: <a href=\"https://twitter.com/SMEChristy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@SMEChristy</a>. And please share this article. We need to start our own discussion about a goal and metrics as an industry.\r\n\r\nHere’s to our strategic success!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>Tags: Discovery Sessions, Business, Meetings, Meeting Planners, Event Planners, Event Planning, Meeting Planner, Strategic Planners, Strategic Planner, Event Strategist, Strategic Movement, Midwest Meetings</em>[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"http://www.midwestmeetings.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-1348\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Midwest-Meetings-logo-swoosh.jpg\" alt=\"Midwest Meetings\" width=\"228\" height=\"78\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Discovery Sessions: Establish the Meetings’ Goal','','publish','open','open','','discovery-sessions-establish-meetings-goal','','','2018-01-10 16:59:28','2018-01-10 16:59:28','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=6284',0,'post','',0),(6286,3,'2017-06-15 16:39:19','2017-06-15 16:39:19','','Discovery Sessions','','inherit','open','closed','','binoculars_orig','','','2017-06-15 16:40:50','2017-06-15 16:40:50','',6284,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/binoculars_orig.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6290,3,'2017-06-15 17:41:08','2017-06-15 17:41:08','','100 Days of summer','','inherit','open','closed','','6a0120a6a1e222970c015431fb534d970c-800wi','','','2017-10-27 20:39:52','2017-10-27 20:39:52','',652,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/6a0120a6a1e222970c015431fb534d970c-800wi.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6296,1,'2017-08-01 14:01:25','2017-08-01 14:01:25','[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\r\n<h1>Twitter Chats Who Knew?</h1>\r\n<h2>Engage, Share, Learn, and Drive Change</h2>\r\n<a href=\"https://strategic.events/event-strategist/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Event Strategists</a> are constantly looking for new opportunities to connect and be thought leaders in our industry. Social Media offers strategic <a href=\"https://twitter.com/search?q=%23eventprofs&amp;src=typd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#eventprofs</a> many ways to accomplish this, with Twitter among the most utilized. Following, liking or retweeting are useful, but the real results are seen through Twitter Chats.\r\n\r\nTwitter chats are business networking events – minus the dress code, and are taking place in almost every industry imaginable. However, in our industry they are underutilized. <a href=\"https://strategic.events/category/resources/strategic-planning-movement/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Strategic Planners</a> should lead the way to introduce this platform, gathering like-minded professionals to meet at a set time to discuss industry related topics. By creating and sharing the chat’s designated hashtag (#) the host allows everyone to add their voice to the conversation.\r\n\r\nBefore you start using Twitter chats, consider these five pointers:\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>First, be real. Don’t try to please everyone. Stay true to yourself and your message. People will respect you for your honesty.</li>\r\n 	<li>You are your brands voice. Make sure to creatively craft your messages and make each and every one personal or unique. You don’t want your viewers and audience to think its spam.</li>\r\n 	<li>Select a time that takes your target audience into consideration. Think time zones and work schedules.</li>\r\n 	<li>Choose topics that are relevant and useful; don’t start a chat for the sake of having one. In return for their time, your participants need to walk away with useful ideas, information and/or connections.</li>\r\n 	<li>Don’t dominate the chat. Throw out a question and let others share their replies. This is a conversation, not a webinar or lecture.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nNow that you’ve learned some of the guidelines here is a list of Twitter chats we think you might want to join in on.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=\"1/2\"][mk_padding_divider size=\"60\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/TSNN-logo.png\" image_size=\"full\" link=\"http://www.tsnn.com/\" target=\"_blank\"][/vc_column][vc_column width=\"1/2\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/expochat?src=hash\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#ExpoChat</a> - Wednesday\'s @ 1pm ET</h2>\r\n<h2>Host: <a href=\"https://twitter.com/TSNN_com_US\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@TSNN_com_US</a></h2>\r\n#ExpoChat focuses on helping personalize events and trade show experiences. This chat aims to teach event management groups and industries how important distinguishing experiences or events are from one another through their unique abilities.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=\"1/2\"][mk_padding_divider][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2.jpg\" image_width=\"1300\" image_height=\"600\" link=\"http://www.themiceblog.com/\" target=\"_blank\"][/vc_column][vc_column width=\"1/2\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/EventPlannersTalk?src=hash\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#EventPlannersTalk</a> - Every Monday 9pm - 10pm UK Time (4pm - 5pm ET)</h2>\r\n<h2>Host: <a href=\"https://twitter.com/themiceblogHQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@themiceblogHQ</a></h2>\r\n#EventPlannersTalk focuses on values in the event industry by providing workshops for people who want to go further and learn more. This chat focuses on event planning trends and ways planners may improve their events.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=\"1/2\"][mk_padding_divider size=\"20\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/6.jpg\" image_size=\"full\" link=\"http://www.meetings-conventions.com/\" target=\"_blank\"][/vc_column][vc_column width=\"1/2\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://twitter.com/search?q=%23ChatMC&amp;src=typd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#ChatMC</a> - Follow for schedule</h2>\r\n<h2>Host: <a href=\"https://twitter.com/mcmagtweet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@mcmagtweet</a></h2>\r\n#ChatMC is a magazine that promotes event management and different conventions. This chat is devoted to helping <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/meetingprofs?src=hash\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#meetingprofs</a> + #eventprofs excel by generating discussion on our industry\'s most pressing issues![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=\"1/2\"][mk_padding_divider][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/5.png\" image_size=\"full\" link=\"http://www.successfulmeetings.com/\" target=\"_blank\"][/vc_column][vc_column width=\"1/2\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChatMtgs?src=hash\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#ChatMtgs</a> - Follow for schedule</h2>\r\n<h2>Host: <a href=\"https://twitter.com/SuccessfulMtgs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@SuccessfulMtgs</a></h2>\r\n#ChatMtgs is very similar to #ChatMC due to its promoting and event management advice and industry discussions. This chat is perfect if you are interested in planning successful meetings and learning more about the industry.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=\"1/2\"][mk_padding_divider][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/1.jpg\" image_size=\"full\" link=\"http://www.iexplore.com/\" target=\"_blank\"][/vc_column][vc_column width=\"1/2\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/iExploreChat?src=hash\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#iExploreChat</a> - 3rd Wednesday of each month @ 1pm ET</h2>\r\n<h2>Hosts: <a href=\"https://twitter.com/iexplore\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@iexplore</a> &amp; <a href=\"https://twitter.com/TravelMindset\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@TravelMindset</a></h2>\r\n#iExploreChat is key source for someone into adventures and exponential travel. They share their experiences and help others gain that travel bug to plan an amazing journey to wherever they desire![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][/vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][mk_padding_divider][vc_column_text]For even more information on Twitter chats check out these two articles from <a href=\"https://blog.hootsuite.com/a-step-by-step-guide-to-twitter-chats/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hootsuite</a> and <a href=\"https://blog.bufferapp.com/twitter-chat-101\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Buffer</a>.\r\n\r\nFinally here\'s a few more Twitter chats you may find useful:\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kari-luckett/10-twitter-chats-for-entr_b_9636104.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">10 Twitter Chats for Entrepreneurs</a></li>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"https://trackmaven.com/blog/twitter-chats/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">35 Top Twitter Chats for Marketers</a></li>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://breakintotravelwriting.com/top-twitter-chats-for-travel-bloggers/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Top Twitter Chats for Travel Bloggers</a></li>\r\n</ol>\r\nLooking forward to getting to know you and your thoughts on our industry on some of the upcoming Twitter chats! Be sure to keep an eye out for the #GetStrategic chat coming soon. Until then, happy tweeting![/vc_column_text][mk_social_networks size=\"medium\" style=\"simple-rounded\" border_color=\"#211551\" bg_color=\"#211551\" bg_hover_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_hover_color=\"#211551\" align=\"center\" facebook=\"https://www.facebook.com/StrategicMeetingsEvents\" twitter=\"https://twitter.com/SME_Events\" instagram=\"https://www.instagram.com/strategic.events/\" linkedin=\"https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/1320386/\" youtube=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsuJ-F1Ot1zSc1ccpj_DzXA\"]','Twitter Chats Who Knew? Engage, Share, Learn, and Drive Change','','publish','open','open','','twitter-chats-engage-share-learn','','','2018-02-20 21:05:29','2018-02-20 21:05:29','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=6296',0,'post','',0),(6313,3,'2017-06-19 15:33:21','2017-06-19 15:33:21','','Successful Meetings Chat','','inherit','open','closed','','5','','','2017-10-27 20:38:57','2017-10-27 20:38:57','',0,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/5.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(6314,3,'2017-06-19 15:33:25','2017-06-19 15:33:25','','Meetings and Conventions Chat','','inherit','open','closed','','6','','','2017-10-27 20:38:51','2017-10-27 20:38:51','',0,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/6.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6315,3,'2017-06-19 15:33:28','2017-06-19 15:33:28','','Incentive Chat','','inherit','open','closed','','4','','','2017-10-27 20:38:07','2017-10-27 20:38:07','',0,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/4.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6316,3,'2017-06-19 15:33:30','2017-06-19 15:33:30','','iexplore','','inherit','open','closed','','1','','','2017-10-27 20:37:57','2017-10-27 20:37:57','',0,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6317,3,'2017-06-19 15:33:34','2017-06-19 15:33:34','','Event Planners Talk','','inherit','open','closed','','2','','','2017-10-27 20:37:24','2017-10-27 20:37:24','',0,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6336,3,'2017-06-20 20:36:21','2017-06-20 20:36:21','','TwitterChatsI Capture','','inherit','open','closed','','twitterchatsi-capture','','','2017-08-01 21:50:13','2017-08-01 21:50:13','',6296,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/TwitterChatsI-Capture.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6338,3,'2017-06-23 20:44:46','2017-06-23 20:44:46','','Bulding Your Pipeline Resource Page','','inherit','open','closed','','bulding-your-pipeline-resource-page','','','2017-06-23 20:44:46','2017-06-23 20:44:46','',0,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Bulding-Your-Pipeline-Resource-Page.pdf',0,'attachment','application/pdf',0),(6339,1,'2017-06-26 15:06:36','2017-06-26 15:06:36','[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>31 Ways to Create a Lucrative Sales Funnel</h2>\r\n<h3>BY ALEXANDER HOWARD</h3>\r\nThe \"perfect\" sales funnel is always changing. It no longer resembles a cone, with the large lip representing the top and the tiny exit point representing the bottom. It now resembles something closer to an hourglass. You can no longer stay satisfied making that final sale. You need to consider referrals, KPIs, and the paid tracking tools that make your business (and life) easier.\r\n\r\nThese are just a few of the criteria covered by The New Sales Funnel, one of the eleven invaluable courses offered by CommissionCrowd\'s very own Jessica Magoch. Jessica is an award-winning sales expert who\'s helped startups and Fortune 500 companies with their business strategies and implementations. Among her many accolades, she\'s the CEO of JPM Sales Partner and was recently crowned Sales Expert of 2016 by Fit Small Business. Now she\'s teamed with CommissionCrowd to offer an exclusive training program for becoming a master at sales.\r\n\r\nIn order to celebrate Jess\' new program, we\'ve reached out to some of the industry\'s most influential voices to get their tips on how to improve your sales funnel. So whether you\'re just starting a business, struggling to reduce your churn rate, or just eager to stay on top, these pro tips will be of interest to you.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2zfkf9u.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>1. Make Your Needs (and Your Skills) Known</h2>\r\n<strong>Christy Lamagna (President of Strategic Meetings &amp; Events)</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/SMEChristy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@SMEChristy</a>\r\n\r\nIt\'s amazing what people can get when they ask for it clearly, concisely, and confidently. We often believe that clients will recommend us just because they know what we offer, but that\'s often not the case. You need to remind people who our clients are and ask who they can introduce us to. Once you do that with regularity, balancing appropriateness with the ask, things will start to happen. Incentives can go a long way, so long as you can afford them. I\'m currently offering up to $10k to anyone who introduces me to the corporation that becomes my <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/contact-strategic-meetings-events/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">next client</a>. That offer, along with a clear description of who my ideal client is, has inspired a tremendous response.\r\n\r\nThe bottom line? Make your needs known, your skills evident, your willingness to reciprocate genuine, and your thanks profuse. Good things will follow.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sq5ycw.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>2. Ten General Principals</h2>\r\n<strong>Jonny Cooper (Founder of TheSuccessParty.com)</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/thesuccessparty\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@thesuccessparty</a>\r\n\r\nThere’s no one-size-fits-all funnel, but there\'s certainly a few general principles you’ll need to learn. These rules apply whether you’re selling dog food, holidays to the Canaries, or teeth-whitening strips.\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>It’s called a funnel for a reason: it’s much wider at the top than at the bottom! Find a way to stuff many more leads in the top than you need for sales out of the bottom.</li>\r\n 	<li>Build layers. It can take up to six interactions before your prospects trust you enough to buy. Offer services and value at multiple points before asking them to spend any money.</li>\r\n 	<li>Create suspense. Make your early messages exciting and intriguing with your subject lines and snippets. Imagine you’re sticking your head inside your prospect\'s door and saying, “Hey, come look at this!\"</li>\r\n 	<li>Strut your stuff. Whatever you’re selling, create some amazing content for high on your funnel to show what you\'re good at. Product videos, testimonials, and links to guest posts you\'re featured in can all help draw prospects in.</li>\r\n 	<li>Repurpose your message. You want your prospects to recognize you wherever they find you. If you’ve written a hell of a blog post (and you really should at some point!) then reuse the content in a webinar, a podcast, or a series of tweets and emails with the same core.</li>\r\n 	<li>Start conversations. Asking prospects to fill out a survey, take a poll, join a group, or retweet in return for some free value will help to you get inside their heads and push them down the funnel.</li>\r\n 	<li>It’s all about <em>them</em>. Use your conversation to discover the needs, wants, and fears that drive your clients to buy. From that point, there’s no need to oversell <em>you</em> anymore. Just solve the problems they’ve told you about and they’ll love you forever.</li>\r\n 	<li>Automate the hell out of it. If you can do it online, someone’s found a way to automate it. From social tools to email platforms to funnel-builders and autoresponders, there’s no reason to sit bleary-eyed into the small hours of the night. Leave that to the hardcore gamers and focus on building value for your customers and the life of your dreams.</li>\r\n 	<li>Focus on the failures. Look for your <a href=\"https://strategic.events/32-ways-prospect-sales-leads/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">prospects</a> that fell at the last hurdle, abandoned the cart, canceled their subscription, or returned the goods. These are statistically the easiest next sales. Show them some real love and get them back in the funnel.</li>\r\n 	<li>Be boring. Don’t reinvent yourself with every campaign. What worked before will work again. Funnel optimization and evolution are all you’ll need to ensure longevity.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/3.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>3. Don\'t Stop at the Sale</h2>\r\n<strong>Laura Robinson (Digital Copywriter and Content Marketing Strategist)</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/worditude\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@worditude</a>\r\n\r\nYour sales funnel shouldn\'t end after the purchase. Keep communicating with your customers so you can:\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Gather feedback that will help you get even better at what you do.</li>\r\n 	<li>Get soundbites of love to use as testimonials on your sales pages and social media.</li>\r\n 	<li>Convert them into raving superfans who do your marketing for you!</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2luqpox.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>4. Numbers and Emotions</h2>\r\n<strong>Janice Dru (Board Member at Inkwhy, Inc.)</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/inkwhy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@Inkwhy</a>\r\n\r\nThere are two keys to perfecting your sales funnel: numbers and emotions (also referred to as technology and people). In terms of achieving numbers, set up automated systems (implement great technology) that let you work more efficiently and track your data to make sure there isn’t any leakage. In terms of addressing emotions, prepare the right messages and images that appeal to your target audience (remember that they\'re <em>real people</em>). Then go back to the numbers and technology A/B test or apply more complex multivariate testing and predictive modeling to figure out exactly what resonates with your audience.\r\n\r\nBe wary of technology pitfalls. These include you emails going to spam, leads not entering your system, coding errors in your messages, and automated programs failing to do their jobs. Conduct a full diagnostic of your digital presence and look at your competitors’ positioning to figure out if they\'re eating your own lunch. Ask yourself if you\'ll make more progress by improving your technologies or enhancing your digital approach.\r\n\r\nUnderstand emotional factors. People become biased by their <a href=\"https://strategic.events/our-integrated-marketing-success-story/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">relationships</a>. They dislike being pressured into decisions (but also react to urgency, and have different preferences for how often they\'re contacted. Keep track of <em>where</em> your audience is coming from so that you can adjust your focus. Getting praise for your products and services is usually the best way to earn new and repeat clients. Work closely with marketing, customer service, and product experts to ensure you have the tools and resources to move through the different phases of the sales funnel. These stages include:\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Awareness (websites, brochures, broadcasts, and events)</li>\r\n 	<li>Interest (product demos, samples, and testimonials)</li>\r\n 	<li>Evaluation (competitor research and comparison grids)</li>\r\n 	<li>Decision-making (pricing, quality, and guarantees)</li>\r\n 	<li>Purchasing (proposal templates, sales tracked by a customer relationship management system, and marketing communications and workflow feeds)</li>\r\n 	<li>Re-evaluating (customer satisfaction surveys and Net Promoter Score)</li>\r\n 	<li>Repurchasing (more testimonials and improved product offerings)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe internal employees and contractors at your company can also be great resources for getting referrals and spreading the word about your products and services. Create an engine with your entire company (including HR, finance, marketing, customer service, and product management) in order to drive the effectiveness of your funnel. Good luck![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/5.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1509377362139{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2>5. The Seven Day Tipping Point</h2>\r\n<strong>Justin McGill (Founder &amp; CEO of LeadFuze)</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/leadfuze\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@Jus10McGill</a>\r\n\r\nDifferent businesses can have dramatically different sales cycles. Service-driven businesses face different challenges than their SaaS counterparts. I\'ve owned both but will share my insights regarding LeadFuze (a SaaS company) for the sake of this article. My company allows people to buy in whatever way they feel comfortable, whether that\'s signing up and watching a demo, initiating a live chat, or making a phone call. However, we drive everyone to our app through a single landing page. This page allows visitors to interact with the app and <em>then</em> leads them to the sign-up form. Once they sign up, they get access to chat, demos, and more. It also creates an opportunity in SalesForce.\r\n\r\nFrom there, we already have our stages set. A trial member is most likely to convert into paid within the first few days of signing up, so our onboarding process with Intercom provides heavy initial content. We\'ve identified day seven as a tipping point, so we give prospects a time-sensitive special offer to try and convert them. After a couple of weeks pass, our goal changes from trying to sign them up to learning why they <em>didn\'t</em> sign up. This feedback ensures that we still get value.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/6-1.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1509377496119{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2>6. The Great Retrace Strategy</h2>\r\n<strong>Michael Maher (Global Real Estate Consultant)</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://strategic.events/marketing-communications-strategies/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Communicate</a> with every person in your strand of referrals. Say Joe(1) refers you to Jeff(2) who in turn introduces you to Cindy(3) who recommends your services to Janet(4). You should call Cindy(3) once you get an update on Janet(4). Then you should call Jeff(2) to express appreciation for connecting you to Cindy(3) before calling Joe(1) and filling him in on everything that\'s happened. There is enormous, subtle power to this strategy. Don\'t spend a penny on personal advertising. Don\'t do personal promotion. <em>This</em> is how you build referrals and relationships. It\'s about focusing on people and letting the numbers take care of themselves.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2ppzi83.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>7. Focus on One Step at a Time</h2>\r\n<strong>Steven Benson (CEO of BadgerMapping.com)</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/SteveBenson\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@SteveBenson</a>\r\n\r\nThink of your sales funnel as one big lifecycle and break it up into many small steps. The top of the funnel consists of people exposed to your business, followed by engaged leads, then trial users, then opportunities, then sales, then finally customers you support and help make successful. Evaluate each stage, estimating how many people go in and exit them. Start with your number of new leads. New leads don\'t translate directly into cash in the bank, but they do provide a forward-looking projection of where your sales numbers can go in the next month. Then look at your conversion rates and how they’re trending. This is a great way to measure the performance of your onboarding team. You can also evaluate your different types of prospective customers and who typically makes a purchase.\r\n\r\nThere\'s an obvious temptation to focus on each of your reps\' closed businesses, and while everyone measures this \"bottom of the sales funnel\" metric, a lot of businesses and managers place too much emphasis on it. A lot of people tend to overlook the part that is actually <em>below</em> the \"bottom of the funnel\", or how many existing customers paid more money than last month (up-sells) and how many paid less (downgrades/churn). Looking at churn by customer type can give you a great idea of which customers are the most valuable in the long run.\r\n\r\nIn my experience, people tend to overvalue the top of the funnel (their number of leads) and the number of opportunities that go to closed business. But there are often big opportunities in the middle and bottom of the funnel. It’s hugely important to work with your customers and make them successful with your product or service. By focusing on customer success, you can increase your conversion rate and reduce churn. Satisfied customers lead to a higher number of referrals. And this number has outsize importance, as referred friends and colleagues are a good indication that your customers are satisfied with their experience.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2vl2r8o.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>8. Use it!</h2>\r\n<strong>Janet Efere (Sales Trainer and Coach at Tadpole Training)</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/JanetEfere\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@JanetEfere</a>\r\n\r\nCheck your sales funnel every day. It can be a powerful tool, but only when properly used. Keep a format that enables you to check, update, and get stuck in it! Your sales funnel is absolutely one of your most important tools for long-term sales success.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/9.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>9. Never Get Complacent</h2>\r\n<strong>John King (Head of Marketing for 2020 Legal Limited)</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/JohnRDKing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@JohnRDKing</a>\r\n\r\nThere\'s no such thing as the \"perfect\" sales funnel. Perfection suggests that there’s nothing more to learn, develop, or change, and most will recognize that for what it is: complacency. Even so, the pursuit of perfection is honorable work. And getting there takes strong, well-understood foundations. You\'ll need to understand your customers\' needs, wants, ambitions, and day-to-day struggles. This is vital to framing your product, service, and offer in terms they can relate to.\r\n\r\nSecond, take the time to understand your customers\' journey. Expensive marketing software and advertising are pointless if you don\'t understand how things like the buying cycle or automation have an impact on the process. Timing and message relevance at key points of your research, and decision-making stages are large parts of your battle.\r\n\r\nThird, you\'ll need to appreciate sales dynamics. Marketing and sales <em>must</em> converge here. Your marketing research will need to agree with sales\' \"on the ground\" findings in order to build a mutually agreed-upon picture of your customer. Then, analyze your past sales data and lead history in order to assess the quality of leads and whether you\'re collecting the right information on your prospects. Are you getting enough information? Is it enough to qualify as a lead, or is it merely an indicator of interest? You must build a concrete framework for ‘lead’ categorisation if you’re going to successfully nurture these indicators into future sales.\r\n\r\nMeasure the metrics that matter. Take pains to determine indicators of interest, leads, marketing qualified leads (MQL), and sales qualified leads (SQL). Most prospects who come with senior job titles and provide correct contact details will become leads. But what can marketing do to qualify a lead\'s potential? Is a company in a sector or vertical that you serve? Do their turnovers (or profits) mean they can afford you? Does your offering solve a recognized need? Is your prospect in a senior enough position to influence a buying decision?\r\n\r\nWhat about sales? How do they convert an MQL into an SQL? Your marketing and sales wings should move these prospects down the funnel sin order to achieve the perfect’ sales funnel. Some board-level backing can be vital to unifying commercial forces who are at odds with one another. The key then is collaboration and a mutually agreed-upon model for collecting, categorizing, and progressing great leads in a way that stands up to data-driven scrutiny.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/10.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>10. Monitor as Often as Possible</h2>\r\n<strong>Stella Mikraki (Head of Marketing for Moosend)</strong> <a href=\"https://moosend.com/?utm_source=referral&amp;utm_medium=commissioncrowd&amp;utm_campaign=harooincoming\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Moosend.com</a>\r\n\r\nThe perfect sales funnel is one that constantly evolves. Marketers should always monitor the metrics that change cold-traffic followers to warm leads or even buyers. As leads move along the purchasing process, marketers should make meaningful improvements to each of their metrics. They should also use A/B testing to pinpoint what changes result in increased conversion rates and other ratios. When designing and building a funnel, you need to take into account several factors including your target markets, what your lead magnet will look like, the stages of your funnel, your landing page, and your email follow-up sequence. Still, designing and building a funnel is usually easier than streamlining it. You design it to accommodate your marketing strategy, follow best practices, and resonate with your business. Then comes actually building it, which might require web designers or one of the many DIY tools you can find on the Internet.\r\n\r\nBut the most important and difficult part is monitoring as much relative data as you can. Although it can be quite a challenging task, tracking traffic and conversions at each stage of your buyers\' journeys is critical in your search for the perfect funnel. These metrics need to be tracked separately for different traffic sources and ad creatives. That way you know which campaign converts better. You can also use custom UTM links to track complete funnels you\'ve set up in Google Analytics so that you absolutely know which campaign brings the highest ROI. Other tools you\'ll need to use might include email marketing platforms with marketing automation, website trackers and reporters, thank-you pages, sales pages, a heatmap for tracking visitor behaviors on pages, and an exit pop-up that gives you the chance to catch visitors leaving your pages.\r\n\r\nCreating the perfect sales funnel means testing and tweaking for continuous improvement. If you are just starting with a new campaign, record everything and see what works best for your business. Then aim at improvement every time you start a new one.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/11.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>11. Beware of Customer Inertia</h2>\r\n<strong>David Priemer (Vice President of Sales at Influitive)</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/dpriemer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@dpriemer</a>\r\n\r\nThe single biggest challenge modern sales teams face is inertia. Inertia, or status quo bias, is the tendency for companies to employ the same practices, policies, and technologies they’ve always used unless a large enough disruptive force causes them to change. If you want a healthy sales funnel, your approach and messaging must disrupt your target buyer’s inertia early and often. So what does inertia sound like? Salespeople are all too familiar with refrains like “that’s not a priority for us now”, “I don’t think we have the money for that”, and “what we’re doing now isn’t perfect, but it’s working for now”. These are all manifestations of business inertia. \"Software? Technology? Process change? Don’t need ‘em! We can more or less get by with what we’re doing.”\r\n\r\nBut there are signs of hope! Every now and then, our sales and marketing efforts are compelling enough to break through our target customers\' armor and disrupt their inertia. Compare a buyer\'s journey to the mercury in a thermometer. The zero mark represents a buyer with no interest. Ten describes a raving advocate, and eight is the level of interest required to make a purchase. Now, suppose that the average buyer enters your sales funnel with an interest level of two. That means your sales and marketing efforts need to ratchet buyers up six levels before converting them into customers. Certainly not impossible, but that large inertial gap can result in a longer sales cycle and a high-calorie conversion exercise. But what if you could inject buyers into your funnel at a six? The smaller internal gap would provide a much more favorable starting point and gateway to higher conversion rates.\r\n\r\nSo how can higher levels of engagement be achieved? In the spirit of fighting science with science, some of the best sales and marketing organizations in the world use tactics rooted in basic psychology and human behavior to overcome buyer inertia and generate higher levels of lead interest. Invoking reciprocity, establishing credibility, leading with values instead of products, adopting a customer-centric approach, and refining your pitch can all be used to help your company reduce the status quo bias for prospective buyers. Whichever tactic you use, be conscious that inertia — the true enemy of a world-class sales funnel — is a powerful force that must be met with a thoughtful, customer-centric approach.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/12.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>12. Know Your Customer\'s Personality Type</h2>\r\n<strong>Christopher Van Buren (Founder of LaunchMoxie)</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/healthygreenguy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@healthygreenguy</a>\r\n\r\nSpeak to your customers\' personalities. If you don\'t know anything else about your visitors, at least know which of the four main personality types they fit into. And you can speak to all four types in your marketing copy and brand messaging.\r\n\r\nDrivers\r\nDrivers are the active, take-charge people. They get the job done and tell others what to do. They\'re driven by the need to save time and money. So, when communicating, make sure that <em>one</em> of your key points is about how much time and money they\'ll save with your product.\r\n\r\nPhlegmatics\r\nThese are the relationship types. They are driven by the need to belong and strive for connection and acceptance. When communicating, emphasize how \"others just like you\" are using your product and use phrases like \"join us\" and \"form a deeper connection\".\r\n\r\nExpressives\r\n\r\nIt\'s said that expressives never let the truth get in the way of a good story. These are the socialites and performers among us, and their primary desire is to have fun. Emphasize how much fun they\'ll have when using your product or service...and be sure to tell them a good story.\r\n\r\nAnalyticals\r\nThese thinkers and calculated decision-makers are driven by the need to do the right thing. They strive to save face and protect their reputations. Writing to analyticals involves adding testimonials, facts, figures, data, and supporting documentation. But also make sure to emphasize how smart and safe your products are.\r\n\r\nIdeally, you\'ll be able to target all four personality types at all times. But dividing them into groups of two can also be useful when you need to talk to two groups at the same time. Follow these guidelines:\r\n\r\nDrivers and expressives are both extroverts.\r\nPhlegmatics and analytics are the both introverts.\r\nDrivers and analytics are driven by thoughts and beliefs.\r\nExpressives and phlegmatics are driven by feelings and emotions.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/13.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>13. Change Your Relationship Dynamic</h2>\r\n<strong>Sabri Suby (Founder and Head of Growth for King Kong)</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/sabrisuby?lang=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@sabrisuby</a>\r\n\r\nYou need to know your market and customers. You need to figure out your customers\' desires, fears, hopes, wishes, and dreams. You need to move beyond the obvious and work out how your audience thinks, feels, and acts. <em>Research.</em> Search forums, comment sections, reviews, and social media to understand the language your audience uses. Look for their concerns and questions. Identify trends. Organize your research into common themes and concerns. Doing so will help you identify the gaps and shortcomings of your products and services already on the market. Fixing these gaps is key to creating an offer that\'s too good to resist and leaves your competitors in the dust.\r\n\r\nOnce you\'ve spent weeks researching, you\'ll be ready to build your sales funnel. Start with a ‘high-value content offer’ lead magnet. This can be in the form of a free report, video training, webinar, cheat sheet, etc. Use it as a hook to get potential customers into your funnel. Once customers start entering your funnel, you\'ll want to continue educating them and offer solutions to their hopes, pains, and fears that you already identified in your research phase. The highest converting educational offer you can provide is a webinar. Having prospects sit through a 90-minute webinar greatly assists your onboarding process. You want your prospects to live and breathe your brand mantra.\r\n\r\nThe goal of your funnel is to change the dynamics and psychology of your relationship with your prospects. Instead of chasing clients, make them chase you. Your systems - not you - will do the hard yards following up and delivering content that educates and pre-qualifies your prospects. By the time you or your sales team speaks with them they\'ll already be ready, willing, and able to do business.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/14.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>14. Start with Your Home Base</h2>\r\n<strong>Taneil Currie (Business Strategist at Tenth Concept)</strong> <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/taneilcurrie\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@TaneilCurrie</a>\r\n\r\nWork with what\'s in your control. Update everything - your website, your social media, and your blogs - and make sure they stay current. Take visitors on a journey. If visitors comes seeking expert education from your site, ideally they\'ll leave after making a sale. Have clear calls to action based on your desired end result. Make transactions as easy as possible.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/5wb28y.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>15. The Jigsaw Approach</h2>\r\n<strong>Brian Marsh (Sales Director at Futurepump)</strong> <a href=\"https://linkedin.com/in/brian-marsh-83645a24\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LinkedIn</a>\r\n\r\nThere isn\'t a salesperson alive who hasn’t heard of “sales funnels” and how they\'re all about the numbers That’s a true statement technically, but what about the variables? Do you do the same thing for every sales transaction you carry out? Do your customers get the benefit of the same high-quality, detailed presentation? Or do you have your off days?\r\n\r\nLet’s assume that you\'re the sort of salesperson who properly qualifies your prospects. You wouldn\'t drive 100 miles to meet a customer you know nothing about. All of your sales visits start at the same point: you know your customers\' pain points, what you can do for them, and why they need your product or service. You meet and greet your prospect and go into a sales presentation that you\'ve crafted from years of experience. As an experienced salesperson, you know this presentation inside and out. And that can be a huge problem.\r\n\r\nHolding a sales presentation is like doing a jigsaw puzzle. You\'re building a scene one piece at a time until your client can see the full, glorious picture. But recreating the same boring thatched country cottage every night can get pretty boring. After a time, you\'ll realize that putting the jigsaw away carefully can keep a lot of the pieces together and make the following night that much easier. This is a bad habit that sales people fall into. They forget that their prospects haven\'t seen the jigsaw before, and instead of building it piece by piece they put down big chunks and aim to build it quicker. This is a huge disservice to your product, company, and prospect. Of course, your prospects will say the right things - most of them are polite after all - but will you have given them the full picture? Will they understand the full implications of your product? Will they really become the good prospects you hoped to put into your sales funnel? Probably not!\r\n\r\nThe prospects in your sales funnel should present genuine opportunities for sales. Fail at your job, and those prospects will become just numbers, making your conversion ratio worse rather than better. GIGO is an acronym in IT that refers to data being fed into a computer. It stands for Garbage In, Garbage Out. Failing to present at your absolute best makes you guilty of putting garbage into your sales funnel, and you know what you will get out. Be true to yourself, do your best every time, and you\'ll build a sales funnel you can be proud of.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/16.png\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>16. Establish a Point of Contact</h2>\r\n<strong>Dustin Montgomery (Founder of Dustin Montgomery SEO)</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/DustinMontSEO\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@DustinMontSEO</a>\r\n\r\nThe perfect sales funnel starts with the perfect audience. Drill down into your audience and understand their position as best as you can. The more you can prequalify your audience, the better chance you\'ll have at success. Targeting the same people on different platforms and networks can make a big difference. Once you have established your audience, examine your competitors\' landing pages. The longer you do this, the better of an idea you\'ll have about what\'s working for them. Chances are that some of your same audience members have seen them, so use this information to stand out from the crowd.\r\n\r\nEnsure that your call to action can create a point of contact. The best way to do this is by offering something of value. Traditionally. a point of contact would be an email address, but you might find something better depending on your demographic. Always meet your customers in their comfort zones. Then, once you have your point of contact, craft the rest of the funnel. The number of steps here will depend on your demographic and how warm or cold your clients are. If they are cold, you\'re going to need to demonstrate your authority and highlight their need. If they are warm, you may only need a few emails before presenting another funnel or even a purchasing opportunity.\r\n\r\nIt\'s important to note when prospects opt out of email. This will help you continually shape and optimize your funnel. The same goes for when people pull the trigger on a purchase. At this point, it\'s important not to let your leads die out and instead keep following up for as long as you can without being annoying. If nothing else, keep leads on your general mailing list so they keep receiving content.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/17.