Total Conference Production – there’s method to the creativity…

Getting the balance right between the desire and the do-able is a constant challenge for the event producer. Being creative, with limited funds, and delivering to expectations, seamlessly – this is the new status quo.

Here’s a simple methodology to help bring good design and delivery together harmoniously to deliver effective conferences.

The 4C’s Framework

We take an integrated approach to conference and event design and delivery, working closely with clients to ensure objectives are met, creative elements are deliverable and the event partnership is an enjoyable one.

Our approach follows a 4C’s Framework – in short:

Content – defining what the event is to achieve
Creative – delivering the message in a memorable and engaging way
Co-ordination – ensuring everything is delivered to expectation
Collaboration – working in partnership with all stakeholders

This framework needs to be underpinned by an absolute focus on producing brilliant client and audience experiences – i.e. mapping the journeys of both the organisers (client) and audience and making impact at all touch points.

For more conference production advice and ideas check out www.weknowouronions.co.uk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee Recognition? Employee Reward? Relevant?

I was recently asked  how are internal staff award schemes faring in the current economic climate. My response ran something along the following lines.

Awards schemes tend to fall largely into 2 types – Incentive programmes  and Recognition programmes. The former are geared at motivating a target audience to perform a certain activity – often a sales team to increase a sales related activity, from calling to closing. They can be useful tools in inducing or encouraging other behaviours also e.g. promoting and rewarding innovation.

 Recognition programmes, unlike incentives, don’t always offer a reward as an inducement. The recognition itself – being thanked  for a job well done – is deemed to be enough. Being recognised by peers for going the extra mile, particularly if this gains some level of appropriate publicity, is a fantastic emotional motivational tool. Making it personal is important. Awards are often used to highlight the value of the scheme, help promote it and make a fuss over a select number of people.

Recognition programmes are primarily deployed to drive particular behaviours, frequently aligned to culture and values. Participants are recognised for they’re behaviours that reflect the company’s values.

In both cases, group rewards i.e. events, experiences, travel, have significant additional benefits, primarily in helping build a community within the business. Shared experiences also get talked about, often becoming something of legend – great publicity for a programme!

Many recognition programmes come about as a result of companies listening to their staff. Employee surveys usually ask questions around recognition e.g. “Have you been recognised for your work in the last 7 days?”. Responses on these questions can frequently be poor. A well thought out programme, particularly when design involves the audience, can have dramatic effects on these future responses.

Incentive programmes and recognition programmes have remained pretty robust over the last few years.

Well designed, managed and communicated programmes will always deliver excellent value. In many cases, incentives in particular, they’re measurable i.e. there are tangible results which at least in part can be attributed to the programme. The cost of simple recognition programme when viewed on a per employee basis, particularly with the movement to digital platforms, provides a compelling case for no company being without one.

The biggest challenge is for companies to realise a budget when, unless something’s already in place, nothing has been set aside. As mentioned above, the benefits and maths all work, so once businesses review the case in close detail, invariably schemes get adopted.

Keep Calm and Get Motivated

With less than 100 days until the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics, we’ve a unique opportunity to ride a rapidly rising wave of camaraderie, teamship…and of course sporting analogy.

Despite some negative commentary across sections of the media, the Olympics will be an uplifting, game-changing event. Believe it. Speak to anyone who’s been around when the Games kicked off on their doorstep – when it comes, you’ll know it, you’ll take to it, you’ll want to be involved. Question is, will it be too late?

Too late not just to get tickets, but too late to tune into the opportunities the Olympics presents in firing up your people.

If you’re responsible for motivating the people you work with, but don’t know which way to turn to tap into the Olympic opportunity, read on.

Here’s a list of just some of the things our clients are doing to inspire their people:

• Incentive programmes – short-term tactical schemes using creative design and mechanics linking individual and team performance into medal tables and sporting disciplines
• Office based challenges – cross departmental teams compete over the weeks or months preceding as well as during the Olympics in a series of fun team challenges based in and around the workplace – light-hearted, easy to install and manage activities, leaderboards, medal ceremonies
• The Games – a broad set of team activities popular in many different formats – our largest group is 1,000 people at Wembley Stadium in a fully immersive team challenge based around iconic Olympic venues and disciplines
• Corporate themed parties and celebrations, some just tipping a wink to the big event, others going for broke – one taking guests on a journey from the classical to the contemporary, including a small army of human statue torch bearers and singing drinks waitresses kitted out in red, white and blue pvc catsuits
• Create your own Olympic Ceremony – sing, dance, direct, produce, light, script, perform
• Health and wellness promotions – workshops and engagement activities; some are also encouraging teams to undertake physical challenges in support of worthy causes

So don’t be keeping too calm – get involved! What am I doing?  I’ve just been recruited as a voluntary performer in the Olympics Opening Ceremony!

