Historically, things slow down for me as winter approaches, allowing me to plan and work on 2009 projects. Apparently history is NOT going to repeat itself (it really never does) as my fall and winter are jammed with projects.

My teaching schedule is really full. Communication and thinking skills are gaining momentum and value, with many companies recognizing that improving skill sets improves just about EVERYTHING. During times of crisis, focus on what you can control — and you can control your skill sets.

Our presentation, education, and strategic programs are continually revised to add cutting edge content, visuals, and exercises. The teambuilding platform features our latest update with new consensus building and team communication exercises. They were big hits during a client's retreat last week.

The Repeatable Successful Acts platform continues building momentum in sales organizations (by the way, all companies are sales organizations). Building or adding these behaviors to new or existing sales processes can have a huge impact. These are proven activities and continue to contribute to a top producer’s ability to increase sales.

Have you recently been to a meeting where it felt like someone injected Novocain directly into your brain? Oh, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

You arrive in a standard hotel meeting room, set up classroom-style. You look for someplace to dump your stuff and watch the back of the room fill up faster than church on Sunday morning. There at your seat is a stack meeting fodder, destined to never make it back to your office. You head to the continental breakfast for a fat-filled muffin or a gorgeous glazed sweet roll and maybe a slice of cantaloupe to make you feel healthy. You know what’s coming and already your shoulders droop. After the welcome, IT begins.

The first presenter starts with a kick to your groin – a graph or chart filled with lines and bullet points in 9 point font. He never speaks to the slide and it wouldn’t matter if he did, no one can see it. He or she is unrehearsed or worse yet, zombie-like in their pattern of repeated deliver of the same content. You make your best James Bond move, and stealthily remove your Blackberry. A discreet glance under the table and you begin familiar thumb rhythms — answering text and emails, oblivious to the content being shoved your way.

Lunch arrives and you fix a quick sandwich only to be returned to the room like a condemned man. Presenter after presenter takes the front of the room pushing product, analyzing markets, defending territory; going from poorly designed slide to poorly designed slide — predictable pattern of repetitive activity. No one, and I mean no one, leaves the meeting thinking; “wow, what a great way to have spent my day!”

I kid you not, I know this model. For years I have been a willing part of this experience in a wide variety of industries. But enough is enough! It is time for a major meeting overhaul.

There is no reason to follow a pattern that is clearly not achieving its goal. Here are three parts of my new MEETING MANIFESTO and I already have clients standing in line to make a change!

• CHANGE THE ENVIRONMENT: Even a simple shift to "rounds" instead of classroom setup would be an improvement. Go to a two screen set up instead of a single centered screen. This would allow the presenter to use the center of the room. Add table decorations, play music, DO SOMETHING that changes the environment.
• CREATE INTERACTION: Asking; “are there any questions?” at the end of a presentation is NOT interaction. The problem is that most presenters are one-way kind of people. They develop monologs that put people to sleep faster than C-Span. Design interactive elements that challenge the audience. Create tests on product knowledge, add exercises that require participation. Stop the monolog madness!
• VISUALS: It’s time to step back and take a look at your visuals. Reverse your point of view. Think along the lines of the audience. Put yourself in their position. Do your visuals reflect the impact of your presentation; are they compelling? . Are your charts or graphs so complex that on one can relate to their significance? Strong visuals are only limited by your imagination.

Hey, where is the danger of doing something new? The risk is greatly mitigated by the horrific experience those in attendance are having NOW.

Interested in changing things? Call me. I have a complete meeting plan already done!

It’s Just a Cartoon: Let’s see if you can figure it out. This is the highest rated scripted program in all television. It’s is # 1 in the most desirable demographic for advertisers, males 18-34. A 30 second ad runs $200,000. It costs $2 million an episode to syndicate. The show's estimated worth is around $1 billion. It is a massive multi-platform success intersecting advertising, television and the web. Seth MacFarlane is the thinking mans frat boy who is at the helm of Family Guy, the most dominate show in all of television. Insulting, offensive and funny, it is apparently a winning combination. He just signed a $100 million deal with Fox!

It’s Always About Service: Getting off the plane at Harlingen Airport I noticed a young lady, with a grand smile, who greeted every passenger with a “Welcome to Harlingen”. I was impressed with this simple but powerful gesture. I visited with her and she said someone greets every flight and the passenger response has been fantastic. I recently stayed at a hotel, where a young man was stationed in the lobby with the simple task of observing guests to determine who needed help. He directed, helped with boxes, basically did whatever HE determined was needed by a guest. At a recent visit to a restaurant, I asked where the bathroom was, instead of pointing, the hostess walked me to the door. An elegant put powerful service element. Remember, people engage your business because of your commitment to EVERY level of service. Think little touches, for BIG service impact.

Looking For The Deal: In tough economic times, discounters can find their own little slice of consumer heaven. Costco has seen same-store-sales (a key retail indicator) jump 9% and their e-commerce site hit $1.6 billion in sales; a 33% increase over 2007. Grocery store chain Kroger’s new, deep-discount specials have pushed revenue up 12%. Family Dollar Stores announced an earnings increase from .26 to .38, out-distancing the Streets expectations. Dollar Movie Theaters (a sub set of Cinemark) has seen attendance DOUBLE in the past 6 months. In tough times, a value-concept is a good thing to have.

CONTACT: Interested in these ideas?

You can contact Steve at steve@creativeventures.com or give him a call at 972-490-7717.