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>17. Don\'t Manage Your Pipeline by Hand</h2>\r\n<strong>Gene Caballero (Co-founder of GreenPal)</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/gene_caballero?lang=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@gene_caballero</a>\r\n\r\nUse tools that keep your potential customers in the loop in regards to new products, content, and even reminders of industry events. Biweekly or monthly newsletters can keep prospects interested and on your radar. The more relevant content that you can feed potential customers, the more likely they will be to trust you and purchase from you. There are several tools that can be used to load up new contacts and add them to your newsletter rotation. By doing this, you can also see who has clicked on what and then tailor your future content to the emails that received the most opens or clicks.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2i0aoi1.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>18. Follow a Few Simple Steps</h2>\r\n<strong>Jeff Goldberg (Jeff Goldberg &amp; Associates)</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/jeffgprospeaker\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@jeffgprospeaker</a>\r\n\r\nThe perfect sales funnel? That\'s easy! (Said no one ever.) But while it\'s not easy, it\'s certainly doable if you use a few key steps.\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Create an ideal client profile (ICP). Identify what good clients looks like in order to be able to recognize them.</li>\r\n 	<li>Develop a prospecting plan. Cold calling? Email? Social Media? All of the above? You have to have a plan in order to get into a conversation with your ideal potential customers.</li>\r\n 	<li>Know how many prospects you need at any given time. You need to know what number of your prospects turn into customers and how many you have in your pipeline if you want to achieve your goals.</li>\r\n 	<li>Use a pipeline management system. Create a system to identify where prospects are in your sales cycle and have a way to encourage them forward. I offer clients a new product called SalesStar, which not only accomplishes this but also coaches them before sales calls. But no matter what system you use, use it religiously to move your prospects through the sales cycle and towards your closed column.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/19.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>19. Get Your Ratios Down</h2>\r\n<strong>John Lyon (CEO and founder of Logisco)</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/logsco\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@LogSco</a>\r\n\r\n“Sales is a numbers game.\" If I got a £1 for every time I’ve heard that over the past 25 years, I’d be very rich indeed. All in all, I think it\'s far too generic of a sentiment. But when it comes to creating and implementing the perfect sales funnel, I always start with perfecting the ratios of opportunities to closes. And in that instance, it absolutely <em>is</em> a numbers game. Here are four steps that I swear by:\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Begin with the end in mind (your goals/targets) and then figure out the quantity and quality of opportunities necessary to accomplish them. The perfect sales funnel relies on getting these numbers and ratios spot on.</li>\r\n 	<li>Focus on the right quality and quantity of your opportunities. Ensure that whenever prospects drop off your sales funnel (regardless of where) that others are ready to replace them.</li>\r\n 	<li>Manage your sales funnel on a daily basis. It should be the first thing you review each morning and the last thing you update at night.</li>\r\n 	<li>Be ruthless with your sales funnel. If an opportunity leaves or stays stagnant on a stage, correct that without delay. Never allow your funnel to become untidy or inaccurate, as it will only distract you from achieving your goals.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/20.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>20. The Nine Steps</h2>\r\n<strong>Peter Cappiello (National Vice President of Sales for PrimePay)</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/petecappiello\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@PeteCappiello</a>\r\n\r\nIn today\'s buyer-centric environment, sellers must navigate multiple channels if they\'re going to create a successful funnel. Here are my nine tips for success:\r\n\r\n1) Know what \"good\" looks like. Identify your high probability prospects and focus on them. By not wasting time on prospects that aren’t the right fit you can maximize your selling time. Develop and provide relevant content (testimonials/articles) to buyers and your win rate will improve.\r\n\r\n2) Sales may be the engine, but marketing drives the bus. The buying process happens well before a sales executive ever delivers a pitch. Effective sales funnels are reliant on sales and marketing working together. If they’re out of sync, lead conversion will also be off.\r\n\r\n3) Lean and mean. Keep lean pipelines once opportunities begin making their way through your funnel. Don’t inflate numbers for a manager review. Operate in reality and focus on real opportunities to close at a higher win rate. But lean doesn’t mean thin. Concentrate your efforts while still identify a pipeline twice as large as your objective.\r\n\r\n4) Scrub your pipeline DAILY to keep it lean. Work piles up. Don\'t shy away from this activity.\r\n\r\n5) Attack from all angles. An omnichannel approach, which enables sales and marketing to chip away at your prospects, will offer greater results. Allow marketing to keep your prospects warm so that you can focus on closing.\r\n\r\n6) No next step, no opportunity. Every opportunity in your funnel or pipeline must have an actionable next step. Identify the next item that will move prospects through your funnel and towards the close.\r\n\r\n7) Know your numbers. What is your average win rate? Average sales cycle? Average deal size? Without these key indicators, it\'s impossible to identify a strong, successful pipeline. You can determine your success benchmarks once you know how many opportunities you need to enter your pipeline.\r\n\r\n8) Identify and work your centers of influence (COIs). Pharmaceutical companies are masters at this. Why sell to a patient directly when you can sell through doctors? To create strong COIs you must first know who they are. Focus on attracting and building a database of COIs that you can target consistently. Speak their language and offer insights that can help them grow. Let them see you as a resource.\r\n\r\n9) Always be connecting. I believe in Dr. Ivan Misner’s 29% theory: “29% of the world are separated by less than six connections.” Great business professionals constantly connect and build relationships. You need to maintain visibility within your community, social media, and most importantly, your field! Become a part of your community through networking, nonprofit organizations, and chambers. Build a reputation for following up and following through and your network will generate at least 25% of your funnel every month.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/23kcf4j.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>21. Be Your True Self</h2>\r\n<strong>Joe Templin (Managing Director at The Unique Minds Consulting Group)</strong><a href=\"https://twitter.com/therealheadgeek\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@TheRealHeadGeek</a>\r\n\r\nThe perfect sales funnel can\'t truly exist because we\'re only human. Instead of trying to master sales techniques or deus ex machina marketing, try something more fundamental and effective: <em>be true</em>. Be true in the sense of the Scottish psychologist RD Laing.\r\n\r\nAs Dr. Stolk and I analyzed in our book <em>Choices: Creating a Financial Services Career</em>, acting as one\'s <em>true self</em> means avoiding fake discussions and pleasantries that lead to much hot air and little action. False-self to false-self interactions rarely lead to lasting relationships, as their foundations are built on lies. Only true-self to true-self discussions can lead to trust-based relationships that are profitable for both parties. An analysis 10,000 professional salespeople across multiple disciplines showed that agents deploying this technique closed three times greater than average. Truth equals power.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/22.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>22. Choose Metrics that Matter</h2>\r\n<strong>Colleen Francis (Owner of Engage Selling Solutions)</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/EngageColleen\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@EngageColleen</a>\r\n\r\nYou can\'t get outstanding sales results without good data. But data is meaningless if you can\'t understand what you’re measuring or how it supports your goals. There are two sales metrics you need to pay attention to: leading indicators and lagging indicators.\r\n\r\n<em>Leading indicators</em>\r\n\r\nLeading factors make up everything before the sale. They\'re at the top of your sales pipeline and define how capable you are at opening opportunities. Your organization should keep track of several metrics for leading indicators, and the most important one is called \"overall gap to growth\". This is defined as the gap between where you are and where you need to be to hit your next sales goal. Defining your overall gap to growth also defines the work you need to do for the rest of your sales period (e.g. the next week or the next month). How much you shrink the gap defines how well you\'re performing with leading indicators. Leading indicators include all of the activities and sales stages that happen before a proposal is sent out. With that in mind, other metrics in this area must include:\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>The ratio of newly qualified opportunities to what’s required to hit your target.</li>\r\n 	<li>How long it takes to convert leads into opportunities, separated by marketing sources.</li>\r\n 	<li>How many attempts it takes to convert leads into opportunities, separated by marketing sources.</li>\r\n 	<li>How long it takes a successful opportunity to move through the top half of your pipeline compared those you lose.</li>\r\n 	<li>The conversion ratios of each stage leading up to the proposal.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<em>Lagging indicators</em>\r\n\r\nLagging Indicators are the metrics involved with getting opportunities signed. They\'re also where sales managers most often go wrong. Managers forget that making the sale is a lagging indicator rather than a leading one. Making the sale only tells you what you did right in the past. To measure how effective you are at closing, you\'ll need to look at:\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Your closing rate (conversations to sale). A healthy average is around 35%.</li>\r\n 	<li>How long an opportunity takes to close. Measure both wins and losses, determining whether it’s taking you longer to win or lose a deal.</li>\r\n 	<li>Your churn rate, or how many customers leave you every year.</li>\r\n 	<li>Your cross-sell rate. How much more does each customer buy from you per year? Think of sales data and sales metrics the same way that athletes look at nutrition. Be selective with what you’re consuming. Be meticulous when measuring meaningful outputs and you’ll gain valuable insight for helping your sales organization grow better, faster, and stronger.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2cfqj3c-1.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>23. Take Full Advantage of Twitter</h2>\r\n<strong>Mike Kawula (CEO of Social Quant)</strong> <a href=\"https://www.socialquant.net/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Social Quant\'s Website</a>\r\n\r\nThe perfect sales funnel continuous runs and never empties. The worst thing sales agents can do is have their funnels run dry because they didn’t fill them with continuous leads. Here’s a three-step strategy, using Twitter, that ensures you never run out of leads:\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Optimize your Twitter profile (takes about 30 minutes). In order to optimize your Twitter profile, you\'ll need to:\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Write a great cover that establishes authority and lets people know what you do in five words or less.</li>\r\n 	<li>Use a high-quality picture of yourself (not your company logo) and keep it updated with how you look today (not back in college).</li>\r\n 	<li>Create a killer bio that\'s both professional and personal (don’t use hashtags). You’ve got 160 characters, so fill them with good keywords.</li>\r\n 	<li>Link to either your company website, LinkedIn, or opt-in page.</li>\r\n 	<li>Create a pinned tweet for the top of your profile that people will see when visiting your page. Make the tweet great copy and include an image (GIF, video, or photo). This will preferably be for an opt-in in exchange for a prospect\'s email address. Make it irresistible!</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n 	<li>Get eyeballs for your optimized profile (takes 0-20 minutes a day). Think of a few Twitter accounts that have more than 100,000 Twitter followers (including your potential customers). Think of bloggers, podcasters, influencers, tool providers, and authors. Go to advanced search and type these Twitter handles (without the @) and click on the “latest” tab. This will show everyone who\'s actively mentioning these influencers. Follow 100-250 of them a day and anywhere between 10-20% will follow you back, with a large percentage clicking on your pinned tweet. You can outsource this to a company or spend 20 minutes a day doing it manually.</li>\r\n 	<li>Share 50 tweets a day. Now that you’ve built a following, you\'ll want to keep up and get followers to visit your opt-in page or website. Create 100+ tweets and put use a tool that can continually circulate them every day. Studies have shown that those who tweet 50 times a day, compared to those who make just ten, receive 40 times the clicks. And that means more opportunities to increase traffic and leads for your sales funnel.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/24.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>24. Seven Steps for a Highly-Profitable Sales Funnel</h2>\r\n<strong>Alan McKenna (CEO and President of Business Acceleration Strategies)</strong><a href=\"https://twitter.com/alanmmckenna\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@alanmmckenna</a>\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Create your big vision. High ticket sales are key to massive growth in revenue and profit. Estimate your business\' potential by projecting your clients\' maximum lifetime value.</li>\r\n 	<li>Identify your ideal clients. Outline their demographics. Understand your most profitable clients by listing their main pain points and desires. This makes enrolling them into your high-ticket program easy.</li>\r\n 	<li>Choose your profit maximizers. Design a clear ascension path, choose the products and programs for your high-ticket sales, and position yourself for best results.</li>\r\n 	<li>Hire and compensate the best salespeople. The best salespeople are those who already share a passion for what you do. The best way to find them is by looking inside your company or amongst your biggest fans. Here’s what to do:\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Start the sales process immediately. If possible, train someone already on your team.</li>\r\n 	<li>Create a roles and responsibilities outline. Include expectations and an outline for your ideal candidate so you can hire accordingly.</li>\r\n 	<li>Write an ad and email draft.The better your ad screen, the better hires you\'ll attract, the more time you’ll save, and the more money you’ll make.</li>\r\n 	<li>Structure a win/win compensation plan. Commission-only works best.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n 	<li>Create your lead generation system. Here\'s what you\'ll need to generate highly-qualified leads:\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Landing pages that relate to various prospect types.</li>\r\n 	<li>A qualifications page that weeds out anyone who doesn’t fit your ideal prospect profile.</li>\r\n 	<li>Segment the fastest-selling high-end offers using recency, frequency, and money (RFC).</li>\r\n 	<li>Drive your segmented lists with promo emails on various landing pages.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n 	<li>Create your sales system. Offer your leads appointments for strategy sessions. Then use these sessions to create sales. The perfect follow-up system drives huge amounts of revenue. Here\'s what you\'ll need to achieve it:\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>A precise follow-up strategy for booking appointments and closing sales.</li>\r\n 	<li>Appointment-setting emails, appointment-scheduling scripts, voice message scripts, and appointment confirmation emails.</li>\r\n 	<li>A well-crafted sales script that adds value through strategy sessions whether your prospects enrolls in your next-level offer or not. This script needs to guide prospects effortlessly to their next step, which is using your products or services to achieve results.</li>\r\n 	<li>Scripts for overcoming the most common objections.</li>\r\n 	<li>Post-session follow-up emails.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n 	<li>Measure and manage your salespeople\'s results. Create a simple sales stats report that gives you insight as to where your salespeople are doing well, where they have problems, and where improvements can be made. Track conversions and average revenue per lead. In order to increase conversions, you\'ll need to optimize your entire sales funnel, refine your processes, and continue training salespeople. Remember the 80/20 rule, which says that for any given price point 20% of your clients will spend four times the going rate.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/25.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>25. Strong Leadership and a Top-Down Approach</h2>\r\n<strong>Janice Mars (Principal and founder of SalesLatitude)</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/janicemars?lang=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@JaniceMars</a>\r\n\r\nCreating and implementing sales funnels are two separate, distinctive disciplines. Here are five simple steps to a successful sales funnel.\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Talk to the right people. Communicate with stakeholders at the appropriate levels of their organizations. Different levels of an organization will have different priorities for spending their time, money, and resources. The higher up in the organization you go, the more strategic the need will be for your products and services (and the larger the deal). Gain a strong understanding of the goals of each level and ensure the linkage makes sense. If it does not, then ask more questions.</li>\r\n 	<li>Align yourself with executives. Getting in front of executives not only allows you to help solve problems and make their numbers, it also leads to larger deals that close faster. Understanding the needs, priorities, and goals of an organization is equally important to get the timing right. This enables you to build a sales funnel that directly aligns with your prospect’s goals.</li>\r\n 	<li>Let the process be your guide. Implementing the perfect sales funnel should be easier than creating one. Adhere to your established process by ensuring that all activities are completed at the right time. But more importantly, make sure your prospects are engaged at each stage. If they’re not, find out why.</li>\r\n 	<li>Keep a close eye on the deal. I often see well-created sales funnels fail because they weren\'t actively managed and monitored. Many sales managers get involved way too late in the sales process, making it difficult to verify if their salespeople asked the right questions at the right levels and truly understood priorities and timelines. Sales managers must be effective coaches and ensure that their salespeople view the deal through their prospects\' lenses. Is the prospect engaged? Is the deal stuck in a particular stage? Should you spend more money, time, and resources on this deal or move on?</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nGet events in sync. Use an executive-level sequence of events document that helps drive collaboration with your prospect by clarifying your activities, responsibilities, and timeframes. Typically, you\'ll want to work the key milestones backward from the date your products and services start delivering value. Create the document early in the sales cycle and modify it along the way to ensure everyone is marching to the same drum. Creating and implementing a perfect sales funnel takes strong leadership and a top-down approach to affect positive change.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/26.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>26. Make Strategic Partnerships</h2>\r\n<strong>Maura Schreier (President of Best@Selling)</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/bestatselling\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@bestatselling</a>\r\n\r\nGet help prospecting instead of prospecting by yourself. Your best prospects come from referrals. You want to identify people who can become your strategic partners. Start by determining your best prospects. Separate them by industry, location, revenue, size, and other criteria. Find companies that sell to these prospects but don’t compete with you. Tell these potential partners what you want to exchange referrals between your businesses.\r\n\r\nSay, for example, you sell petroleum products to manufacturers. Those manufacturers buy hydraulic oil. Hydraulic systems require filters. Your company doesn’t sell filters, but you know someone who does. Contact the salesman who works in your area. Discuss which accounts you can introduce him to. Ask him to introduce you to the accounts he\'s selling to.\r\n\r\nAnd what do you do if you\'re having trouble identifying strategic partners? Ask your customers who they also work with. Ask for their best suppliers. Meeting someone a customer is already working with makes for a strong introduction.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/27.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>27. Use Your Best Clients to Guide You</h2>\r\n<strong>Michael Johnston (Group Sales and Strategy Manager for the Schrole Group)</strong>\r\n\r\nTake a look at your biggest sales clients using three types of profiles. First, find the biggest markets and industries. For us it was schools, so they became one of our best buyers. Second, look for the prospects who spend the most per purchase. I explained this to one client who typically dealt with SMBs but paid the largest amount by a single law firm. Third, look for the people that buy most often.\r\n\r\nLearn <em>why</em> these prospects buy. Understand what they know that other, similar customers don\'t. Figure out what triggers cause their purchases. Use several marketing tactics and an educational campaign for prospects similar to them. Then, look for partnerships that have similar best buyers. Check out other companies, services, and products your prospects came in contact with prior to choosing you and reach out to them.\r\n\r\nAlways be looking for ways to make it easy for your salespeople to engage prospects. Make your salespeople specialized in the problems your best buyers had prior to becoming customers.\r\n\r\nWhen coming up with a sales pipeline, it\'s helpful to break up the process into a series of smaller decisions. Don\'t get tied up in the latest trends, but utilize the ones that make sense.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/28.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>28. Implement Proper Analytics Tools</h2>\r\n<strong>Lindsay Kavanagh (Digital Coordinator for seoplus+)</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/seopluscanada?lang=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@seopluscanada</a>\r\n\r\nYou\'ll need to track user activity before you can hope to gather effective information, measure readiness to convert, or deliver relevant content. Create site pathways to micro and macro conversions and document each one. This will allow you to separate leads according to where they converted and what information they were looking for. For example, when users sign up for e-books on social media, you can judge their interests and create ads and other initiatives accordingly.\r\n\r\nOnce leads enter your system, continue documenting their interactions with your business (emails, website, landing pages, etc). This will give you a better idea of how interested they are and when you should make contact. You can also cater your outreach to specific user behaviors. For example, if you observe a user browsing your social media services, you can reach out and offer a special social media audit and provide ways in which your business can help.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/29.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>29. Start from the Bottom</h2>\r\n<strong>Michael Babcock (Host of the Your Own Pay Podcast)</strong> <a href=\"http://yourownpay.com/listen/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Your Own Pay Podcast</a>\r\n\r\nAsk yourself: what is the ultimate goal you want your prospects to achieve? Map out every product, service, and step individuals will need to take along your sales funnel. That way, when it comes to handling tech, there won\'t be any difficulties. And remember, every piece of content you put on the Internet is an entryway into your funnel.\r\n\r\nKnowing what the bottom of your funnel looks like gives you the ability to produce content that addresses the questions that your customers need answered before they\'ll buy your product. Use this tip, which I wish I\'d heard when I was getting started: take it, use it, and grow with it.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/30.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>30. Predict Your Customers</h2>\r\n<strong>Norman Gluck (Sales Consultant)</strong> <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/norman-gluck-72100410a/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LinkedIn</a>\r\n\r\nThe basic idea of a funnel is that the better you understand your potential customers, the more predictable they become. Of course, you\'ll have already researched your prospects, their businesses, and how they relate to the products or services you\'re proposing. The funnel is shaped by the following steps:\r\n\r\nAttraction: Create a person-to-person link between you and your prospect. Establish verbal and visual “acceptance” through voice, mannerism, facial expression, personality, and attire. Create a base interest in your product or service.\r\n\r\nDiscovery: Engage your prospects with a brief conversation that shows your awareness of their business and how your product or service fits into it. Express your knowledge of their industry. Listen carefully to your prospects.\r\n\r\nFind an issue: Use the information you gathered from the discovery stage to highlight issues your prospects are experiencing and how your product or service can benefit them. Be extremely careful not to place your prospects in an uncomfortable or defensive position. Speaking in third-party terms is often effective.\r\n\r\nPropose a solution: The strategy works best when you present a solution that\'s primarily to the credit of your prospect. Most prospects don\'t like a narrative about your service saving or rescuing them, and can easily turn defensive or even confrontational. This, of course, depends on the interpersonal interaction and communication style you\'ve established with your prospect.\r\n\r\nEngagement/Sample: Once an issue or specific interest has been identified and understood, explain how you can offer either direct engagement and/or samples of why your product or service is effective.\r\n\r\nFinal overview: Provide a conclusive summary of the key topics and issues, the proposal (solution) suggested, and what assistance and involvement you can offer.\r\n\r\nDecision: At this point, the best strategy is often staying silent and waiting for your prospect to respond. An alternative would be to ask your prospect if a certain step, time, or place would be agreeable to deliver your product or service.\r\n\r\nKeep in mind that each prior component is entirely on the feedback you get from your prospects. They cannot be drafted as a map or planned like a list. You need to listen, observe, and understand your prospect’s business to yield the best and most effective results.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/31.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>31. Find the Right Targets</h2>\r\n<strong>Karyn Kopp (Speaker at Kopp Consulting)</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/chiefdooropener\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@ChiefDoorOpener</a>\r\n\r\nMaintain a consistent flow of new prospect relationships. Figure out which prospects deserve your attention. In my experience, most sellers spend at least 25% of their time with prospects who are unlikely or unable to say “yes” in any reasonable timeframe. One business owner named “Dara\" told me she was frustrated by one of her prospects named “Rose”. Dara had invested a lot of time with Rose, between meetings, brainstorming sessions, writing and rewriting a proposal, and generally building up their relationship. I asked Dara what it would take for Rose to say yes. She told me the only way she envisioned Rose moving forward was if she cut her price in half.\r\n\r\nSome prospects will never pay the price for your services. It doesn\'t matter what you say, how much proof you provide, or what you guarantee. While other minds can be changed, it’s important to ask yourself if that long uphill climb is worth it. Alternatively, consider if your time is better spent with prospects who can’t wait to get started. In order to narrow down your correct prospect group, ask yourself these three questions:\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Am I offering the obvious solution to their problems?</li>\r\n 	<li>Are they willing to pay what I want to charge?</li>\r\n 	<li>Are they eager to hold a conversation and take the next step?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIf you can check all three boxes, then your prospects are likely worth your time. If you can\'t, then your prospects might still become part of your pipeline (situations can change), but perhaps on a less labor-intensive path (i.e. an email drip campaign). The most important thing is that you identify correct prospects early enough that you avoid misusing your time. Concentrate on creating the right sales message in order to attract good prospects and repel the wrong ones.\r\n\r\nLet’s say your service is not the lowest-priced option on the market, but your best clients value quality over affordability. Those who agree with this philosophy will continue their conversations with you.Those who only value the lowest price will likely move on. The kindest thing you can do for your such prospects (and yourself) is refer them to a better fit. Sales is more fun and successful when you spend your time from the beginning working prospects who are likely to say yes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"http://blog.commissioncrowd.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6127\" title=\"CommissionCrowd\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/800.png\" alt=\"CommissionCrowd\" width=\"297\" height=\"97\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout][/vc_column][/vc_row]','31 Ways to Create a Lucrative Sales Funnel','','publish','open','open','','31-ways-create-lucrative-sales-funnel','','','2018-01-23 19:02:30','2018-01-23 19:02:30','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=6339',0,'post','',0),(6359,3,'2017-07-05 14:08:27','2017-07-05 14:08:27','','Laura Robinson','','inherit','open','closed','','3-2','','','2017-10-27 20:05:19','2017-10-27 20:05:19','',6339,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/3.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6361,3,'2017-07-05 14:17:15','2017-07-05 14:17:15','','Justin McGill','','inherit','open','closed','','5-2','','','2017-10-27 20:11:17','2017-10-27 20:11:17','',6339,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/5.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6362,3,'2017-07-05 14:24:53','2017-07-05 14:24:53','','Michael Maher','','inherit','open','closed','','6-2','','','2017-10-27 20:11:35','2017-10-27 20:11:35','',6339,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/6-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6363,3,'2017-07-05 14:27:56','2017-07-05 14:27:56','','John King','','inherit','open','closed','','9','','','2017-10-27 20:14:18','2017-10-27 20:14:18','',6339,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/9.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6364,3,'2017-07-05 14:30:23','2017-07-05 14:30:23','','Stella Mikraki','','inherit','open','closed','','10','','','2017-10-27 20:14:47','2017-10-27 20:14:47','',6339,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/10.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6366,3,'2017-07-05 14:32:14','2017-07-05 14:32:14','','David Priemer','','inherit','open','closed','','11','','','2017-10-27 20:15:07','2017-10-27 20:15:07','',6339,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/11.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6367,3,'2017-07-05 14:32:57','2017-07-05 14:32:57','','Christopher Van Buren','','inherit','open','closed','','12','','','2017-10-27 20:16:42','2017-10-27 20:16:42','',6339,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/12.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6368,3,'2017-07-05 14:33:47','2017-07-05 14:33:47','','Sabri Suby','','inherit','open','closed','','13','','','2017-10-27 20:17:07','2017-10-27 20:17:07','',6339,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/13.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6369,3,'2017-07-05 14:34:34','2017-07-05 14:34:34','','Taneil Currie','','inherit','open','closed','','14','','','2017-10-27 20:17:42','2017-10-27 20:17:42','',6339,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/14.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6370,3,'2017-07-05 14:36:06','2017-07-05 14:36:06','','Dustin Montgomery','','inherit','open','closed','','16','','','2017-10-27 20:18:42','2017-10-27 20:18:42','',6339,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/16.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(6371,3,'2017-07-05 14:37:05','2017-07-05 14:37:05','','Gene Caballero','','inherit','open','closed','','17','','','2017-10-27 20:20:01','2017-10-27 20:20:01','',6339,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/17.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6372,3,'2017-07-05 14:40:14','2017-07-05 14:40:14','','John Lyon','','inherit','open','closed','','19','','','2017-10-27 20:29:39','2017-10-27 20:29:39','',6339,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/19.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6373,3,'2017-07-05 14:42:26','2017-07-05 14:42:26','','Peter Cappiello','','inherit','open','closed','','20','','','2017-10-27 20:30:10','2017-10-27 20:30:10','',6339,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/20.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6374,3,'2017-07-05 14:44:01','2017-07-05 14:44:01','','Colleen Francis','','inherit','open','closed','','22-2','','','2017-10-27 20:31:12','2017-10-27 20:31:12','',6339,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/22.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6376,3,'2017-07-05 14:46:26','2017-07-05 14:46:26','','Alan McKenna','','inherit','open','closed','','24','','','2017-10-27 20:32:00','2017-10-27 20:32:00','',6339,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/24.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6377,3,'2017-07-05 14:47:27','2017-07-05 14:47:27','','Janice Mars','','inherit','open','closed','','25-2','','','2017-10-27 20:32:23','2017-10-27 20:32:23','',6339,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/25.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6378,3,'2017-07-05 14:48:27','2017-07-05 14:48:27','','Maura Schreier','','inherit','open','closed','','26-2','','','2017-10-27 20:32:40','2017-10-27 20:32:40','',6339,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/26.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6379,3,'2017-07-05 14:50:02','2017-07-05 14:50:02','','Michael Johnston','','inherit','open','closed','','27-2','','','2017-10-27 20:32:55','2017-10-27 20:32:55','',6339,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/27.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6380,3,'2017-07-05 14:50:47','2017-07-05 14:50:47','','Lindsay Kavanagh','','inherit','open','closed','','28','','','2017-10-27 20:33:17','2017-10-27 20:33:17','',6339,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/28.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6382,1,'2017-07-05 18:24:59','2017-07-05 18:24:59','[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\r\n<h3 data-editor-class=\"InlineText\" data-variant=\"singleline\" data-label=\"Headline\" data-content-type=\"article\" data-content-id=\"154351\" data-fieldname=\"inc_headline\">The Following Infographic is brought to you by The UPS Store.</h3>\r\n<h2 class=\"headline-editable article-page-headline inc_editable inc_inline_editable\" data-editor-class=\"InlineText\" data-variant=\"singleline\" data-label=\"Headline\" data-content-type=\"article\" data-content-id=\"154351\" data-fieldname=\"inc_headline\">Are You Aware Of These Small Business Marketing Top Trends?</h2>\r\n<div class=\"article-deck article-page-deck inc_editable_area\" data-area-class=\"Archetype\">\r\n<div data-editor-class=\"InlineText\" data-variant=\"singleline\" data-label=\"Deck\" data-content-type=\"article\" data-content-id=\"154351\" data-fieldname=\"inc_deck\"></div>\r\n<div class=\"deck-editable article-page-deck inc_editable\" data-editor-class=\"InlineText\" data-variant=\"singleline\" data-label=\"Deck\" data-content-type=\"article\" data-content-id=\"154351\" data-fieldname=\"inc_deck\">This is where SMBs are finding the best bang for their marketing buck. Is this where you\'re spending your company\'s budget? Check out these small business marketing top trends.</div>\r\n</div>\r\n[mk_padding_divider size=\"20\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/UPS-StoreMarketing-17-0623-1290px_43711.jpg\" image_size=\"full\"][mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.inc.com/brandview\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6486 size-medium\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/brandview-logo-transparent_213236-300x35.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"35\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout][mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.theupsstore.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6454 size-medium\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/UPSStore-300x57.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"57\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]','Small Business Marketing Top Trends','','publish','open','open','','small-business-marketing-top-trends','','','2017-09-26 15:46:27','2017-09-26 15:46:27','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=6382',0,'post','',0),(6384,3,'2017-07-05 17:18:35','2017-07-05 17:18:35','','Michael Babcock','','inherit','open','closed','','29','','','2017-10-27 20:33:33','2017-10-27 20:33:33','',6339,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/29.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6385,3,'2017-07-05 17:19:38','2017-07-05 17:19:38','','Norman Gluck','','inherit','open','closed','','30','','','2017-10-27 20:33:46','2017-10-27 20:33:46','',6339,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/30.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6386,3,'2017-07-05 17:20:15','2017-07-05 17:20:15','','Karyn Kopp','','inherit','open','closed','','31','','','2017-10-27 20:35:00','2017-10-27 20:35:00','',6339,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/31.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6389,3,'2017-07-05 17:26:08','2017-07-05 17:26:08','','The \"perfect\" sales funnel is always changing. It no longer resembles a cone, with the large lip representing the top and the tiny exit point representing the bottom.','','inherit','open','closed','','pexels-photo-3','','','2017-07-05 17:48:39','2017-07-05 17:48:39','',6339,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/pexels-photo-3-.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6391,3,'2017-07-05 18:07:26','2017-07-05 18:07:26','','Are You Aware Of These Top Small Business Marketing Trends?','','inherit','open','closed','','ups-storemarketing-17-0623-1290px_43711','','','2017-07-07 13:50:56','2017-07-07 13:50:56','',6382,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/UPS-StoreMarketing-17-0623-1290px_43711.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6395,1,'2017-07-05 18:55:26','2017-07-05 18:55:26','[mk_page_section bg_color=\"#211551\" bg_stretch=\"true\" min_height=\"20\" padding_top=\"0\" padding_bottom=\"0\" sidebar=\"sidebar-1\"][vc_column][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=\"true\" tag_name=\"h1\" color=\"#d6a461\" size=\"25\" line_height=\"50\" margin_top=\"20\" margin_bottom=\"0\" font_family=\"Palatino Linotype, Book Antiqua, Palatino, serif\" font_type=\"safefont\" align=\"right\"]BEER BATTERED FRIED AVOCADO[/mk_fancy_title][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=\"true\" tag_name=\"h3\" color=\"#ffffff\" size=\"12\" line_height=\"50\" letter_spacing=\"2\" margin_bottom=\"0\" font_family=\"Open+Sans\" font_type=\"google\" align=\"right\"]HOME &gt;&gt; <strong>TASTEBUZZ</strong>[/mk_fancy_title][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row][/vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][mk_tooltip text=\"Taste Buzz Archive\" tooltip_text=\"Click to visit Taste Buzz Archive\" href=\"https://strategic.events/tastebuzz/\"][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][vc_single_image image=\"1118\" img_size=\"full\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" css_animation=\"appear\" link=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-home/tastebuzz/\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/beer.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">These crunchy yet gooey bites of salty heaven are unforgettable. We ran across these golden brown pieces of yum at an incentive in South Africa and paired them with a local brew. Guests returned talking about the safaris, the scenery, and the beer battered fried avocado bites! We call that a success.</h3>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>Beer Battered Fried Avocado</h2>\r\nINGREDIENTS\r\n3 Ripe Avocados\r\n1.5 Cups of Beer\r\n1 Cup Plain Flour\r\nVegetable Oil for Frying\r\nCourse Sea Salt- To Taste[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]INSTRUCTIONS:\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Peel avocados and cut into 4 pieces</li>\r\n 	<li>In a large bowl mix together beer and flour until it becomes a smooth batter</li>\r\n 	<li>Heat the oil to 365˚F / 185˚C in a large pot</li>\r\n 	<li>Working in batches, toss the avocado pieces into the batter and then into the hot oil</li>\r\n 	<li>Fry, turning once, for about 1 to 2 minutes, until golden</li>\r\n 	<li>Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain</li>\r\n 	<li>Sprinkle with the coarse sea salt and serve while still warm.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][ultimate_modal modal_title=\" STRATEGIC TIP:\" btn_bg_color=\"#211551\" btn_txt_color=\"#d6a461\" btn_text=\"STRATEGIC TIP\" modal_style=\"overlay-simplegenie\" overlay_bg_color=\"#211551\" content_bg_color=\"#d6a461\" content_text_color=\"#211551\" header_bg_color=\"#211551\" header_text_color=\"#d6a461\" modal_border_style=\"dotted\" modal_border_width=\"1\" modal_border_color=\"#d6a461\" modal_border_radius=\"12\"]To find an avocado that\'s perfectly green and creamy on the inside, and free from ugly brown spots, <strong>the key is checking under the stem</strong>. Peel back the small stem or cap at the top of the avocado. Three things to look for:\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>If it comes away easily and you find green underneath, you\'ve got an avocado that\'s ripe and ready</li>\r\n 	<li>If you pull back the stem and find brown underneath, the avocado is overripe</li>\r\n 	<li>If the stem doesn\'t come off, the fruit is not yet ripe enough to eat.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n[/ultimate_modal][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"]','Beer Battered Fried Avocado','','publish','open','open','','beer-battered-fried-avocado','','','2018-02-19 22:46:56','2018-02-19 22:46:56','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=6395',0,'post','',0),(6396,3,'2017-07-05 18:48:11','2017-07-05 18:48:11','','Beer Battered Fried Avocado','','inherit','open','closed','','beer','','','2017-10-27 19:57:40','2017-10-27 19:57:40','',6395,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/beer.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6399,1,'2017-07-05 21:38:11','2017-07-05 21:38:11','<h2>Christy Lamagna\'s Strategic Insight For Event Planners</h2>\r\n<h3>Event Planner Entertainment Interview - Christy Lamagna CMP, CMM, CTSM</h3>\r\n<h3><img class=\"alignright wp-image-6401\" title=\"Having been a Vice President of a Fortune 50 company, and a member of five start-up organizations, Christy Lamagna\'s strategic insight for event planners is and creativity will make all your events truly memorable experiences. Listen to Christy Lamagna\'s Strategic Insight For Event Planners now.\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/podcast-2.jpg\" alt=\"Having been a Vice President of a Fortune 50 company, and a member of five start-up organizations, Christy Lamagna\'s strategic insight for event planners is and creativity will make all your events truly memorable experiences. Listen to Christy Lamagna\'s Strategic Insight For Event Planners now.