Not only the three tenets of the Olympic movement, really just a great way to live life. Incorporate some sport, some form of fitness you enjoy, something that keeps your body limber - anything will do - and you will feel better. It is that simple.
Culture - keeping the mind active has proven itself again and again in making you more interesting as you grow up, and in defying age as we get older. Culture can be anything you want it to be - play an instrument, enjoy a concert, act in a play, enjoy watching a play, paint, enjoy a museum or art gallery - so many ways to subtly improve our lives.
Current personal favorite - Robert Lepage - continues to astound
Sustainability - create less waste, eat more local food, be kind to the people you encounter, share knowledge, limit our foot print (see previous blog post for 20 event related ideas...)
Live well, enjoy, breathe...
Monday, August 30, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
What is sustainability?
The first time the Greater Vancouver Regional District wrote a green meetings guide it was 1995. We have come a long way, and now the Convention Industry Council, in partnership with a host of organizations is about to launch their guide, more excellent tools to come!
Green Meetings Standards Mark Industry Transformation
Below are some ideas of things we have been doing here for a while, in a city / country that embraces recycling of most paper, metal, plastic and more, where it is easy to do.
1. Eating local, using in season or locally available products whenever possible
2. Oceanwise seafood – ensures seafood is grown and harvested sustainably
3. Unused food is picked up by local shelters and shared with those in need
4. Water stations vs. bottled water, either guests “bring your own bottle”, or hosts can give them to attendees – a great branding opportunity that will last for years in the stainless steel version
5. What about giving them their own coffee cup?
6. China, glassware, flatware – with little need for disposable use the “good stuff”
7. Recycle everything you can in partnership with the venues – on the west coast this is really easy as separate containers for all types of waste are commonplace from paper to aluminum, glass and plastic
8. Recycle items like name badge holders, or use the cornstarch based plastic holders that decompose quickly
9. Think corn and bamboo – everything from “paper” plates to knives, forks and even golf balls!
10. e-send everything you can – ask your attendees if they prefer paperless – there are a small percentage that might still want paper, but certainly not all of them
11. Create signage that can be reused event to event or recycled / on recycled materials
12. Print using soy or vegetable inks on paper that can be recycled, or planted such as seed paper
13. Use your glass again – at a reception, asks guests just to refill – successful at the MPI WEC Welcome
14. Ask us about the Hybrid SUV’s, bio-fuel use, even incorporating the SkyTrain into your programs – and remember that a motorcoach with 50 people on it is actually pretty darn fuel-efficient when put on a per-person basis
15. We can provide a carbon off-set package when you book your air travel with our travel department
16. We design our environments using furniture made locally and / or sustainably produced
17. Centrepieces can be made from a myriad of substances – even the florals we use are grown within 100km of the downtown core!
18. Dine by candlelight – soy candles even!
19. Give back – have attendees bring work appropriate clothing they no longer wear and collect it for an organization such as Dress for Success with chapters across the country supporting women re-entering the workforce
20. Production value – what we have today uses less power and creates amazing impact – let’s talk about what you really need to deliver your message effectively
21. Incorporate activities that bring people back to nature – kayak, bike, hike, canoe around the amazing scenery and enjoy this time you have here at a slower pace and only human fuel required!
22. Gift if it makes sense – are you creating a memory and providing something useful (water holder, USB stick, clothing they can use for example)
23. Planning ahead – from the first meeting to the final guest departure, we will find ways to help you in both the messaging and the implementation around making your meeting the most sustainable it can be – it is just our way of thinking
24. What else can we do locally to leave behind a positive impact - bring your old suits to share with a local dress for success (seen at MPI WEC), bring books to support a local inner city school with limited library resources, spend an afternoon cooking where not only do you enjoy the meal but you also get to prepackage enough for groups like meals-on-wheels or the Dr Peter Foundation to share with those in need...
Ultimately it all just ties into thinking that the only footprint we leave behind is, well, from our own feet! Here is another one of my favorite intiatives - being spearheaded by some of our favorite bands! I also love when we can all get together to share and celebrate with music, and when we can do it in a way that makes sense.
Filter For Good
Green Meetings Standards Mark Industry Transformation
Below are some ideas of things we have been doing here for a while, in a city / country that embraces recycling of most paper, metal, plastic and more, where it is easy to do.