Naughty but nice! An idea for a “girlie” team experience

Hen do, girl’s night out, birthday celebration or office team treat? If you are looking for a girlie treat with a difference then you might want to consider a traditional tea party event.

Companies such as The Vintage Patisserie work to transport your small group of guests into a magical golden era, where fabulous customer service and attention to detail are a way of life.

Guests get to enjoy a sit-down ‘High Tea’ with hand made cakes, all served by delectable hostesses on the finest vintage china. There is even a dress up trunk with 1920’s costumes to really get them in the mood!

Events are fully adaptable for your needs and can be held during the day or evening. You may want to make your event truly bespoke with a variety of activities including vintage make-over’s, photo shoots, cake making, tea tasting and even a cheeky burlesque lesson!

Posted by Debora King, Project Manager at The MotivAction Group

Small (team building) can be beautiful too!

Our larger, eye-catching, team build activities can be really memorable and will always have an important place in helping our clients communicate key messages and to build and reward their colleagues.  But in the current economic climate being able to offer smaller, cost-effective, team build solutions is also vital to enable businesses to get the most from their meetings.

In the workplace we are used to multi-tasking, so it’s easy for people to switch off or to lose focus at a team meeting if they are simply sitting and listening passively to a series of presentations.  So when a tight meeting budget won’t allow for a longer team build activity, it’s still important to inject some energy and social interaction during the day, and that can be achieved with the use of one or more of the wide variety of ice-breakers, energisers and 15-minute team challenges that The MotivAction Group offer.”

Posted by Alan Southgate, Account Director, The MotivAction Group.

Rules of (Delegate) Engagement

Research indicates that the average concentration span of a corporate event delegate is around 20-30 minutes. Keeping energy levels up and the audience fully involved in the event is therefore crucial to its success.

Many meetings and corporate conferences are built on a ‘one way’ format (sometime also referred to as the ‘empty container model’). These are presentation heavy events that assume participants are empty knowledge vessels to be filled with wisdom. Instead, to create a truly effective meeting, a more dynamic approach should be adopted. Creating ‘learning events’ – encouraging ‘human co-flourishing’ which assumes each audience member possesses a brain rather than vacant space – can deliver great results through bringing the audience’s knowledge, resources and experiences into play.

So to keep your audience engaged and even contributing to the event consider:

–        30 minute presentations (the magic half hour),  followed by opportunity to reflect/discuss

–        creative presentation formats and varied media

–        making it memorable: unusual/different elements; surprise and delight the audience, do the unexpected, create laughter

–        building energy and interaction – including Q&A, whether traditional or using the many forms of technology

–        specialist team build workshops, interactive and a personal experience

–        entertainment, energisers, ice breakers

Something a little different- corporate conference or evening entertainment venue ideas

Are you looking for a smaller venue in London for a conference or evening entertainment? Have you considered looking at private members clubs? There are a wide range of clubs available across the capital providing a variety of facilities to suit most budgets.

Lutyen’s on Fleet Street offers a range of rooms including a French brasserie restaurant for up to 60 people, four specially designed private dining or meeting areas for up to 26 people; and a nightclub space for corporate evening entertainment. Prices start from £60 per head, with three course meal menus from £40 per head.

8 Moorgate Eight in the Eastend of London houses over 9000 square foot of event space, including two floors of stunning terraced areas with spectacular views of the city skyline. The restaurant provides seating for up to 110 people, and the larger terrace seats up to 80 people. Their members lounge on the 6^th floor provides an open library, meeting rooms, private snug areas, 70 metres of exclusive terrace and an outdoor cigar lounge. Their set menus start from £35 per head for three courses, and day delegate rates from £55 per head.

From the prestigious Hospital Club in the heart of Covent Garden, favoured for events by media groups including The Guardian, to Soho’s Century Club, with its fantastic inside out space on the roof; private member clubs can offer your client something out-of-the-box with a more personal touch.

Posted by Debora King, Project Manager, The MotivAction Group, ideas@motivaction.co.uk