\" width=\"308\" height=\"194\" /></h3>\r\nHaving been a Vice President of a Fortune 50 company, and a member of five start-up organizations, Christy\'s strategic insight and creativity will make all your events truly memorable experiences. Christy understands the myriad of challenges corporate planners face, and brings a \'can-do\' attitude to each event.\r\n\r\nWith 20 years of industry experience, Christy has worked on events ranging in size from 150,000, to intimate Board of Directors meetings and places the same attention to delivering exceptional results on all of SME\'s programs. Her experience running and producing tradeshows, building and executing highly profitable sponsorship programs, speech writing and speaker coaching, production acumen and her contract negotiation savvy give her a breadth and depth of experience that few in the industry share.\r\n\r\nAs a frequent speaker, contributor to industry publications and professor of meeting and event management, Christy has dedicated her career to the industry and <a href=\"https://strategic.events/become-strategic-planner/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">raising the bar</a> on how programs are produced. Remembering that laughter and having fun is a key component to any successful endeavor, Christy blends professionalism with a sense of humor and an unwavering commitment to excellence.\r\n\r\n[audio mp3=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/133_KristieL_Adam20W-1.mp3\"][/audio]\r\n\r\n[mk_padding_divider][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Screen-Shot-2016-05-10-at-6.26.25-PM-1.png\"][mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://player.fm/series/event-planner-entertainment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6405\" title=\"Having been a Vice President of a Fortune 50 company, and a member of five start-up organizations, Christy Lamagna\'s strategic insight for event planners is\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/adam_wilber_podcast.jpg\" alt=\"Having been a Vice President of a Fortune 50 company, and a member of five start-up organizations, Christy Lamagna\'s strategic insight for event planners is\" width=\"136\" height=\"136\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Christy Lamagna\'s Strategic Insight For Event Planners','','publish','open','open','','christy-lamagnas-strategic-insight','','','2018-02-13 00:24:07','2018-02-13 00:24:07','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=6399',0,'post','',0),(6400,3,'2017-07-05 19:44:20','2017-07-05 19:44:20','','','','inherit','open','closed','','133_kristiel_adam20w-1','','','2017-11-21 20:41:56','2017-11-21 20:41:56','',6399,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/133_KristieL_Adam20W-1.mp3',0,'attachment','audio/mpeg',0),(6401,3,'2017-07-05 19:57:02','2017-07-05 19:57:02','','Having been a Vice President of a Fortune 50 company, and a member of five start-up organizations, Christy Lamagna\'s strategic insight for event planners is','','inherit','open','closed','','podcast-2','','','2017-09-26 20:09:56','2017-09-26 20:09:56','',6399,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/podcast-2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6405,3,'2017-07-05 20:17:26','2017-07-05 20:17:26','','adam_wilber_podcast','','inherit','open','closed','','adam_wilber_podcast','','','2017-10-27 19:57:23','2017-10-27 19:57:23','',6399,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/adam_wilber_podcast.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6407,3,'2017-07-05 20:27:59','2017-07-05 20:27:59','','Screen Shot 2016-05-10 at 6.26.25 PM (1)','','inherit','open','closed','','screen-shot-2016-05-10-at-6-26-25-pm-1','','','2018-02-02 17:27:04','2018-02-02 17:27:04','',6399,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Screen-Shot-2016-05-10-at-6.26.25-PM-1.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(6416,1,'2017-07-06 18:50:18','2017-07-06 18:50:18','<h2>A Strategic Approach to Integrated Marketing</h2>\r\n<h3>See how this event planning company interweaves travel throughout its print and social media campaigns to drive creative marketing.</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone wp-image-6417 size-full\" title=\"See how this event planning company interweaves travel throughout its print and social media campaigns to drive creative marketing. A Strategic Approach to Integrated Marketing\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/ChristyOverheadShotLogo.jpg\" alt=\"See how this event planning company interweaves travel throughout its print and social media campaigns to drive creative marketing. A Strategic Approach to Integrated Marketing\" width=\"970\" height=\"450\" />\r\n\r\nFor Christy Lamagna, president of <a href=\"https://strategic.events/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Strategic Meetings &amp; Events</a>, marketing isn\'t just a way to get more customers; it\'s an opportunity to showcase what her team does best and demonstrate their strategic, creative, and detail-oriented approach.\r\n\r\nLamagna partners with her clients to understand their goals for each event and create a communication strategy around that vision. These plans include things like designing and distributing marketing materials, such as posting flyers and brochures, sending gifts in the mail, and changing taglines and email signatures to generate buzz for the event. \"We try to create an immersive experience not just during the event, but also in the months before and after, so we can really drive and document change,\" she says.\r\n\r\nFor Strategic Meetings &amp; Events, the baseline is perfection. That means attention to detail is paramount, whether marketing online or off, on behalf of a client or for her business\'s own brand. To help her manage the company\'s social media presence, which includes Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, and a blog, Lamagna hired a full-time employee. \"You don\'t know what you don\'t know,\" she cautions. \"I believe you should focus on what brings you joy and what you can do better than anyone else. You can\'t do it all! Pick your lane, find other experts, and then get out of their way.\"\r\n\r\nFor other marketing initiatives, she relies on her creative and logistic partner, her local The UPS Store in Chester, New Jersey, which is managed by Don Pollard. \"It\'s the smallest things that can make the greatest impression,\" she says. \"When you are a perfectionist like I am, you don\'t trust a lot of people. I can trust Don. He understands that details matter.\"\r\n\r\nFor example, when Strategic Meetings &amp; Events ran a yearlong marketing campaign for a client that required printed pieces and gift items to go out at the same time each month to more than 300 recipients, The UPS Store assisted in getting the packages delivered on time and in pristine condition, even taking special care in the smallest details, like how the tissue paper was folded.\r\n\r\nPollard also handles other details that even Lamagna wouldn\'t have thought of. \"Don and his team collaborate on the perfect-size boxes, how each of the gift items is placed and packaged, the look of the labels and how they are positioned on the box, and even how the box opens,\" she explains.\r\n\r\n<strong>Double duty content</strong>\r\n\r\nInitiatives like the yearlong mailing campaign allow Lamagna to demonstrate what sets her and her team apart. And while she generates a lot of new business from word of mouth, she also invests in thoughtful marketing campaigns for her own company. For example, Strategic Meetings &amp; Events sent postcards to clients and prospects to showcase the team\'s travels. The campaign was so popular, Lamagna went even bigger--literally--with a second-gen iteration: She worked with Pollard to create an oversized postcard with enough room to include recipes from the places the team visited.\r\n\r\nStrategic Meetings &amp; Events often turns its printed campaigns into content to share online, too, which allows the company to derive more value from every marketing piece. On social media, the company shares useful event-planning resources, photos, and videos of its events to create engaging and visually-appealing content. Lamagna also writes for industry publications and speaks frequently at conferences. These efforts help to establish her business as an expert in the space, and combine with the company\'s print campaigns and stellar track record to help convert prospects to customers, and customers to repeat clients.\r\n\r\n\"Everything we do is strategic, and we want our marketing to reflect that,\" says Lamagna. Together with her team, she makes sure her offline and online marketing initiatives work synergistically to showcase the company\'s breadth of experience and devotion to detail.[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.inc.com/brandview\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6486 size-medium\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/brandview-logo-transparent_213236-300x35.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"35\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout][mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.theupsstore.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6454 size-medium\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/UPSStore-300x57.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"57\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','A Strategic Approach to Integrated Marketing','','publish','open','open','','strategic-approach-to-integrated-marketing','','','2018-02-13 00:09:38','2018-02-13 00:09:38','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=6416',0,'post','',0),(6417,3,'2017-07-06 18:46:14','2017-07-06 18:46:14','','A Strategic Approach to Integrated Marketing','','inherit','open','closed','','christyoverheadshotlogo','','','2017-07-07 13:52:18','2017-07-07 13:52:18','',6416,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/ChristyOverheadShotLogo.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6420,3,'2017-07-06 18:52:27','2017-07-06 18:52:27','','inc-magazine-746690-edited','','inherit','open','closed','','inc-magazine-746690-edited','','','2017-10-27 19:54:32','2017-10-27 19:54:32','',6416,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/inc-magazine-746690-edited.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(6422,1,'2017-07-06 19:14:47','2017-07-06 19:14:47','<h2>Marketing Shortcuts for Driving Sales in a Hurry</h2>\r\n<h3>These three tips will help you close deals quickly.</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone wp-image-6423 size-full\" title=\"Promoting your business is often a long game. It takes time to build awareness, inspire trust, and complete the sales cycle. But, sometimes, you need to generate business faster. Perhaps it is a cash flow issue, or you have inventory you need to move. Read these Marketing Shortcuts for Driving Sales in a Hurry\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Module3-case-study-resized_224801.jpg\" alt=\"Promoting your business is often a long game. It takes time to build awareness, inspire trust, and complete the sales cycle. But, sometimes, you need to generate business faster. Perhaps it is a cash flow issue, or you have inventory you need to move. Read these Marketing Shortcuts for Driving Sales in a Hurry\" width=\"970\" height=\"450\" />\r\n\r\nPromoting your business is often a long game. It takes time to build awareness, inspire trust, and complete the sales cycle. But, sometimes, you need to generate business faster. Perhaps it is a cash flow issue, or you have inventory you need to move. Maybe there\'s a competitor knocking at your door, or you are trying to hit a quarterly sales target. Regardless of what is fueling the urgency, these marketing tips will help you sell faster without compromising your long-term growth plans.\r\n<h2>1. Take a shortcut through the marketing funnel</h2>\r\nIt is called the purchasing journey for a reason. Guiding a customer from start to finish takes time. If you want to drive business quickly, focus on people who have already made their way down that path--your existing customers. Jim Rudden, CMO at <a href=\"https://www.spredfast.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Spredfast</a>, a social marketing software provider, calls this \"fishing where the fish are.\" \"Have you done everything you can to drive new revenue from the customers you have fought hard to gain, and who are your most loyal advocates? There are often quick revenue opportunities in repositioning a product or expanding a service,\" he says.\r\n\r\nRudden notes that this strategy isn\'t just about short-term gains. It is better in the long run, too. When you use a promotion or a discount to attract new customers, you tend to bring in one-off deals--people who are interested in the discount but aren\'t necessarily going to become repeat customers. Incentivizing existing customers to buy again can deepen important relationships. To do so, try a series of emails in which you customize deals based on past shopping behavior.\r\n\r\nAnother cost-effective tool is retargeting ads. These are ads that are served to people who have previously visited your website in an effort to encourage subsequent action. These individuals have already shown interest in your brand, so focusing on them as opposed to brand-new prospects is just more efficient. \"Retargeting ads get a 10 times higher click-through rate than display ads,\" says Mike Sharkey, CEO and co-founder of marketing automation business <a href=\"https://autopilothq.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Autopilot</a>.\r\n<h2>2. Supercharge your word-of-mouth marketing</h2>\r\nIsn\'t it nice when your existing customers do your marketing for you? That\'s what happens when they refer your business to a friend or share their positive experience on their social media pages.\r\n\r\nPeople are more likely to trust a recommendation from a friend than an ad. To drive business quickly, Rudden suggests \"giving your fans a megaphone\" by offering them a discount, as well as a coupon or gift they can share with a friend. This creates opportunities for deepening your relationships with your existing customers, while also \"getting off on the right foot\" with new ones.\r\n\r\nTo maximize effectiveness, be sure to make the discount enticing and easy-to-share. \"Lyft is a great example of this word-of-mouth marketing concept done right. When you share their referral code with a friend who hasn\'t used the app, they receive a discount, and you as a user are rewarded with a discount of your own. It\'s a win-win for the brand, the rider sharing the referral code, and the new customer that Lyft just acquired,\" says Rudden.\r\n<h2><strong>3. Go ahead and rest on your laurels</strong></h2>\r\nSocial media has made it easier than ever to keep customers and prospects informed of your success stories, new offerings, and promotions, and also to convey your brand voice. \"Seventy percent of marketers rank social media as their top performing non-email channel. It\'s a low-cost tool for distributing original content to attract new customers while still engaging existing ones,\" says Sharkey.\r\n\r\nBut you have to deliver more to your audience than just promo codes. Christy Lamagna, president of <a href=\"https://strategic.events/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Strategic Meetings &amp; Events</a>, uses social media to \"show off\" the work her firm is doing. Her team hosts corporate events around the world, so they share interesting photos, videos, and updates from their travels, as well as links to useful resources.\r\n\r\nBuilding a following online doesn\'t happen overnight, but once you have done it, you really can use the channel to strengthen relationships and drive business. Lamagna\'s clever marketing reflects her brand voice while inspiring her audience to contemplate where they\'d like to host their next event.\r\n\r\nThese digital efforts also help her extend more traditional marketing efforts, like direct mail campaigns. Lamagna partners with The UPS Store <a href=\"https://www.inc.com/theupsstore/a-strategic-approach-to-integrated-marketing.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">to send postcards to prospects and clients</a> from her team\'s travels from around the globe. They also partner on various print projects, such as marketing material and event collateral, and The UPS Store manages the shipping for the promotional campaigns she creates on behalf of her clients. \"We couldn\'t do what The UPS Store does for us. It would take way too much time and money, and we don\'t have the space or the expertise,\" she explains.\r\n\r\nYour customers and prospects will be more open to doing business with you if you have convinced them, or reminded them, of your expertise. Just be sure you can back up what you are marketing. A great discount may generate short-term business, but if you are falling short on quality, you will lose all those customers. \"If you are marketing something you can back up, a lot of times the rest takes care of itself,\" says Lamagna.[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.inc.com/brandview\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6486 size-medium\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/brandview-logo-transparent_213236-300x35.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"35\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout][mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.theupsstore.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6454 size-medium\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/UPSStore-300x57.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"57\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Marketing Shortcuts for Driving Sales in a Hurry','','publish','open','open','','marketing-shortcuts-for-driving-sales-in-a-hurry','','','2018-02-12 23:56:23','2018-02-12 23:56:23','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=6422',0,'post','',0),(6423,3,'2017-07-06 19:04:01','2017-07-06 19:04:01','','Marketing Shortcuts for Driving Sales in a Hurry','','inherit','open','closed','','module3-case-study-resized_224801','','','2017-07-06 22:31:53','2017-07-06 22:31:53','',6422,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Module3-case-study-resized_224801.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6429,1,'2017-07-06 21:55:56','2017-07-06 21:55:56','<h1>An Event Marketing Campaign</h1>\r\n<h2>Our Integrated Marketing Success Story</h2>\r\n[mk_image_slideshow images=\"6440,6435,6439,6437,6438,6433\" margin_bottom=\"25\" animation_speed=\"2000\" slideshow_speed=\"2500\" pause_on_hover=\"true\"]\r\n\r\nThe UPS Store, in partnership with the renowned business publication, ‘Inc.’ set out on a nationwide search to find and highlight small businesses that embodied exceptional quality, creativity, dedication to client service and entrepreneurship. Their extensive research lead them to Strategic Meetings &amp; Events.\r\n\r\nAfter speaking with a reporter from ‘Inc.’ we were optimistic. The stories around the event marketing campaigns we’ve created practically told themselves. Recounting the hunt for the quintessential travel wallet and the subsequent hour-long meeting we had on how to box and wrap them gave us the opportunity to share details we rarely discuss outside our office. The more we explained our process, the more we were reminded that what we consider common practice is all too rare.\r\n\r\nWe discussed how we market ourselves; the social media campaigns we create, the amazing recipes we send from places we’ve traveled around the globe, the team building events we custom design for clients, the writing we do; from original song lyrics to skits to executive presentations. The more we shared, the more we had to tell. It’s been an incredible 15 years, with countless experiences created and miles flown.\r\n\r\nOur excitement at sharing this news stems not from the publicity, (which we admit is fun) but from the appreciation that the work we are so proud of, and that we give everything we have to, is being recognized even outside our industry for what it is; exceptional. If you’ve worked with the SME team, you understand what it is to have the ‘SME’ experience. You also know that we will continue to find new ways to delight, inspire and motivate your attendees.\r\n\r\nSo, as you watch the <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL9jb2jgq7M\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">video</a> and read the article on <a href=\"https://strategic.events/marketing-shortcuts-for-driving-sales-in-a-hurry/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Marketing Shortcuts for Driving Sales in a Hurry</a>, and read the article on <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-approach-integrated-marketing/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A Strategic Approach to Integrated Marketing</a>, please keep the words, ‘Thank You,’ top of mind. Without your partnership, trust and referrals, our talent, passion and creativity could not be used to it\'s fullest potential.\r\n\r\nHere’s to more fantastic things![mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.inc.com/brandview\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6486 size-medium\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/brandview-logo-transparent_213236-300x35.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"35\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout][mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.theupsstore.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6454 size-medium\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/UPSStore-300x57.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"57\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Our Integrated Marketing Success Story','','publish','open','open','','integrated-marketing-success-story','','','2018-02-21 14:55:21','2018-02-21 14:55:21','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=6429',0,'post','',0),(6433,3,'2017-07-06 19:47:48','2017-07-06 19:47:48','','Making the sale','','inherit','open','closed','','6-making-the-sale','','','2017-10-27 19:51:40','2017-10-27 19:51:40','',6429,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/6-Making-the-sale.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6435,3,'2017-07-06 19:48:31','2017-07-06 19:48:31','','Our Integrated Marketing Success Story','','inherit','open','closed','','2-checking-schedule','','','2017-07-06 22:12:56','2017-07-06 22:12:56','',6429,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2-Checking-Schedule-.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6437,3,'2017-07-06 19:49:15','2017-07-06 19:49:15','','Success Story','','inherit','open','closed','','4-meeting-the-client','','','2017-10-27 19:51:17','2017-10-27 19:51:17','',6429,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/4-Meeting-the-Client.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6438,3,'2017-07-06 19:49:20','2017-07-06 19:49:20','','5 Presenting to the client','','inherit','open','closed','','5-presenting-to-the-client','','','2017-10-27 19:49:35','2017-10-27 19:49:35','',6429,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5-Presenting-to-the-client-.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6439,3,'2017-07-06 19:52:33','2017-07-06 19:52:33','','3 Change Of Plan1','','inherit','open','closed','','3-change-of-plan1','','','2017-10-27 19:49:26','2017-10-27 19:49:26','',6429,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/3-Change-Of-Plan1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6440,3,'2017-07-06 19:52:41','2017-07-06 19:52:41','','Starting off the day','','inherit','open','closed','','1-starting-off-the-day1','','','2017-10-27 19:49:02','2017-10-27 19:49:02','',6429,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/1-Starting-off-the-day1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6454,3,'2017-07-06 21:00:07','2017-07-06 21:00:07','','UPSStore','','inherit','open','closed','','upsstore','','','2017-10-27 19:46:27','2017-10-27 19:46:27','',6429,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/UPSStore.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(6474,3,'2017-07-10 19:14:58','2017-07-10 19:14:58','','SMBs are finding the best bang for their marketing buck. Is this where you\'re spending your company\'s budget? Small Business Marketing Top Trends','','inherit','open','closed','','capture-5','','','2017-09-26 15:20:27','2017-09-26 15:20:27','',6382,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Capture.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6477,3,'2017-07-10 20:11:29','2017-07-10 20:11:29','','Lead Graphic for INC-UPS Campaign','','inherit','open','closed','','lead-graphic-for-inc-ups-campaign','','','2017-10-27 19:35:36','2017-10-27 19:35:36','',0,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Lead-Graphic-for-INC-UPS-Campaign-.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6486,3,'2017-07-17 15:19:49','2017-07-17 15:19:49','','brandview-logo-transparent_213236','','inherit','open','closed','','brandview-logo-transparent_213236','','','2017-10-27 19:35:09','2017-10-27 19:35:09','',6429,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/brandview-logo-transparent_213236.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(6512,1,'2017-07-18 16:10:36','2017-07-18 16:10:36','[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2><img class=\"wp-image-6513 alignright\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Success-Youve-Done-IT-.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"635\" height=\"346\" /></h2>\r\n<h2>We’d like to extend a warm welcome and sincere, ‘thank you’ for subscribing to the \'Strategic Meetings &amp; Events\' list. We know your time is valuable.</h2>\r\n<h2>We appreciate you sharing yours with us and promise to use it wisely.</h2>\r\n<h2>Our commitment to you is that we will only share quality content, relevant templates, and tools designed to advance your career. If you have questions, comments, suggestions or ideas, please email us. We will respond to your inquiry promptly.</h2>\r\n<h2>In the meantime, we’d appreciate hearing about why you’ve subscribed to our list, and what you’re interested in learning about. Our goal is to give back, share, teach and inspire. The more you tell us what you need, the better we can serve you.</h2>\r\n<h2>If you need anything, please feel free to give us a shout at <a href=\"mailto:WeAreListening@Strategic.Events\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WeAreListening@Strategic.Events</a></h2>\r\n<h2>Again, welcome!</h2>\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_social_networks size=\"medium\" style=\"simple-rounded\" border_color=\"#000050\" bg_color=\"#000050\" bg_hover_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_hover_color=\"#000050\" align=\"center\" facebook=\"https://www.facebook.com/StrategicMeetingsEvents\" twitter=\"https://twitter.com/SME_Events\" pinterest=\"https://www.pinterest.com/strategicmeetingsevents/\" instagram=\"https://www.instagram.com/strategic.events/\" linkedin=\"https://www.linkedin.com/company/strategic-meetings-&amp;-events\" youtube=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsuJ-F1Ot1zSc1ccpj_DzXA\"][/vc_column][/vc_row]','Success... You\'ve Done It!','','publish','closed','closed','','success-strategic-meetings-events','','','2018-01-18 23:44:19','2018-01-18 23:44:19','',0,'https://strategic.events/?page_id=6512',0,'page','',0),(6513,3,'2017-07-18 14:50:50','2017-07-18 14:50:50','','Success You\'ve Done IT','','inherit','open','closed','','success-youve-done-it','','','2017-10-27 19:34:13','2017-10-27 19:34:13','',6512,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Success-Youve-Done-IT-.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6520,1,'2017-07-18 21:19:05','2017-07-18 21:19:05','[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2></h2>\r\n<h2>Are you the ‘new person’ in the office? Need to learn as much as you can but not sure where to start? Hungry for information so you can gain confidence and take on more projects? Start here!</h2>\r\n<h2><img class=\" wp-image-6563 alignright\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Aspiring-_edited-1-1024x579.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"744\" height=\"420\" />Articles:</h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://strategic.events/become-strategic-planner/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Become A Strategic Planner</a></h2>\r\n</li>\r\n 	<li>\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://strategic.events/anatomy-meeting-planner/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Anatomy of a Meeting Planner</a></h2>\r\n</li>\r\n 	<li>\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://strategic.events/how-to-schedule-strategic-meetings-dont-waste-time/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to Schedule Strategic Meetings That Don’t Waste Time</a></h2>\r\n</li>\r\n 	<li>\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://strategic.events/corporate-event-budgets-like-pro/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Corporate Event Budgets: Do It Like A Pro</a></h2>\r\n</li>\r\n 	<li>\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-steps-successfully-achieve-business-goals/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Strategic Steps To Successfully Achieve Your Business Goals</a></h2>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_social_networks size=\"medium\" style=\"simple-rounded\" border_color=\"#000050\" bg_color=\"#000050\" bg_hover_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_hover_color=\"#000050\" align=\"center\" facebook=\"https://www.facebook.com/StrategicMeetingsEvents\" twitter=\"https://twitter.com/SME_Events\" pinterest=\"https://www.pinterest.com/strategicmeetingsevents/\" instagram=\"https://www.instagram.com/strategic.events/\" linkedin=\"https://www.linkedin.com/company/strategic-meetings-&amp;-events\" youtube=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsuJ-F1Ot1zSc1ccpj_DzXA\"][/vc_column][/vc_row]','Aspiring strategist (1-3 years of industry experience)','','publish','closed','closed','','aspiring-strategist-1-3-years-industry-experience','','','2018-02-01 19:34:44','2018-02-01 19:34:44','',0,'https://strategic.events/?page_id=6520',0,'page','',0),(6525,1,'2017-07-18 16:23:36','2017-07-18 16:23:36','[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2></h2>\r\n<h2>Have you mastered the basics and are eager to move up? Do you want to advance your skills so you can earn a promotion, manage bigger programs or lead a team? Are you ready to be the person running the planning meetings? This is where you’ll get the tools you need to step up your game and earn the recognition you’re craving.</h2>\r\n<h2><img class=\"wp-image-6559 alignright\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Developing--1024x583.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"737\" height=\"420\" />Articles:</h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://strategic.events/event-strategist/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">From Party Planner to Event Strategist</a></h2>\r\n</li>\r\n 	<li>\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://strategic.events/how-to-become-strategic-planner-change-future/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to Become a Strategic Planner and Change the Future</a></h2>\r\n</li>\r\n 	<li>\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://strategic.events/asking-strategic-questions-cvb/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Asking Strategic Questions</a></h2>\r\n</li>\r\n 	<li>\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://strategic.events/budgeting-tips-guidelines-pitfalls/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Budgeting Tips, Guidelines, Pitfalls</a></h2>\r\n</li>\r\n 	<li>\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://strategic.events/essential-pillars-strategic-meetings/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Essential Pillars of Strategic Meetings</a></h2>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_social_networks size=\"medium\" style=\"simple-rounded\" border_color=\"#000050\" bg_color=\"#000050\" bg_hover_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_hover_color=\"#000050\" align=\"center\" facebook=\"https://www.facebook.com/StrategicMeetingsEvents\" twitter=\"https://twitter.com/SME_Events\" pinterest=\"https://www.pinterest.com/strategicmeetingsevents/\" instagram=\"https://www.instagram.com/strategic.events/\" linkedin=\"https://www.linkedin.com/company/strategic-meetings-&amp;-events\" youtube=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsuJ-F1Ot1zSc1ccpj_DzXA\"][/vc_column][/vc_row]','Developing Strategic Planner (3-6 years of industry experience)','','publish','closed','closed','','developing-strategic-planner-3-6-years-industry-experience','','','2018-02-01 19:35:09','2018-02-01 19:35:09','',0,'https://strategic.events/?page_id=6525',0,'page','',0),(6527,1,'2017-07-18 16:23:36','2017-07-18 16:23:36','[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2></h2>\r\n<h2>If you’re leading a team, have earned a promotion or two and are now yearning for, even more, this is the place for you. High-level articles that will open your mind and advance your thinking will inspire, challenge and empower you.</h2>\r\n<h2><img class=\" wp-image-6561 alignright\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Lead--1024x551.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"403\" />Articles:</h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://strategic.events/event-industry-plan-future/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">It’s Time For The Event Industry To Plan Its Future</a></h2>\r\n</li>\r\n 	<li>\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://strategic.events/why-planners-need-to-get-strategic/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">This is Why Planners Need to Get Strategic</a></h2>\r\n</li>\r\n 	<li>\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://strategic.events/handle-interoffice-power-struggles/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How To Handle Interoffice Power Struggles</a></h2>\r\n</li>\r\n 	<li>\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://strategic.events/culturally-aware/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How Culturally Aware Are You?</a></h2>\r\n</li>\r\n 	<li>\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://strategic.events/right-answers-come-asking-right-questions/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Right Answers Come from Asking the Right Questions</a></h2>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_social_networks size=\"medium\" style=\"simple-rounded\" border_color=\"#000050\" bg_color=\"#000050\" bg_hover_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_hover_color=\"#000050\" align=\"center\" facebook=\"https://www.facebook.com/StrategicMeetingsEvents\" twitter=\"https://twitter.com/SME_Events\" pinterest=\"https://www.pinterest.com/strategicmeetingsevents/\" instagram=\"https://www.instagram.com/strategic.events/\" linkedin=\"https://www.linkedin.com/company/strategic-meetings-&amp;-events\" youtube=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsuJ-F1Ot1zSc1ccpj_DzXA\"][/vc_column][/vc_row]','Strategic Leader (6+ years of industry experience)','','publish','closed','closed','','strategic-leader-6-years-industry-experience','','','2018-02-01 19:35:23','2018-02-01 19:35:23','',0,'https://strategic.events/?page_id=6527',0,'page','',0),(6552,1,'2017-08-07 07:48:05','2017-08-07 07:48:05','<h2>The Key to a Strategic POE</h2>\r\n<h3><strong>By Christy Lamagna, CMP, CMM, CTSM</strong></h3>\r\n<strong>How to create a strategic blueprint for all your events</strong>\r\n\r\nNo matter how much time I spend putting together a program, it doesn’t fully become real until I create my Program of Events, (POE). Before I put the event together, moment by moment, room by room, it’s a myriad of details that cry out for order. Each Excel box I complete is another brick in the <a href=\"https://strategic.events/essential-pillars-strategic-meetings/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">meeting structure</a>, with each column adding another defining detail. When it’s complete (to the degree that I’m ever done adjusting it) the entire meeting is finally in full focus.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-6620\" title=\"No matter how much time I spend putting together a program, it doesn’t fully become real until I create my Program of Events, (POE). Before I put the event together, moment by moment, room by room, it’s a myriad of details that cry out for order. Each Excel box I complete in my strategic poe is another brick in the \" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/POE-Capture-1024x586.jpg\" alt=\"No matter how much time I spend putting together a program, it doesn’t fully become real until I create my Program of Events, (POE). Before I put the event together, moment by moment, room by room, it’s a myriad of details that cry out for order. Each Excel box I complete in my strategic poe is another brick in the \" width=\"407\" height=\"233\" />\r\n\r\nAs I work on my POE, overlooked details make themselves known. Timing conflicts or potential challenges show their face for the first time. My ‘to do’ list is edited, staff assignments become clear, production elements crystallize and loose ends with vendors and orders are tied into neat bows.\r\n\r\nWhen properly and thoughtfully constructed, POEs are the most valuable tool in a planner’s arsenal. Strategic POEs are effortless to read, can be picked up and understood by anyone and can answer any what and where question associated with the program logistics. And as is the case with most things in life, the easier it appears, the more complex it is behind the scenes.\r\n\r\nDesigning the ultimate POE takes hours of concentrated time and a significant amount of thought, effort, and diligence. The final product is your onsite bible. It will be the instant answer to dozens of questions, a reminder of details you may otherwise forget and a roadmap to everyone on the team.\r\n\r\nWhile all POEs contain the basics (date, time, room, task, person managing and supporting details) there is no single way to create one. My personal preference is an Excel grid, color-coded and chock full of details, pictures, and information. Whether you are just starting to develop your own POE style, or are looking for a few, new tricks, the sample I’m sharing should add some useful elements to the forms you create.\r\n\r\n<strong>Here are my top five POE tips:</strong>\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Use color coding to quickly identify a particular program element (production, décor, etc.).</li>\r\n 	<li>Include photos of florals being delivered so whoever accepts them knows what they are supposed to look like.</li>\r\n 	<li>List manager on duty per shift so you always know who to call.</li>\r\n 	<li>Create individual POEs for offsite events that have intricate details so the main document isn’t overwhelming.</li>\r\n 	<li>Put the version number and last updated time in the bottom right corner of the document.</li>\r\n 	<li>BONUS TIP: Create a POE for client/auxiliary staff so they have the main program points. If they receive the complete POE, you may spend a lot of time explaining things unnecessarily.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nIf you have ideas for future articles, forms you’d like us to share or feedback on this blog, please reach out. Email me at <a href=\"mailto:Christy.Lamagna@strategic.events\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Christy.Lamagna@strategic.events</a> or <a href=\"https://twitter.com/SMEChristy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@SMEChristy</a> on Twitter.\r\n\r\n[vc_btn title=\"Access To The Strategic POE\" color=\"orange\" size=\"lg\" align=\"center\" link=\"url:https%3A%2F%2Fstrategic.events%2Fthe-strategic-poe%2F||target:%20_blank|\" button_block=\"true\"]','The Key to a Strategic POE','','publish','open','open','','key-strategic-poe','','','2018-01-11 15:21:19','2018-01-11 15:21:19','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=6552',0,'post','',0),(6559,3,'2017-07-18 21:19:39','2017-07-18 21:19:39','','Developing Strategic Planner','','inherit','open','closed','','developing','','','2017-07-18 21:38:47','2017-07-18 21:38:47','',6525,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Developing-.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6561,3,'2017-07-18 21:21:59','2017-07-18 21:21:59','','Strategic Leader','','inherit','open','closed','','lead','','','2017-07-18 21:41:48','2017-07-18 21:41:48','',6527,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Lead-.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6563,3,'2017-07-19 14:50:35','2017-07-19 14:50:35','','Aspiring Event Strategist','','inherit','open','closed','','aspiring-_edited-1','','','2017-10-27 19:33:58','2017-10-27 19:33:58','',6520,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Aspiring-_edited-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6573,3,'2017-07-19 21:00:12','2017-07-19 21:00:12','','Barry Zidel Head Shot','','inherit','open','closed','','head-shot-ii','','','2017-10-27 19:33:33','2017-10-27 19:33:33','',6276,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Head-Shot-II-.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6585,1,'2017-07-25 16:15:05','2017-07-25 16:15:05','<!-- OP_SEARCH_GENERATED --><div 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             <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"three-fifths column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <h1 style=\'font-size:26px;font-family:\"Myriad Pro\", Myriad, sans-serif;color:#003778;letter-spacing:-1px;text-align:center;margin-top:30px;margin-bottom:20px;\'>Free Resource Guide: The Key to a Strategic POE</h1> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[headline style=&quot;1&quot; font_size=&quot;26&quot; font_font=&quot;Myriad%20Pro&quot; font_color=&quot;%23003778&quot; font_spacing=&quot;-1&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; headline_tag=&quot;h1&quot; top_margin=&quot;30&quot; bottom_margin=&quot;20&quot;]Free Resource Guide: The Key to a Strategic POE[/headline]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_2\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <h2 style=\'font-size:14px;font-family:\"Myriad Pro\", Myriad, sans-serif;color:#003778;text-align:center;\'>Click the button below for your instant download...</h2> </div><div 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you</p></div>\n[/op_liveeditor_element]</div></div>[op_liveeditor_elements][/op_liveeditor_elements][/op_popup]<div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-child-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[op_popup_elements][op_popup_content_element data-style=&quot;&quot;][optin_box style=&quot;24&quot; alignment=&quot;center&quot; email_field=&quot;email&quot; email_default=&quot;Enter your email address&quot; email_order=&quot;0&quot; integration_type=&quot;mailchimp&quot; thank_you_page=&quot;https://strategic.events/strategic-poe-thank-page/&quot; already_subscribed_url=&quot;https://strategic.events/strategic-poe-thank-page/&quot; list=&quot;4d28f79a44&quot; name_field=&quot;FNAME&quot; name_default=&quot;Enter your first name&quot; name_order=&quot;1&quot; name_required=&quot;Y&quot; extra_field_1_name=&quot;LNAME&quot; extra_field_1_order=&quot;2&quot; extra_field_1_required=&quot;Y&quot; extra_field_1_hidden=&quot;N&quot; extra_field_1_title=&quot;Enter your last name&quot; opm_packages=&quot;&quot;][optin_box_field name=&quot;headline&quot;]Complete The Form Below Now For Your Resources Guide Instant Download...[/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=&quot;paragraph&quot;]TG9yZW0gaXBzdW0gZG9sb3Igc2l0IGFtZXQsIGNvbnNlY3RldHVyIGFkaXBpc2NpbmcgZWxpdC4gRG9uZWMgdmVsIG51bmMgbm9uIGxhY3VzIHZlbmVuYXRpcyBjb21tb2RvLg==[/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=&quot;privacy&quot;]We value your privacy and would never spam you[/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=&quot;top_color&quot;]undefined[/optin_box_field][optin_box_button type=&quot;1&quot; text=&quot;Instant Access&quot; text_size=&quot;24&quot; text_color=&quot;#ffffff&quot; text_font=&quot;Myriad Pro;default&quot; text_bold=&quot;Y&quot; text_letter_spacing=&quot;-1&quot; text_shadow_panel=&quot;Y&quot; text_shadow_vertical=&quot;1&quot; text_shadow_horizontal=&quot;0&quot; text_shadow_color=&quot;#003778&quot; text_shadow_blur=&quot;0&quot; styling_width=&quot;60&quot; styling_height=&quot;25&quot; styling_border_color=&quot;#003778&quot; styling_border_size=&quot;0&quot; styling_border_radius=&quot;6&quot; styling_border_opacity=&quot;100&quot; styling_gradient_start_color=&quot;#003778&quot; styling_gradient_end_color=&quot;#003778&quot; drop_shadow_panel=&quot;N&quot; inset_shadow_panel=&quot;N&quot; location=&quot;optin_box_style_24&quot; button_below=&quot;Y&quot;]Instant Access[/optin_box_button] [/optin_box][/op_popup_content_element][/op_popup_elements]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[op_popup  popup_width=&quot;700&quot; popup_open_effect=&quot;fade&quot; popup_close_effect=&quot;fade&quot; popup_open_speed=&quot;normal&quot; popup_close_speed=&quot;normal&quot; popup_border_color=&quot;#ffffff&quot; popup_border_size=&quot;15&quot; popup_padding_top=&quot;20&quot; popup_padding_bottom=&quot;20&quot; popup_padding_left=&quot;30&quot; popup_padding_right=&quot;30&quot; pop_trigger_dontshow=&quot;0&quot; pop_trigger_time=&quot;0&quot; pop_exit_intent=&quot;N&quot; pop_dont_show_on_tablet=&quot;N&quot; pop_dont_show_on_mobile=&quot;N&quot; popup_id=&quot;op_popup_id_1500995091568&quot;][op_popup_button][button_1 text=&quot;Download%20The%20POE&quot; text_size=&quot;30&quot; text_color=&quot;#ffffff&quot; text_font=&quot;Myriad Pro;default&quot; text_bold=&quot;Y&quot; text_letter_spacing=&quot;-1&quot; subtext_panel=&quot;N&quot; text_shadow_panel=&quot;Y&quot; text_shadow_vertical=&quot;1&quot; text_shadow_horizontal=&quot;0&quot; text_shadow_color=&quot;#003778&quot; text_shadow_blur=&quot;0&quot; styling_width=&quot;39&quot; styling_height=&quot;25&quot; styling_border_color=&quot;#003778&quot; styling_border_size=&quot;0&quot; styling_border_radius=&quot;6&quot; styling_border_opacity=&quot;100&quot; styling_gradient_start_color=&quot;#003778&quot; styling_gradient_end_color=&quot;#003778&quot; drop_shadow_panel=&quot;N&quot; inset_shadow_panel=&quot;N&quot; align=&quot;center&quot;/][/op_popup_button][op_popup_content][op_popup_content_element data-style=&quot;&quot;][optin_box style=&quot;24&quot; alignment=&quot;center&quot; email_field=&quot;email&quot; email_default=&quot;Enter your email address&quot; email_order=&quot;0&quot; integration_type=&quot;mailchimp&quot; thank_you_page=&quot;https://strategic.events/strategic-poe-thank-page/&quot; already_subscribed_url=&quot;https://strategic.events/strategic-poe-thank-page/&quot; list=&quot;4d28f79a44&quot; name_field=&quot;FNAME&quot; name_default=&quot;Enter your first name&quot; name_order=&quot;1&quot; name_required=&quot;Y&quot; extra_field_1_name=&quot;LNAME&quot; extra_field_1_order=&quot;2&quot; extra_field_1_required=&quot;Y&quot; extra_field_1_hidden=&quot;N&quot; extra_field_1_title=&quot;Enter your last name&quot; opm_packages=&quot;&quot;][optin_box_field name=&quot;headline&quot;]Complete The Form Below Now For Your Resources Guide Instant Download...