Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Getting Creative With Entertainment Ideas For Your Next Business Event

Business meetings are usually viewed as not being very enjoyable and are often considered to be little more than a necessary evil at many corporations. Yet corporate event planning professionals know that there are a good number of business entertainers who can enliven an otherwise dreary meeting and provide meaningful content at the same time.

The type of presentation that a company chooses to receive from a corporate entertainer will depend on the business that is hosting the meeting and the atmosphere within the corporation. A company with a strictly conventional office environment might select a motivational speaker whose presentation is formal and straight-forward. Musical bands are a common choice, either during or after a dinner, but there are numerous other types of presentations and business entertainers to consider when planning a meeting or event.

Since business meetings are often dry and number-laden, humor can go a long way toward breaking up boring speeches and seemingly endless slide shows. Comedians who work company specific language into their skits are usually a huge hit with all levels of attendees. The use of terms and words specific to a business or industry can create a bonding experience with employees because the audience knows that outsiders would not get the jokes.

Providing entertainment to business meeting attendees is important, but delivering a message is perhaps more so. Magicians are a favorite at many corporate events because the magic can be used to represent the magic that is created by the employees and the rabbits they pull out of their hats on a daily basis to satisfy customers. Jugglers can demonstrate how keeping all of those balls in the air is no easier for them than it is for the average office worker, but that the juggling can be fun and rewarding if performed in the right frame of mind. Hypnotists can help attendees get in touch with the needs and wants of their customers by tapping the same desires within themselves.

Humor provides another advantage, especially when incorporated into speeches. No one wants to miss the best one liner delivered all day, so it keeps the audience listening for the information management wants delivered.

Corporate event planning requires that the planner is not only in tune with what will work in a given venue, but also what will not work. A good comedian may be able to provide a lively show at a night club, but if the entertainer tends to use language that might be offensive to some in a business audience, another more appropriate act should be booked. Music can serve either as background sound to a dinner or other activity, or it can be the main event, but thought should be given to the audience and how the type of music selected will be received. It is extremely important to know your audience so you can provide the correct entertainment for the occasion.

As mass media has long taught us, combining entertainment and education is a powerful way to reach people. The best entertainers will be able to work with event planners to incorporate the event's theme and message into their act. Choosing the right entertainment means that the resulting business event will not only be more enjoyable, but also it will become a stronger, more effective means of communicating important ideas.

A professional comedian and communication consultant with over 20 years of experience in serving the special entertainment needs of the corporate community. A published writer and theatrical director with knowledge of entertaining all levels of industry - from the Fortune 100, to trade associations, to industry conferences - he offers more than just top comedy; he creates and performs original business humor and corporate comedy for each and every client. Powered by SEO 2.0 Services

By Stephen A. Daniels

Increasing Competitive Edge Through Business Events

There is nothing quite like a well-executed business conference, congress or summit to bring together industry executives and B2B buyers and sellers in niche industries all over the world. Delegates and key decision makers in a wide range of business sectors - from life sciences to sports & entertainment - all reach a point when they are in need of a consolidated, go-to source that can competently provide streamlined logistics for professional training, distribution of intelligence, and marketing and logistics for business events. If you have ever wondered how Fortune 500 companies apply new standards and best practices; disseminate new industry information; execute large business conferences, events and training sessions; and generally just stay ahead of the curve in their respective sectors, you should look to globally influential groups for the answer.

When it comes to breathing new competitive life into an industry in the form of training, sales, marketing, and communication strategies, global summits are the world's leading providers of commercially focused events enabling companies to assess novel business strategies and sustain competitive advantage. But their resources, experience, and expertise doesn't stop at business events; these conferences are able to satisfy industry needs in a number of ways, including but not limited to: executive education (via business conferences, summits, congresses, and other events), business information, financial & accountancy training, corporate hospitality, and language training. In the realm of business events and intelligence, they are truly a one-stop shop.

In terms of business conferences, senior executives and decision makers in sectors such as capital markets, life sciences, defense, legal, information technology and healthcare can benefit from a partnership with powerful providers of business information who have a reach that encompasses access to a massive, diverse group of expert speakers and practitioners. Some events attract 30,000 speakers annually who provide niche subject matter, new business information and best practices to large audiences of key industry delegates who will, as a result, go on to excel in their disciplines, disperse new intelligence throughout their ranks, and set new benchmarks for quality. These things are at the very core of what can potentially take flight at well-planned and executed business conferences.

In a competitive global economy in which businesses are forced to ride often erratic waves of success and hardship, business executives have to be prepared to face just about anything. It's critically important for companies to have solid ground on which to stand, even in the midst of a market downturn. For consistency in excellence, industry leaders have to continuously seek and apply new ways to present their companies as the best in the industry - and have the ability to deliver products, services, and information far beyond their lofty presentation. Groups like these have a particularly unique and refined set of tools that encompasses much of what businesses need logistically in order to maintain a significant edge over competitors.

By Jenny Heart. Marcus Evans professional training provided at Marcus Evans business conferences worldwide. Learn more about Marcus Evans global summits.

