2010 SPBT Conference
05/31/10 10:46 AM Filed in: Tradeshows | Travel
When you think of Florida, what comes to mind? Sun, fun, and relaxation? Florida has it all, from alligators to the Everglades to the hot spots in Miami. Orlando, for example, is home to world-famous attractions such as Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World; it is also a mecca for shopping and entertainment.
Just a few minutes drive south of beautiful Orlando, you will find Kissimmee: the host city of this year’s 2010 SPBT Conference. Nestled in the heart of Kissimmee, the Gaylord Palms is an amazing resort, built in the fashion of the Spanish Renaissance, with plenty of amenities and on-site activities.
When you are ready to explore local eats, be sure to visit a few favorite dining spots, including:
The average seasonal temperature in Kissimmee hovers between a balmy 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, with a chance of rain (average rainfall for June is about 6 inches) so be sure to pack an umbrella!
Whatever your reasons for visiting the Sunshine State this June, we hope you have a safe journey!
Just a few minutes drive south of beautiful Orlando, you will find Kissimmee: the host city of this year’s 2010 SPBT Conference. Nestled in the heart of Kissimmee, the Gaylord Palms is an amazing resort, built in the fashion of the Spanish Renaissance, with plenty of amenities and on-site activities.
When you are ready to explore local eats, be sure to visit a few favorite dining spots, including:
- Houston’s Restaurant at 215 South Orlando Avenue (Fairbanks Avenue) in Winter Park
- Boston Lobster Feast - Florida Mall at 8204 Crystal Clear Lane in Orlando
- Joe’s Crab Shack at 12124 S. Apopka Vineland Road in Orlando
- Aashirwad Indian Cuisine at 5748 International Drive in Orlando
The average seasonal temperature in Kissimmee hovers between a balmy 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, with a chance of rain (average rainfall for June is about 6 inches) so be sure to pack an umbrella!
Whatever your reasons for visiting the Sunshine State this June, we hope you have a safe journey!
Getting the Most Out of Your Day
05/14/10 02:35 PM Filed in: organization | Processes
As professionals, the biggest challenge we face each day is completing our growing list of important tasks. With reductions in staff and tighter budgets, we are challenged with making the most of what we have while maintaining high quality work. This efficiency is the key to successful delivery of projects, and programs. But how can you boost efficiency without blowing your budgets and burning out your resources?
Rework. Retool. Reinvent.
One way to improve efficiency in your daily workload is to maximize time and cost savings. Reworking or retooling existing materials can often preserve valuable time and prevent unnecessary steps. Core marketing messages or foundational training items may be spruced up or repackaged and save you from starting from scratch.
Make a plan.
Every situation is different, but here are some sensible steps to consider before reformulating your materials:
First, assess all of the tools and materials available to your teams and determine the usefulness of those materials.
Exercise your delivery options.
Repackaging or retooling of items can be achieved through different means and media. You may want to focus on specific elements of a sales aid or on important product advantages.
Keep it together.
Organizing your materials into a library of resources or a toolbox for sales reps to use during sales calls may be helpful approach. When representatives can access all materials in one centralized location, they not only become more efficient but more effective as well. New digital technologies can aid your reps tremendously when they need quick-reference support information during their calls.
Looking ahead.
Adding efficiency into your day can come in many ways. Assessing and prioritizing what you are currently using and finding ways to freshen your materials may be one way to help you accomplish your goals and projects for the year.
Rework. Retool. Reinvent.
One way to improve efficiency in your daily workload is to maximize time and cost savings. Reworking or retooling existing materials can often preserve valuable time and prevent unnecessary steps. Core marketing messages or foundational training items may be spruced up or repackaged and save you from starting from scratch.
Make a plan.
Every situation is different, but here are some sensible steps to consider before reformulating your materials:
First, assess all of the tools and materials available to your teams and determine the usefulness of those materials.
- Is information current? Is your message clear? Is the material relevant?
- Conclusion: If the current items do not meet your sales and business objectives, it may be time to discard the outdated information and explore new ways to deliver your message.
- Is the material still relevant? Is the message clear but the delivery method outdated?
- Conclusion: If the current items only slightly miss the mark, the solution may be to repackage what you have and update the delivery methods to digital or printed pieces.
Exercise your delivery options.
Repackaging or retooling of items can be achieved through different means and media. You may want to focus on specific elements of a sales aid or on important product advantages.
Keep it together.
Organizing your materials into a library of resources or a toolbox for sales reps to use during sales calls may be helpful approach. When representatives can access all materials in one centralized location, they not only become more efficient but more effective as well. New digital technologies can aid your reps tremendously when they need quick-reference support information during their calls.
Looking ahead.
Adding efficiency into your day can come in many ways. Assessing and prioritizing what you are currently using and finding ways to freshen your materials may be one way to help you accomplish your goals and projects for the year.