[/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=&quot;paragraph&quot;]TG9yZW0gaXBzdW0gZG9sb3Igc2l0IGFtZXQsIGNvbnNlY3RldHVyIGFkaXBpc2NpbmcgZWxpdC4gRG9uZWMgdmVsIG51bmMgbm9uIGxhY3VzIHZlbmVuYXRpcyBjb21tb2RvLg==[/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=&quot;privacy&quot;]We value your privacy and would never spam you[/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=&quot;top_color&quot;]undefined[/optin_box_field][optin_box_button type=&quot;1&quot; text=&quot;Instant Access&quot; text_size=&quot;24&quot; text_color=&quot;#ffffff&quot; text_font=&quot;Myriad Pro;default&quot; text_bold=&quot;Y&quot; text_letter_spacing=&quot;-1&quot; text_shadow_panel=&quot;Y&quot; text_shadow_vertical=&quot;1&quot; text_shadow_horizontal=&quot;0&quot; text_shadow_color=&quot;#003778&quot; text_shadow_blur=&quot;0&quot; styling_width=&quot;60&quot; styling_height=&quot;25&quot; styling_border_color=&quot;#003778&quot; styling_border_size=&quot;0&quot; styling_border_radius=&quot;6&quot; 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op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"><h2 style=\'font-size:14px;font-family:\"Open Sans\", sans-serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#003778;text-align:center;margin-top:15px;margin-bottom:40px;\'><strong>Privacy Policy:</strong> We value your email privacy and never send SPAM.</h2></div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[headline style=&quot;1&quot; font_size=&quot;14&quot; font_font=&quot;Open%20Sans&quot; font_style=&quot;normal&quot; font_color=&quot;%23003778&quot; font_spacing=&quot;0&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; top_margin=&quot;15&quot; bottom_margin=&quot;40&quot;]&lt;strong&gt;Privacy Policy:&lt;/strong&gt; We value your email privacy and never send SPAM.[/headline]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#three-fifths\" class=\"split-column\"></a><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div><div class=\"two-fifths column cols narrow\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2\"><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div><div style=\'padding-top:20px;border-top-width:px;border-top-style:solid;border-top-color:;border-bottom-width:px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:;\'  class=\"row five-columns cf ui-sortable section   \" id=\"le_body_row_3\" data-style=\"eyJwYWRkaW5nVG9wIjoiMjAiLCJib3JkZXJUb3BXaWR0aCI6IiIsImJvcmRlclRvcENvbG9yIjoiIiwiYm9yZGVyQm90dG9tV2lkdGgiOiIiLCJib3JkZXJCb3R0b21Db2xvciI6IiIsImFkZG9uIjp7InZpZGVvX2JhY2tncm91bmRfdXJsX21wNCI6IiIsInZpZGVvX2JhY2tncm91bmRfdXJsX3dlYm0iOiIiLCJ2aWRlb19iYWNrZ3JvdW5kX3VybF9vZ3YiOiIiLCJ2aWRlb19iYWNrZ3JvdW5kX292ZXJsYXlfY29sb3IiOiIiLCJ2aWRlb19iYWNrZ3JvdW5kX292ZXJsYXlfb3BhY2l0eSI6IjAiLCJ2aWRlb19iYWNrZ3JvdW5kX292ZXJsYXlfaW1hZ2UiOiIifSwiZWxlbWVudElkIjoibGVfYm9keV9yb3dfMyJ9\"><div class=\"fixed-width\"><div class=\"op-row-links\">\n                        <div class=\"op-row-links-content\">\n                            <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"three-fifths column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_3_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf footer-links\" data-style=\"eyJhZHZhbmNlZENsYXNzIjoiZm9vdGVyLWxpbmtzIn0=\" id=\"le_body_row_3_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\">[text_block style=\"style_1.png\" align=\"left\" font_size=\"17\" font_color=\"%23003778\" font_shadow=\"dark\"]<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Copyright © 2017 Strategic.Events  <a href=\"#\">Legal Link</a></p>[/text_block]</div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[text_block style=&quot;style_1.png&quot; align=&quot;left&quot; font_size=&quot;17&quot; font_color=&quot;%23003778&quot; font_shadow=&quot;dark&quot;]&lt;p style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;Copyright © 2017 Strategic.Events  &lt;a href=&quot;#&quot;&gt;Legal Link&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;[/text_block]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#three-fifths\" class=\"split-column\"></a><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div><div class=\"two-fifths column cols narrow\" id=\"le_body_row_3_col_2\"><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div>','The Strategic POE','','publish','closed','closed','','the-strategic-poe','','','2018-02-20 14:32:37','2018-02-20 14:32:37','',0,'https://strategic.events/?page_id=6585',0,'page','',0),(6599,1,'2017-05-04 18:19:34','2017-05-04 18:19:34','<!-- OP_SEARCH_GENERATED --><div  class=\"row one-column cf ui-sortable   \" id=\"le_body_row_1\" data-style=\"\"><div class=\"fixed-width\"><div class=\"op-row-links\">\n                        <div class=\"op-row-links-content\">\n                            <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"one-column column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_1_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_1_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> \n                <div class=\"image-caption\" style=\'width:200px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:px;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;\'><img alt=\"\" src=\"http://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/SMELOGOFINAL.png\"  border=\"0\" class=\"full-width\" /></div>\n             </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[images style=&quot;0&quot; image=&quot;http%3A%2F%2Fstrategic.events%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F05%2FSMELOGOFINAL.png&quot; width=&quot;200&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; top_margin=&quot;0&quot; full_width=&quot;Y&quot;]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div><div style=\'padding-top:15px;padding-bottom:10px;border-top-width:px;border-top-style:solid;border-top-color:;border-bottom-width:px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:;\'  class=\"row one-column cf ui-sortable section   \" id=\"le_body_row_2\" data-style=\"eyJlbGVtZW50SWQiOiJsZV9ib2R5X3Jvd18yIiwicGFkZGluZ1RvcCI6IjE1IiwicGFkZGluZ0JvdHRvbSI6IjEwIiwiYm9yZGVyVG9wV2lkdGgiOiIiLCJib3JkZXJUb3BDb2xvciI6IiIsImJvcmRlckJvdHRvbVdpZHRoIjoiIiwiYm9yZGVyQm90dG9tQ29sb3IiOiIiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yVHlwZSI6Im5vbmUiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yU3R5bGUiOiIiLCJleHRyYXMiOnsiYW5pbWF0aW9uRWZmZWN0IjoiIiwiYW5pbWF0aW9uRGVsYXkiOiIifSwicm93U2Nyb2xsRml4ZWRQb3NpdGlvbiI6Im5vbmUiLCJhZGRvbiI6e319\"><div class=\"fixed-width\"><div class=\"op-row-links\">\n                        <div class=\"op-row-links-content\">\n                            <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"one-column column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <h2 style=\'font-size:60px;font-family:\"Myriad Pro\", Myriad, sans-serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#231c46;text-align:center;\'>Thank You</h2> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[headline style=&quot;1&quot; font_size=&quot;60&quot; font_font=&quot;Myriad%20Pro&quot; font_style=&quot;normal&quot; font_color=&quot;%23231c46&quot; font_shadow=&quot;none&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; headline_tag=&quot;h2&quot;]Thank You[/headline]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_2\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> [text_block style=\"style_1.png\" align=\"center\" font_size=\"24\" font_font=\"Myriad%20Pro\" font_style=\"normal\" font_color=\"%23231c46\"]Please use and enjoy this free resource tool. Nothing means more to us than\nsharing what we know and helping strengthen the industry.\n\nWe create and share new resources based on input from the people we serve,\nso please let us know what you need and we’ll let you know when it posts.\n\nWhen we all help each other, everyone benefits.\n\nThank you for stopping by and taking the time to learn something new.[/text_block] </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[text_block style=&quot;style_1.png&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; font_size=&quot;24&quot; font_font=&quot;Myriad%20Pro&quot; font_style=&quot;normal&quot; font_color=&quot;%23231c46&quot;]Please use and enjoy this free resource tool. Nothing means more to us than\nsharing what we know and helping strengthen the industry.\n\nWe create and share new resources based on input from the people we serve,\nso please let us know what you need and we’ll let you know when it posts.\n\nWhen we all help each other, everyone benefits.\n\nThank you for stopping by and taking the time to learn something new.[/text_block]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div><div style=\'background-image:url(https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/poe-template-no-text_-1024x569.jpg);background-repeat:no-repeat;background-position:50% 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Strategic POE\n\n<p>&nbsp;<br /><br />&nbsp;</p></h1> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[headline style=&quot;1&quot; font_size=&quot;70&quot; font_font=&quot;Myriad%20Pro&quot; font_style=&quot;bold&quot; font_color=&quot;%23ffffff&quot; font_shadow=&quot;dark&quot; align=&quot;left&quot; headline_tag=&quot;h1&quot; bottom_margin=&quot;40&quot;]Free Resource:\n\n&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;The Strategic POE\n\n&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;[/headline]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_3_col_2_el_2\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove 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href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <ul class=\"feature-block feature-block-style-image feature-block-with-image feature-block-four-col cf\">\n                        <li><div><span class=\"feature-block-icon-container\"><img class=\"feature-block-icon\" src=\"http://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/chrome111.png\"  /></span><h2 style=\'font-family:\"Myriad Pro\", Myriad, sans-serif;color:#231c46;\'>Chrome</h2><p>Select “Save Link As” when you left click on the button above save the file to your computer</p>\n\n                                </div></li>\n                     \n                        <li><div><span class=\"feature-block-icon-container\"><img class=\"feature-block-icon\" src=\"http://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/firefox11.png\"  /></span><h2 style=\'font-family:\"Myriad Pro\", Myriad, sans-serif;color:#231c46;\'>Firefox</h2><p>Select “Save Link As” when you left click on the button above save the file to your computer</p>\n\n                                </div></li>\n                     \n                        <li><div><span class=\"feature-block-icon-container\"><img class=\"feature-block-icon\" src=\"http://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/safari111.png\"  /></span><h2 style=\'font-family:\"Myriad Pro\", Myriad, sans-serif;color:#231c46;\'>Safari</h2><p>Select “Download Linked File As” when you left click on the button above save the file to your computer</p>\n\n                                </div></li>\n                     \n                        <li><div><span class=\"feature-block-icon-container\"><img class=\"feature-block-icon\" src=\"http://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/ie111.png\"  /></span><h2 style=\'font-family:\"Myriad Pro\", Myriad, sans-serif;color:#231c46;\'>Internet Explorer</h2><p>Select “Save Target As” when you left click on the button above save the file to your computer</p>\n\n                                </div></li>\n                     </ul> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[feature_block style=&quot;image&quot;  overall_style=&quot;image&quot; columns=&quot;4&quot; icon_style=&quot;&quot; font_font=&quot;Myriad Pro&quot; font_color=&quot;#231c46&quot;][feature title=&quot;Chrome&quot; image=&quot;http://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/chrome111.png&quot; upload_icon=&quot;http://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/chrome111.png&quot; bg_color=&quot;&quot; href=&quot;&quot;]Select “Save Link As” when you left click on the button above save the file to your computer[/feature] [feature title=&quot;Firefox&quot; image=&quot;http://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/firefox11.png&quot; upload_icon=&quot;http://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/firefox11.png&quot; bg_color=&quot;&quot; href=&quot;&quot;]Select “Save Link As” when you left click on the button above save the file to your computer[/feature] [feature title=&quot;Safari&quot; image=&quot;http://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/safari111.png&quot; upload_icon=&quot;http://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/safari111.png&quot; bg_color=&quot;&quot; href=&quot;&quot;]Select “Download Linked File As” when you left click on the button above save the file to your computer[/feature] [feature title=&quot;Internet%20Explorer&quot; image=&quot;http://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/ie111.png&quot; upload_icon=&quot;http://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/ie111.png&quot; bg_color=&quot;&quot; href=&quot;&quot;]Select “Save Target As” when you left click on the button above save the file to your computer[/feature] [/feature_block]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div>','The Strategic POE Thank You Page','','publish','closed','closed','','strategic-poe-thank-page','','','2018-01-17 18:54:19','2018-01-17 18:54:19','',0,'https://strategic.events/?page_id=6599',0,'page','',0),(6620,3,'2017-07-25 16:24:38','2017-07-25 16:24:38','','POE Capture','','inherit','open','closed','','poe-capture','','','2017-10-27 19:32:00','2017-10-27 19:32:00','',6552,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/POE-Capture.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6627,1,'2017-07-25 19:27:42','2017-07-25 19:27:42','[mk_page_section bg_color=\"#211551\" bg_stretch=\"true\" video_loop=\"false\" min_height=\"20\" padding_top=\"0\" padding_bottom=\"0\" sidebar=\"sidebar-1\"][vc_column][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=\"true\" color=\"#d6a461\" size=\"25\" line_height=\"50\" margin_top=\"20\" margin_bottom=\"0\" font_family=\"Palatino Linotype, Book Antiqua, Palatino, serif\" font_type=\"safefont\" align=\"right\"]TASTE BUZZ[/mk_fancy_title][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=\"true\" color=\"#ffffff\" size=\"12\" line_height=\"50\" letter_spacing=\"2\" margin_bottom=\"0\" font_family=\"Open+Sans\" font_type=\"google\" align=\"right\"]HOME &gt;&gt; <strong>TASTE BUZZ</strong>[/mk_fancy_title][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row][/vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][mk_tooltip text=\"Taste Buzz Archive\" tooltip_text=\"Click to visit Taste Buzz Archive\" href=\"https://strategic.events/tastebuzz/\"][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][vc_single_image image=\"1118\" img_size=\"full\" onclick=\"custom_link\" css_animation=\"appear\" link=\"https://strategic.events/tastebuzz/\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/beer.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Thailand was a feast for guests eyes as well as their taste buds. This sweet and savory cold drink was on our breakfast buffets every morning while hosting an incentive in this tropical paradise. We\'ve brought a taste of the island back to you with this easy, refreshing recipe.</h3>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>Thai Basil &amp; Watermelon Slushie</h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">INGREDIENTS</p>\r\n3 ripe avocados\r\n1.5 cups of beer\r\n1 cup plain flour\r\nVegetable oil for frying\r\nCourse sea salt- to taste[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]INSTRUCTIONS:\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Peel avocados and cut into 4 pieces</li>\r\n 	<li>In a large bowl mix together beer and flour until it becomes a smooth batter</li>\r\n 	<li>Heat the oil to 365˚F / 185˚C in a large pot</li>\r\n 	<li>Working in batches, toss the avocado pieces into the batter and then into the hot oil</li>\r\n 	<li>Fry, turning once, for about 1 to 2 minutes, until golden</li>\r\n 	<li>Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain</li>\r\n 	<li>Sprinkle with the coarse sea salt and serve while still warm.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][ultimate_modal modal_title=\" STRATEGIC TIP:\" btn_bg_color=\"#211551\" btn_txt_color=\"#d6a461\" btn_text=\"STRATEGIC TIP\" modal_style=\"overlay-simplegenie\" overlay_bg_color=\"#211551\" content_bg_color=\"#d6a461\" content_text_color=\"#211551\" header_bg_color=\"#211551\" header_text_color=\"#d6a461\" modal_border_style=\"dotted\" modal_border_width=\"1\" modal_border_color=\"#d6a461\" modal_border_radius=\"12\"]To find an avocado that\'s perfectly green and creamy on the inside, and free from ugly brown spots, <strong>the key is checking under the stem</strong>. Peel back the small stem or cap at the top of the avocado. Three things to look for:\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>If it comes away easily and you find green underneath, you\'ve got an avocado that\'s ripe and ready</li>\r\n 	<li>If you pull back the stem and find brown underneath, the avocado is overripe</li>\r\n 	<li>If the stem doesn\'t come off, the fruit is not yet ripe enough to eat.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n[/ultimate_modal][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"]','Thai Basil & Watermelon Slushie','','draft','open','open','','','','','2017-07-31 15:05:59','2017-07-31 15:05:59','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=6627',0,'post','',0),(6630,3,'2017-07-25 20:32:57','2017-07-25 20:32:57','','No matter how much time I spend putting together a program, it doesn’t fully become real until I create my Program of Events, (POE.) Before I put the event','','inherit','open','closed','','poe-captureiii','','','2017-08-07 15:28:02','2017-08-07 15:28:02','',6552,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/POE-CaptureIII.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6675,3,'2017-07-27 22:01:01','2017-07-27 22:01:01','','News Flash Christy Bitmoji','','inherit','open','closed','','newsflashhappy_edited-1','','','2017-10-27 19:31:50','2017-10-27 19:31:50','',0,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/NewsFlashHappy_edited-1.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(6690,1,'2017-07-31 14:52:27','2017-07-31 14:52:27','[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><img class=\" aligncenter\" src=\"https://media.giphy.com/media/1iPwDVdS37Ip0rGo/giphy.gif\" width=\"742\" height=\"416\" />Sign up and stay connected for the best ideas in strategic meetings management.</h2>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_js][encoded data, 4844 characters][/vc_raw_js][/vc_column][/vc_row]','News Flash Sign Up','','publish','closed','closed','','news-flash-sign-up','','','2017-08-07 16:06:35','2017-08-07 16:06:35','',0,'https://strategic.events/?page_id=6690',0,'page','',0),(6691,3,'2017-07-31 14:53:14','2017-07-31 14:53:14','','News Flash - Strategic Planning','','inherit','open','closed','','new-flash-i','','','2017-10-27 19:31:27','2017-10-27 19:31:27','',6690,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/New-Flash-I-.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6699,1,'2017-07-31 15:46:44','2017-07-31 15:46:44','[mk_page_section bg_color=\"#211551\" bg_stretch=\"true\" min_height=\"20\" padding_top=\"0\" padding_bottom=\"0\" sidebar=\"sidebar-1\"][vc_column][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=\"true\" tag_name=\"h1\" color=\"#d6a461\" size=\"25\" line_height=\"50\" margin_top=\"20\" margin_bottom=\"0\" font_family=\"Palatino Linotype, Book Antiqua, Palatino, serif\" font_type=\"safefont\" align=\"right\"]THE EDGE RUB &amp; THE PERFECT STEAK[/mk_fancy_title][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=\"true\" tag_name=\"h3\" color=\"#ffffff\" size=\"12\" line_height=\"50\" letter_spacing=\"2\" margin_bottom=\"0\" font_family=\"Open+Sans\" font_type=\"google\" align=\"right\"]HOME &gt;&gt; <strong>TASTEBUZZ</strong>[/mk_fancy_title][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row][/vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][mk_tooltip text=\"Taste Buzz Archive\" tooltip_text=\"Click to visit Taste Buzz Archive\" href=\"https://strategic.events/tastebuzz/\"][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][vc_single_image image=\"1118\" img_size=\"full\" onclick=\"custom_link\" css_animation=\"appear\" link=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-home/tastebuzz/\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/steak.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">We think the food at awards events should be worthy of celebration. This steak which we found at Four Seasons\' Miami\'s restaurant, EDGE Steak &amp; Bar was worthy of its own round of applause! Every detail of the night was perfect down to the last <a href=\"https://strategic.events/beer-battered-fried-avocado/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bite</a>.</h3>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>The Edge Rub &amp; The Perfect Steak</h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">INGREDIENTS</p>\r\n<strong>Cutting EDGE Rub</strong>\r\n\r\n2 Tbsp- Onion Powder\r\n2 Tbsp- Garlic Powder\r\n2 Tbsp- Sweet Paprika\r\n2 Tbsp- Smoked Paprika\r\n1 Tsp- Ground Mace\r\n2 Tbsp- Black Peppercorns, Roasted and Ground\r\nPinch- Ground Thyme\r\n2 Tbsp- Cumin Seed, Roasted and Ground\r\n¾ Tbsp- Ground Allspice\r\n¼ Tsp- Cayenne\r\n½ Cup- Kosher Salt\r\n\r\nINSTRUCTIONS:\r\n\r\nCombine all ingredients and store in an airtight container.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]REQUIRED:\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Your favorite cut of steak</li>\r\n 	<li>Extra-Virgin olive oil</li>\r\n 	<li>Butter</li>\r\n 	<li>Really hot grill</li>\r\n 	<li>Resting rack for your steak</li>\r\n 	<li>Digital thermometer</li>\r\n 	<li>Servings vary depending on steak size</li>\r\n 	<li>Total Time: Approx. 45 min</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nINSTRUCTIONS:\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Take your steak out of the fridge and marinate in a little extra-virgin olive oil and a liberal dose of Cutting EDGE Rub.</li>\r\n 	<li>Allow the steak to marinate for 10 minutes. Place your steak on the grill and cook for 3 to 6 minutes on each side, until you have reached the desired internal temperature of your liking.\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Rare 125°F</li>\r\n 	<li>Medium rare 135°F</li>\r\n 	<li>Medium 145°F</li>\r\n 	<li>Medium well 155°F</li>\r\n 	<li>Well done 165°F</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n 	<li>Once your steak has reached the desired temperature, place on the resting rack and baste with a little butter. After resting for 5 minutes, slice and serve.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][ultimate_modal modal_title=\" STRATEGIC TIP:\" btn_bg_color=\"#211551\" btn_txt_color=\"#d6a461\" btn_text=\"STRATEGIC TIP\" modal_style=\"overlay-simplegenie\" overlay_bg_color=\"#211551\" content_bg_color=\"#d6a461\" content_text_color=\"#211551\" header_bg_color=\"#211551\" header_text_color=\"#d6a461\" modal_border_style=\"dotted\" modal_border_width=\"1\" modal_border_color=\"#d6a461\" modal_border_radius=\"12\"]The high heat of the fire drives the steak\'s juices toward the center as it grills. By allowing the steak to rest on a plate for 5-10 minutes (foil can be loosely draped over to keep warm), the juices will have an opportunity to redistribute themselves throughout the steak. This will make sure each and every bite you take is drizzling with heavenly flavor instead of just those few that came from the center.[/ultimate_modal][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"]','The Edge Rub & The Perfect Steak','','publish','open','open','','edge-rub-perfect-steak','','','2018-02-19 22:46:03','2018-02-19 22:46:03','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=6699',0,'post','',0),(6701,3,'2017-07-31 15:16:58','2017-07-31 15:16:58','','This steak which we found at Four Seasons\' Miami\'s restaurant, EDGE Steak & Bar was worthy of its own round of applause! The Edge Rub & The Perfect Steak','','inherit','open','closed','','steak','','','2017-09-26 20:00:56','2017-09-26 20:00:56','',6699,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/steak.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6792,3,'2017-08-02 15:45:11','2017-08-02 15:45:11','','TSNN-logo','','inherit','open','closed','','tsnn-logo','','','2017-10-27 19:31:04','2017-10-27 19:31:04','',6296,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/TSNN-logo.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(6807,3,'2017-08-03 16:49:10','2017-08-03 16:49:10','','Strategic Sponsorships for Events','','inherit','open','closed','','aaeaaqaaaaaaaajgaaaajde0zjhjmtjjltu2mmytndnjnc1iotc4ltziyzeyzti0ymywmw','','','2017-10-27 19:30:37','2017-10-27 19:30:37','',2616,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAjGAAAAJDE0ZjhjMTJjLTU2MmYtNDNjNC1iOTc4LTZiYzEyZTI0YmYwMw.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6808,1,'2017-08-03 17:12:21','2017-08-03 17:12:21','[my_privacy_policy]','Privacy Policy','','publish','closed','closed','','privacy-policy','','','2017-08-07 17:57:27','2017-08-07 17:57:27','',0,'https://strategic.events/?page_id=6808',0,'page','',0),(6820,1,'2015-10-13 15:45:55','2015-10-13 15:45:55','[mk_page_section bg_color=\"#211551\" bg_stretch=\"true\" min_height=\"20\" padding_top=\"0\" padding_bottom=\"0\" sidebar=\"sidebar-1\"][vc_column][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=\"true\" color=\"#d6a461\" size=\"25\" line_height=\"50\" margin_top=\"20\" margin_bottom=\"0\" font_family=\"Palatino Linotype, Book Antiqua, Palatino, serif\" font_type=\"safefont\" align=\"right\"]STRATEGIC EVENT PLANNING RESOURCES[/mk_fancy_title][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=\"true\" tag_name=\"h3\" color=\"#ffffff\" size=\"12\" line_height=\"50\" letter_spacing=\"2\" margin_bottom=\"0\" font_family=\"Open+Sans\" font_type=\"google\" align=\"right\"]HOME &gt;&gt; STRATEGIC EVENT PLANNING RESOURCES[/mk_fancy_title][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=\"40px\"][mk_fancy_title tag_name=\"h1\" size=\"20\" margin_bottom=\"0\" font_family=\"none\" align=\"center\"]\r\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\">“It’s okay to be comfortable where you are.</h1>\r\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\">Just don’t be surprised when you get left behind.”</h1>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: right;\">- Christy Lamagna CMP, CMM, CTSM</h2>\r\n[/mk_fancy_title][/vc_column][/vc_row][/vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][mk_padding_divider size=\"20\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1516038298672{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">We are a primary source for reliable, time-tested and approved corporate event resources. We have created an arsenal of highly useful information to assist event planners in all phases of the strategic planning processes. We encourage you to take advantage of our free strategic event planning checklist(s), weblinks, templates tools and guides, and a vast library of articles, blogs, and videos.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Get ready to redefine excellence with us and incorporate what you learn into your best practices. If you can\'t find what you\'re looking for, let us know. We\'d be happy to create content on your suggested topic.</p>\r\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column border_color=\"#1d1848\" width=\"5/6\"][vc_row_inner attached=\"true\" is_fullwidth_content=\"false\" column_padding=\"3\" animation=\"flip-x\" css=\".vc_custom_1502893149509{border-radius: 2px !important;}\"][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\" css=\".vc_custom_1515181483037{border-top-width: 3px !important;border-right-width: 3px !important;border-bottom-width: 3px !important;border-left-width: 3px !important;background-color: #211551 !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;border-left-color: #d6a461 !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-color: #d6a461 !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-color: #d6a461 !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-color: #d6a461 !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-radius: 3px !important;}\"][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=\"fa fa-cogs\" color=\"white\" size=\"xl\" align=\"center\" link=\"url:https%3A%2F%2Fstrategic.events%2Fstrategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management%2Fstrategic-event-planning-resources%2Fevent-planning-free-tools-guides%2F||target:%20_blank|\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1516547334144{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/event-planning-free-tools-guides/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Free Tools &amp; Guides</span></a></h2>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1515436313179{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Tools, guides and other useful materials that will streamline and improve your productivity.</span></h3>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\" css=\".vc_custom_1515181491556{border-top-width: 3px !important;border-right-width: 3px !important;border-bottom-width: 3px !important;border-left-width: 3px !important;background-color: #211551 !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;border-left-color: #d6a461 !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-color: #d6a461 !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-color: #d6a461 !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-color: #d6a461 !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-radius: 3px !important;}\"][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=\"fa fa-book\" color=\"white\" size=\"xl\" align=\"center\" link=\"url:https%3A%2F%2Fstrategic.events%2Fstrategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management%2Fstrategic-event-planning-resources%2Farticles%2F||target:%20_blank|\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1516547366400{margin-right: 3px !important;margin-left: 3px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/articles/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Articles</span></a></h2>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text align=\"center\" css=\".vc_custom_1515436221379{margin-right: 3px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 3px !important;}\"]\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">An extensive library of articles demonstrating how to approach any event strategically.</span></h3>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner attached=\"true\" is_fullwidth_content=\"false\" column_padding=\"3\" animation=\"flip-x\" css=\".vc_custom_1502893149509{border-radius: 2px !important;}\"][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\" css=\".vc_custom_1513194720696{border-top-width: 3px !important;border-right-width: 3px !important;border-bottom-width: 3px !important;border-left-width: 3px !important;background-color: #211551 !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;border-left-color: #d6a461 !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-color: #d6a461 !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-color: #d6a461 !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-color: #d6a461 !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-radius: 3px !important;}\"][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=\"fa fa-film\" color=\"white\" size=\"xl\" align=\"center\" link=\"url:https%3A%2F%2Fstrategic.events%2Fstrategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management%2Fstrategic-event-planning-resources%2Fevent-planning-videos%2F||target:%20_blank|\"][vc_column_text align=\"center\" css=\".vc_custom_1516547538061{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/event-planning-videos/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Videos</span></a></h2>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text align=\"center\" css=\".vc_custom_1515182466855{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Videos appropriate for all levels of planners packed with useful, immediately implementable information.</span></h3>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\" css=\".vc_custom_1513194732328{border-top-width: 3px !important;border-right-width: 3px !important;border-bottom-width: 3px !important;border-left-width: 3px !important;background-color: #211551 !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;border-left-color: #d6a461 !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-color: #d6a461 !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-color: #d6a461 !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-color: #d6a461 !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-radius: 3px !important;}\"][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=\"fa fa-microphone\" color=\"white\" size=\"xl\" align=\"center\" link=\"url:https%3A%2F%2Fstrategic.events%2Fstrategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management%2Fstrategic-event-planning-resources%2Fstrategic-event-planning-podcasts%2F||target:%20_blank|\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1516547550610{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/strategic-event-planning-podcasts/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Event Planning Podcasts</span></a></h2>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text align=\"center\" css=\".vc_custom_1515436681705{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Inspiring podcasts demonstrating how to approach any event strategically.</span></h3>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner attached=\"true\" is_fullwidth_content=\"false\" column_padding=\"3\" animation=\"flip-x\" css=\".vc_custom_1502893200998{border-radius: 2px !important;}\"][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\" css=\".vc_custom_1513194742192{border-top-width: 3px !important;border-right-width: 3px !important;border-bottom-width: 3px !important;border-left-width: 3px !important;background-color: #211551 !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;border-left-color: #d6a461 !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-color: #d6a461 !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-color: #d6a461 !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-color: #d6a461 !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-radius: 3px !important;}\"][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=\"fa fa-bullseye\" color=\"white\" size=\"xl\" align=\"center\" link=\"url:https%3A%2F%2Fstrategic.events%2Fstrategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management%2Fstrategic-event-planning-resources%2Fstrategic-contributors%2F||target:%20_blank|\"][vc_column_text align=\"center\" css=\".vc_custom_1516547595773{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/strategic-contributors/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Strategic Contributors</span></a></h2>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1515182759628{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">SME turns to our Strategic Contributors</span> <span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"> for their valuable insight.</span></h3>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\" css=\".vc_custom_1513194751830{border-top-width: 3px !important;border-right-width: 3px !important;border-bottom-width: 3px !important;border-left-width: 3px !important;background-color: #211551 !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;border-left-color: #d6a461 !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-color: #d6a461 !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-color: #d6a461 !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-color: #d6a461 !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-radius: 3px !important;}\"][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=\"fa fa-lightbulb-o\" color=\"white\" size=\"xl\" align=\"center\" link=\"url:https%3A%2F%2Fstrategic.events%2Fstrategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management%2Fstrategic-event-planning-resources%2Fblog%2F||target:%20_blank|\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1516547509186{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/blog/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Blog</span></a></h2>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text align=\"center\" css=\".vc_custom_1515182519112{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Get ready to redefine excellence with these thought-provoking blogs from the SME team.</span></h3>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=\"40px\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/strategic-planning-movement.png\" image_size=\"full\" link=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/strategic-planning-movement/\" target=\"_blank\" align=\"center\"][vc_empty_space height=\"40px\"][mk_social_networks size=\"large\" style=\"simple-rounded\" border_color=\"#000050\" bg_color=\"#000050\" bg_hover_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_hover_color=\"#000050\" align=\"center\" facebook=\"https://www.facebook.com/StrategicMeetingsEvents/\" twitter=\"https://twitter.com/SME_Events\" pinterest=\"https://www.pinterest.com/strategicmeetingsevents/\" instagram=\"https://www.instagram.com/strategic.events/\" linkedin=\"https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/1320386/\" youtube=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsuJ-F1Ot1zSc1ccpj_DzXA\"][/vc_column][vc_column width=\"1/6\"][vc_empty_space height=\"20px\"][vc_wp_categories title=\"\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][mk_page_section][vc_column][mk_fancy_title tag_name=\"h4\" font_family=\"none\"]\r\n<h3>Featured In:</h3>\r\n[/mk_fancy_title][wonderplugin_carousel id=\"3\"][vc_empty_space height=\"50px\"][vc_raw_js]JTNDc2NyaXB0JTNFJTBBZmJxJTI4JTI3dHJhY2slMjclMkMlMjAlMjdWaWV3Q29udGVudCUyNyUyQyUyMCU3QiUwQXZhbHVlJTNBJTIwMy41MCUyQyUwQWN1cnJlbmN5JTNBJTIwJTI3VVNEJTI3JTBBJTdEJTI5JTNCJTBBJTNDJTJGc2NyaXB0JTNF[/vc_raw_js][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row fullwidth=\"true\" css=\".vc_custom_1469113417543{background-color: #211551 !important;}\"][vc_column][vc_raw_js]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[/vc_raw_js][mk_button dimension=\"flat\" size=\"large\" url=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/contact-strategic-meetings-events/\" target=\"_blank\" align=\"center\" fullwidth=\"true\" margin_bottom=\"6\" margin_right=\"0\" bg_color=\"#211551\" btn_hover_bg=\"#d6a461\" btn_hover_txt_color=\"#211551\"]Contact us today for a strategic plan that is headline worthy.[/mk_button][/vc_column][/vc_row]','Strategic Event Planning Resources','','publish','closed','closed','','strategic-event-planning-resources','','','2018-03-06 16:28:44','2018-03-06 16:28:44','',7,'https://strategic.events/dup-resources/',0,'page','',0),(6823,3,'2017-08-07 19:14:33','2017-08-07 19:14:33','','News Flash','','inherit','open','closed','','output_ani8yo','','','2017-10-27 19:30:16','2017-10-27 19:30:16','',6820,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/output_aNI8YO.gif',0,'attachment','image/gif',0),(6833,3,'2017-08-08 20:53:14','2017-08-08 20:53:14','','POE Template Free Resource','','inherit','open','closed','','poe-template-free-resource','','','2017-08-08 20:53:14','2017-08-08 20:53:14','',0,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/POE-Template-Free-Resource.pdf',0,'attachment','application/pdf',0),(6855,3,'2017-08-09 18:34:02','2017-08-09 18:34:02','','Light, sweet, festive and fun to drink, this peppermint treat was a hit at a client’s holiday party. This Candy Cane Cocktail added cheer to the evening','','inherit','open','closed','','sh0706_candy_cane_cocktail','','','2017-09-26 16:47:33','2017-09-26 16:47:33','',3675,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/sh0706_candy_cane_cocktail.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6883,1,'2017-08-15 14:32:20','2017-08-15 14:32:20','<h2>How to Delegate and Get More Done</h2>\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-6884\" title=\"Half the battle of being more productive is building the best team; the other half is using your team wisely. Learn how to delegate and get more done staff\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Capture.jpg\" alt=\"Half the battle of being more productive is building the best team; the other half is using your team wisely. Mastering the latter is the key to maximizing the potential of your team members and minimizing the time and effort spent on outsourceable tasks. How to Delegate and Get More Done\" width=\"683\" height=\"332\" />\r\n<h3>Half the battle of being more productive is building the best team; the other half is using your team wisely. Mastering the latter is the key to maximizing the potential of your team members and minimizing the time and effort spent on outsourceable tasks.</h3>\r\n<strong>Why Entrepreneurs Should Learn How to Delegate</strong>\r\n\r\nThe ability to delegate is critical for scaling a business. And the entrepreneurs who do it well are able to grow their businesses more than firms that don\'t.\r\n\r\nThe Gallup 2015 \"<a href=\"http://www.gallup.com/businessjournal/182414/delegating-huge-management-challenge-entrepreneurs.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Delegating: A Huge Management Challenge for Entrepreneurs</a>\" report found that CEOs with \"high delegator talent\" had a three-year average growth rate of 1,751 percent, 112 percentage points higher than CEOs with \"low delegator talent.\"\r\n\r\nBasically, if you want more growth, you better find the right people and use their talents to company\'s advantage. Read \"<a href=\"http://www.insureon.com/blog/post/2015/12/14/when-you-should-ask-for-help-for-your-small-business.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">When You Should Ask for Help for Your Small Business</a>\" for tips from experts on how and when to start delegating.\r\n\r\n<strong>Hand Off Tasks to Administrative Staff</strong>\r\n\r\nFor cash-strapped small businesses, having support staff can seem like a luxury, but bringing in the right help can actually be a wise investment, says Maura Thomas (<a href=\"https://twitter.com/mnthomas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@mnthomas</a>), productivity expert and founder of <a href=\"http://regainyourtime.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RegainYourTime.com</a>. Today\'s entrepreneurs rely on technology to outsource more tasks. And while it\'s helpful in some ways, there are times when it makes sense to outsource tasks to an administrative staff member, Thomas says.\r\n\r\n\"In today\'s \'do more with less\' world of work, the number of administrative professional jobs is shrinking,\" Thomas says. \"Part of that decline is because of the belief that technology makes support staff unnecessary. But there\'s still much that technology can\'t do that a skilled administrator can.\"\r\n\r\nSo crunch the numbers, but consider the versatility a worker can offer. That advantage can be essential when you\'re scaling up.\r\n\r\n<strong>Communicate Project Goals Clearly</strong>\r\n\r\nDon\'t let your employees try to figure out what you want; tell them upfront, says Joel Razi Lutfiyya, an <a href=\"http://joelrazi.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">independent consultant</a> who works with startup entrepreneurs and small businesses. Once you\'ve chosen the right person to do the job, clearly outline the overall goals and purpose of the project.\r\n\r\n\"One of the biggest mistakes most managers make is they don\'t clearly explain why a project is important, how it will be used, or what their expectations are for the completed job,\" Razi Lutfiyya says. \"Be sure to communicate as clearly as you can so the individual you delegate the project to sees the full picture and understands what is needed.