1. Eating local, using in season or locally available products whenever possible
2. Oceanwise seafood – ensures seafood is grown and harvested sustainably
3. Unused food is picked up by local shelters and shared with those in need
4. Water stations vs. bottled water, either guests “bring your own bottle”, or hosts can give them to attendees – a great branding opportunity that will last for years in the stainless steel version
5. What about giving them their own coffee cup?
6. China, glassware, flatware – with little need for disposable use the “good stuff”
7. Recycle everything you can in partnership with the venues – on the west coast this is really easy as separate containers for all types of waste are commonplace from paper to aluminum, glass and plastic
8. Recycle items like name badge holders, or use the cornstarch based plastic holders that decompose quickly
9. Think corn and bamboo – everything from “paper” plates to knives, forks and even golf balls!
10. e-send everything you can – ask your attendees if they prefer paperless – there are a small percentage that might still want paper, but certainly not all of them
11. Create signage that can be reused event to event or recycled / on recycled materials
12. Print using soy or vegetable inks on paper that can be recycled, or planted such as seed paper
13. Use your glass again – at a reception, asks guests just to refill – successful at the MPI WEC Welcome
14. Ask us about the Hybrid SUV’s, bio-fuel use, even incorporating the SkyTrain into your programs – and remember that a motorcoach with 50 people on it is actually pretty darn fuel-efficient when put on a per-person basis
15. We can provide a carbon off-set package when you book your air travel with our travel department
16. We design our environments using furniture made locally and / or sustainably produced
17. Centrepieces can be made from a myriad of substances – even the florals we use are grown within 100km of the downtown core!
18. Dine by candlelight – soy candles even!
19. Give back – have attendees bring work appropriate clothing they no longer wear and collect it for an organization such as Dress for Success with chapters across the country supporting women re-entering the workforce
20. Production value – what we have today uses less power and creates amazing impact – let’s talk about what you really need to deliver your message effectively
21. Incorporate activities that bring people back to nature – kayak, bike, hike, canoe around the amazing scenery and enjoy this time you have here at a slower pace and only human fuel required!
22. Gift if it makes sense – are you creating a memory and providing something useful (water holder, USB stick, clothing they can use for example)
23. Planning ahead – from the first meeting to the final guest departure, we will find ways to help you in both the messaging and the implementation around making your meeting the most sustainable it can be – it is just our way of thinking
24. What else can we do locally to leave behind a positive impact - bring your old suits to share with a local dress for success (seen at MPI WEC), bring books to support a local inner city school with limited library resources, spend an afternoon cooking where not only do you enjoy the meal but you also get to prepackage enough for groups like meals-on-wheels or the Dr Peter Foundation to share with those in need...
Ultimately it all just ties into thinking that the only footprint we leave behind is, well, from our own feet! Here is another one of my favorite intiatives - being spearheaded by some of our favorite bands! I also love when we can all get together to share and celebrate with music, and when we can do it in a way that makes sense.
Filter For Good
Smart Trade Show Idea
I have a confession, I love trade shows! I love walking through the entrance, seeing traffic on the floor, how organizations use booth space and design to engage clients, seeing colleagues and meeting people you have only had non-f2f interaction with. This summer I enjoyed my time on the floor at MPI WEC10 - they drew you in with an excellent lunch that was easy to get to and energized you for the next hours on the floor, with some great suppliers to meet. Here the hosted buyer program many were on also worked well to connect qualified buyers with the right suppliers - something that for this reason continues to be popular at shows.
There were some great booths at Incentive Works, the larger hotel booths where you could come right in and at either a stand up table or sitting on comfortable furniture, with a beverage, catch up on the global properties available for your groups. They did a great job of dividing this up by global destination so you could work through and really think about where you want to take your groups and meet appropriate suppliers along the way.
Anyone who has spent any number of hours standing on a floor knows how hard this is - staying energetic and focused in a small space for A-type personalities is always a challenge and finding things to draw people in and have them remember you is tricky. My favorite at this show was the Sheraton Parkway North who had their booth and surrounding area (good thing they were at the end of an aisle) packed with people who wrote a paragraph that started with "I _________ would love to book my next meeting ant the Sheraton Parkway North, only 20 minutes from downtown Toronto". This paragraph was then analysed by a handwriting expert, she really knows her stuff - it was memorable, and it created a line that allowed the sales team to interact with those waiting - an excellent use of time all around!
There were some great booths at Incentive Works, the larger hotel booths where you could come right in and at either a stand up table or sitting on comfortable furniture, with a beverage, catch up on the global properties available for your groups. They did a great job of dividing this up by global destination so you could work through and really think about where you want to take your groups and meet appropriate suppliers along the way.
