Reasons Why Technology Must Be Integrated Into Events

Change is can be hard for some of us....

Especially change that requires us to convince our clients it is the right move. And for those who are not technology lovers, the concept of integrating technology into your events can be quite daunting. In fact, we often hear the argument that technology is a great add-on, but it is not something that needs to be integrated into your events. We at Obvius could not disagree more. We sincerely believe that the reason people feel this way is because of a mix of fear and not knowing the true benefits of integrating technology.Therefore, today we want to focus on why you absolutely must start moving towards integrating technology into your event. No longer is it a question of want. You now have to do it and we will tell you the reasons why...

Your attendees are obsessed with it.
There is no denying it. Your attendees are using technology every moment of their day. From their smartphones to various apps to technology being wired directly into their cars, your attendees have access to technology everywhere they go. They expect to be able to use that technology at your events and they even expect you to introduce them to new technology.

It makes good business sense.
Sometimes, integrating the right technology product into your events can be expensive. Depending on the product that you use, you may find that there is a hefty activation fee that comes along with it. But, the benefits that come along with that often far outweigh the financial costs. In addition, there are so many products that you can integrate free of charge. Just like in business operations, using technology the way it was designed can help to save money, time and resources. Your events can run more smoothly with less staff effort. Of course, sometimes there is a lot of training that is necessary and extra manpower upfront. Regardless, this upfront training will really pay off in the end. And yes, I mean financially.

Everyone else is.
We don't usually like to make decisions just because the majority of people are doing something. In some cases, we can get into this herd mentality and start making very bad decisions. But, in other cases, the majority is leading towards a trend that we are now behind on. The truth is that your attendees are attending other events where technology is being used. They're starting to see the benefits of strategically used mobile applications and online communities. They love being able to connect with their fellow attendees using various methods. They love seeing their speakers using multiple presentation modes and creating interactive events. They want to see this at your events too.

We know that your clients may not be asking for it yet. Or maybe they are asking for it, but they're still easy to convince otherwise. But, we urge you to adopt this mentality soon. Before you know it, your clients are going to be asking for all kinds of technology integration and you don't want to be behind. Thankfully, our industry is making some great strides in event innovation and there are a lot of resources for you out there. Don't be left behind. Embrace the change now and set yourself up for long-term success!

Contact us for more information.

Obvius Team

Tips for organising the Perfect Retail Sales Meeting

Since many retail outlets nowadays are open all week, planning team meetings and internal conferences presents some challenges. Therefore we hereby present you with 12 take-aways for building the perfect retail sales meeting.

1. Make it accessible.

• Vary the location (e.g. Pick a venue that is a short commute from the airport ).
• Be sure to pick a location that is accessible by public transportation if you have a lot of younger team members.
• Provide refreshments and time for relaxation on the first afternoon as many participants will be coming in from retail outlets and sales calls, so they will need time to freshen up and rest.
• Select an interactive dinner format to accommodate associates from stores who may arrive later. (Alternatively, schedule a reception with hors d'oeuvres around 7:30 PM and start dinner service with the salad course pre-set at 8:30.)
• Be prepared to offer dinner as a room service option if the flights of some participants are delayed and they are too tired to join the group.
• Build the agenda around team member availability. For example, schedule sales training for Sunday morning when stores are closed.
• Videotape core segments. 

2. Update the troops re: corporate performance, strategy and targets for the coming year.
3. Reinforce core values.
4. Provide interactive sales and customer service training. Meetings are the perfect opportunity to provide 2-hour to 1/2-day training modules. You can build on these with webinars and online training throughout the year. 
5. Build in lots of time for questions. Use a variety of formats from cracker-barrel sessions to shorter open questions periods that involve the whole group.
6. Try team building with a twist. Some years you may opt to devote a portion of your meeting to a team building simulation.  You can  for example think of a winter survival team building simulation with integrated outdoor activities. 
7. Involve suppliers. The stronger the bond between suppliers and the sales team, the easier it will be for the team to convey product benefits to customer. Select 1 or 2 suppliers every year. Build in time for them to make presentations, set up interactive product displays, and answer questions. Invite them to join the team for the dinner and entertainment.
8. Ask the hotel to assign a dedicated on-site concierge for the group. It will make your life a lot easier and ensure that you can respond quickly and effectively to unforeseen eventualities.
9. Seize the opportunity to recognize top performers or those who have provided long service. 
10. Don't forget the fun factor and be sure to give the group some downtime to enjoy the venues'  facilities. Also intend to provide a hospitality suite for refreshments and relaxation.
11. Make the final dinner memorable and interactive. We have used elements such as improv, sketch comedy and interactive dinner theater that includeded, music, cabaret and dancing. 
12. End with a powerful keynote. 

Contact us for more information.

Obvius Team