\"\r\n\r\nThis might require some legwork and planning on your part, but the time you\'ll save in back-and-forth emails and clarification will make up for it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Step Out of the Way</strong>\r\n\r\nOnce you actually assign the task, let your employee or contractor handle it. Don\'t prevent them from doing their jobs, says Christy Lamagna (<a href=\"https://twitter.com/SMEChristy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@SMEChristy</a>), founder of Strategic Meetings &amp; Events, a strategic planning firm. You can step in to help, but don\'t make the process stifling.\r\n\r\n\"After a task is assigned, I am available to assist, but I get out of the way of my and let the experts do their work,\" Lamanga says. \"I delegate based on what each member of the team has demonstrated as a strength and their ability to work within a particular timeline.\"\r\n\r\nIf you\'re used to doing everything yourself, this step can be challenging. But when you feel the need to do it yourself, <a href=\"https://strategic.events/sometimes-better-not-follow-leader/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">step back</a> and ask if it\'s a task a CEO should spend that time on. If not, let your trusted team handle it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Match Good Employees with the Right Tools</strong>\r\n\r\nTo be an effective leader, you\'ll need to create the best work environment for your employees. You should be familiar with your employees\' strengths, so the next step is to use them to your advantage, Lamanga advises.\r\n\r\n\"A strategic leader lets the team self-identify their skills and the environment they need to thrive, and then creates that for them,\" Lamanga says. \"As leaders, not bosses or managers, it is incumbent upon us to assign tasks wisely, so we empower our teams.\"\r\n\r\nMake time in your yearly employee evaluations for employees to discuss their strengths and see what tasks you can ask them to take on that will lead to job satisfaction on their part and allow you to focus on the bigger picture.\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"http://www.insureon.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6891\" title=\"Insureon Logo\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Insureon-Logo-1024x237.jpg\" alt=\"Insureon logo\" width=\"329\" height=\"77\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','How to Delegate and Get More Done','','publish','open','open','','how-to-delegate-and-get-more-done','','','2018-02-12 23:38:04','2018-02-12 23:38:04','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=6883',0,'post','',0),(6884,3,'2017-08-15 14:31:37','2017-08-15 14:31:37','','How to Delegate and Get More Done','','inherit','open','closed','','capture-6','','','2017-10-27 19:29:57','2017-10-27 19:29:57','',6883,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Capture.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6891,3,'2017-08-30 14:52:41','2017-08-30 14:52:41','','Insureon-Logo','','inherit','open','closed','','insureon-logo','','','2017-10-27 19:23:43','2017-10-27 19:23:43','',6883,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Insureon-Logo.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6896,1,'2017-08-30 17:31:51','2017-08-30 17:31:51','<h2>Meeting Planners Sound Off on Their Biggest Challenges</h2>\r\n<h3>By Jaimie Seaton</h3>\r\n<h3></h3>\r\n<h3><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-6897\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/AMEX-Meetings_and_Events-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"Meeting planning has come a long way since the days of booking a room at the Hilton and putting out some coffee. Today’s professionals have to navigate the sometimes-tricky waters between their clients or bosses, and their vendors. Meeting Planners Sound Off on Their Biggest Challenges\" width=\"699\" height=\"466\" /></h3>\r\n<h3></h3>\r\n<h3>The challenges being faced by meeting planners are as wildly divergent as the events they plan. To succeed, they need to be informed, nimble, and tough.\r\n— Jaimie Seaton</h3>\r\nMeeting planning has come a long way since the days of booking a room at the Hilton and putting out some coffee. Today’s professionals have to navigate the sometimes-tricky waters between their clients or bosses, and their vendors.\r\n\r\nIssues ranging from industry standards and multigenerational demands to market forces and even government regulation can all stand between a planner and a successful event. Skift asked a few industry leaders about their <a href=\"https://strategic.events/meeting-planners-face-challenge-rising-attendance-cost/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">biggest challenges</a>, and what they are doing to combat them.\r\n<h2>CLIENTS WHO DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY WANT OR HOW TO GET IT</h2>\r\nAaron Kaufman is president and founder of <a href=\"https://www.fifthelementgroup.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fifth Element Group</a>, a Canadian-based events design firm, and what’s he’s finding to be the biggest challenge today is locating clients who know the difference between a professional meeting planner and a casual one.\r\n\r\n“The challenge is not on the job side, it’s on the industry side,” he said. “It’s more an issue that we have industry-wise in terms of educating clients. The client is looking for services, but they’re not necessarily educated on what to look for [in a meeting planner]. Our industry lacks a lot of regulation, so it’s an easy process for any meeting planning company or any individual to say, ‘We are full service and we do everything.’\r\n\r\n“There’s nobody regulating and no industry watchdog. Essentially, what happens, is you find, more often than not, our industry gets hurt because people are not qualified to do the job, and then clients don’t trust people who are professionals. It’s a big vicious circle. The client says this person says they do everything, and they are less expensive, and as it goes with almost every industry, that less expensive person who claims to be able to do everything can’t actually, and then clients don’t trust professionals. It’s lowering the bar for what we do, and that makes our job much harder.”\r\n\r\nKaufman added, “Even when you are dealing with good clients and you want to call around for quotes, less and less people want to indulge you, especially properties if you are out of town. There’s a lot of tire kicking that goes on. The biggest question I get is ‘How sure are you? Are you just looking for a quote or is the client signed with you?\'”\r\n\r\nClients who are more educated about <a href=\"https://strategic.events/meetings-christy-lamagna-solution/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">meeting planners</a> would be a nice step.\r\n\r\n“The biggest solution lies internally. We need to make sure that clients are educated. I’m hoping for the industry that we are able to educate clients to look for real professionals. I think that that’s a big solution,” he said. “Ultimately, the industry needs to regulate itself so there can be less mom-and-pop organizations claiming to be able to do everything under the sun. If a number of industry heavyweights go together and put out a message that ‘We are all going to adhere to a certain set of standards,’ that would be another solution.”\r\n\r\n“Of course there are professional designations, like the <a href=\"http://www.eventscouncil.org/CMP/AboutCMP.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">certified meeting professional</a> (CMP) and I’m a <a href=\"http://www.ileahub.com/CSEP\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">certified special events professional</a> (CSEP), but all one needs to do to get them is to take a test. Then what? Which designation is better than the other and which is regulating the industry? None of them. There is no regulatory body.”\r\n<h2>IT’S A SELLER’S MARKET</h2>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.shawnasuckow.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Shawna Suckow</a> CMP, professional speaker in the hospitality industry, and author of “Don’t Become Extinct!,” said the biggest challenge for her, as a planner, is when she has to go through the contract negotiation process.\r\n\r\n“It is a seller’s market and planners in many cases are feeling like they have no control, and sellers are taking advantage,” Suckow said. “This is the same complaint that sellers had during the buyer’s market. The pendulum always swings, and right now planners don’t like feeling out of control. It’s an incredibly busy market, and planners have to move very quickly, which we also don’t like. We’re getting offers of ‘take it or leave it, there is a line behind you out the door and if you don’t want this space at this ridiculously high rate, then see ya.’\r\n\r\nDemand is particularly high today.\r\n\r\n“There is so much demand for space and not enough of it. Sellers don’t even have to look for prospects; their phones are ringing off the hook. RFPs (requests for proposals) are piling in, their volume has tripled or more, and they can pick and choose which piece of business they want to accept. That frustrates planners and makes planners look bad because they can’t source a simple meeting. And when they do, the prices are ridiculous. As an example, normally there’s a one-time cost of $150 to drop a power line and now it’s $1,000 a day.”\r\n\r\nWhat can planners do?\r\n\r\nSuckow said, “There’s not a lot planners can do. If they have relationships that are long-standing, they have a little more leverage. If they have a relationship, they can have a dialogue, but if they have no preexisting <a href=\"https://strategic.events/fostering-great-supplier-relationships/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">relationship</a>, they are powerless. The other solution is to seek out secondary or tertiary markets where they are will be more welcome. Places like Providence, Rhode Island, are booming right now; they just had their highest occupancy rate ever.”\r\n\r\nHowever, she noted, “There will be a tipping point. I, and several others, predict there is no higher we can go. The market will tip and planners will have the power again in the next two years. What I always say is how you treat others when you have the power is how you will be treated when you don’t. A lot of planners misbehaved and took advantage during the recession, and they don’t like what’s being handed back to them now.”\r\n<h2>MAKING MEETINGS FOR MULTIPLE GENERATIONS</h2>\r\n“The biggest challenge is staying relevant while planning for multiple generations,” said Dana Saal, CMP, CAE, and principal of <a href=\"https://www.saalmeetings.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Saal Meeting Consulting</a>.\r\n\r\nSaal has 30 years’ experience as a planner and is now a consultant and coach. “Designing an association meeting today requires honoring the older participants who continue to find value in the current, albeit dated, model while convincing younger participants that the meeting offers something of value,” Saal said.\r\n\r\nThere are different generational exceptions.\r\n\r\nSaal said, “Millennials are labeled as needy because they want to know ‘What’s in it for me?’ However, everyone wants to know what’s in it for them. In very broad terms, older participants want to see their once-a-year industry friends, enjoy a mini vacation, and maybe take home a new idea. Millennials also want to connect, but with new people in a way that cultivates discussion and new ideas. They want to be energized and to learn.”\r\n\r\nWhat does Saal do then?\r\n\r\n“To meet the challenge I design ways for both needs to be fulfilled at one meeting, as well as ways they can connect that lead to enhanced learning and, ideally, post-meeting relationships. For example, I create reverse mentor relationships where tech-savvy Millennials coach tech-shy Boomers. Or, present one topic two ways — as a traditional lecture and as a hands-on workshop. Same learning objectives; different delivery.”\r\n<h2>PEOPLE JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT WE DO</h2>\r\nChristy Lamagna, founder of <a href=\"https://strategic.events/essential-pillars-strategic-meetings/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Strategic Meetings</a> &amp; Events, has more than 26 years’ industry experience and has been teaching strategic planning at the college level for the past decade. Lamagna said the biggest challenge facing meeting planners today involves misperceptions.\r\n\r\n“Until the event industry comes together and decides to professionally <a href=\"https://strategic.events/why-planners-need-to-get-strategic/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">evolve from event planners into event strategists</a>, the problems we face will prevail,” she said. “Every challenge we have; understaffed, overworked, under compensated, frustrated by a lack of respect, and a simultaneous feeling of being indispensable and invisible, will continue, until we commit to change.”\r\n\r\nThe industry is ready for a shared vision.\r\n\r\n“Our profession is misunderstood,” Lamagna added. “The public thinks we are party planners, who get to travel for a living and who have ‘glamorous’ jobs. Family and friends have a vague understanding of what we do, but have no idea the depth or breadth of our responsibilities, expertise or pressure we work under. The challenge is that, as an industry we don’t have a shared vision for the profession, vocabulary to clearly and effectively articulate what we do, and a minimum recognized or mandated standard to be recognized as a qualified professional.”\r\n\r\nLamagna believes the industry needs to commit to change.\r\n\r\n“Until we do the work to redefine who we are and how we perceive ourselves, we will not effect change in our workplace or in the eyes of the world. Doing this will require concerted effort, getting out of our comfort zones, a willingness to do the work required, make some difficult decisions and commit to the change and the process. Every problem we have has a solution within our reach. Start investigating how to <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-steps-achieve-business-goals/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">become a strategic planner</a> and add your voice, talent, energy and ideas to the movement. Until then, nothing can change.”\r\n<h2>MANAGING ATTENDEE DATA</h2>\r\nIrina Trofimovskaya, the Heidelberg, Germany-based founder of <a href=\"http://www.themiceblog.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Mice Blog,</a> said she’s primarily concerned with an impending law that will impact the European Union.\r\n\r\n“The forthcoming <a href=\"http://www.eugdpr.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">General Data Protection Regulation</a> (GDPR) that will come into force on May 25, 2018, is a challenge that I anticipate. This regulation concerns data protection of individuals within the EU and its export outside the EU, and will apply to all industries. In the events industry we collect, process and share data almost on a daily basis to run the business, and from next year we might not be able to operate our business in the same way.\r\n\r\nThis is very different than how things work today.\r\n\r\n“Until now, data could be easily shared at meetings with various stakeholders; now some processes will become more formal. A further challenge will be for businesses that operate internationally with countries that are not bound by this regulation.”\r\n\r\nThere is a lot of fear about the upcoming changes.\r\n\r\n“There are still many question marks on this subject, how to best prepare ourselves and what will really happen. Many companies are scared of the fines and some delete entire databases. It’s important to start informing ourselves now and be ready when this regulation takes effect.”\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://skift.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6906\" title=\"Skift logo\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/logo-square-yellow.png\" alt=\"Skift logo\" width=\"97\" height=\"97\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Meeting Planners Sound Off on Their Biggest Challenges','','publish','open','open','','meeting-planners-sound-off-biggest-challenges','','','2018-02-14 22:47:07','2018-02-14 22:47:07','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=6896',0,'post','',0),(6897,3,'2017-08-30 15:20:04','2017-08-30 15:20:04','','AMEX-Meetings_and_Events','','inherit','open','closed','','amex-meetings_and_events','','','2017-10-27 19:23:33','2017-10-27 19:23:33','',6896,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/AMEX-Meetings_and_Events.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6906,3,'2017-08-30 17:17:46','2017-08-30 17:17:46','','logo-square-yellow','','inherit','open','closed','','logo-square-yellow','','','2017-10-27 19:23:05','2017-10-27 19:23:05','',6896,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/logo-square-yellow.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(6909,1,'2017-08-30 19:06:04','2017-08-30 19:06:04','<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">The Meeting Planning Industry Needs A Lasting Strategy</h2>\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-7689 size-full\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/office5.jpg\" alt=\"Christy Lamagna discusses how meeting professionals and the planning industry need to get strategic. Our discussion focuses on the need for the planning industry, and meeting professionals to be more strategic to insure long-term success. The Meeting Planning Industry Needs A Lasting Strategy\" width=\"1010\" height=\"479\" />\r\n\r\nOn this episode of Event TALK we are speaking with Christy Lamagna, Founder and Chief Strategist of Strategic Meetings and Events. Our discussion focuses on the need for the planning industry, and meeting professionals to be more strategic to insure long-term success.\r\n\r\n<strong>Listen to show host Al Wynant and guest Christy Lamagna discuss the following:</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>The definition of “strategy” as it relates to the event and meeting planning industry?</li>\r\n 	<li>Why the industry is not as strategic as one might expect.</li>\r\n 	<li>The pain points and top areas of interest the industry could address by being more strategic as a whole.</li>\r\n 	<li>How an individual planner can play a role in being more strategic.</li>\r\n 	<li>Top pieces of advice for planners who want to be more strategic and successful in their profession.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">LISTEN TO THE SHOW</h3>\r\n[audio m4a=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/EventTALKwithChristyLamagnaonStrategicEventPlanning.m4a\"][/audio]\r\n\r\n[vc_empty_space]<strong>ABOUT OUR GUEST</strong>\r\n\r\nChristy Lamagna, Founder and Chief Strategist of Strategic Meetings and Events has 27 years of experience in the industry. She is a former Vice President of a Fortune 20 company and a member of five start-up organizations. She is a nationally recognized, award-winning strategic planner and entrepreneur, she writes for multiple industry publications, speaks at conferences worldwide, has a private coaching practice and has taught event and meeting management classes at a college level for 10 years.\r\n\r\nShe is now working on an industry textbook focusing, on the science of strategic planning. She speaks at industry events whenever possible as a way of giving back to the profession that has given her 27 years of career satisfaction.\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.eventinterface.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6918\" title=\"Eventinterface logo\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Eventinterface-Logo-Medium-Green-1024x250.png\" alt=\"Eventinterface logo\" width=\"361\" height=\"88\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','The Meeting Planning Industry Needs A Lasting Strategy','','publish','open','open','','meeting-planning-industry-needs-lasting-strategy','','','2018-02-14 22:28:37','2018-02-14 22:28:37','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=6909',0,'post','',0),(6910,3,'2017-08-30 18:26:56','2017-08-30 18:26:56','\"Event+TALK+with+Christy+Lamagna+on+Strategic+Event+Planning\".','Event+TALK+with+Christy+Lamagna+on+Strategic+Event+Planning','','inherit','open','closed','','eventtalkwithchristylamagnaonstrategiceventplanning','','','2017-10-27 19:22:45','2017-10-27 19:22:45','',6909,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/EventTALKwithChristyLamagnaonStrategicEventPlanning.m4a',0,'attachment','audio/mpeg',0),(6911,3,'2017-08-30 18:26:56','2017-08-30 18:26:56','','Event Talk Logo','','inherit','open','closed','','6911','','','2017-10-27 19:21:42','2017-10-27 19:21:42','',0,'https://strategic.events/6911/',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(6912,3,'2017-08-30 18:31:05','2017-08-30 18:31:05','','744737852315_2017814075900_100','','inherit','open','closed','','744737852315_2017814075900_100','','','2017-09-26 17:14:48','2017-09-26 17:14:48','',6909,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/744737852315_2017814075900_100.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6918,3,'2017-08-30 18:43:48','2017-08-30 18:43:48','','Eventinterface-Logo-Medium-Green','','inherit','open','closed','','eventinterface-logo-medium-green','','','2017-10-27 19:21:27','2017-10-27 19:21:27','',6909,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Eventinterface-Logo-Medium-Green.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(6928,1,'2017-09-01 01:00:47','2017-09-01 01:00:47','[mk_page_section bg_color=\"#211551\" bg_stretch=\"true\" min_height=\"20\" padding_top=\"0\" padding_bottom=\"0\" sidebar=\"sidebar-1\"][vc_column][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=\"true\" tag_name=\"h1\" color=\"#d6a461\" size=\"25\" line_height=\"50\" margin_top=\"20\" margin_bottom=\"0\" font_family=\"Palatino Linotype, Book Antiqua, Palatino, serif\" font_type=\"safefont\" align=\"right\"]BREAKFAST DIRT BOMBS[/mk_fancy_title][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=\"true\" tag_name=\"h3\" color=\"#ffffff\" size=\"12\" line_height=\"50\" letter_spacing=\"2\" margin_bottom=\"0\" font_family=\"Open+Sans\" font_type=\"google\" align=\"right\"]HOME &gt;&gt; <strong>TASTEBUZZ</strong>[/mk_fancy_title][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row][/vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][mk_tooltip text=\"Taste Buzz Archive\" tooltip_text=\"Click to visit Taste Buzz Archive\" href=\"https://strategic.events/tastebuzz/\"][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][vc_single_image image=\"1118\" img_size=\"full\" onclick=\"custom_link\" css_animation=\"appear\" link=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-home/tastebuzz/\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DirtBombs.jpg\" image_size=\"full\"][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">When we were traveling in Provenance we came across these light and airy delicacies and knew we had to share the love. One bite is all it takes to bring you the feeling of standing at a Patisserie.</h3>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1519682853249{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2>Breakfast Dirt Bombs</h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">INGREDIENTS\r\n3 Tsp Baking Powder\r\n1 Tsp Salt\r\n1/2 Tsp Ground Nutmeg\r\n1 Cup Sugar\r\n2/3 Cup Shortening\r\n2 Eggs\r\n3 Cups Flour\r\n1 Cup Whole Milk\r\nCoating:\r\n1/2 Pound (2 Sticks) Butter\r\n1 1/2 Cups Sugar\r\n3 Tsp Ground Cinnamon</p>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]INSTRUCTIONS:\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease 12 muffin cups.</li>\r\n 	<li>In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. Set aside.</li>\r\n 	<li>In a separate large bowl, cream together the sugar and shortening. Add the eggs and mix again. Alternate adding one-third of the flour mixture and one-third of the milk to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition.</li>\r\n 	<li>Fill the muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake until golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the muffins from the pan and set aside.</li>\r\n 	<li>To make the coating, melt the butter in a bowl or glass pan. In a separate container, combine the sugar and cinnamon.</li>\r\n 	<li>Dip the warm muffins in the butter, coating thoroughly. Then roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][ultimate_modal modal_title=\" STRATEGIC TIP:\" btn_bg_color=\"#211551\" btn_txt_color=\"#d6a461\" btn_text=\"STRATEGIC TIP\" modal_style=\"overlay-simplegenie\" overlay_bg_color=\"#211551\" content_bg_color=\"#d6a461\" content_text_color=\"#211551\" header_bg_color=\"#211551\" header_text_color=\"#d6a461\" modal_border_style=\"dotted\" modal_border_width=\"1\" modal_border_color=\"#d6a461\" modal_border_radius=\"12\"]Always be Ready! Puffs are best within hours after they are baked. They can be made it advance and stored in a freezer bag until needed, too. Simply spread them out on a baking tray and reheat them until warm in the oven. For an extra flavor punch heat the butter for the coating until nutty brown, don’t be afraid to pick up the browned butter solids at the bottom of the saucepan; they’re the dreamiest part.[/ultimate_modal][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"]','Breakfast Dirt Bombs','','publish','open','open','','breakfast-dirt-bombs','','','2018-02-26 22:07:38','2018-02-26 22:07:38','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=6928',0,'post','',0),(6929,3,'2017-08-30 19:53:32','2017-08-30 19:53:32','','DirtBombs','','inherit','open','closed','','dirtbombs','','','2017-10-27 19:21:17','2017-10-27 19:21:17','',6928,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DirtBombs.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6932,3,'2017-08-30 21:14:38','2017-08-30 21:14:38','','EVENTS-og','','inherit','open','closed','','events-og','','','2017-10-27 19:21:01','2017-10-27 19:21:01','',661,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/EVENTS-og.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7271,3,'2017-09-08 15:12:33','2017-09-08 15:12:33','','iStock+2017+looking+ahead','','inherit','open','closed','','istock2017lookingahead','','','2017-09-27 18:27:23','2017-09-27 18:27:23','',3660,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/iStock2017lookingahead.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7284,3,'2017-09-12 14:20:50','2017-09-12 14:20:50','','sme-Navy','','inherit','open','closed','','sme-navy','','','2017-10-27 19:20:43','2017-10-27 19:20:43','',0,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/sme-Navy.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7287,3,'2017-09-13 16:43:25','2017-09-13 16:43:25','','First impressions','','inherit','open','closed','','aaeaaqaaaaaaaaqyaaaajdmwyjdmoti2lty5mzktngixms1iytq4ltnkmty5yzq5nmm3nq','','','2017-09-13 16:43:44','2017-09-13 16:43:44','',560,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAqyAAAAJDMwYjdmOTI2LTY5MzktNGIxMS1iYTQ4LTNkMTY5YzQ5NmM3NQ.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7288,1,'2017-09-19 13:26:41','2017-09-19 13:26:41','<h2>Essential Pillars of Strategic Meetings</h2>\r\n<h3>By Christy Lamagna, CMP, CMM, CTSM</h3>\r\n• Necessary event trio\r\n• Active collaboration\r\n\r\nI’d like you to imagine a three-legged tripod. Now picture one with two-legs. Now envision one with only one leg. Chances are, when picturing the two legged one, you paused a moment as it couldn’t stand up; it was close, but an essential piece was missing. Was trying to envision a tripod with one leg almost impossible? Did it strike you as a bit ridiculous?\r\n\r\nI consider a tripod a metaphor for events. Event Strategists represent one leg, marketing teams another, and sales the third. Events are the platform that sit atop the three legs. With all parts in place and equal, the tripod is solid, functioning, and stable. When one leg is off balance or missing, the integrity of the entire piece is affected.\r\n\r\nEvent planners are often operating in a silo, (one legged tripod) or work with only the sales or marketing team. There is no regular communication between the three departments, meaning no unified message or connection between the sales and marketing goals, initiatives, and the events being produced. So, at best, your tripod has two legs.\r\n\r\nIf your marketing team designs logos and collateral but isn’t contributing to the content and messaging, that’s not a partnership. That’s a parallel silo. Same thing if sales provides the guest list and dictates the size and scope of the event and isn’t seen again until the night of the event.\r\n\r\nStrategic planners create healthy, interactive relationships with their marketing and sales colleagues. They see themselves as peers, not less important than other executives; they own the value strategic meetings bring to organizations, act with confidence, and get things done. Their events are a reflection or picture of the company’s message and are built on a solid platform.\r\n\r\nTo create the relationships needed to do this, you must understand some basic principles of human nature and behavior. People’s compulsion to answer the question, ‘What’s in it for me?’ drives all their actions. Think about it; if you buy someone an extravagant gift, you’re doing it to fulfill YOUR wish to do so. The gift is no less generous, but the root of it comes from your desire. We do things based on choice; even when we feel as if we don’t have one, we are deciding that doing something we prefer not to do is preferable to facing the consequences of not doing it.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-7290\" title=\"Essential Pillars of Strategic Meetings\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/the-4-success-pillars-1024x685.jpg\" alt=\"Strategic planners create healthy, interactive relationships with their marketing and sales colleagues. They see themselves as peers, not less important than other executives; they own the value strategic meetings bring, act with confidence, and get things done, they are the Essential Pillars of Strategic Meetings\" width=\"474\" height=\"317\" />\r\n\r\nProviding a compelling answer to the, ‘What’s in it for me?’ question, influences behavior. For planners working with external audiences, this translates to increased attendance. For internal audiences (and external) it means more engaged audiences. If you plan strategically, you can get people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it.\r\n\r\nYour first goal is to create a strategy, aligning events with the marketing and sales departments. There are often egos, politics, territorial battles, and invisible yet powerful lines between departments that create a vast divide. That means you need to genuinely believe in the power of strategic events as you have your work cut out for you.\r\n\r\n<strong>Let’s start with the sales team. Potential obstacles:</strong>\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>They have priorities above meeting with you.</li>\r\n 	<li>They don’t understand events beyond their current involvement.</li>\r\n 	<li>You fear they don’t see you as an equal.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<strong>Next: What gets a sales team’s attention?</strong>\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Making more money.</li>\r\n 	<li>Beating the competition.</li>\r\n 	<li>Being the best.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nNow let’s take what we know and use it advantageously:\r\n\r\nExcept for product launches, events don’t sell products. They create the motivation that sells them. When properly executed, they shorten, support, enhance, and advance the sales cycle. Partnering to create an event that supports the internal sales strategy means the event advances the message and can be designed around sales goals. Using the information gained from your <a href=\"https://strategic.events/discovery-sessions-meeting/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">discovery session</a> you know what the audience needs, and what key stakeholders expect. Marry those two priceless pieces of information with the sales initiatives, and you have a powerful plan starting to take form.\r\n\r\nA better trained and motivated sales force translates to higher sales, which means less competition and more money. That should get their attention. Now we need to weave marketing into the plan.\r\n\r\n<strong>Potential obstacles:</strong>\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Territorial issues often prevent collaboration.</li>\r\n 	<li>Money is always an issue; who’s paying for this?</li>\r\n 	<li>They have other priorities.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<strong>What gets a marketing team’s attention?</strong>\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Effective campaigns.</li>\r\n 	<li>Increased sales.</li>\r\n 	<li>Proof that their efforts are influencing positive behavior.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nWith sales on board, you have a powerful ally to bring the marketing team on board. Here are potential talking points: marketing campaigns are created to support sales’ efforts, but how often are the people who are supposed to be using the materials given the opportunity to share input, have the pieces explained to them, and brainstorm on how to best use them? Events are the ideal forum to bring marketing messages to life, embody the essence of the campaign, utilize the concepts, and facilitate the sales process. By working together, the marketing team gains valuable feedback, shares insight on why campaigns were created, and best utilizes the tools they create. Sounds like things that motivate their behavior, doesn’t it?\r\n\r\nThe strategic planning team is the third in the trio; they architect and execute the plan. They are the visionaries who bring the messages together and create an environment that will deliver maximum learning, sharing, interaction; whatever the goal. When all sides are allowed to shine and are able to simultaneously focus on their goals while leveraging the talents of others in the organization, the results are exponentially rewarding.\r\n​\r\nWith all three pieces in place, having equal input, influence, and responsibility, our tripod has three solid, even legs on which to build our event. And with that sturdy tripod in place, get ready for your close up; you are on your way to becoming an Event Strategist.\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"http://www.midwestmeetings.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-1348 size-full\" title=\"Midwest Meetings Logo\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Midwest-Meetings-logo-swoosh.jpg\" alt=\"Midwest Meetings\" width=\"170\" height=\"58\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Essential Pillars of Strategic Meetings','','publish','open','open','','essential-pillars-strategic-meetings','','','2018-02-14 22:21:03','2018-02-14 22:21:03','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=7288',0,'post','',0),(7290,3,'2017-09-18 22:04:50','2017-09-18 22:04:50','','Essential Pillars of Strategic Meetings','','inherit','open','closed','','the-4-success-pillars','','','2017-09-18 22:05:30','2017-09-18 22:05:30','',7288,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/the-4-success-pillars.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7301,1,'2017-10-01 15:37:30','2017-10-01 15:37:30','[vc_row][vc_column][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Why-did-you-start-your-business-1.png\" image_size=\"full\" align=\"center\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>25 Entrepreneurs Share Their Favorite Inspirational Business Quote</h2>\r\n<h3>By CEO Blog Nation</h3>\r\nAndré Gide wrote that,”Everything that needs to be said has already been said. But since no one was listening, everything must be said again.” Quotes are an important part of motivation, though many of them are repeats of another turn of phrase. Business owners are particularly partial to famous quotations. Reading a motivational speech from a business legend or famous creative mind can give you a spark. It doesn’t matter if it has been said before and repeated numerous times, quotes can give you the fire you need to be a better entrepreneur or learn how to handle a difficult situation. Below are some of those quotes sent in by entrepreneurs throughout the country.[/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Laurel-e1504093546732-150x150.jpeg\" image_size=\"full\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>#1- You don’t know what you don’t know</h2>\r\nI believe in the power of asking. My favorite quote, “You don’t know what you don’t know,” is relevant in all aspects of life. Let’s face it, you don’t know what you don’t know, so ask. How you show up in the world is important. You are a journey; not a destination. Every risk that you take is one step closer to success. Beyond that, every risk taken is a memory, experience or life lesson that ultimately defines who you are and why. Be aware of your influence and adapt to advice.\r\n\r\nThanks to Laurel Mintz, <a href=\"https://www.elevatemybrand.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Elevate My Brand</a>![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Mike-Goossen-2014-Campaign-Cropped-0007-150x150.jpg\" image_size=\"full\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>#2- You can’t talk your way out of a situation you have behaved yourself into</h2>\r\nYou can’t talk your way out of a situation you have behaved yourself into – Stephen Covey. I wish understood this back when I was the CEO of a $10 corporation. I was accused of not caring about the people I led. It was far from the truth, from my perspective. But my trusted assistant confirmed this was how people felt about me. Although it   wasn’t pleasant to hear, I was glad she did. Turns out I was “too busy” doing what I thought was best, when all the team wanted was a chance to talk to me. No matter how much I SAID I cared, or many contracts I won, or raises I gave, it wasn’t until I changed my behavior and took the time to talk with those around me that I was I able to repair the relationships. So I keep this quote in mind to never make that mistake again.\r\n\r\nThanks to Mike Goossen, <a href=\"http://columns4success.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Columns 4 Success</a>![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Andy-2-150x150.jpg\" image_size=\"full\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>#3- For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return</h2>\r\nFor once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return- Leonardo da Vinci. I’m a pilot, and one of my favorite hobbies is flying. It’s one of the few  activities that can completely take my mind off of business and onto something relaxing. This quote means so much to me because it’s representative of how I feel as a successful entrepreneur. Now that I have tasted that life of success, it is where I long to be and what I strive to continue to achieve.\r\n\r\nThanks to Andy Seavers, <a href=\"https://www.wehavetaste.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Taste</a>![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Adham-Sbeih-Socotra-Capital-150x150-1.jpg\" image_size=\"full\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>#4- It takes time for rice to cook</h2>\r\nMy favorite quote is “It takes time for rice to cook”. It was told to me by one of my mentors. It can apply to business as well as life. Oftentimes we want immediate results: You come up with an idea–a new product, a new sales approach, a new process–and often the results do not follow  immediately. It takes patience and perseverance, just like cooking rice. If you give up too quickly you won’t see any results, but if you continue and allow the process, product, or new approach to mature, then the results can be revolutionary for your business.\r\n\r\nThanks to Adham Sbeih, <a href=\"http://socotracapital.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Socotra Capital</a>![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Michael_Kuntz.jpg\" image_size=\"full\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>#5- Two-fold Credit and Employees are the Most Important Parts of Your Business Success</h2>\r\nMy favorite business quote is two-fold Credit and Employees are the Most  Important Parts of Your Business Success. Having great credit saves you and your business money on insurance and interest for lending and buying power allowing you to purchase the supplies and materials needed to be a successful business. A dollar saved is a dollar earned. The horizon has no limit with great credit, therefore, your business will receive wonderful opportunities. Having great employees makes all the difference in your success. They are the face of your company image so you need to make sure you have the right team in place. Great employees are the difference in meeting deadlines, keeping customers content, and will always meet and exceed the quality expectations of the customers.\r\n\r\nThanks to Jake Beiler,<a href=\"http://www.jandnstructures.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> J&amp;N Structures</a>![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Blair-150x150.jpg\" image_size=\"full\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>#6- Don’t get greedy. You can’t lose by taking a profit</h2>\r\n“Don’t get greedy. You can’t lose by taking a profit.” What famous person said these fine words? My dad! He shared this with me back in my 20’s after I had helped take a company public. At the time, it was a bit of a conundrum for me to determine when to sell shares and how to know when the stock would be at its peak. The don’t get greedy phrase was crucial then, and I apply it to this day.\r\n\r\nThanks to Blair Koch, <a href=\"http://www.thealternativeboard.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Alternative Board (TAB)</a>![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/chrisboling-150x150.jpg\" image_size=\"full\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>#7- The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience</h2>\r\nThe purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience. – Eleanor Roosevelt. This quote is the epitome of our advertising and unique air media business. We live our lives to the fullest and our business is no different. We regularly paint and explore outside the box embracing newer, richer and more unique experiences for us, our clients, their brands and their customers. This energy is what drives our core model, and without it our company would stagnate, grow old, and ultimately\r\nwither on the vine.\r\n\r\nThanks to Chris Boling, <a href=\"http://www.bolingair.media/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Boling Air Media</a>![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/2zfkf9u.jpg\" image_size=\"full\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>#8- If you can only see obstacles, you have taken your eye off the goal</h2>\r\nMy favorite business quote is, ‘if you can only see obstacles, you have taken your eye off the goal,’ which is a paraphrase from Henry Ford. As the CEO and Master Strategist of Strategic Meetings &amp; Events, a corporate event planning organization, I need to stay focused at all times. Obstacles take many forms; the illusion of not having enough time in the day is actually a result of taking one’s eye off the goal as if we restrict our time to only things that will advance our plan to achieve our goal, ancillary tasks will be eliminated. As a master strategist, my world is full of details, people and situations competing for attention that all have the ability to distract me. Knowing what to address, how much time to give it, what to ignore and remembering not to devote emotional energy to a professional issue keep me goal, not obstacle or distraction focused. When applying this principle to my work, everything else falls into place.\r\n\r\nThanks to Christy Lamagna, <a href=\"http://strategic.events/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Strategic Meetings &amp; Events</a>![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Andrew-150x150.jpg\" image_size=\"full\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>#9-  Never confuse activity with achievement</h2>\r\nOne great quote that probably was not initially meant in a business sense but certainly applies was uttered by John Wooden, a famous basketball coach. The quote is never confusing activity with achievement. Basically, this means that you should not confuse efforts with results. This quote should be helpful and inspirational to most entrepreneurs because it highlights the importance of working smart and not just hard. After all, you can certainly burn the candle at both ends and work at your small business for 80+ hours per week, but if you aren’t really getting anything done, where are you at the end of the day? Small business owners should schedule each work day with what needs to get done, what needs attention but can wait, and add in a few items to get to on slower days. The best way to do this is to write out a daily To Do list. That way, you always know what you’re supposed to be doing and when, and you’ll be ensured of working productively at all times.\r\n\r\nThanks to Andrew Schrage, <a href=\"http://www.moneycrashers.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Money Crashers</a>![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Fantastic-150x150.jpg\" image_size=\"full\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>#10- Fall seven times, stand up eight</h2>\r\nOne of my favorite quotes, or should I say Japanese proverbs, that’s been used in reference to entrepreneurship is Fall seven times, stand up eight. This is the sort of attitude that every entrepreneur needs to develop and nurture if he or she is in for the long run and aims for the stars. Success does not come easy. Success will make you work for it, and work hard I mean. Being in this line of work for over 8 years, I have learned that one should have the perseverance, stamina, and determination. A true entrepreneur can never give up, no matter what the market throws at him, no matter what pranks the competitors play on him, no matter how tough the going gets. You should push your skills further than they can take you – learn and improve yourself constantly. You should push yourself beyond your comfort zone because that is where the real comfort lies. Every entrepreneur should learn to accept failure because through failure we learn, we improve, we grow. Failure might make you feel small, minuscule even. But it shouldn’t be a reason to quit. It should be the drive that pushes you further towards your goals and towards your business success.