Anyone who has spent any number of hours standing on a floor knows how hard this is - staying energetic and focused in a small space for A-type personalities is always a challenge and finding things to draw people in and have them remember you is tricky. My favorite at this show was the Sheraton Parkway North who had their booth and surrounding area (good thing they were at the end of an aisle) packed with people who wrote a paragraph that started with "I _________ would love to book my next meeting ant the Sheraton Parkway North, only 20 minutes from downtown Toronto". This paragraph was then analysed by a handwriting expert, she really knows her stuff - it was memorable, and it created a line that allowed the sales team to interact with those waiting - an excellent use of time all around!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
YouTube, Twitter and more
So in this day and age of Social Media - what are we doing to use all these new tools to enhance our meeting and learning experiences? What are we doing to connect people on a continuous basis via all the available mediums?
Social Media Revolution
They say that there is 24 hours of content posted to YouTube every minute. That is exponential.
Two great examples from Incentive Works were first the session on engaging the human dimension with @Alissa Hurley and Gayle Duncan from Maritz - with many examples on the ppt, in the room and using live feeds to drive content (and win prizes) who had fun with SMS, polling and tweets in the room. That added to and did not take over the session.
A great session on social media with Gary Vaynerchuk - a man who has driven sales in their family business using primarily social media tools, including their own YouTube channel - check this out - 125,000 daily - DAILY - viewers!
WineLibraryTV
When I sat down to hear Gary (@Garyvee) speak, he had been following the #incentiveworks I think as I had a direct message saying - hope you are in the session today - so a little new technology to embrace I think!
btw if you have a nice steak, a little smoked sea salt on top - pair with a bordeaux!
Social Media Revolution
They say that there is 24 hours of content posted to YouTube every minute. That is exponential.
Two great examples from Incentive Works were first the session on engaging the human dimension with @Alissa Hurley and Gayle Duncan from Maritz - with many examples on the ppt, in the room and using live feeds to drive content (and win prizes) who had fun with SMS, polling and tweets in the room. That added to and did not take over the session.
A great session on social media with Gary Vaynerchuk - a man who has driven sales in their family business using primarily social media tools, including their own YouTube channel - check this out - 125,000 daily - DAILY - viewers!
WineLibraryTV
When I sat down to hear Gary (@Garyvee) speak, he had been following the #incentiveworks I think as I had a direct message saying - hope you are in the session today - so a little new technology to embrace I think!
btw if you have a nice steak, a little smoked sea salt on top - pair with a bordeaux!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Aspiring to... Inspired by... Rewarded... Recognized
Permission to pause.
Permission to reward (appropriately)
Recognition accepted.
No matter the pressure on organizations today around the optics of hosting meetings, and particularly incentives; combined with on-line learning / webinars / hybrid events available, there is really no way to replace the value of a F2F experience.
In an incentive program, the most value for the attendees is the time they get to spend usually with the significant other that has given them the time and support to be successful, but also the time they get with senior management and the C-level of the organization they have chosen to be engaged with.
Determining the ROI is important - setting the objectives of the program, staying true to the goals and parameters set at the beginning of the reward cycle, and knowing what measurements your C-level is looking for are all critical to success. There are many ways to do this - just one is below.
Motivational Experiences Deliver Business Results - well they should or else what is the point?
SITE White Paper on Validation of Motivational Experiences
The big impact though is exactly the same as what happens when your sales (or service) force is in the field delivering to the clients you need to be successful. The elusive and tougher to measure ROR - Return on Relathionships. Relationships with each other, relationship with the organization and the perceptions brought to life during the program, the amount of leisure time vs. education vs. networking vs. recognition - the most important aspect is finding the balance that is right for those who are being rewarded. Then watch the magic happen!
Permission to reward (appropriately)
Recognition accepted.
No matter the pressure on organizations today around the optics of hosting meetings, and particularly incentives; combined with on-line learning / webinars / hybrid events available, there is really no way to replace the value of a F2F experience.
In an incentive program, the most value for the attendees is the time they get to spend usually with the significant other that has given them the time and support to be successful, but also the time they get with senior management and the C-level of the organization they have chosen to be engaged with.
Determining the ROI is important - setting the objectives of the program, staying true to the goals and parameters set at the beginning of the reward cycle, and knowing what measurements your C-level is looking for are all critical to success. There are many ways to do this - just one is below.
Motivational Experiences Deliver Business Results - well they should or else what is the point?
SITE White Paper on Validation of Motivational Experiences
The big impact though is exactly the same as what happens when your sales (or service) force is in the field delivering to the clients you need to be successful. The elusive and tougher to measure ROR - Return on Relathionships. Relationships with each other, relationship with the organization and the perceptions brought to life during the program, the amount of leisure time vs. education vs. networking vs. recognition - the most important aspect is finding the balance that is right for those who are being rewarded. Then watch the magic happen!
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| A true reward with a private concert |
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| A gala night of our stars - with each award brought out by a Cirque performer! |
Engaging Learners
Learners need to be engaged to learn.
