Last month's article on the commitment of companies to perpetuate BAD MEETINGS must have hit a real chord as I have been flooded with potential business on how our meeting ideas can elevate the predictable outcome of those mind-numbing experiences.

WOW, what a busy November; capped off by my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving. All the joy of family without the pressure of gift giving!

November gave me a great opportunity to revitalize one of our older presentations / workshops on stress management. Now fully interactive, with the latest scientific and business information delivered in a dynamic multimedia format, our stress workshop was a huge hit for a new client. Filled with solution based content, From Frazzled to Dazzled will take a front runner position in my 2009 strategy.

We often are asked how we create the visuals, video and interactive aspects that define our presentation philosophy. These aspects distinguish Creative Ventures programs and play a key role in our differentiation and separation strategy. This month I had the opportunity to teach our ideas in our program The Architecture of Presentations. It was a fantastic session filled with questions and creative energy!

A new year is just around the corner and yes, it will be filled with uncertainty. A fragile world will await our choices. We will search for answers as those things out of our power unfold new issues every day. But at the end of the day the same truth will apply; we will be defined by the choices we make. So slow down, think and choose wisely.

Have a grace filled Holiday Season!

An interesting value movement is gaining momentum in American business. I am working as part of a team for two different clients who are embracing the idea. What am I talking about??? A trend often referred to as Perkonomics - a new breed of client privileges designed to elevate the relationship value between service provider and client.

This idea found its birth in the loyalty programs of airlines, hotels and credit cards. They provided special treatment to their top customers. You can avoid long lines, get a better hotel room or earn special points, all by being a good customer.

These “perks” are fantastic for not only building relationships but for adding new business in challenging times. It is a STRATEGY that can open new doors to ideas and clients. As markets are challenged, new ideas are less riskful and looking for untapped potential in your existing client base is worth the time.

In my recent work, I have followed a couple of core ideas in the construction of perk programs:

• It’s About Empathy: What can be offered that develops additional value to a good customer that would create a stronger bond? How can the unavoidable hassles of doing business be alleviated? Create a strategy around empathy by thinking like your customer.
• Be Smart: Our economy is inhabited by informed, experienced and intelligent consumers that often know as much about your business as you do. You have to plan the advantages you offer around a “smart” strategy; a strategy that creates value. Miss the mark and your customers will see through the idea as a cheap stunt. The perks have to fit your current strategies and culture.
• Open Your Eyes: If you focus only on the ideas found in similar businesses or your industry you will miss the opportunity to connect ideas. I presented over 50 “perk” ideas from every industry you could imagine to discover connections. Through brainstorming sessions we were able to adapt other strategies to form a list of great “perk” ideas. American Airlines allows their privileged clients to board whenever they want. Hilton Honors members don’t wait in line. What do these two ideas have in common? TIME. They save their customers time. It was easy to translate that idea to all of my clients.

Challenging economic conditions do not diminish the importance of creating value and discovering methods of separation and differentiation in commoditized markets. Tough times don’t mean STOP. Do something. Your 2009 will be defined by the actions you take!

How about some good economic news. Yeah, it’s out there. You just need to pay attention and not allow all the dark clouds of our CNN world block your vision.

Texas: The Lone Star State seems to be moving in a somewhat opposite direction to the rest of its 49 partners. In October 23,000 NEW, yes NEW, jobs were created with the service sector leading the way. Home sales jumped 11% with the bad luck of previous owners creating new opportunities for bargain hunters.

The Nesting Syndrome: When dollars get tight, people stay home more and certain companies are well positioned for this trend. Home entertainment is a huge upside player. The video game industry is booming as October saw another double digit increase in sales. Blizzard Entertainment launched the latest expansion of its World of Warcraft series, Wrath of the Lich King, and promptly sold 2.8 million copies in 24 hours. DVD sales, both new and used are gaining economic power as nesters are taking more advantage of their home theater systems. Even H. J. Heinz showed increased earnings from 71 cents to 87 cents and revenues rose 4%. People eating at home were buying more Ore-Ida frozen potatoes and ketchup.

Of Course, Wal-Mart: Big surprise huh? Wal –Mart sales up 7.5% for 2008. In bad times for retail with big guys like Linen & Things, Circuit City and Mervyns disappearing, value based, low cost guys are showing sales increases. The economy is now making THRIFT the new luxury. Kind of weird seeing the parking lot at Costco, Sam’s, Target and other value based retailers filled with Jags and BMW’s.

CONTACT: Interested in these ideas?

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