\r\n\r\nThanks to Rune Sovndahl, <a href=\"https://www.fantasticservices.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fantastic Services</a>![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Gideon-150x150.jpg\" image_size=\"full\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>#11- Do what is right, not what is easy nor what is popular</h2>\r\n“Do what is right, not what is easy nor what is popular.” ― Roy T. Bennett Life would be boring if you only chose the easy way. Popular decisions lead to popular choices that stop you from creating something new and unique. I do believe we have to go the hard way as everybody can go the easy one. When something looks impossible at the first sight, ask other professionals to help you out. It’s really rewarding to achieve something that you considered unthinkable at first.\r\n\r\nThanks to Gideon Lipnickas, <a href=\"https://www.newconcept180.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New Concept 180</a>![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Chris-Griffiths-150x150.png\" image_size=\"full\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>#12- The only real mistake is one from which we learn nothing</h2>\r\nMy favorite business quote was said by Henry Ford:‘The only real mistake is one from which we learn nothing.’In business, as in life, it is important to understand that failure and success are part of the same process. The way you react to your mistakes will ultimately sculpt your identity and your business. The two are not opposites, and mistakes  shouldn’t be shrugged off, nor should they be seen as a hindrance on your journey to success. Analyse what went wrong. Continue to ask questions and challenge assumptions, don’t just accept things for how they are. We are all always still learning. Failures are unequivocally important to becoming successful. You can, and you should, learn from your mistakes.\r\n\r\nThanks to Chris Griffiths, <a href=\"https://opengenius.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">OpenGenius</a>![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Robert-Ellis.pdf-150x150.png\" image_size=\"full\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>#13- The man who will use his skill and constructive imagination to see how much he can give for a dollar, instead of how little he can give for a dollar, is bound to succeed</h2>\r\n*Provide Value* The man who will use his skill and constructive imagination to see how much he can give for a dollar, instead of how little he can give for a dollar, is bound to succeed. – Henry Ford. I love this quote because it epitomizes what every business owner and company should strive for: to offer the best value. It’s about maximizing the value you provide to your customers. It sounds so simple yet it’s hard to execute. It requires you to do things the right way, even when nobody is looking. Ultimately, companies that offer customers the best product or service for their money are the ones that stick around over the long term. Cutting corners doesn’t work and only gets you into trouble down the road. The more you do your job the right way by overdelivering and exceeding expectations, the more successful you will be in business.\r\n\r\nThanks to Bob Ellis, <a href=\"http://www.bavarianclockworks.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bavarian Cuckoo Clocks</a>![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/bethbridgesphoto-e1504099691805-150x150.jpg\" image_size=\"full\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>#14-  Influence is just persuasion in slow motion</h2>\r\nInfluence is just persuasion in slow motion- Robert McKee. As a student of networking, influence, and persuasion, I’m always looking for simple ways to explain, teach, and put these different activities in perspective. This quote by Robert McKee very simply explains one aspect of the difference in these vital social skills. It also emphasizes to me the value of telling compelling stories in business because Mr. McKee is one of the most influential screenwriting lecturers in the country whose devotees include the likes of Peter Jackson and Pixar.\r\n\r\nThanks to Beth Bridges,<a href=\"http://www.thenetworkingmotivator.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> The Networking Motivator</a>![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/babcock-150x150.jpg\" image_size=\"full\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>#15- A man may do an immense deal of good, if he does not care who gets the credit for it</h2>\r\n“A man may do an immense deal of good, if he does not care who gets the credit for it.” Father Strickland, Jesuit Priest*In business, you simply can’t do every single thing that needs to be done yourself to make your organization successful. You must hire the best people and give them the latitude to do what they need to do. The problem many managers make is getting excellent work from their people, but then taking the credit for it. That’s poisonous for the long-term success of the company and, frankly, the manager too. No one wants to do good work and then have someone else take the credit for it. Do it to your best employees enough, and they will find someone else to work for. That philosophy is as true today as it was\r\nwhen written in 1863.\r\n\r\nThanks to Stephen Babcock, <a href=\"https://www.stephenbabcock.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Babcock Partners</a>![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Rares-150x150.jpg\" image_size=\"full\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>#16-You will never find rational men on the peaks of tall mountains</h2>\r\nYou will never find rational men on the peaks of tall mountains. This was told to me very recently by someone, so I don’t know who said, or how they said it, but it evokes a great thought. There are only two types of people that climb mountains, the very determined and the very stupid. There is no rational reason to chase high peaks, they are dangerous, full of unknowns, and can very well lead to death. You climb a mountain because it is an opportunity to see the world from a unique perspective that few every will. As is the case with business, sometimes dumb luck can bring you to the top; following a bold idea that looks dumb at every corner until you’re at the peak. However, more often than not the right skills,<a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-life/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> effective planning</a>, and relentless drive will take you to the top and a transition from the former to the later is always key for long term success. That being said, whatever got someone to the top, being rational wasn’t the first decision.\r\n\r\nThanks to Rares Crisan,  <a href=\"https://logojoy.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Logojoy</a>![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Michael-Maher-150x150.jpeg\" image_size=\"full\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>#17- Give your BEST instead of giving the REST</h2>\r\nOne of my favorite quotes is actually a poem that I have hanging in my office. It reminds me of the big picture and keeps me grounded when my mind is going a million miles an hour. It reminds me that competition isn’t my biggest challenge but compassion is. I need to give as much to my family and personal life as I do to my business. Give your BEST instead of giving the REST.\r\n\r\nThanks to Michael J. Maher, <a href=\"http://referco.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Referco</a>![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Jill-150x150.jpg\" image_size=\"full\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>#18- Bring your whole self to work</h2>\r\nBring your whole self to work. I don’t believe we have a professional self Monday through Friday and a real self the rest of the time. It is all professional and it is all personal.\r\n\r\nThanks to Jill Stanley, <a href=\"http://www.proofwithjillstanley.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PROOFwithJillStanley</a>![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Page-150x150.jpg\" image_size=\"full\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>#19- I am strong because I have been weak I am fearless because I have been scared I am wise because I have been foolish</h2>\r\nThis quote really resonates with me, it is paraphrased from the Bible I think:\r\nI am strong because I have been weak\r\nI am fearless because I have been scared\r\nI am wise because I have been foolish\r\nIt is an important reminder to me and my team that stumbling is part of the  journey to success. As an entrepreneur you just have to keep going and pick yourself up and be smarter every time you get up and try again. It was true for Thomas Edison, Steve Jobs, Sara Blakely and it is true for me too! I started a global marketing firm 16 years ago.\r\n\r\nThanks to Paige Arnof-Fenn, <a href=\"http://www.mavensandmoguls.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mavens &amp; Moguls</a>![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/AadotP-150x150.jpg\" image_size=\"full\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>#20-The Chains of Habit are too light to be felt, until they are too heavy to be broken</h2>\r\n‘The Chains of Habit are too light to be felt, until they are too heavy to be broken’ – Warren Buffett. This quote represents the very nature of those who win in life and those who don’t. People are always looking for the secret sauce, but guess what? It doesn’t exist! Success come from developing top-level habits and turning the wheel for extended periods of time. There is a large dichotomy between those who are rich and that are truly wealthy. It’s the good habits that you develop that will (to some degree) guarantee a happy joy-filled life. Warren goes on to say that the only difference between his life and those of your average human being is the way in which he travels long distances…everything else stays the same (the way we eat, what clothing we wear, our home, toys, enjoyment of life, etc.) and he is one happy and wealthy man!\r\n\r\nThanks to Brandon Wheeler,<a href=\"https://gulfbeachweddings.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Gulf Beach Weddings</a>![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Daniel-Passov-150x150.jpg\" image_size=\"full\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>#21- If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses</h2>\r\n“If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.” ― Henry Ford This is one of my favorite quotes of all time. It really shows how important it is for an entrepreneur to be a visionary. Although we do listen to our customers to solve their needs and wants, they may not alwayshave the vision of what is possible. When an entrepreneur has a vision, many people may think (s)he is crazy, but at some point the vision will become a reality and people will buy into it.\r\n\r\nThanks to Daniel Passov, <a href=\"https://www.greeku.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Greek U</a>![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Dr-e1504105485275-150x150.jpg\" image_size=\"full\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>#22- The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night</h2>\r\nThe heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night. -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. This is not specifically a business quote, but it is something that I live by and run my business by. Everyone sees the success, but they never see the hard work and sacrifice that went into creating that success.\r\n\r\nThanks to<a href=\"https://www.nyclaserdentist.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Dr. Edward A. Alvarez</a>[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/MJ-Headshot-e1438017385337-150x150.png\" image_size=\"full\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>#23- Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it</h2>\r\nObstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it..The reason why this is one of my favorite quotes is because it gives me inspiration every time there is any type of obstacle. There is always a solution to any problem and you just have to figure it out. Challenges are great because it makes you stronger and the outcome once you figure it out is the sweet taste of victory.\r\n\r\nThanks to MJ Pedone, <a href=\"http://www.indrapr.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indra Public Relations</a>![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Klein-Law-150x150.jpg\" image_size=\"full\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>#24- Whether you own a restaurant or construction company, every business is the same. The only thing that changes is the product or service you sell</h2>\r\nWhether you own a restaurant or construction company, every business is the same. The only thing that changes is the product or <a href=\"https://strategic.events/31-ways-create-lucrative-sales-funnel/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">service you sell</a> . ….Eric N. Klein This is a great quote I use when speaking to clients or groups in that almost every small business owner sees their business and business problems peculiar to themselves, but they fail to see the big picture. I explain to business owners that every business has receivables and payables; each business has shrinkage whether it is theft of product from the shelves or clients/customers who do not pay. Every business has to make a sale…\r\n\r\nEric N. Klein,  <a href=\"https://www.kleinattorneys.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Klein Law Group</a>![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=\"thin_solid\" thin_single_color=\"#211551\" thickness=\"2\"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/3\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/robert-johnson-150x150.jpg\" image_size=\"full\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>#25-  It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it</h2>\r\nMy favorite business quote is from Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett who said It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently. No matter what business you are in, your reputation is your most important asset. Burnishing your reputation is of utmost importance and has become much more important in the internet age. A five second search can disqualify individuals from career opportunities. You need to safeguard your reputation and focus on ethical business practices.\r\n\r\nThanks to Robert R. Johnson, <a href=\"https://www.theamericancollege.edu/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The American College of Financial Services</a>![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://hear.ceoblognation.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-7402 size-full\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/HearPreneur_logo_white-copy-300x66.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"66\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout][/vc_column][/vc_row]','25 Entrepreneurs Share Their Favorite Inspirational Business Quote','','publish','open','open','','25-entrepreneurs-favorite-business-quote','','','2018-01-04 23:27:07','2018-01-04 23:27:07','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=7301',0,'post','',0),(7310,3,'2017-09-20 17:03:00','2017-09-20 17:03:00','','Laurel-e1504093546732-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','laurel-e1504093546732-150x150','','','2017-10-27 19:20:17','2017-10-27 19:20:17','',7301,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Laurel-e1504093546732-150x150.jpeg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7317,3,'2017-09-20 17:39:12','2017-09-20 17:39:12','','Mike-Goossen-2014-Campaign-Cropped-0007-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','mike-goossen-2014-campaign-cropped-0007-150x150','','','2017-10-27 19:18:36','2017-10-27 19:18:36','',7301,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Mike-Goossen-2014-Campaign-Cropped-0007-150x150.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7336,1,'2017-10-02 12:40:20','2017-10-02 12:40:20','[mk_page_section bg_color=\"#211551\" bg_stretch=\"true\" min_height=\"20\" padding_top=\"0\" padding_bottom=\"0\" sidebar=\"sidebar-1\"][vc_column][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=\"true\" tag_name=\"h1\" color=\"#d6a461\" size=\"25\" line_height=\"50\" margin_top=\"20\" margin_bottom=\"0\" font_family=\"Palatino Linotype, Book Antiqua, Palatino, serif\" font_type=\"safefont\" align=\"right\"]BUTTERNUT SQUASH RISOTTO WITH SAFFRON[/mk_fancy_title][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=\"true\" tag_name=\"h3\" color=\"#ffffff\" size=\"12\" line_height=\"50\" letter_spacing=\"2\" margin_bottom=\"0\" font_family=\"Open+Sans\" font_type=\"google\" align=\"right\"]HOME &gt;&gt; <strong>TASTEBUZZ</strong>[/mk_fancy_title][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row][/vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][mk_tooltip text=\"Taste Buzz Archive\" tooltip_text=\"Click to visit Taste Buzz Archive\" href=\"https://strategic.events/tastebuzz/\"][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][vc_single_image image=\"1118\" img_size=\"full\" onclick=\"custom_link\" css_animation=\"appear\" link=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-home/tastebuzz/\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/risotto.png\" image_size=\"medium\"][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Rome: So much to see, so much to EAT! This risotto dish was featured as an appetizer at a formal dinner in the spectacular Casina Valadier. Only a dish this exceptional could compete with the magnificence of the surroundings.</h3>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>Butternut Squash Risotto with Saffron</h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">INGREDIENTS</p>\r\n1 Butternut Squash (2 Pounds)\r\n2 Tbsp Olive Oil\r\nKosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper\r\n6 Cups Chicken Stock, Preferably Homemade\r\n6 Tablespoons (3/4 Stick) Unsalted Butter\r\n2 Ounces Pancetta, Diced\r\n1/2 Cup Minced Shallots (2 Large)\r\n1 1/2 Cups Arborio Rice (10 Ounces)\r\n1/2 Cup Dry White Wine\r\n1 Tsp Saffron Threads\r\n1 Cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese\r\n\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]INSTRUCTIONS:\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Preheat the oven to 400 degrees</li>\r\n 	<li>Peel the butternut squash, remove the seeds, and cut it into 3/4-inch cubes. You should have about 6 cups. Place the squash on a sheet pan and toss it with the olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, tossing once, until very tender. Set aside.</li>\r\n 	<li>Meanwhile, heat the chicken stock in a small covered saucepan. Leave it on low heat to simmer.</li>\r\n 	<li>In a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter and sauté the pancetta and shallots on medium-low heat for 10 minutes, until the shallots are translucent but not browned. Add the rice and stir to coat the grains with butter. Add the wine and cook for 2 minutes. Add 2 full ladles of stock to the rice plus the saffron, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stir, and simmer until the stock is absorbed, 5 to 10 minutes. Continue to add the stock, 2 ladles at a time, stirring every few minutes. Each time, cook until the mixture seems a little dry, then add more stock. Continue until the rice is cooked through, but still al dente, about 30 minutes total. Off the heat, add the roasted squash cubes and Parmesan cheese. Mix well and serve.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][ultimate_modal modal_title=\" STRATEGIC TIP:\" btn_bg_color=\"#211551\" btn_txt_color=\"#d6a461\" btn_text=\"STRATEGIC TIP\" modal_style=\"overlay-simplegenie\" overlay_bg_color=\"#211551\" content_bg_color=\"#d6a461\" content_text_color=\"#211551\" header_bg_color=\"#211551\" header_text_color=\"#d6a461\" modal_border_style=\"dotted\" modal_border_width=\"1\" modal_border_color=\"#d6a461\" modal_border_radius=\"12\"]Saffron is known as “red gold.” Saffron is the three-pronged dried stigmas of the saffron flower, these dark red-orange threads must be picked by hand from each flower. It has an aroma and flavor that hovers between floral and bitter citrus with metallic undertones. More than 75,000 of these flowers are needed to produce just one pound (0,44 kg) of Saffron filaments, 40 hours of labor are needed to pick 150,000 flowers! The retail price of saffron is approx. US$ 1,000/pound. The intensity of the color is usually the first and most accurate “give-away” to know a good quality saffron. Buy buying a lesser quality you will have to use twice the amount and that can sometimes increase the risks of your dish tasting bitter. Saffron is best when fresh and does not improve with age. Be sure to check the best used by dates![/ultimate_modal][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"]','Rice & Riches - Butternut Squash Risotto with Saffron','','publish','open','open','','butternut-squash-risotto','','','2018-02-19 22:25:28','2018-02-19 22:25:28','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=7336',0,'post','',0),(7337,3,'2017-09-27 15:01:04','2017-09-27 15:01:04','','Rice & Riches - Butternut Squash Risotto with Saffron','','inherit','open','closed','','risotto','','','2017-10-27 19:18:21','2017-10-27 19:18:21','',7336,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/risotto.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7402,3,'2017-10-03 20:23:19','2017-10-03 20:23:19','','HearPreneur_logo_white-copy-300x66','','inherit','open','closed','','hearpreneur_logo_white-copy-300x66','','','2017-10-27 19:16:20','2017-10-27 19:16:20','',7301,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/HearPreneur_logo_white-copy-300x66.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7404,3,'2017-10-03 21:10:50','2017-10-03 21:10:50','','Andy-2-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','andy-2-150x150','','','2017-10-27 19:15:35','2017-10-27 19:15:35','',7301,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Andy-2-150x150.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7405,3,'2017-10-03 21:11:22','2017-10-03 21:11:22','','Adham-Sbeih-Socotra-Capital-150x150 (1)','','inherit','open','closed','','adham-sbeih-socotra-capital-150x150-1','','','2017-10-27 19:15:26','2017-10-27 19:15:26','',7301,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Adham-Sbeih-Socotra-Capital-150x150-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7407,3,'2017-10-03 21:20:34','2017-10-03 21:20:34','','Blair Head Shot','','inherit','open','closed','','blair-150x150','','','2017-10-27 19:14:47','2017-10-27 19:14:47','',7301,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Blair-150x150.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7408,3,'2017-10-03 21:20:52','2017-10-03 21:20:52','','Chris Boling','','inherit','open','closed','','chrisboling-150x150','','','2017-10-27 19:12:20','2017-10-27 19:12:20','',7301,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/chrisboling-150x150.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7409,3,'2017-10-03 21:24:27','2017-10-03 21:24:27','','Andrew Head Shot','','inherit','open','closed','','andrew-150x150','','','2017-10-27 19:12:02','2017-10-27 19:12:02','',7301,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Andrew-150x150.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7410,3,'2017-10-03 21:24:55','2017-10-03 21:24:55','','Fantastic','','inherit','open','closed','','fantastic-150x150','','','2017-10-27 19:10:47','2017-10-27 19:10:47','',7301,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Fantastic-150x150.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7411,3,'2017-10-03 21:26:50','2017-10-03 21:26:50','','Gideon Head Shot','','inherit','open','closed','','gideon-150x150','','','2017-10-27 19:10:23','2017-10-27 19:10:23','',7301,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Gideon-150x150.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7412,3,'2017-10-03 21:27:12','2017-10-03 21:27:12','','Chris Griffiths','','inherit','open','closed','','chris-griffiths-150x150','','','2017-10-27 18:30:25','2017-10-27 18:30:25','',7301,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Chris-Griffiths-150x150.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7413,3,'2017-10-03 21:34:22','2017-10-03 21:34:22','','Robert Ellis','','inherit','open','closed','','robert-ellis-pdf-150x150','','','2017-10-27 18:25:43','2017-10-27 18:25:43','',7301,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Robert-Ellis.pdf-150x150.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7414,3,'2017-10-03 21:35:42','2017-10-03 21:35:42','','Beth Bridges','','inherit','open','closed','','bethbridgesphoto-e1504099691805-150x150','','','2017-10-27 18:25:33','2017-10-27 18:25:33','',7301,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/bethbridgesphoto-e1504099691805-150x150.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7415,3,'2017-10-03 21:36:05','2017-10-03 21:36:05','','Babcock Head Shot','','inherit','open','closed','','babcock-150x150','','','2017-10-27 18:25:21','2017-10-27 18:25:21','',7301,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/babcock-150x150.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7416,3,'2017-10-03 21:37:57','2017-10-03 21:37:57','','Rares Head Shot','','inherit','open','closed','','rares-150x150','','','2017-10-27 18:24:56','2017-10-27 18:24:56','',7301,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Rares-150x150.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7417,3,'2017-10-03 21:43:20','2017-10-03 21:43:20','','Michael Maher','','inherit','open','closed','','michael-maher-150x150','','','2017-10-27 18:24:46','2017-10-27 18:24:46','',7301,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Michael-Maher-150x150.jpeg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7418,3,'2017-10-03 21:43:44','2017-10-03 21:43:44','','Jill Head Shot','','inherit','open','closed','','jill-150x150','','','2017-10-27 18:24:34','2017-10-27 18:24:34','',7301,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Jill-150x150.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7419,3,'2017-10-03 21:45:07','2017-10-03 21:45:07','','Business Professional','','inherit','open','closed','','page-150x150','','','2017-10-27 18:23:29','2017-10-27 18:23:29','',7301,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Page-150x150.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7420,3,'2017-10-03 21:45:37','2017-10-03 21:45:37','','Corporate Professional','','inherit','open','closed','','aadotp-150x150','','','2017-10-27 18:23:19','2017-10-27 18:23:19','',7301,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/AadotP-150x150.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7421,3,'2017-10-03 21:46:25','2017-10-03 21:46:25','','Daniel Passov','','inherit','open','closed','','daniel-passov-150x150','','','2017-10-27 18:22:29','2017-10-27 18:22:29','',7301,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Daniel-Passov-150x150.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7422,3,'2017-10-03 21:46:52','2017-10-03 21:46:52','','Doctor head shot','','inherit','open','closed','','dr-e1504105485275-150x150','','','2017-10-27 18:20:23','2017-10-27 18:20:23','',7301,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Dr-e1504105485275-150x150.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7423,3,'2017-10-03 21:50:36','2017-10-03 21:50:36','','MJ Head shot','','inherit','open','closed','','mj-headshot-e1438017385337-150x150','','','2017-10-27 18:20:08','2017-10-27 18:20:08','',7301,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/MJ-Headshot-e1438017385337-150x150.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7424,3,'2017-10-03 21:51:01','2017-10-03 21:51:01','','Klein Law','','inherit','open','closed','','klein-law-150x150','','','2017-10-27 18:19:49','2017-10-27 18:19:49','',7301,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Klein-Law-150x150.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7425,3,'2017-10-03 21:51:37','2017-10-03 21:51:37','','Robert Johnson','','inherit','open','closed','','robert-johnson-150x150','','','2017-10-27 18:19:35','2017-10-27 18:19:35','',7301,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/robert-johnson-150x150.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7427,1,'2017-10-04 15:14:16','2017-10-04 15:14:16','[mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/define-prospecting-buyer.jpg\" image_size=\"full\" align=\"center\"]\r\n<h2>79 Questions To Ask When Defining Buyer Personas For Prospecting</h2>\r\n<h3>By Dan Sincavage</h3>\r\nWhat is a <a href=\"https://www.tenfold.com/buyer-personas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">buyer persona</a>?\r\n\r\nIt’s a semi-fictional representation of your ideal customers that’s based on data and market research on your current customers and the pain points that your product addresses.\r\n\r\nAnother great definition of buyer personas come from the Buyer Persona originator <a href=\"http://tonyzambito.com/buyer-persona-original-definition-matters/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tony Zambito,</a> “Buyer personas are research-based archetypal (modeled) representations of who buyers are, what they are trying to accomplish, what goals drive their behavior, how they think, how they buy, and why they make buying decisions. (Today, I now include where they buy as well as when buyers decide to buy.)”\r\n\r\nWhen creating buyer personas, it’s crucial that you use complete data: from demographics, behavioral cues and patterns, to customer aspirations and motivations.\r\n\r\nLargely, buyer personas are regarded as <a href=\"https://www.tenfold.com/sales-enablement-startups\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">mainly the concern of marketing departments</a>. However, as a sales professional, knowing and understanding your buyer personas will save you time when prospecting and also give you better sales intelligence when making calls.\r\n\r\nBuyer personas are vital to the success of your company’s marketing strategy but they’re equally essential to achieving sales success.\r\n\r\nThe foundation of this belief in buyer personas is the fact that <a href=\"https://www.tenfold.com/manage-leads\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">not all leads are equal.</a> Not every contact with complete details is qualified. Not all people who opt-in are going to be sales-ready down the line.\r\n\r\nBuyer personas fill a void that will meld sales and marketing together.\r\n\r\nWhether your team is social selling, outbound prospecting,<a href=\"https://www.tenfold.com/sales-intelligence-best-practices\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> lead nurturing, or serving up content through automation,</a> having the ideal customer in mind will help them zero in on valuable connections instead of wasting time trying to speak with everyone.\r\n<h3><strong>Straight talk: Having buyer personas for your ideal customers will enable your team to quickly choose leads who have the potential to fit the bill as an ideal customer and those who have no chance in a mile.</strong></h3>\r\nThat said, it is very important to be thorough when creating buyer personas. Filling up forms and templates is a way to go at it–however, asking yourself probing questions that push you to explore, research and ask others is likely the best way to make sure all bases are covered.\r\n\r\nTo make sure you get to the meat of things the first time, I put together this list of 71 questions when creating your buyer persona. Some of these questions were inspired or lifted from references like <a href=\"http://salesforce.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SalesForce</a> and <a href=\"http://hubspot.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HubSpot</a>, along with questions that have worked for me when I build buyer personas.\r\n\r\nRemember, you can never get too detailed with your personas–so don’t feel silly asking very specific questions.\r\n\r\nFrom the basic questions to the probing ones, these questions should provide you with enough ammo to create solid buyer personas.\r\n<h2><strong>Background\r\n</strong></h2>\r\n1) Is your buyer male or female?\r\n2) How old is your buyer?\r\n3) In which country were they born?\r\n4) In which state/city were they born?\r\n5) What is their ethnicity?\r\n6) In which city/state/country did they spend their childhood?\r\n7) In what city/state/country does your buyer live now?\r\n8) What was their household average income when they were growing up?\r\n9) What was their household’s means of livelihood during childhood?\r\n10) Does the buyer have siblings?\r\n11) What were the childhood activities they enjoyed as a kid?\r\n\r\nThese questions may seem basic–but at the very least, knowing the answers to these questions opens up a multitude of doors when it comes to figuring out who your <a href=\"https://www.tenfold.com/sales-prospecting/prospecting-sales-tips-timing-content-best-practices/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ideal customers</a> are. Things like place of origin and household income contribute greatly to the type of businessmen and decision-makers people end up being–so don’t skip this part.\r\n<h2>Education</h2>\r\n12) What school did they attend?\r\n13) What type of school is this: Population? Public or private? Nationally ranked or not?\r\n14) Did they go to college? What major?\r\n15) How was their performance in school?\r\n16) How was their social life in school?\r\n17) What extracurricular activities did they participate in?\r\n18) What was their average grade in school?\r\n19) What’s a notable achievement they got in school?\r\n20) Did they encounter peer trouble in school?\r\n21) What subject/s did they excel in?\r\n22) What subject/s did they struggle in?\r\n23) What were their aspirations while in school?\r\n24) If they didn’t go to college, what stopped them?\r\n25) If they didn’t go to college, what did they do after high school?\r\n\r\nHigh school and college education both make up arguably the most formative years of our lives. Bill Gates recently said that <a href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/49jkhn/im_bill_gates_cochair_of_the_bill_melinda_gates/d0sb3ep\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">people’s spending instincts are pretty much set in high school</a>. Knowing how they fared in high school and college would give you insight to several areas including their level of knowledge on certain topics, their decision-making skills when in a high-pressure situation, their preferences, the areas that interest them the most, how they prefer to engage in conversation and so on.\r\n<h2>Employment &amp; Personal Information</h2>\r\n26) What was their first means of income?\r\n27) What profession/job was their first full-time employment?\r\n28) What was the size of the company they first worked for?\r\n29) What industry did they start their career in?\r\n30) What are their current job title?\r\n31) What industry are they currently in?\r\n32) How long have they been working at their current company?\r\n33) How many promotions have they been given, if applicable?\r\n34) What was the circumstance leading to their current job? Promotion? Cross-offer? Application? Headhunted? Recruited?\r\n35) How many people are under them, if any?\r\n36) What is the nature of their current job? Managerial? C-suit? Clerical? Etc?\r\n37) What are their main daily tasks?\r\n38) What are their strategic responsibilities?\r\n39) How much do they make annually?\r\n40) How much do they get after taxes each year, including bonuses?\r\n41) What’s their level of satisfaction regarding pay?\r\n42) What’s their level of satisfaction regarding responsibilities and career opportunities?\r\n43) What’s their level of satisfaction regarding their immediate superior?\r\n44) What do they think should be improved as regard with their current role?\r\n45) What is their ideal job?\r\n46) Do they have plans pursuing their ideal job? Or are they currently working in their dream position?\r\n47) What’s their sexual orientation?\r\n48) Do they affiliate themselves with a particular political party/leaning? What is it?\r\n49) Are they involved in politics?\r\n50) What are their advocacies?\r\n51) What activities regarding their advocacies do they engage in?\r\n52) What news sources do they trust?\r\n53) Where do they usually access information?\r\n54) What is their relationship status?\r\n55) Do they have kids?\r\n56) Who do they live with?\r\n57) Do they rent, own, or lease a home? If none of these are applicable, what is their living situation housing-wise?\r\n58) Do they have debt? How much/little\r\n59) What is the nature of their debts if applicable?\r\n60) What are their major financial assets and properties?\r\n61) How would you describe their spending habits?\r\n62) How important is their income to their household?\r\n\r\nThe more you know about the prospect, the better you can tailor your interactions to them. How does that work with personas, though? Since personas embody your likely and ideal customers, you will be able to <a href=\"https://strategic.events/31-ways-create-lucrative-sales-funnel/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">create a wealth</a> of tactics that will take into consideration many of the shared experiences, personal situations and preferences of the customer in mind when creating particular personas.\r\n<h2>Technology</h2>\r\n63) How “techy” are they?\r\n64) Do they read tech blogs and news sites? Which ones?\r\n65) Are they connected to the internet daily?\r\n66) What devices do they access the computer from?\r\n67) Are they on social media? Which networks? Which one are they most active on?\r\n68) Do they shop online? Are they comfortable doing so?\r\n69) Do they use software at work? What software?\r\n70) What apps do they use?\r\n71) What is their preferred channel for communication? Phone? Email? Social media?\r\n\r\nDecision makers can come in varying levels of tech-savviness. Given that a large part of the products and services sold in the B2B context are software and software-related, it’s crucial to get a grasp of a persona’s tech knowledge and experience to ensure that each interaction is tailored to them. Some decision makers may be particular about usability and the compliance of a software to their existing systems, some may not be interested in the tech part of it all and just want to hear about the results. Most C-suite from software backgrounds tend to be interested in hearing more about how a product was built–out of personal and business interest.\r\n<h2>Buyer Personas in the B2B context</h2>\r\nMany marketers get stuck in the details of building buyer personas. Don’t get me wrong–these details matter. But a complete buyer persona is what’s going to be useful in the B2B scenario.\r\n\r\nIn the B2B world, deals are complex. One and done sales are rarer than pink diamonds.\r\n\r\nAccording to<a href=\"http://marketinginteractions.typepad.com/marketing_interactions/2013/02/personas-in-the-closet.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Ardath Albee of Marketing Interactions</a>, “For personas to become useful tools (in B2B), they must be based on interviews gathered from salespeople, customer service interactions and the buyers (customers) themselves.”\r\n\r\nAlbee adds that not just any kind of interview will do.\r\n\r\n“The conversations must be focused on what the buyer is trying to achieve.”\r\n\r\nHere are the questions proposed:\r\n\r\n72) What’s important to them and what’s driving the change?\r\n73) What’s impeding or speeding their need to change?\r\n74) How do they go about change?\r\n75) What do they need to know to embrace change?\r\n76) Who do they turn to for advice or information?\r\n77) What’s the value they visualize once they make a decision?\r\n78) Who do they have to sell change to in order to get it?\r\n79) What could cause the need for this change to lose priority?\r\n<h2>Put personas to use</h2>\r\nPersonas have been around quite a while. In recent years, we’ve seen more and more sales and marketing organizations put an emphasis on creating buyer personas. However, most personas are kept in a file somewhere. What I mean is that most personas are not even put to good use! Or not even put to use at all.\r\n\r\nCheck in and update your buyer personas according to how your situation and the situation of your buyers change. Use them as tools in <a href=\"https://www.tenfold.com/sales-leadership/timeless-sales-strategies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">crafting sales strategies</a>, have the sales enablement team continuously coordinate with the marketing department to ensure that your content is aligned with the needs and details of the buyers you want to reach.\r\n\r\nDon’t create <a href=\"https://www.tenfold.com/lead-generation/buyer-personas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">buyer personas</a> just because. Use them.\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.tenfold.com/sales-prospecting/buyer-persona-defined-prospecting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-7455\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/logo-tenfold.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"275\" height=\"138\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','79 Questions To Ask When Defining Buyer Personas For Prospecting','','publish','open','closed','','79-questions-defining-buyer-personas-prospecting','','','2018-01-11 17:40:55','2018-01-11 17:40:55','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=7427',0,'post','',0),(7429,3,'2017-10-04 14:33:29','2017-10-04 14:33:29','','25 Entrepreneurs Share Their Favorite Inspirational Business Quote','','inherit','open','closed','','why-did-you-start-your-business-1','','','2017-10-27 18:18:17','2017-10-27 18:18:17','',7301,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Why-did-you-start-your-business-1.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7434,3,'2017-10-04 14:42:00','2017-10-04 14:42:00','','79 Questions To Ask When Defining Buyer Personas For Prospecting','','inherit','open','closed','','define-prospecting-buyer','','','2017-10-27 18:18:07','2017-10-27 18:18:07','',7427,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/define-prospecting-buyer.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7444,3,'2017-10-04 15:02:48','2017-10-04 15:02:48','','Michael_Kuntz','','inherit','open','closed','','michael_kuntz-2','','','2017-10-27 18:17:59','2017-10-27 18:17:59','',7301,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Michael_Kuntz.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7446,3,'2017-10-04 15:14:59','2017-10-04 15:14:59','','Christy Lamagna Head shot','','inherit','open','closed','','2zfkf9u-2','','','2017-10-27 18:17:50','2017-10-27 18:17:50','',7301,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/2zfkf9u.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7452,1,'2017-10-04 15:47:34','2017-10-04 15:47:34','[mk_page_section bg_color=\"#211551\" 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18:04:51','',0,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide12.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7531,3,'2017-10-04 17:12:45','2017-10-04 17:12:45','','Sales Leadership Conference - Onsite Collateral','','inherit','open','closed','','slide13-2','','','2017-10-27 18:04:32','2017-10-27 18:04:32','',0,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide13.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7532,3,'2017-10-04 17:12:55','2017-10-04 17:12:55','','Corporate International Incentive - Team Building Collateral','','inherit','open','closed','','slide14','','','2017-10-27 18:03:48','2017-10-27 18:03:48','',0,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide14.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7534,3,'2017-10-04 17:13:14','2017-10-04 17:13:14','','Corporate General Session','','inherit','open','closed','','slide16','','','2017-10-27 18:01:35','2017-10-27 18:01:35','',0,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide16.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7535,3,'2017-10-04 17:13:30','2017-10-04 17:13:30','','Corporate Sales Training','','inherit','open','closed','','slide17','','','2017-10-27 18:01:18','2017-10-27 18:01:18','',0,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide17.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7537,3,'2017-10-04 17:14:02','2017-10-04 17:14:02','','Corporate General Session In The Round','','inherit','open','closed','','slide19','','','2017-10-27 17:57:42','2017-10-27 17:57:42','',0,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide19.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7538,3,'2017-10-04 17:14:19','2017-10-04 17:14:19','','Corporate VIP Experience','','inherit','open','closed','','slide20','','','2017-10-27 17:57:20','2017-10-27 17:57:20','',0,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide20.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7540,3,'2017-10-04 17:14:50','2017-10-04 17:14:50','','Corporate Awards Luncheon','','inherit','open','closed','','slide22','','','2017-10-27 17:56:00','2017-10-27 17:56:00','',0,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide22.