That sounds so simple. No matter how much technology we get, no matter how many ways we have to connect electronically, it all pales compared with face to face communication. Think about the frustrations when we are forced to go through voice message after voice message when calling a company we want service from, and feel unable to get it. Then think about when something is going right, it usually involves a person or a group of people who have created an environment, an organization, a sports team, a social group, or a school, for example, where a community can flourish. A natural extension of community is when we come together at an event to celebrate, network and be recognized.
Once the goals are established, there are two main considerations, the content you will deliver and the methods of delivery, and the environment you will deliver it in. This may involve a traditional classroom style, being lectured at by a presenter, for example. But more and more research shows that these are not the methods that will increase our engagement, or aid in the retention of information, and most importantly, it is not the most effective way to affect change, and if we are not seeking a change, or at least a shift, then why are you meeting? (well maybe for celebration and recognition but that is another blog)
The next time it comes to meet, determine the w's -
1. Who is involved in the meeting?
2. what are they there for - learning? Motivation? Reward?
3. where will you meet - what country / city / venue will be the most suitable?
4. when is the best time to meet - is there an immediate need, is it a trip they need time to earn or an annual meeting you are planning for?
5. Why is there a meeting - find clarity among your stakeholders! First, the goals of meeting. Are you seeking to educate? Motivate? Change perceptions? Affect change? Create a greater sense of community?
6. How are you going to accomplish your goals?
What about hybrid meetings?
While there is a place for "hybrid" meetings, where we combine electronic support such as a webinar or broadcast, with a place to come together and share an experience. Ideally in a hybrid situation we are able to engage before the meeting or event, during through either social networking or live chats, and then follow up with further interaction that supports the learning offered.
Any comments? Please share your thoughts!
That sounds so simple. No matter how much technology we get, no matter how many ways we have to connect electronically, it all pales compared with face to face communication. Think about the frustrations when we are forced to go through voice message after voice message when calling a company we want service from, and feel unable to get it. Then think about when something is going right, it usually involves a person or a group of people who have created an environment, an organization, a sports team, a social group, or a school, for example, where a community can flourish. A natural extension of community is when we come together at an event to celebrate, network and be recognized.
Once the goals are established, there are two main considerations, the content you will deliver and the methods of delivery, and the environment you will deliver it in. This may involve a traditional classroom style, being lectured at by a presenter, for example. But more and more research shows that these are not the methods that will increase our engagement, or aid in the retention of information, and most importantly, it is not the most effective way to affect change, and if we are not seeking a change, or at least a shift, then why are you meeting? (well maybe for celebration and recognition but that is another blog)
The next time it comes to meet, determine the w's -
1. Who is involved in the meeting?
2. what are they there for - learning? Motivation? Reward?
3. where will you meet - what country / city / venue will be the most suitable?
4. when is the best time to meet - is there an immediate need, is it a trip they need time to earn or an annual meeting you are planning for?
5. Why is there a meeting - find clarity among your stakeholders! First, the goals of meeting. Are you seeking to educate? Motivate? Change perceptions? Affect change? Create a greater sense of community?
6. How are you going to accomplish your goals?
What about hybrid meetings?
While there is a place for "hybrid" meetings, where we combine electronic support such as a webinar or broadcast, with a place to come together and share an experience. Ideally in a hybrid situation we are able to engage before the meeting or event, during through either social networking or live chats, and then follow up with further interaction that supports the learning offered.
Any comments? Please share your thoughts!
The Power of the Leader
Really, this says it all, but of course I have more to say!
Michael Hyatt Ways to Energize Your Team
Whether you are an appointed or unintentional leader, it is a responsibility to help people around us to be engaged. The more engaged the team, for us, the better the events for our clients as we are always pushing the bar.
The best part of what we do is seeing our well served clients glowing, and the best way to do this is to have team members that all believe in the value of what we do.
Every day I will continue to do my best to lead by example in showing the passion we have for what we do. Some days I know I will be wildly successful, some days will be more of a struggle as the realities of keeping clients happy is not always the simplest thing in the world. So on to another day!
Michael Hyatt Ways to Energize Your Team
Whether you are an appointed or unintentional leader, it is a responsibility to help people around us to be engaged. The more engaged the team, for us, the better the events for our clients as we are always pushing the bar.
The best part of what we do is seeing our well served clients glowing, and the best way to do this is to have team members that all believe in the value of what we do.
Every day I will continue to do my best to lead by example in showing the passion we have for what we do. Some days I know I will be wildly successful, some days will be more of a struggle as the realities of keeping clients happy is not always the simplest thing in the world. So on to another day!
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| a small part of our volunteer lunch crew on the 2007 weekend to end breast cancer |
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