Upcoming events and travel
05/08/09 10:46 AM Filed in: Tradeshows | Travel
As you prepare for your industry meetings this year, remember: always expect the unexpected! Whether you are exhibiting or attending a show, the challenges of travel, meetings, navigating a new city, and finding restaurants can be daunting! For many seasoned professionals, the tradeshow circuit becomes another part of the job, perceived as “just another trip.” To make this year’s junkets a bit more efficient and fun, we’ve compiled a short selection of business travel ideas, as follows:
And, if you happen to be traveling to SPBT in Chicago or ASTD in Washington DC, be sure to check out some fun facts for these incredible cities:
- Look to the associations to offer you more this year. Acknowledging that resources, personnel, travel funds, and time are in short supply, many meeting organizing groups are offering specials on booth space, entrance fees, hotel, and travel costs.
- If travel dollars have been the first to suffer in your organization, online attendance to a show may be a viable lower-cost option. Often you can find very reduced fees to “attend” the show in a virtual manner. Meeting session DVDs/CDs/audio is also available if you’re looking to pinpoint a specific area of interest.
- Facilitating a workshop or participating in a panel discussion can also be a great way to attend a show. Presenters are often offered reduced or no fees to attend. This approach also offers the opportunity to work with the association to shape the curriculum and educational offerings. Co-facilitation and sponsorship of a session can also be helpful in your introduction to a new show.
And, if you happen to be traveling to SPBT in Chicago or ASTD in Washington DC, be sure to check out some fun facts for these incredible cities:
- Chicago-style deep dish pizza is often imitated and rarely duplicated. For the authentic version, there are only four places to go: Pizzeria Uno (29 E. Ohio Street; 312/321-1000), Pizzeria Due (619 N. Wabash; 312/943-2400), Gino's East (633 N. Wells Street; 312/943-1124), and Lou Malnati's (439 N. Wells Street 312/828-9800). Others might have good pizza, but you can count on these originals for the very best.
- Don’t forget your sneakers...or your umbrella. D.C. was voted the most walkable city in the U.S. in a study by the Brookings Institution in 2007. However, be ready for a little drizzle. D.C. averages 39 inches of rainfall a year—more than Seattle.
Happy travels, to wherever the day takes you…
Getting organized
It’s always in the back of our minds, but it’s the last task to get done. Yes, I’m talking about the big O: Organization
As we wrap up a year filled with change and perhaps unexpected challenges, it’s natural to start thinking about our goals for the fresh year ahead. Personally, I’m looking forward to intriguing projects for 2009 and setting ambitious, yet achievable, annual goals. (I’m also trying to shed the weight from more than my fair share of holiday pumpkin pie!)
As you plan your year, remember to map out your training, sales, and marketing goals and focus on the various audiences you service. It may be helpful to ask yourself: “How do I meet the various learning styles of my audience while keeping the overall strategic goals of the company in mind?” Meeting the demands of the organization and ensuring that all learners receive what they need can be quite a challenge.
Here are a few suggestions to help you organize your training goals and needs:
• Survey the corporation goals to be sure they are still in line with the direction you would like to take. Connect your materials with various learning styles and audiences. Inquire internally:
Taken together, these queries point to one answer: “blended learning.” The amalgamation of many tactics, blended learning can be augmented with the integration of the myriad technologies available to us today. Technology integration not only supports “green” initiatives but also helps connect as many users as possible. From training and marketing perspective, interactive technology approaches allow advanced customization, including status and usage-tracking tools!
We look forward to providing you with more tips on using green options and bringing you information on efficiency-building techniques in the new year.
In closing, we wish you a very restful holiday. We look forward to a prosperous 2009, full of productivity, organization, and good tidings for all.
As we wrap up a year filled with change and perhaps unexpected challenges, it’s natural to start thinking about our goals for the fresh year ahead. Personally, I’m looking forward to intriguing projects for 2009 and setting ambitious, yet achievable, annual goals. (I’m also trying to shed the weight from more than my fair share of holiday pumpkin pie!)
As you plan your year, remember to map out your training, sales, and marketing goals and focus on the various audiences you service. It may be helpful to ask yourself: “How do I meet the various learning styles of my audience while keeping the overall strategic goals of the company in mind?” Meeting the demands of the organization and ensuring that all learners receive what they need can be quite a challenge.
Here are a few suggestions to help you organize your training goals and needs:
• Survey the corporation goals to be sure they are still in line with the direction you would like to take. Connect your materials with various learning styles and audiences. Inquire internally:
- Is the corporation initiating less print-oriented material in 2009?
- What is the desired travel budget for the staff?
- When will the national group come together during the year? Will it coincide with other opportunities to communicate to the larger group?
- How can I optimally and efficiently reach every person?
- Are there opportunities to bring everyone together for training or a roll-out?
- How will individuals respond to the various types of materials (visual, verbal, kinesthetic)?
Taken together, these queries point to one answer: “blended learning.” The amalgamation of many tactics, blended learning can be augmented with the integration of the myriad technologies available to us today. Technology integration not only supports “green” initiatives but also helps connect as many users as possible. From training and marketing perspective, interactive technology approaches allow advanced customization, including status and usage-tracking tools!
We look forward to providing you with more tips on using green options and bringing you information on efficiency-building techniques in the new year.
In closing, we wish you a very restful holiday. We look forward to a prosperous 2009, full of productivity, organization, and good tidings for all.