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7542,3,'2017-10-04 17:15:27','2017-10-04 17:15:27','','Corporate Gala Dinner','','inherit','open','closed','','slide24','','','2017-10-27 17:54:33','2017-10-27 17:54:33','',0,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide24.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7543,3,'2017-10-04 17:15:44','2017-10-04 17:15:44','','Corporate','','inherit','open','closed','','slide25','','','2017-10-27 17:53:37','2017-10-27 17:53:37','',0,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide25.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7544,3,'2017-10-04 17:46:42','2017-10-04 17:46:42','','Corporate Product Launch','','inherit','open','closed','','slide18','','','2017-10-27 17:53:24','2017-10-27 17:53:24','',0,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide18.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7547,1,'2017-10-16 21:55:01','2017-10-16 21:55:01','<h2>Lessons from Smart Monday at IMEX America 2017</h2>\r\n<h3>By Christy Lamagna, CMP, CMM, CTSM</h3>\r\n<h4>It felt like a reunion where you simply hadn’t met everyone yet.</h4>\r\nFor me, heading to Vegas is always a mixed bag. While it’s not exactly my style, when I’m there I can’t help but marvel at “all things Vegas.” From the indescribable array of people, to the excess of absolutely everything—food, sounds, lights, and activity—it’s impossible for me not to become a spectator of all that surrounds me. Leaving the circus of the casinos and entering the efficient, calm-yet-invigorating atmosphere surrounding Smart Monday at IMEX America 2017, held at the Sands Convention Center, was the sensory equivalent of stepping out of a blizzard and into a dessert.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-7548\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/smart_monday.jpg\" alt=\"Leaving the circus of the casinos and entering the efficient, calm-yet-invigorating atmosphere surrounding Smart Monday at IMEX America 2017, held at the Sands Convention Center, was the sensory equivalent of stepping out of a blizzard and into a dessert. Lessons from Smart Monday\" width=\"473\" height=\"246\" />The organizers really got it right this year. From the meditation room with its tranquil, soothing lighting and chair massages, coupled with guided meditation and comfortable seating, to the thought-provoking educational sessions, there was something for everyone. For those focused on business, free headshots were offered courtesy of the Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Visit Norfolk captured the hearts of many with its “Paws for a Break” mini dog park, where a variety of dogs played, rolled over for tummy rubs, and eagerly licked attendees who came to visit. Nothing recalibrates and brings a person back to center better than a wet nose and a face lick.\r\n\r\nSo many warm hugs and huge smiles were shared, squeals of delight and exclamations of, “I didn’t know you were going to be here!” filling the halls, it was hard not to feel buoyed by the energy and enthusiasm. People were talkative and friendly, made eye contact rather than looking down at their phones, and were eager to engage and connect. It felt like a reunion where you simply hadn’t met everyone yet.\r\n\r\nWith so many people in attendance, it’s also impossible not to run into someone who you’d rather not see. That jolt of uncomfortable is a fantastic reminder of how we want to be treated, how we treat others, the legacy we are creating, and that there is always an opportunity to right a wrong, repair a relationship, and be a bigger person. Challenge yourself to do the hard thing, as that’s almost always also the right thing.\r\n\r\nThere was a session for everyone. From back-of-the-house tours to learning how to play, offerings were smart, varied, and targeted to all the personalities in attendance. There was clearly some real thought put into the classes, the timing, and the structure of the day. That careful <a href=\"https://strategic.events/how-to-become-strategic-planner-change-future/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">planning</a> paid off as people genuinely took advantage of the abundance of offerings.\r\n\r\nAs an industry, we can be fragmented, frustrated, competitive, and too busy to make the time to connect with each other. Smart Monday was warm and inviting and energetic and happy and welcoming. For those who attended and made the day what it was, thank you for the wonderful experience. For those who were unable to attend, mark your calendars for next year. It’s worth the trip.\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"http://www.meetingsnet.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-1342 size-full\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/MeetingsNet.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"33\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Lessons from Smart Monday at IMEX America 2017','','publish','open','closed','','lessons-from-smart-monday','','','2018-02-14 21:31:43','2018-02-14 21:31:43','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=7547',0,'post','',0),(7548,3,'2017-10-16 21:15:18','2017-10-16 21:15:18','','Lessons from Smart Monday','','inherit','open','closed','','smart_monday','','','2017-10-27 17:53:00','2017-10-27 17:53:00','',7547,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/smart_monday.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7554,1,'2017-10-17 16:45:38','2017-10-17 16:45:38','<h2>Comprehensive Marketing Communications Strategies Top Corporate Event Planners’ Lists</h2>\r\n<h3>By Elizabeth Johnson</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-7556\" title=\"Corporate events range in formats, styles, locations, and objectives, but they all have one thing in common—they need to maximize the people participating in order to advance the brand’s goals. These Comprehensive Marketing Communications Strategies Top Corporate Event Planners’ Lists\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/woman-1446557_1280.jpg\" alt=\"Corporate events range in formats, styles, locations, and objectives, but they all have one thing in common—they need to maximize the people participating in order to advance the brand’s goals. These Comprehensive Marketing Communications Strategies Top Corporate Event Planners’ Lists\" width=\"387\" height=\"258\" />Corporate events range in formats, styles, locations, and objectives, but they all have one thing in common—they need to maximize the people participating in order to advance the brand’s goals. Two corporate event planners—Stephanie Heishman, principal at Freya and Christy Lamagna, founder and <a href=\"https://strategic.events/how-to-become-strategic-planner-change-future/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">master strategist</a> at Strategic Meetings &amp; Events—share insights about how they make their marketing plans works.\r\n\r\nBoth planners agree that successful marketing campaigns start with a creating comprehensive communication strategy in advance. Communicating on the fly or relying on word of mouth from the sales team is not enough.\r\n\r\n“Your communication strategy should focus on encouraging RSVPs and raising your overall brand awareness,” said Heishman. “Two to three months out, write and calendar out branded save the date, logistics, reminder and post-event communications for emails and social media.”\r\n\r\n“We create a year-long <a href=\"https://strategic.events/become-strategic-planner/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">marketing communications strategy</a> that allows us to brand the event, share the message and develop a rapport and relationship with our audience before, during and after an event,” said Lamagna. “To do this we employ social media, traditional print mail, texting and create in-person messaging for the sales or executive team to deliver throughout the year.”\r\n\r\nNext, they say involve your attendees in the process.\r\n\r\n“Involve your attendees in programmatic content development so they engage with you and your company well before event begins,” explains Heishman.\r\n\r\n“We create a teaser item that is mailed to grab attention and we ask the audience for their input and feedback. We listen to their answers and work to incorporate as much of their input into the program as possible,” added Lamagna. “When people receive something in the mail they can actually use, it’s appreciated. If there is a pithy message around the item to tie the <a href=\"https://strategic.events/marketing-shortcuts-for-driving-sales-in-a-hurry/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">marketing message</a> and the item together, there is a positive association with your brand each time the client uses it.”\r\n\r\nHeishman also advises sending post-event survey within 48 hours after the event to garner feedback you can use for next time. And Lamagna establishes a dedicated email and phone number for questions, suggestions and direct feedback.\r\n\r\n“This is effective because it not only provides excellent, personalized customer attention in the age of auto attendants, but it also allows you to engage with your target audience, solve a problem, answer a question, or share small talk. Each ‘touch’ is another brick in the pathway to trust and partnership,” she explained.\r\n\r\nOther ideas?\r\n\r\nHeishman says to set up a unique social aspect within the event that you can promote.\r\n\r\n“A Jeffersonian style dinner something that one of my clients does for all corporate events they hold,” she said.\r\n\r\nA Jeffersonian style dinner is a conversation format where a table of 6-14 people has a single conversation around a particular set of questions. Each table is facilitated by a designated Thomas Jefferson (powdered wig optional). There are no side conversations—all comments are addressed to the group.\r\n\r\n“We use Jeffersonian Dinners to help build and deepen relationships among leaders. Our experience is the protocol can initially raise some eyebrows among participants, but people swear by the format after because they share more deeply about their background and experiences with a wider range of people versus typical dinner small talk,” Heishman added.\r\n\r\nDon’t underestimate the \'feel\' that you want participants to walk away with and use that in your marketing. When your marketing strategy focuses on making sure the audience is engaged and respected, you have everything you need.\r\n\r\n“This <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-approach-integrated-marketing/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">strategic communication approach</a> is effective because there is no such thing as a, ‘magic bullet.’ Relationships and trust take time to establish and are based on communication. By creating a plan that engages your audience throughout the year, the event becomes an extension of that message. It is not a stand-alone offering. It is a live continuation of the conversation you’ve established,” said Lamagna.\r\n\r\n“Remember even if someone cannot attend, you are still marketing your company and raising brand awareness,” added Heishman.\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"http://www.corporateeventnews.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-7555\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/logo_cen_2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"265\" height=\"85\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Comprehensive Marketing Communications Strategies Top Corporate Event Planners’ Lists','','publish','open','closed','','marketing-communications-strategies','','','2018-01-04 23:16:51','2018-01-04 23:16:51','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=7554',0,'post','',0),(7555,3,'2017-10-17 15:35:13','2017-10-17 15:35:13','','Corporate Event News Logo','','inherit','open','closed','','logo_cen_2','','','2017-10-27 17:52:48','2017-10-27 17:52:48','',7554,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/logo_cen_2.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7556,3,'2017-10-17 15:37:17','2017-10-17 15:37:17','','Comprehensive Marketing Communications Strategies Top Corporate Event Planners’ Lists','','inherit','open','closed','','woman-1446557_1280','','','2017-10-27 17:52:33','2017-10-27 17:52:33','',7554,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/woman-1446557_1280.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7561,3,'2017-10-17 19:58:50','2017-10-17 19:58:50','','Tips On Tipping In The Land Of Meeting Planning','','inherit','open','closed','','tipping-abroad-guide','','','2017-10-27 17:50:00','2017-10-27 17:50:00','',589,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/tipping-abroad-guide.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7563,3,'2017-10-17 20:07:12','2017-10-17 20:07:12','','Crew Eats Too','','inherit','open','closed','','crew-eats-too','','','2017-10-27 17:49:39','2017-10-27 17:49:39','',613,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Crew-Eats-Too.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7566,3,'2017-10-17 20:10:31','2017-10-17 20:10:31','','Site Visits Part 2 - What To Know Before You Go','','inherit','open','closed','','sitevisits','','','2017-10-27 17:47:40','2017-10-27 17:47:40','',607,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sitevisits.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7569,3,'2017-10-17 20:30:43','2017-10-17 20:30:43','','Join Me And Things Will Go Smoothly','','inherit','open','closed','','document','','','2017-10-27 17:47:28','2017-10-27 17:47:28','',582,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Document.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7570,3,'2017-10-17 20:33:40','2017-10-17 20:33:40','','How Culturally Aware Are You','','inherit','open','closed','','how-culturally-aware-are-you','','','2017-10-27 17:47:15','2017-10-27 17:47:15','',570,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/How-Culturally-Aware-Are-You.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7573,1,'2017-10-18 18:57:54','2017-10-18 18:57:54','<h2>The Right Answers Come from Asking the Right Questions</h2>\r\n<h3>By Christy Lamagna, CMP, CMM, CTSM</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-7574\" title=\"While there is no magic wand that will transform your work world overnight, if you start thinking strategically, many of the challenges you currently face\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide2-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"While there is no magic wand that will transform your work world overnight, if you start thinking strategically, many of the challenges you currently face will significantly decrease if not disappear altogether. The Right Answers Come from Asking the Right Questions\" width=\"424\" height=\"239\" />While there is no magic wand that will transform your work world overnight, if you start thinking strategically, many of the challenges you currently face will significantly decrease if not disappear altogether. If you wonder if your particular situation fits into my theory, take the quiz below and find out for yourself.\r\n\r\n<strong>The phrase that best describes my work day is:</strong>\r\n\r\nA. Hang on and hope for the best\r\nB. It’s pointless to question the decisions I’m being asked to follow. Nothing changes\r\nC. Even if I had a clone I’d be a week behind in my work\r\nD. If I just keep moving I will avoid realizing how exhausted I am\r\nE. All of the above\r\n\r\n<strong>You return from a grueling program and hear:</strong>\r\n\r\nA. You’re so lucky, you get to travel!\r\nB. Nice of you to come back. I don’t get to go anywhere\r\nC. Did you have any of those giveaways left? I’d like one\r\nD. It must be fun to plan parties for a living\r\nE. All of the above\r\n\r\n<strong>You ask for more help as your workload is crushing. The reply is:</strong>\r\n\r\nA. You can use Tom from the mailroom. He has a few hours free\r\nB. This is the same amount of work you’ve always done, what’s the problem?\r\nC. My daughter wants to plan events for a living. I’ll have her intern for you\r\nD. You stopped asking a long time ago.\r\nE. All of the above\r\n\r\nThe above questions, while tongue in cheek, may resonate with you on some level. If that’s the case, it’s a sign that you are planning logistically not strategically. The good news is we can change that. First let’s decode the questions and identify some of the core problems we face as an industry:\r\n\r\nQuestion one speaks to the frenetic speed of our workdays. This pace is a result of reacting to situations rather than being an integral part of a strategic decision-making process, thereby reducing fire drills and pop up issues that knock your day off course.\r\n\r\nQuestion two speaks to the misperception of what we do. How often have you heard an iteration of the sample responses above? The challenge is that all too often, when people misconstrue what we do for a living we don’t take the opportunity to educate them and set the record straight. For as long as our friends, colleagues, bosses and the public think of us in the terms described above without being corrected, the misconception thrives.\r\n\r\nQuestion three speaks to the perceived value of meetings and the work required to plan them. Until you can clearly articulate the value of meetings to your executives, and demonstrate their worth to the organization’s bottom line, your staffing budget as well as your events budgets are likely to be underfunded.\r\n\r\n[vc_row][vc_column][vc_masonry_grid post_type=\"post\" max_items=\"4\" element_width=\"6\" item=\"masonryGrid_OverlayWithRotation\" grid_id=\"vc_gid:1508951654253-50328689-be81-4\" taxonomies=\"3854\"][/vc_column][/vc_row]','The Right Answers Come from Asking the Right Questions','','publish','open','closed','','right-answers-come-asking-right-questions','','','2018-02-13 22:47:10','2018-02-13 22:47:10','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=7573',0,'post','',0),(7574,3,'2017-10-18 18:06:53','2017-10-18 18:06:53','','The Right Answers Come from Asking the Right Questions','','inherit','open','closed','','slide2-2','','','2017-10-27 17:44:58','2017-10-27 17:44:58','',7573,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7585,1,'2017-10-18 12:03:52','2017-10-18 12:03:52','<h2>The first step in the planning process is?</h2>\r\n[mk_image_switch src_first=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide7-1.png\" src_second=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide3-2.png\" hover_animation=\"fading\" crop=\"false\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1508946462163{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]What if I told you that the most important meeting you could ever have, one your entire career hinges upon, is one you have not only never had, but one you may not even know exists? Not only that, but this meeting is the linchpin in the strategic plan that will completely reinvent and redefine the event profession.\r\n​\r\nMost events are legacy events, meaning they happen each year (think sales meetings and incentive trips). When the appropriate date arrives, we hold a meeting to discuss theme, budget, marketing, assign tasks, and get to work. If that’s the way you’re planning, you are making a HUGE mistake.\r\n\r\nThe result usually looks like this: as the planning progresses, we often struggle to get face time with key executives, watch deadlines we set pass, with little regard from those ignoring them, and have plans changed without our input. The result is wasted time, resources, and money. As the event draws closer, our workdays expand later into the night and further into weekends. Simultaneously, our frustration mounts as it appears as if no one respects our skills, or takes our work seriously. It’s kind of a miserable experience.\r\n\r\nIf we are going to survive as an industry, there needs to be a committed effort to learn how to plan events that truly drive business and deliver results. To do that, means being strategic in everything we do and making all our actions goal-centric. Nothing happens until a clear goal is articulated, defined, confirmed, and committed to. Those who embody this <a href=\"https://strategic.events/become-strategic-planner/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">strategic philosophy</a> will earn the title of, ‘strategic planner’ or ‘event strategist.’ Meeting or event planner titles will be extinct, but we’ll get to that down the road.\r\n​\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-7682\" title=\"The first step in the planning process is?\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/slide12-1024x576.png\" alt=\"The first step in the planning process is? What if I told you that the most important meeting you could ever have, one your entire career hinges upon, is one you have not only never had, but one you may not even know exists? Not only that, but this meeting is the linchpin in the strategic plan that will completely\" width=\"498\" height=\"280\" />There is a system to this, that while simple, is not easy. If we approach the planning process from this strategic perspective, everything changes. We start the planning process two months earlier than is customary with a discovery session. This is the single most important meeting you will have for the entire life cycle of the planning process.\r\n\r\nA discovery session is designed to establish the meetings’ goal. In order to do that attendees must:\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Articulate what each stakeholder thinks the goal of the meeting is.</li>\r\n 	<li>Define terms. This means establishing clear metrics for success, spend, attendance; whatever the variables are that connect with the goal and how it should be measured.</li>\r\n 	<li>Come to a unanimous consensus as a group on the goal and the metrics.</li>\r\n 	<li>Commit to both the goal and the metrics and agree that this plan is now set in stone or cannot be changed without the entire group present and agreeing to the change.</li>\r\n 	<li>Reiterate that in your role as a professional strategist, you are going to carry out the plan and are an integral part of the achievement of all stated goals.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nOnly key stakeholders should be invited. To define ‘stakeholder’ think in terms of whose budget underwrites the event or where the blame lands if it tanks. <a href=\"https://strategic.events/discovery-sessions-meeting/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Discovery sessions</a> are not brainstorming sessions or kickoffs. Their sole purpose is to get a consensus on a goal and how it will be measured. Without this critical, first step, we are destined to plan in an environment of frustration, confusion, indecision, and waste.\r\n\r\n<strong>Discovery sessions uncover a myriad of challenges that have always existed but have never been properly exposed and diagnosed.</strong> For instance, the group may not have the same goal in mind or the metrics are not easily agreed upon. This is why decisions are made and changed, deadlines missed, and money and time squandered. This is also why planners are not seen as an integral part of an organization. This one meeting creates a clear vision, gives the meeting a precise target to hit, and establishes the <a href=\"https://strategic.events/how-to-become-strategic-planner-change-future/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">strategic planner</a> as the key to a successful execution.\r\n\r\nIf you just had an ‘a-ha’ moment, please keep an eye out for my next column. If you can’t see a distinction between the two options, you may be part of the problem which means you need this info even more.\r\n\r\nIf you are ready to bring a strategic vision to your organization, here are three things you can do:\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Pay attention to your work environment. Are you reacting to changes or are you carrying out a clear plan? Noticing a challenge is the first step toward fixing it.</li>\r\n 	<li>Identify key stakeholders for the meetings you are planning. It may take some time to sort out those who have opinions from those who are paying and are ultimately responsible for the meeting’s success.</li>\r\n 	<li>Get your team to start thinking strategically; everyone needs to know not just what they are doing, but why. What’s the end goal? That drives focus.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nThere is much to be done, but we are just the people to <a href=\"https://strategic.events/meeting-pro-christy-lamagna/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tackle the challenge</a>. And we have so much to gain. Let’s keep the conversation going. Email me with your feedback, questions, ideas, and names of people who should be featured in future columns at: <a href=\"mailto:Christy.Lamagna@Strategic.Events\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Christy.Lamagna@Strategic.Events</a>, follow me: <a href=\"https://twitter.com/SMEChristy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@SMEChristy</a>. And please share this article. We need to start our own discussion about a goal and metrics as an industry.\r\n\r\nHere’s to our strategic success!\r\n<h2><strong>For more information on goal setting check out these articles:</strong></h2>\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_blog_showcase excerpt_length=\"0\" orderby=\"none\" posts=\"7288, 707, 6399\"]','The first step in the planning process is?','','publish','open','closed','','first-step-planning-process','','','2018-02-14 21:10:09','2018-02-14 21:10:09','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=7585',0,'post','',0),(7593,1,'2017-10-18 12:02:39','2017-10-18 12:02:39','[vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1509043143186{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2>The reason to do a site visit online instead of traveling is?</h2>\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_image_switch src_first=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide5-1.png\" src_second=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide2.png\" hover_animation=\"fading\" crop=\"false\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1508768360197{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n\r\nYour boss announces that the next meeting you’re tasked with planning is to a place you’ve never been. The expectation is a budget and event storyboard will be delivered by this time next week. You’re expected to be an aficionado in a few short days so it’s time to get to work and do some research.\r\n\r\nThere are an abundance of options to choose from when sourcing locations and venues. The Internet is a quick and easy place to start, but reviews and photos can prove unreliable. Word-of-mouth is helpful but the information isn’t always current or applicable to your group. Ads in industry publications offer glimpses of insight, while your national or global sales rep is a reliable resource, but again, you’re not getting the full picture.\r\n\r\nIf it seems overwhelming, do not despair. There’s a one-stop shop that can offer you a full list of area attractions, hotels, restaurants, and more, with a team of people waiting for your call. And not only is the service free, you may get help to defray your site visit and meeting costs.\r\n\r\nConvention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs) are a planner’s best, but often overlooked, friend. The purpose of a CVB is to bring business to a particular region. To do that, they partner with planners considering the area, highlighting all their city has to offer in an effort to make theirs the destination of your choice. They are often funded through tourism taxes or city budget, so there is no cost to you to use them.\r\n\r\nCVBs are staffed by experts in the region, allowing them to paint you a <a href=\"https://strategic.events/asking-strategic-questions-cvb/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">complete picture</a> of the destination, not just the basics. Don’t know how many direct flights go into and out of their airport? They’ll email you the list. Not sure how to collect all the information about the location and present it to your attendees? They likely have a landing page you can add to your event site. Need to plan a site visit? Many CVBs have site visit packages that offer everything from detailed itineraries, behind the scenes info, a dedicated guide with whom you can tour the City, complimentary transportation to and from the airport, a list of area hot spots, and more.\r\n\r\nTheir help doesn’t end when you sign on the dotted line. CVBs will help you source area vendors, can update you on area festivals and fairs, help plan <a href=\"https://strategic.events/city-excursions-cvbs/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">city tours</a>, share insight on thematic giveaway items, provide trivia questions to work into your guest communications, and provide tips that only a local to the area would know.\r\n\r\nIf your event is large enough you may qualify for assistance to pay for your site visit airfare. Some cities offer promotions that translate into money back after hosting your event. All you have to do is ask if there are any city-wide promotions, meet the parameters, and fill out the paperwork. And, you guessed it, many CVBs will help you do that too.\r\n\r\nSo the next time you have to get up to speed on a new location, or even if you’re returning to one you know well, make sure you reach out to the CVB before you make any other calls. The sooner you loop them into the process the better. You can still use your global or national hotel rep when you book the business and you or your third party will still get the housing commissions. What you’ll also get is a knowledgeable, eager person to partner with you throughout all stages of the process. With help like that you can get those event storyboards done ahead of schedule!\r\n<h2><strong>For more information on site visits check out these articles:</strong></h2>\r\n[mk_blog_showcase excerpt_length=\"0\" orderby=\"none\" posts=\"598, 3807, 3800\"]','The reason to do a site visit online instead of traveling is?','','publish','open','closed','','site-visit-online-instead-traveling','','','2018-02-14 21:15:14','2018-02-14 21:15:14','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=7593',0,'post','',0),(7605,3,'2017-10-18 20:34:49','2017-10-18 20:34:49','','You are asked to plan a meeting for a VP of another department. What is the first question you ask?','','inherit','open','closed','','slide3-3','','','2017-10-27 17:44:48','2017-10-27 17:44:48','',7585,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide3-1.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7607,3,'2017-10-18 20:35:06','2017-10-18 20:35:06','','The reason to do a site visit online instead of traveling is','','inherit','open','closed','','slide5-3','','','2017-10-27 17:44:41','2017-10-27 17:44:41','',7585,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide5-1.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7609,3,'2017-10-18 20:35:23','2017-10-18 20:35:23','','first step in the planning process','','inherit','open','closed','','slide7-3','','','2017-10-27 17:40:45','2017-10-27 17:40:45','',7585,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide7-1.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7611,3,'2017-10-18 20:35:39','2017-10-18 20:35:39','','The holy trio of a company consists of','','inherit','open','closed','','slide9-3','','','2017-11-20 16:17:14','2017-11-20 16:17:14','',7585,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide9-1.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7628,1,'2017-10-18 12:03:53','2017-10-18 12:03:53','[vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1509043450153{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2>The holy trio of a company consists of?</h2>\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_image_switch src_first=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide9-1.png\" src_second=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide4-2.png\" hover_animation=\"fading\" crop=\"false\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1508769564119{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]I’d like you to imagine a three-legged tripod. Now picture one with two-legs. Now envision one with only one leg. Chances are, when picturing the two legged one, you paused a moment as it couldn’t stand up; it was close, but an essential piece was missing. Was trying to envision a tripod with one leg almost impossible? Did it strike you as a bit ridiculous?\r\n\r\nI consider a tripod a metaphor for events. Event Strategists represent one leg, marketing teams another, and sales the third. Events are the platform that sit atop the three legs. With all parts in place and equal, the tripod is solid, functioning, and stable. When one leg is off balance or missing, the integrity of the entire piece is affected.\r\n\r\nEvent planners are often operating in a silo, (one legged tripod) or work with only the sales or marketing team. There is no regular communication between the three departments, meaning no unified message or connection between the sales and marketing goals, initiatives, and the events being produced. So, at best, your tripod has two legs.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-7685\" title=\"I consider a tripod a metaphor for events. Event Strategists represent one leg, marketing teams another, and sales the third. Events are the platform that sit atop the three legs. With all parts in place and equal, the tripod is solid, functioning, and stable. The holy trio of a company consists of?\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/slide15-1024x576.png\" alt=\"The holy trio of a company consists of\" width=\"471\" height=\"265\" />\r\n\r\nIf your marketing team designs logos and collateral but isn’t contributing to the content and messaging, that’s not a partnership. That’s a parallel silo. Same thing if sales provides the guest list and dictates the size and scope of the event and isn’t seen again until the night of the event.\r\n\r\nStrategic planners create healthy, interactive relationships with their marketing and sales colleagues. They see themselves as peers, not less important than other executives; they own the value strategic meetings bring to organizations, act with confidence, and get things done. Their events are a reflection or picture of the company’s message and are built on a solid platform.\r\n\r\nTo create the relationships needed to do this, you must understand some basic principles of human nature and behavior. People’s compulsion to answer the question, ‘What’s in it for me?’ drives all their actions. Think about it; if you buy someone an extravagant gift, you’re doing it to fulfill YOUR wish to do so. The gift is no less generous, but the root of it comes from your desire. We do things based on choice; even when we feel as if we don’t have one, we are deciding that doing something we prefer not to do is preferable to facing the consequences of not doing it.\r\n\r\nProviding a compelling answer to the, ‘What’s in it for me?’ question, influences behavior. For planners working with external audiences, this translates to increased attendance. For internal audiences (and external) it means more engaged audiences. If you plan strategically, you can get people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it.\r\n\r\nYour first goal is to create a strategy, aligning events with the marketing and sales departments. There are often egos, politics, territorial battles, and invisible yet powerful lines between departments that create a vast divide. That means you need to genuinely believe in the power of strategic events as you have your work cut out for you.\r\n\r\n<strong>Let’s start with the sales team. Potential obstacles:</strong>\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>They have priorities above meeting with you.</li>\r\n 	<li>They don’t understand events beyond their current involvement.</li>\r\n 	<li>You fear they don’t see you as an equal.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<strong>Next: What gets a sales team’s attention?</strong>\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Making more money.</li>\r\n 	<li>Beating the competition.</li>\r\n 	<li>Being the best.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nNow let’s take what we know and use it advantageously:\r\n\r\nExcept for product launches, events don’t sell products. They create the motivation that sells them. When properly executed, they shorten, support, enhance, and advance the sales cycle. Partnering to create an event that supports the internal sales strategy means the event advances the message and can be designed around sales goals. Using the information gained from your discovery session (see in the Summer 2017 issue at MWMeet.com/Summer2017ds) you know what the audience needs, and what key stakeholders expect. Marry those two priceless pieces of information with the sales initiatives, and you have a powerful plan starting to take form.\r\n\r\nA better trained and motivated sales force translates to higher sales, which means less competition and more money. That should get their attention. Now we need to weave marketing into the plan.\r\n\r\n<strong>Potential obstacles:</strong>\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Territorial issues often prevent collaboration.</li>\r\n 	<li>Money is always an issue; who’s paying for this?</li>\r\n 	<li>They have other priorities.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<strong>What gets a marketing team’s attention?</strong>\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Effective campaigns.</li>\r\n 	<li>Increased sales.</li>\r\n 	<li>Proof that their efforts are influencing positive behavior.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nWith sales on board, you have a powerful ally to bring the marketing team on board. Here are potential talking points: marketing campaigns are created to support sales’ efforts, but how often are the people who are supposed to be using the materials given the opportunity to share input, have the pieces explained to them, and brainstorm on how to best use them? Events are the ideal forum to bring marketing messages to life, embody the essence of the campaign, utilize the concepts, and facilitate the sales process. By working together, the marketing team gains valuable feedback, shares insight on why campaigns were created, and best utilizes the tools they create. Sounds like things that motivate their behavior, doesn’t it?\r\n\r\nThe strategic planning team is the third in the trio; they architect and execute the plan. They are the visionaries who bring the messages together and create an environment that will deliver maximum learning, sharing, interaction; whatever the goal. When all sides are allowed to shine and are able to simultaneously focus on their goals while leveraging the talents of others in the organization, the results are exponentially rewarding.\r\n​\r\nWith all three pieces in place, having equal input, influence, and responsibility, our tripod has three solid, even legs on which to build our event. And with that sturdy tripod in place, get ready for your close up; you are on your way to becoming an Event Strategist.\r\n<h2><strong>For more information on strategic planning check out these articles:</strong></h2>\r\n[mk_blog_showcase excerpt_length=\"0\" orderby=\"rand\" cat=\"407\"]','The holy trio of a company consists of?','','publish','open','closed','','holy-trio-company-consists','','','2018-02-14 21:03:28','2018-02-14 21:03:28','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=7628',0,'post','',0),(7636,3,'2017-10-19 14:35:11','2017-10-19 14:35:11','','10 Innovative Ways To Squeeze More From Your Event Budget','','inherit','open','closed','','budget','','','2017-10-27 17:36:43','2017-10-27 17:36:43','',4225,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Budget-.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7640,3,'2017-10-19 15:33:54','2017-10-19 15:33:54','','Sales, Marketing, and Events','','inherit','open','closed','','slide4-4','','','2017-10-27 17:36:26','2017-10-27 17:36:26','',7628,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide4-2.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7643,3,'2017-10-19 15:39:14','2017-10-19 15:39:14','','You are asked to plan a meeting for a VP of another department. What is the first question you ask','','inherit','open','closed','','slide1-2','','','2017-10-27 17:36:00','2017-10-27 17:36:00','',7581,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide1.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7645,3,'2017-10-19 15:43:11','2017-10-19 15:43:11','','The first step in the planning process is','','inherit','open','closed','','slide3-4','','','2017-10-27 17:35:48','2017-10-27 17:35:48','',7585,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide3-2.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7648,3,'2017-10-19 15:46:04','2017-10-19 15:46:04','','The reason to do a site visit online instead of traveling is','','inherit','open','closed','','slide2-3','','','2017-10-27 17:35:04','2017-10-27 17:35:04','',7593,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide2.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7653,3,'2017-10-20 20:15:11','2017-10-20 20:15:11','','Corporate Event Budgets: Do It Like A Pro','','inherit','open','closed','','slide1-3','','','2017-10-27 17:34:48','2017-10-27 17:34:48','',682,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/slide1.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7658,3,'2017-10-20 20:26:26','2017-10-20 20:26:26','','RFPs: When To Answer And When To Pass','','inherit','open','closed','','slide2-4','','','2017-10-27 17:30:58','2017-10-27 17:30:58','',633,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/slide2.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7660,3,'2017-10-20 20:30:49','2017-10-20 20:30:49','','CVBS FTW (For The Win)','','inherit','open','closed','','slide3-5','','','2017-10-27 17:30:46','2017-10-27 17:30:46','',3689,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/slide3.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7662,3,'2017-10-20 20:33:09','2017-10-20 20:33:09','','How Secure Are You In Your Onsite Security','','inherit','open','closed','','slide4-5','','','2017-10-27 17:30:35','2017-10-27 17:30:35','',625,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/slide4.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7665,3,'2017-10-20 20:56:40','2017-10-20 20:56:40','','Tips From The Field: Affordable Meetings','','inherit','open','closed','','slide5-4','','','2017-10-27 17:27:58','2017-10-27 17:27:58','',385,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/slide5.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7667,3,'2017-10-20 21:09:05','2017-10-20 21:09:05','','The Strategic Life','','inherit','open','closed','','slide6-4','','','2017-10-27 17:27:45','2017-10-27 17:27:45','',4234,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/slide6.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7669,3,'2017-10-20 21:12:20','2017-10-20 21:12:20','','Room Advances: Look Out For What\'s Left Behind','','inherit','open','closed','','slide7-4','','','2017-10-27 17:25:45','2017-10-27 17:25:45','',631,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/slide7.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7671,3,'2017-10-20 21:16:50','2017-10-20 21:16:50','','The How, Where and Why Of Networking','','inherit','open','closed','','slide8-3','','','2017-10-27 17:25:16','2017-10-27 17:25:16','',587,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/slide8.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7673,3,'2017-10-20 21:39:27','2017-10-20 21:39:27','','The Untold Story: Why Events Cost So Much','','inherit','open','closed','','slide9-4','','','2017-10-27 17:25:05','2017-10-27 17:25:05','',621,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/slide9.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7674,3,'2017-10-20 21:40:13','2017-10-20 21:40:13','','With Preparation You Can Put Out Almost Any Fire','','inherit','open','closed','','slide10-3','','','2017-10-27 17:24:53','2017-10-27 17:24:53','',619,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/slide10.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7679,3,'2017-10-23 14:14:15','2017-10-23 14:14:15','','You are asked to plan a meeting for a VP of another department. What is the first question you ask','','inherit','open','closed','','slide13-3','','','2017-10-27 17:24:37','2017-10-27 17:24:37','',7581,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/slide13.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7682,3,'2017-10-23 14:23:53','2017-10-23 14:23:53','','The first step in the planning process is','','inherit','open','closed','','slide12-3','','','2017-10-27 17:24:17','2017-10-27 17:24:17','',7585,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/slide12.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7685,3,'2017-10-23 14:31:17','2017-10-23 14:31:17','','The holy trio of a company consists of','','inherit','open','closed','','slide15','','','2017-10-27 17:23:05','2017-10-27 17:23:05','',7628,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/slide15.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7689,3,'2017-10-23 17:21:35','2017-10-23 17:21:35','','The Meeting Planning Industry Needs A Lasting Strategy','','inherit','open','closed','','office5','','','2017-10-27 17:22:47','2017-10-27 17:22:47','',6909,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/office5.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7695,3,'2017-10-23 17:46:06','2017-10-23 17:46:06','','Beware The Shrimp Boat and Look For The Wow','','inherit','open','closed','','venice-fishing_8366-e1381336863494','','','2017-10-27 17:22:19','2017-10-27 17:22:19','',555,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/venice-fishing_8366-e1381336863494.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7702,1,'2017-10-18 17:13:47','2017-10-18 17:13:47','[vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1509043427859{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2>You are asked to plan a meeting for a VP of another department. What is the first question you ask?