By Jenny Heart

Increasing Competitive Edge Through Business Events

There is nothing quite like a well-executed business conference, congress or summit to bring together industry executives and B2B buyers and sellers in niche industries all over the world. Delegates and key decision makers in a wide range of business sectors - from life sciences to sports & entertainment - all reach a point when they are in need of a consolidated, go-to source that can competently provide streamlined logistics for professional training, distribution of intelligence, and marketing and logistics for business events. If you have ever wondered how Fortune 500 companies apply new standards and best practices; disseminate new industry information; execute large business conferences, events and training sessions; and generally just stay ahead of the curve in their respective sectors, you should look to globally influential groups for the answer.

When it comes to breathing new competitive life into an industry in the form of training, sales, marketing, and communication strategies, global summits are the world's leading providers of commercially focused events enabling companies to assess novel business strategies and sustain competitive advantage. But their resources, experience, and expertise doesn't stop at business events; these conferences are able to satisfy industry needs in a number of ways, including but not limited to: executive education (via business conferences, summits, congresses, and other events), business information, financial & accountancy training, corporate hospitality, and language training. In the realm of business events and intelligence, they are truly a one-stop shop.

In terms of business conferences, senior executives and decision makers in sectors such as capital markets, life sciences, defense, legal, information technology and healthcare can benefit from a partnership with powerful providers of business information who have a reach that encompasses access to a massive, diverse group of expert speakers and practitioners. Some events attract 30,000 speakers annually who provide niche subject matter, new business information and best practices to large audiences of key industry delegates who will, as a result, go on to excel in their disciplines, disperse new intelligence throughout their ranks, and set new benchmarks for quality. These things are at the very core of what can potentially take flight at well-planned and executed business conferences.

In a competitive global economy in which businesses are forced to ride often erratic waves of success and hardship, business executives have to be prepared to face just about anything. It's critically important for companies to have solid ground on which to stand, even in the midst of a market downturn. For consistency in excellence, industry leaders have to continuously seek and apply new ways to present their companies as the best in the industry - and have the ability to deliver products, services, and information far beyond their lofty presentation. Groups like these have a particularly unique and refined set of tools that encompasses much of what businesses need logistically in order to maintain a significant edge over competitors.

By Jenny Heart. Marcus Evans professional training provided at Marcus Evans business conferences worldwide. Learn more about Marcus Evans global summits.

By Jenny Heart

Monday, December 28, 2009

How to Make an Impact With Presentations - Powerful Public Speaking Tips

Not everyone is a natural public speaker. When you meet people, it's easier to speak one-on-one with a person sometimes as opposed to addressing large crowds. It's natural to feel nervous before giving a public speech or presentation. However, too much nervousness and improper speaking techniques can be detrimental to your presentation.

With enough practice, the following powerful public speaking tips will make you a natural public speaker in no time.

• Know your material well - If you aren't prepared for speech/presentation, it will show. Know your material/topic well before you present. Know more about the subject than you actually use in your speech. You want to come across as an expert on the topic. Use personal anecdotes, humor (if appropriate) and avoid jargon - this will allow you to speak easily about your topic.
• Practice and more practice- Rehearse a few times in front of other people. Practice with the AV equipment you plan to use, especially if you give a PowerPoint presentation. Remember to pause and breathe throughout your speech, and practice with a timer (especially if you have limited time to speak).
• Know your room - Arrive early to the room so you can set up your projector, laptop, etc. Test microphones and visual aids to make sure everything runs properly before speaking.
• Personally greet your audience - Greet audience members as they enter the room. This will ease your nervousness and puts you on a friendly, personal level with audience members/guests.
• Use positive visualization techniques - Before giving your speech, visualize your speech running smoothly. Imagine yourself speaking in a clear, confident voice. Visualize your audience smiling and clapping loudly at the end of your speech.
• Relax and concentrate on your message - Relax and take a few deep breaths before you speak. Don't focus on your anxieties and nervousness. Focus on your intended message and audience members. Remember that your audience/guests want you to succeed. Don't ever apologize for your nervousness or glitches - the audience will never notice the problems.
• Gain public speaking experience - Take a public speaking class or join a professional speakers' organization. If you don't feel confident giving presentations, there are experts who can steer you in the right direction. The more speeches/presentations you give, the more confident you'll feel speaking in front of large groups.

Avoid the following mistakes when giving a presentation/speech:

• Don't copy other speakers' presentation styles
• Don't read your speech word-for-word
• Don't speak in a quiet, monotone voice - use voice inflection (and enunciate words)
• Don't stand in one place - work the room
• Be well-prepared and don't make up your presentation as you go (you will make yourself look foolish and unprofessional)
• Don't begin your speech by saying "Thank You" - start your presentation with a bang
• Don't use other people's stories - Personalize your speech by using your own experiences (using other people's quotes are acceptable)

Remember that public speaking is a learned art and won't happen overnight. With time and practice your presentations will sound both polished and professional.

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By Jonathan Boyd