</h2>\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_image_switch src_first=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide3-1.png\" src_second=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide1.png\" hover_animation=\"fading\" crop=\"false\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1508768270831{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]The word “strategic” is a bit overused these days, which is unfortunate, since the most important aspect of planning a meeting is establishing its goal. Without a clear direction, you have no basis by which to measure success or, as my father used to say, “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there.”\r\n\r\nYears ago, I was planning a sales meeting for 300 people. We were six weeks out from the five-day sales conference. The finish line was in sight.\r\n\r\nWe were a San Francisco-based company and the dot-com bubble was still shiny and whole. My CEO had no defined goal for the meeting, but he was a billionaire writing the checks, and things ran as he wished. He wanted a “gold rush” theme because he liked the geographic tie-in.\r\n\r\nAll was going well until two weeks before the meeting. The CEO changed the theme to a movie he’d seen. Everything had to be scrapped and redone. We spent more in rush charges than the cost of the items. Yep, I’m serious.\r\n\r\nAfter the smoke cleared, I sat with my CEO and explained the cost of his capriciousness. I wish I could tell you that the next year things were different, but I can’t. We went out of business six months later. He had no plan for that either.\r\n\r\nThis story is proof that setting and reaching goals is crucial to staying in business. Setting goals — creating excitement for a new product launch or helping the sales force deal with change, for example — should be what drives you. Your theme and message should support the goal. Continue to ask yourself how each aspect of the process reinforces the goal. Then you can plan and design the marketing, collateral, gifts and even meals to reflect your theme and goal.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-7679\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/slide13-1024x576.png\" alt=\"The word “strategic” is a bit overused these days, which is unfortunate, since the most important aspect of planning a meeting is establishing its goal. You are asked to plan a meeting for a VP of another department. What is the first question you ask?\" width=\"438\" height=\"246\" />\r\n\r\nStart by answering this question: What is the one thing people should remember and take action on as a result of this meeting? Focus on that one issue and build your agenda — theme, stage design, interactions, breaks and meals and entertainment.\r\n\r\nLook for a theme that will bring your points to action. Themes give people a common point of reference. A public speaker may help reinforce your message. (Looking for a speaker? Try a speaker’s bureau or ask around for recommendations.)\r\n\r\nStage design is key; remember this will be a focal point for attendees for a great deal of the meeting. Consider using multi-screens, shifts in lighting and moving parts that will keep viewers engaged and stimulated.\r\n\r\nPlan extended break times for networking and snacks that boost mental awareness. Snacks such as “make your own trail mix” or “design your own yogurt parfait” are healthy and interactive. Food presentations should support the theme and look inviting. Remember we eat with our eyes, too.\r\n\r\nInteraction among participants also is important. This is the perfect opportunity to encourage and recognize top performers. Doing so will take the energy through the roof, which is important. And with innovations like audience response polling, making your general session interactive is easy. These systems let you collect and summarize thousands of live-voting responses instantly. Data can even be automatically displayed.\r\n\r\nWhen entertaining the group at meal functions, design the room to foster networking and interaction. Lighting sets the tone. Keep florals low or above sight lines so attendees can make eye contact.\r\n\r\nAn example: At a recent outdoor event in Scottsdale, I was challenged to create the perfect setting for the final night dinner. The client chose an outdoor space, a terraced lawn. This location offered me just enough space for my needs and several layout options. I was working with a limited budget, so I chose to make the layout work as my “wow” factor. I ran one long table set for 42 guests down the length of the lawn. With no ceiling height restrictions, eight tall candelabras were used down the center of the table. Each candelabrum featured lush florals in the saturated sunset tones of the Arizona sky. Additional low florals, decorative charger plates and a multitude of pillar candles in staggered heights, completed the tablescape.\r\n\r\nI put the band at the far end of the table on one of the terraced areas, which worked perfectly as a stage and focal point. Everyone could look down the center of the table, watch people dance and enjoy the entertainment.\r\n\r\nMy <a href=\"https://strategic.events/short-decor-money-let-light/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">lighting design</a> was simple and cost-effective. I washed the entire area using a soft gel tone — up-light bastard amber — to warm up the skin tones of our guests and up-lit the various foliage in the same tones as the flowers. In a well-choreographed and synchronized system, the wait staff served guests beautifully plated courses from opposite sides of the table, so that guests could begin eating as soon as they were served. The evening was hailed as a total success and all it took was seeing the big picture first and paying attention to the important details that pull it all together. So you see, with so many elements supporting your goal, it’s an easy thing to accomplish. Start at the end and you will end up on top.\r\n\r\nAlways remember, smart is beautiful!\r\n<h2><strong>For more information on goal setting check out these articles:</strong></h2>\r\n[mk_blog_showcase excerpt_length=\"0\" orderby=\"none\" posts=\"699, 527, 548\"]','You are asked to plan a meeting for a VP of another department. What is the first question you ask?','','publish','open','closed','','asked-to-plan-meeting-first-question-ask','','','2018-02-14 20:55:05','2018-02-14 20:55:05','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=7702',0,'post','',0),(7721,3,'2017-10-30 15:50:51','2017-10-30 15:50:51','','dnzfdnzvaaaold9','','inherit','open','closed','','dnzfdnzvaaaold9','','','2017-10-30 15:50:51','2017-10-30 15:50:51','',617,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/dnzfdnzvaaaold9.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7730,3,'2017-10-31 20:02:28','2017-10-31 20:02:28','','pumpkin','','inherit','open','closed','','pumpkin','','','2017-10-31 20:02:28','2017-10-31 20:02:28','',0,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/pumpkin.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7735,1,'2017-11-06 15:01:46','2017-11-06 15:01:46','[mk_page_section bg_color=\"#211551\" bg_stretch=\"true\" min_height=\"20\" padding_top=\"0\" padding_bottom=\"0\" sidebar=\"sidebar-1\"][vc_column][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=\"true\" tag_name=\"h1\" color=\"#d6a461\" size=\"25\" line_height=\"50\" margin_top=\"20\" margin_bottom=\"0\" font_family=\"Palatino Linotype, Book Antiqua, Palatino, serif\" font_type=\"safefont\" align=\"right\"]PUMPKIN CARMEL CHEESECAKE STREUSEL BARS[/mk_fancy_title][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=\"true\" tag_name=\"h3\" color=\"#ffffff\" size=\"12\" line_height=\"50\" letter_spacing=\"2\" margin_bottom=\"0\" font_family=\"Open+Sans\" font_type=\"google\" align=\"right\"]HOME &gt;&gt; <strong>TASTEBUZZ</strong>[/mk_fancy_title][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row][/vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][mk_tooltip text=\"Taste Buzz Archive\" tooltip_text=\"Click to visit Taste Buzz Archive\" href=\"https://strategic.events/tastebuzz/\"][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][vc_single_image image=\"1118\" img_size=\"full\" onclick=\"custom_link\" css_animation=\"appear\" link=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-home/tastebuzz/\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/the-best-pumpkin-cheesecake-bars-two-layers-like-a-cheesecake-with-pumpkin-pie-topping-plus-a-delicious-cinnamon-crust-and-streusel-top-with-caramel.jpg\" image_size=\"medium\"][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1509979896877{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Our travels this time took to the internet where we began our search for a tasty recipe for using a fall favorite Pumpkin! We hit pay dirt when we happened upon these Pumpkin Carmel Cheesecake Streusel Bars. If you’re a fan of pumpkin and can never turn down a piece of cheesecake, make sure to add these ingredients to your shopping list.</h3>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1509979799310{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2>Pumpkin Carmel Cheese Cake Streusel Bars</h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">INGREDIENTS</p>\r\n<strong>Crust</strong>\r\n1 and 1/2 Cups (~10-11 Full Sheets) Cinnamon Graham Cracker Crumbs\r\n1/4 Cup White Sugar\r\n1 Tbsp Brown Sugar\r\n6 Tbsp Butter Melted\r\n\r\n<strong>Cheesecake</strong>\r\n2 Packages (8 Ounces Each) Full Fat Cream Cheese at Room Temperature\r\n1/2 Cup + 2 Tbsp White Sugar\r\n1 Tsp Vanilla Extract\r\n2 Large Eggs\r\n1/2 Cup + 2 Tbsp Canned Pumpkin (Not Pumpkin Pie Filling and Not Entire Can)\r\n1/2 Tsp Cinnamon\r\n1 Tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice\r\n\r\n<strong>Streusel and Topping</strong>\r\n1/2 Cup Brown Sugar Packed\r\n1/2 Cup White Flour\r\n1/4 Cup Quick Cooking Oats\r\n1/4 Tsp Cinnamon\r\n1/4 Cup Butter Softened (Not Melted)\r\n1 Tsp Vanilla Extract\r\nSalted or Plain Caramel To Top Bars With[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1509980469448{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]INSTRUCTIONS:\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8 x 8 baking pan with parchment paper (leave an overhang to be able to pull out these bars easily) and set aside.</li>\r\n 	<li>In a bowl, combine the crust ingredients and mix until a thick dough forms. Press evenly into the bottom of the 8 x 8 baking pan.</li>\r\n 	<li>In another bowl, combine the cream cheese, (VERY important it is at room temperature for a smooth texture. Leave out for at least an hour before baking. Microwaving the cream cheese will give it a bumpy texture) sugar, and vanilla. Beat with hand mixers until completely smooth and creamy. Add in the eggs, one at a time, and beat until each is combined.</li>\r\n 	<li>Remove 1 and 1/2 cups of this mixture and pour on top of the prepared crust.</li>\r\n 	<li>Add the canned pumpkin, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice to the remaining cheesecake mixture and stir until completely combined.</li>\r\n 	<li>Careful not to combine the two layers, pour the pumpkin layer on top of the plain cheesecake layer.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<strong>Streusel</strong>\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>In the same bowl you used for the crust, stir together the brown sugar, white flour, quick cooking oats, and cinnamon. Add in the butter and vanilla and mix together until well combined. Avoid melting the butter entirely as it makes the streusel too wet. Sprinkle this streusel topping evenly over the pumpkin cheesecake layer.</li>\r\n 	<li>Place in the oven and bake for 50-55 minutes or until the cheesecake has set.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"][ultimate_modal modal_title=\" STRATEGIC TIP:\" btn_bg_color=\"#211551\" btn_txt_color=\"#d6a461\" btn_text=\"STRATEGIC TIP\" modal_style=\"overlay-simplegenie\" overlay_bg_color=\"#211551\" content_bg_color=\"#d6a461\" content_text_color=\"#211551\" header_bg_color=\"#211551\" header_text_color=\"#d6a461\" modal_border_style=\"dotted\" modal_border_width=\"1\" modal_border_color=\"#d6a461\" modal_border_radius=\"12\"]Opened canned pumpkin will keep in the refrigerator for about 5 to 7 days. To further extend its shelf life, freeze it. To freeze pumpkin, place inside covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. In the freezer and properly stored, it will maintain best quality for about 3 months.[/ultimate_modal][vc_empty_space height=\"15px\"]','Pumpkin Carmel Cheese Cake Streusel Bars','','publish','open','open','','pumpkin-carmel-cheese-cake-streusel-bars','','','2018-02-19 22:28:59','2018-02-19 22:28:59','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=7735',0,'post','',0),(7742,1,'2017-11-06 16:01:50','2017-11-06 16:01:50','[vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1509984342317{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2 class=\"entry-title\">Boss vs. leader: Each has a purpose, which one are you?</h2>\r\n<h3>By <span class=\"entry-author\"><span class=\"entry-author-name\">Christy Lamagna, CMP, CMM, CTSM</span></span></h3>\r\nShakespeare wisely wrote: “Heavy is the head that wears the crown.” Anyone who has held a position of leadership knows what that sentence means.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignleft wp-image-7745\" title=\"Being a boss and being a leader are two entirely different things. Bosses tell others what to do and have decision-making responsibilities. Leaders inspire\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/shutterstock_boss-287x300.jpg\" alt=\"Being a boss and being a leader are two entirely different things. Bosses tell others what to do and have decision-making responsibilities. Leaders inspire\" width=\"221\" height=\"231\" />Being a boss and being a leader are two entirely different things. Bosses tell others what to do and have decision-making responsibilities. Leaders inspire those around them. What actions a leader inspires is based on whether that person is a good leader or a bad one.\r\n\r\nBosses aren’t necessarily bad, and leaders are not automatically good. Not everyone is meant to be a boss or a leader, and there’s nothing wrong with that. If everyone were in charge nothing would ever get done.\r\n\r\nIf you are tasked with managing people, it’s time to evaluate whether you’re a boss, or a leader, and what type of boss or leader you are. If you’re not sure, read on and see if you find yourself in these words.\r\n\r\nMany people think there is power in telling someone: “no.” The truth is, finding a way to make something happen and being the person who finds a way to say “yes” is where the power is. Authority is given, respect is earned. Do you want to be the person responsible for progress or the person who stops things from happening?\r\n\r\nTrue leadership has been defined as inspiring others to do what you want them to do because they want to do it. Good leaders conduct themselves as people worth emulating. They do not demand others to follow, nor do they lead by intimidation. Good leaders’ followers want to earn their approval, and strive to do their best to earn the leaders’ respect. If you find your style is to use fear as a way of handling those you manage, you’re not a leader, you’re a bully.\r\n\r\nGood leaders surround themselves with people who are smarter than they are and never stop learning. They are not afraid to admit that they don’t know everything, and they embrace change, learning and the process of continuing to strive to be more. True leaders know the journey never ends; the more you know the more you realize you need to learn. If you think you know it all, that’s a clear indication that your attitude may need some work.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-7784\" title=\"Being a boss and being a leader are two entirely different things. Bosses tell others what to do and have decision-making responsibilities. Leaders inspire\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/pexels-photo-515169-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"Being a boss and being a leader are two entirely different things. Bosses tell others what to do and have decision-making responsibilities. Leaders inspire\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" />\r\n\r\nPeople come in all shapes and sizes and their personalities are just as varied as their looks. Leaders take the time to recognize and acknowledge people’s differences and strike a balance between treating everyone with the same amount of respect while tailoring their learning style to the person with whom they are speaking. Leaders not only see people’s differences, they take the time to embrace those differences and use people’s individual strengths to maximize potential.\r\n\r\nSo back to Shakespeare. If leaders are able to inspire, lead, motivate and help mold people, what’s to complain about? It’s essential to remember that with power comes responsibility and with responsibility comes a need to be diligent in ones words and actions. While no one is perfect, a leader needs to be aware that their words have meaning, are being listened to and taken seriously and that their actions affect those around them. Sometimes that means making tough choices, doing the right thing even though that’s usually the hard thing to do, and staying true to their ethics, standards and principles.\r\n\r\nIt’s worth a quick mention that charismatic, inspiring, intelligent leaders can also use those qualities for the wrong reasons. It’s not hard to think of people who have changed the world by getting masses of people to follow them down a dark path.\r\n\r\nWhether a leader sets a good example or a bad one, many are apt to follow. So whether you’re a leader or a follower, pay attention to your actions, reactions and set a good example. If you’re a role model for even one person, you’ve led someone down a better life path.\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"http://planyourmeetings.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-7743 size-full\" title=\"Plan Your Meetings Logo\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/plan-your-meetings_250.jpg\" alt=\"Plan Your Meetings Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"81\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Boss vs. leader: Each has a purpose, which one are you?','','publish','open','closed','','boss-vs-leader-each-has-a-purpose-which-one-are-you','','','2018-02-13 22:34:26','2018-02-13 22:34:26','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=7742',0,'post','',0),(7743,3,'2017-11-03 20:33:01','2017-11-03 20:33:01','','plan-your-meetings_250','','inherit','open','closed','','plan-your-meetings_250-2','','','2017-11-03 20:33:01','2017-11-03 20:33:01','',7742,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/plan-your-meetings_250.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7745,3,'2017-11-03 20:34:54','2017-11-03 20:34:54','','shutterstock_boss-287x300','','inherit','open','closed','','shutterstock_boss-287x300','','','2017-11-03 20:34:54','2017-11-03 20:34:54','',7742,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/shutterstock_boss-287x300.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7746,3,'2017-11-03 20:39:07','2017-11-03 20:39:07','','shutterstock_leader-300x300','','inherit','open','closed','','shutterstock_leader-300x300','','','2017-11-03 20:39:07','2017-11-03 20:39:07','',7742,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/shutterstock_leader-300x300.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7749,1,'2017-11-06 16:56:15','2017-11-06 16:56:15','[vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1509745412782{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2>Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?</h2>\r\n<h3>By Megan Powers</h3>\r\nDo you have a strategy when planning events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected.\r\n<h2>Start with strategy</h2>\r\nLet’s start with your strategy. Do you have one? If you start with exploring why you’re doing what you’re doing with your team, it will help you get there. I mentioned team because it’s a great idea to get buy-in from those you’re working with so you know you’re all headed down the same path together.\r\n\r\nIn the <a href=\"https://strategic.events/essential-pillars-strategic-meetings/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">process of planning</a> and executing events it’s smart to do the same with all of the tools and strategies you’re using.\r\n<h2>Managing your events</h2>\r\nThere are many elements involved in managing the planning of your events, including elements for execution, and post-event round-up and review.\r\n\r\nOf course, we think you should start with a good project management tool. Here’s why…\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Using a cloud-based tool where you can manage every single aspect of your events will keep all elements of your events in one central place.</li>\r\n 	<li>Having the history of your events in that one place ensures you don’t lose any history when colleagues move on from your organization.</li>\r\n 	<li>Managing the workflow of your events online instead of via email also ensures you’re working efficiently and collaboratively with your supplier partners.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nOn a podcast recently I had a guest (an event marketer) tell me his clients aren’t terribly concerned with drawing in attendees (aka, “butts in the seats”) through their marketing. This really surprised me! After I processed it I said “I wonder what their bosses think about that?”\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://strategic.events/why-planners-need-to-get-strategic/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Event planners</a> and managers are very wrapped up in the logistics (without which the event wouldn’t happen), and can lose sight that there are tools which, when used properly, will help them be more efficient. It might require more work on the front-end, but your solution provider should be helping you with that.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-7752\" title=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/night-150x150.png\" alt=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" width=\"362\" height=\"362\" />\r\n<h2>Ultimately – what’s your goal?</h2>\r\nWhether your end-goal is to drive more revenue (which may or may not include more attendees), to get the “best of the best” in your industry to attend, or simply to educate your company’s staff, you should be using the best technology available to get you there.\r\n\r\nIf your team is managing the workflow of your event planning via email and excel, it’s past <a href=\"https://strategic.events/how-to-schedule-strategic-meetings-dont-waste-time/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">time</a> to consider using a project management tool.\r\n\r\nUsing a cloud-based tool like EventCollab enables you to…\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Manage every room, and all of the gear and items that go into them in REAL-TIME (no more sending an email on-site, and posting version 21b of your matrix up to Dropbox!).</li>\r\n 	<li>Manage the staff and keyholders for every room in a central place, accessible to all who have been given permission to see it (no more worrying about freelancers or clients seeing information they might not need to see!).</li>\r\n 	<li>Manage your technical schedules, cue sheets, and labor in one central place with real-time updates (no more worrying if you’re paying too much for labor because now you can handle the next day in real-time every day!).</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nWe have a client who saved over $100K in labor costs over the previous year because we were using our EventCollab and Showbook tools to manage the headcount onsite.\r\n\r\nThat’s pretty significant, right?\r\n\r\nNow, it all depends on the size of your event, but another important thing to keep in mind is using a tool that will scale up and down with your event without a significant cost difference is possible. Our tool enables just that – it’s based on event and not the number of users or the number of attendees.\r\n<h2><img class=\"alignright wp-image-7753 size-full\" title=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/freedom-768x292.png\" alt=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" width=\"768\" height=\"292\" />Back to strategy…</h2>\r\nIndustry speaker and thought-leader Christy Lamagna has a lot of valuable things to say about thinking of our positions in the meetings and event industry as strategic roles.\r\n\r\n“As ‘Event Strategists,’ our mission will be to create goal-oriented events in alignment with an organization’s sales and marketing goals. There is a defined process on how this is done and how results are measured.” – <a href=\"https://strategic.events/meetings-christy-lamagna-solution/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Christy Lamagna</a>\r\n\r\nBecause we are strategists and managers within this industry, we must also be demanding tools that enable us to do what trained, qualified, certified professionals do.\r\n\r\nWhile we should be starting with the end in mind, which includes having our attendees at the very TOP of that list, using the proper tools for the job is important also.\r\n\r\nChristy cleverly compares — in the realm of us being <a href=\"https://strategic.events/how-to-become-strategic-planner-change-future/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">STRATEGIC</a> professionals in the meeting industry (vs. the alternative of just throwing anyone and no tools at a project/event) — to having your hairdresser give you a root canal. You must have the right training and tools for the job.\r\n\r\nThe good news? It’s all VERY possible! There are great tools out there like EventCollab, wonderful industry associations providing the certifications and education, and tremendous industry thought leaders like Christy <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">leading the way</a> to proving the <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">value</a> of what we all do when we meet face-to-face.\r\n\r\nDo you work within your organization to start with the end in mind? Are you regularly looking for tools to help you do your job more efficient and collaboratively? We’d love to hear about it!\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://blog.eventcollab.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-7758 size-full\" title=\"Event Collab Blog Logo\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/eventcollablogo.jpg\" alt=\"Event Collab Blog Logo\" width=\"293\" height=\"46\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?','','publish','open','closed','','strategy-important-when-planning-events','','','2018-02-13 15:07:01','2018-02-13 15:07:01','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=7749',0,'post','',0),(7752,3,'2017-11-03 21:36:50','2017-11-03 21:36:50','','night-150x150','','inherit','open','closed','','night-150x150','','','2017-11-03 21:36:50','2017-11-03 21:36:50','',7749,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/night-150x150.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7753,3,'2017-11-03 21:41:12','2017-11-03 21:41:12','','freedom-768x292','','inherit','open','closed','','freedom-768x292','','','2017-11-03 21:41:12','2017-11-03 21:41:12','',7749,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/freedom-768x292.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7757,1,'2017-11-06 16:51:21','2017-11-06 16:51:21','[vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1512770270898{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2>Strategic Steps To Successfully Achieve Your Business Goals</h2>\r\n<h3>By Christy Lamagna, CMP, CMM, CTSM</h3>\r\nWhile there may be no such thing as a stupid question, there is a correlation between the smarter the question, the more in depth and valuable the answer will potentially be. That’s why when someone asks you to plan a meeting, regardless of how large or for whom, your first question needs to be, <strong>‘What’s the goal of the meeting?’</strong>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-9254\" title=\"When someone asks you to plan a meeting, regardless of how large or for whom, your first question needs to be, ‘What’s the goal of the meeting?’ Do this and follow these strategic steps to successfully achieve your business goals.\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/pexels-photo-461077-3.jpeg\" alt=\"When someone asks you to plan a meeting, regardless of how large or for whom, your first question needs to be, ‘What’s the goal of the meeting?’ Do this and follow these strategic steps to successfully achieve your business goals.\" width=\"386\" height=\"257\" />You may be told, “because it’s held every year” or “we need to have an annual sales meeting. That’s just what we do” or something equally vague yet definitive and entirely unhelpful. If the person asking for the meeting can’t articulate its purpose, how can you define what <a href=\"https://strategic.events/our-integrated-marketing-success-story/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">success</a> looks like?\r\n\r\nSo how do you get to the answer? The first thing you do is interrupt the familiar process of simply diving in and instead, creating a new, deliberate, thoughtful, <a href=\"https://strategic.events/how-to-become-strategic-planner-change-future/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">strategic</a> plan. Don’t back down until you get an answer to the ‘why’ of the meeting. There are a few ways to approach this process, all of which are designed to give you the confidence to stick to the new plan, educate your audience and set yourself, the organization and the attendees up for success.\r\n\r\nHost a ‘<a href=\"https://strategic.events/discovery-sessions-meeting/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">discovery session</a>.’ My good friend Allison Saget taught me about these years ago and I’ve been holding these valuable meetings ever since. The purpose of these meetings is to get all the key decision makers into one place and focus on the ‘why’ of the meeting. The understood reason is to increase sales in some way, but there’s more to it, so don’t settle for “to improve revenue” as the answer.\r\n\r\nEncouraging key stakeholders to dig in and do some real thinking will likely uncover a common challenge; each person has a different answer. You likely have your CEO, CMO and EVP of sales in the room, each with their own agenda. It’s your job to incorporate their (relevant) ideas into a cohesive message. Events, when executed strategically are an inseparable component of an organization’s sales and marketing plan, so those elements are bound to be a part of the answer.\r\n\r\nSo instead of, ‘holding a sales meeting to inspire the sales team to sell more’ a strategic goal would be, ‘offer the sales team an opportunity to train on the new product we’re launching and familiarize them with the corresponding <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-approach-integrated-marketing/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">marketing strategy</a>.’ With that information in mind, you have a clear vision.\r\n\r\nThere’s one more essential task to complete before you declare success and dive into the next strategic step of the process. You need to make sure that your <a href=\"https://strategic.events/goal-setting-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">clearly articulated goal</a> is what your audience needs to hear. <strong>It’s critical that the message being given is the one your target audience needs to receive.</strong> If you don’t ask your audience what they want, chances are you aren’t going to give it to them, which means they won’t attend at all (external audience) or they’ll leave dissatisfied (internal audience and perhaps an external audience.)\r\n\r\nFind out how to do that in my next piece. Until then, follow me on Twitter: <a href=\"https://twitter.com/SMEChristy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@SMEChristy</a>, and take advantage of the free tools and information I’ve created <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-home/event-planning-resources/event-planning-free-tools-guides/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here</a>, and send me your feedback on what I’ve written by emailing me: <a href=\"mailto:Christy.lamagna@strategic.events\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Christy.lamagna@strategic.events</a>.\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"http://www.corporateeventnews.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-7555\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/logo_cen_2.png\" alt=\"Corporate Event News Logo\" width=\"211\" height=\"67\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Strategic Steps To Successfully Achieve Your Business Goals','','publish','open','closed','','strategic-steps-successfully-achieve-business-goals','','','2018-02-13 21:11:35','2018-02-13 21:11:35','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=7757',0,'post','',0),(7758,3,'2017-11-03 21:57:45','2017-11-03 21:57:45','','eventcollablogo','','inherit','open','closed','','eventcollablogo','','','2017-11-03 21:57:45','2017-11-03 21:57:45','',7749,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/eventcollablogo.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7765,3,'2017-11-06 14:54:14','2017-11-06 14:54:14','','the-best-pumpkin-cheesecake-bars-two-layers-like-a-cheesecake-with-pumpkin-pie-topping-plus-a-delicious-cinnamon-crust-and-streusel-top-with-caramel','','inherit','open','closed','','the-best-pumpkin-cheesecake-bars-two-layers-like-a-cheesecake-with-pumpkin-pie-topping-plus-a-delicious-cinnamon-crust-and-streusel-top-with-caramel','','','2017-11-06 14:54:14','2017-11-06 14:54:14','',7735,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/the-best-pumpkin-cheesecake-bars-two-layers-like-a-cheesecake-with-pumpkin-pie-topping-plus-a-delicious-cinnamon-crust-and-streusel-top-with-caramel.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7771,1,'2017-11-06 16:41:52','2017-11-06 16:41:52','[vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1509994475690{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h1>Sick Of Lousy Meetings?</h1>\r\n<h2>Christy Lamagna Has The Solution</h2>\r\n<h3>By Bruce Weinstein</h3>\r\n[clickToTweet tweet=\"You have to hire people who are smarter than you are. - @SMEChristy #business #success\" quote=\"You have to hire people who are smarter than you are.\"]\r\n\r\nOne of the most unpleasant aspects of business is going to lousy meetings. We’ve all been there. Boring speakers. Uncomfortable rooms with poor lighting and sound. Not enough coffee.\r\n\r\nWorse than all of these are meetings that have no call to action. You wonder, \"What am I supposed to do with all of the information I just learned?\"\r\n\r\nMeetings don’t have to be like this. And they won’t be if you work with an event strategist. I didn’t even know such a job existed until I decided to write about ethical issues in the meeting planning industry and discovered a woman named Christy Lamagna, CMP, who is taking the industry, and the businesses they work with, to a higher level.\r\n\r\nChristy is the CEO of <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/mastermind-corporate-meetings-management/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Strategic Meetings &amp; Events</a>, a private company with offices in Chicago, Palm Beach, Seattle, San Francisco, New York, and Bernardsville, New Jersey. What follows are highlights from a conversation I had with Christy at the Forbes headquarters in Jersey City, New Jersey.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-7779\" title=\"A meeting planner and an event planner execute logistics, and when one asks them to produce a meeting, they find the venue and they execute an event. An event strategist will work with key management to influence what attendees leave saying, thinking and doing. Sick Of Lousy Meetings? Christy Lamagna Has The Solution\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/christy-lamagna-1-1200x675.jpg\" alt=\"A meeting planner and an event planner execute logistics, and when one asks them to produce a meeting, they find the venue and they execute an event. An event strategist will work with key management to influence what attendees leave saying, thinking and doing. Sick Of Lousy Meetings? Christy Lamagna Has The Solution\" width=\"536\" height=\"301\" />\r\n\r\n<strong>Bruce Weinstein:</strong> What is an event strategist?\r\n\r\n<strong>Christy Lamagna:</strong> A meeting planner and an event planner execute logistics, and when someone asks them to produce a meeting, they find the venue space and they execute an event. An event strategist will work with key management to influence what attendees leave saying, thinking and doing. We influence behavior.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> Who is a dream client for you?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> Someone who truly wants to make their events a meaningful part of their organization. Events are the only three-dimensional embodiment of a company\'s marketing message. I want to speak to someone who truly gets excited about that, who says, \"I do want to hear what my attendees are looking for because my ego isn\'t what\'s important, it\'s the content,\" and who truly respects the power that meetings can have.\r\n\r\nIf a prospective client just wants to check a box or throw money at a problem so they can say they did it, it doesn\'t matter how much money they want to give me. We\'ll both be frustrated because I want to do so much more for them and they can\'t appreciate that.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> Have you turned down clients who were able to pony up the cash but who were box checkers?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> Yes. I can\'t take your money if you\'re not going to appreciate what I\'m doing. I\'d rather you go work with someone else and let me work with people who I can truly deliver everything possible to. If I take business that isn\'t right for me, it\'s going to prevent me from taking business that is, and neither of us are going to say good things when it\'s over because we\'re both going to be disappointed.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> What should Forbes readers keep in mind before they hire an event strategist?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> Anyone who thinks a PowerPoint deck is the best way to establish a relationship and tell you what they do, doesn\'t understand the meaning of events. If you work with someone who the first question they\'re going to ask you is, \"Let\'s talk about budget,\" or, \"Let\'s talk about location,\" they\'ve missed again.\r\n\r\nInstead, you want the strategist to ask, “What\'s your goal for having this meeting? Tell me what you would like to accomplish. What do you want your attendees saying, thinking, and doing when they leave?\" The goal is to make events investments, not expenditures.\r\n\r\nA planner who tells you they can do everything is either charging you too much or not telling you the truth. You have to hire people who are smarter than you are. I have a sister company that does all of my production because I can\'t focus the lights and program the audio.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> Are meeting planners and event strategists licensed?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> We’re not, but we should be. After all, we’re in charge of tens of millions of dollars and more importantly, the safety and well-being of thousands of people.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> It\'s like anyone can call themselves a therapist, anyone can be-\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> Anyone can be a planner. There are exams, and there is training, but at the end of the day there are no universal standards. You can hire your administrative assistant to plan your meeting. Who\'s going to stop you? The admin is going to be thrilled because she gets to go on these free trips. That shouldn\'t be happening. It’s a matter of ethics.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> So when someone becomes trained or certified as a meeting planner now, how much training in ethics do they get?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> To become a CMP, a Certified Meeting Planner, you have to get re-certified every five years. You take an exam. There are some ethics questions on those exams.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> Is this sufficient training to meet the ethical challenges in the industry?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> No. Just because a person has a CMP doesn’t mean that person has the integrity to be a planner. For example, I get between three and six invites a week from vendors, \"Come to Dubai.\" \"Come to South Africa.\" \"Come to New Zealand.\" We call them “fams” — familiarization trips.\r\n\r\nI want to go to all three of those places. The vendors pay for everything. But I don\'t have a client who wants to go to New Zealand.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> You might.\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> But I’ll respond by saying, \"I\'d love to go to your country. I don\'t have a client now, or even on the horizon, who\'s looking to go to New Zealand, and I know it\'s going to cost you $6,000-8,000 per person. You can spend it on someone who\'s potentially going to be there.\"\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> What’s another ethical issue you face?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> When I go on a site visit, a hotel is going to roll out for the red carpet for me and say, \"Christy, you’ve got to come and stay for two days, see the hotel. We\'re going to put you in the penthouse suite.\"\r\n\r\nBut it’s incumbent upon me to say, \"I need a regular room because if I\'m here, I need to know what that’s like as that is where my guests will be staying.”\r\n\r\nI’m not the person paying the bill. I can never confuse myself as an invited guest. It is never about me. Although I’m representing the company that\'s writing those checks, I’m just the paid help.\r\n\r\n===\r\n\r\nThis edited and condensed interview doesn’t do justice to the far-ranging conversation Christy and I had. I was impressed by her humility, courage and honesty, including telling me about mistakes she has made and she’s learned from them.\r\n\r\n[clickToTweet tweet=\"Ethical #leadership is the key to success, and @SMEChristy is an excellent example. @TheEthicsGuy\" quote=\"As we’ve seen throughout these columns, high-character leadership is the key to a business’s long-term success, and Christy Lamagna is an excellent example of this.\"]\r\n\r\nCheck <a href=\"https://twitter.com/@TheEthicsGuy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@TheEthicsGuy</a> availability to speak on high-character leadership <a href=\"https://www.espeakers.com/marketplace/v3#/bookmenow/5597/9024\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here</a>.\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.forbes.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-7775\" title=\"Forbes Logo\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/forbes-snooty-designers.png\" alt=\"Forbes Logo\" width=\"195\" height=\"95\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Sick Of Lousy Meetings? Christy Lamagna Has The Solution','','publish','open','closed','','lousy-meetings-christy-lamagna-solution','','','2018-02-21 14:40:49','2018-02-21 14:40:49','',0,'https://strategic.events/?p=7771',0,'post','',0),(7775,3,'2017-11-06 15:53:17','2017-11-06 15:53:17','','forbes-snooty-designers','','inherit','open','closed','','forbes-snooty-designers','','','2017-11-06 15:53:17','2017-11-06 15:53:17','',7771,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/forbes-snooty-designers.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(7779,3,'2017-11-06 15:57:50','2017-11-06 15:57:50','','christy-lamagna-1-1200x675','','inherit','open','closed','','christy-lamagna-1-1200x675','','','2017-11-06 15:57:50','2017-11-06 15:57:50','',7771,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/christy-lamagna-1-1200x675.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7784,3,'2017-11-06 16:09:28','2017-11-06 16:09:28','','People Looking Choosing at Colleagues Photo','People Looking Choosing at Colleagues Photo','inherit','open','closed','','people-looking-choosing-at-colleagues-photo','','','2017-12-19 23:05:10','2017-12-19 23:05:10','',7742,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/pexels-photo-515169.jpeg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7805,3,'2017-11-06 21:08:59','2017-11-06 21:08:59','','Strategic Idea Map: Plan For Team To Understand Goal','','inherit','open','closed','','strategic-idea-map-plan-team-goal','','','2017-12-19 22:59:16','2017-12-19 22:59:16','',550,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/pexels-photo-356043.jpeg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7806,3,'2017-11-06 21:12:58','2017-11-06 21:12:58','','Successful Woman on Top of the World: Start At The End Goal, And You Will Succeed','','inherit','open','closed','','woman-top-world-goal-succeed','','','2017-12-19 22:46:11','2017-12-19 22:46:11','',550,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/pexels-photo-196667.jpeg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7808,3,'2017-11-06 21:23:26','2017-11-06 21:23:26','','Active shooter response priorities: Safety Exits For Live Events','','inherit','open','closed','','active-shooter-response-safety-exits-live-events','','','2017-12-19 22:36:11','2017-12-19 22:36:11','',2613,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/pexels-photo-134065.jpeg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0);
