With the workplace and office becoming increasingly virtual, organizing a national sales meeting that can be attended in person can help teams connect, network with industry experts, and promote improved company culture.
A national sales meeting requires organizations to understand their objectives and to ensure they execute a meeting around a selected theme. Through these efforts, it becomes possible for teams to improve their key selling skills and marketplace dynamics and help the company improve its topline performance.
Converting nonexistent customers into paying clients is no easy caveat, especially with consumers now looking to spend less on the back of economic uncertainty. Knowing that employees are able to operate and improve both top and bottom-line performance through their selling skills can help companies boost their authority and create consumer-driven marketing strategies.
What Are National Sales Meetings?
Depending on the size of the company, a national sales meeting is an annual event or gathering that helps organizations align their strategies with future goals. More so, these events are a way for companies to motivate their staff and generate exposure to new and upcoming products or services.
National sales meetings are an opportunity that allows teams to understand the company objectives and to brainstorm key selling strategies that can improve their market share. On top of this, a national sales meeting can help inspire the sales force of the company and promote company culture.
What Benefits Do a Sales Meeting Have?
Bringing everyone together in one place helps the company effectively communicate its forward-looking strategy and motivate team members.
Employees are more versed in the company’s products and services and will be able to understand their marketplace better. This is also a way to educate employees about direct competitors and how their skills can help increase customer conversion rates.
Relationship Building
Aside from learning new skills, these events are also a way for employees to foster new connections with their peers and help them establish more grounded and productive workplace relationships.
Align Company Targets
Understanding the company goals is one thing, but measuring it against expected targets can help motivate employees and give them proper guidance on how they will be able to achieve these targets.
Establish Company Culture
Another benefit would be to expose workers to the company culture. The company culture speaks about how the organization treats its employees, offers them new opportunities, and motivates them to pursue more challenging tasks while providing them with the necessary resources.
How to Plan a Sales Team Meeting?
With a large portion of the working population still working from home, at least 58% of doing so once per week, it’s crucial to plan a meeting whereby all employees can attend simultaneously.
Establish Meeting Objectives
First off, set the objectives of the meeting and what the company is looking to achieve. If the idea is to boost sales or grow marketplace presence, clearly state this as the main objective of the event and plan around this.
Set Expectations
Be sure that employees know what will be expected of them during and after the annual sales meeting, this way it’s possible to avoid disappointing or misleading any team members.
Have a Team of Planners
Ensure that a team of employees is in charge of planning the annual sales meeting, or hire a professional team to do most of the work. At this stage, it’s also important to include a potential budget for the event.
Schedule the Meeting
Select a time when all employees will be available, and consider those who might work outside the city or state.
Acknowledge Different Elements
Understand that logistic, financial, or personal reasoning might be why some employees aren’t able to attend the national sales meetings. In this case, make sure that an alternative solution can be provided to them to include them.
Get People Involved
Activities during the event should promote engagement and ensure that employees are involved in the discussions. Have different activities that cover all the necessary elements of the event, and make sure that employees are able to learn from this and build peer-to-peer relationships.
Prioritize Networking
While planning the activities, be sure to have regular intervals where employees can socialize with one another or network with other people from different branches of the company. If you’re inviting a guest speaker, be sure that there is enough time for employees to ask questions or connect with the speaker
Check Out What Is a Steering Committee [Purpose and Roles Explained]:
Sales Meeting Theme
Keeping national sales meetings interesting yet exciting requires planners to consider different types of national sales meeting themes that can cover a wide range of different topics.
Growth
The theme of this meeting is to help inspire and motivate teams or individual employees to develop their skills and improve their abilities. This meeting structure is best suited for companies that want their employees to boost their personal development alongside that of the company.
Motivational
A motivational theme allows team members to feel inspired, energized, and excited about future goals, whether they are personal or related to the company. The motivational structure can help employees feel energized for the year ahead and ensure their vision is on helping the company achieve its predetermined goals.
Team building
Finally, another team meeting idea would be for team building, which allows employees to engage with their colleagues in a less formal setting and harness a collective company culture among all members of the organization.
Where necessary, ensure to have sales organization accommodates virtual national sales meetings for sales staff and sales teams or other sales representatives that are not able to attend any in-person sales kickoff meeting
FAQ
What Should a Sales Meeting Include?
Some of the basic elements to include in the sales team meeting can be company objectives, expectations, feedback, and performance measurement tools. Additionally, it’s possible to highlight other aspects such as competitors, potential customers, and any new or upcoming products and services.
What Should a Sales Meeting Agenda Look Like?
Ensure that all members have been well informed about what is expected in the event, the topics they’ll be discussing, the activities that they will do, and the time allocated for networking.
How Do You Write an Agenda for a Sales Meeting?
Ensure that all meeting details are kept short and that employees have been briefed beforehand. Discuss topics in more detail, and give teams feedback about good and bad aspects. Allow time for questions and networking, and decide on a forward-looking strategy. Finally, end the meeting with another question and answer session.
What Are the 5 Elements of a Meeting?
Having a clear message or agenda, participants, someone to lead the meeting, a forward-looking strategy, and a company meeting policy.
How Do You Prepare for a Sales Meeting?
Plan and schedule the meeting, and have research-related questions ready. Choose a sales tactic that works best for the company. Write a meeting agenda, and invite participants. Execute the sales pitch, and give employees time to ask questions or make remarks.
Conclusion
With the digital office, it’s easier to host virtual sales team meetings, but in-person engagement has been found to help motivate and inspire employees better. Make sure that the sales team meeting has a forward-looking strategy, and that employees feel energized to enter the marketplace.
Kelly Murphy
PRESIDENT & FOUNDER
Certified Meeting planner with 20+ years of event management experience, founder of ConferenceSource, expert in meeting facility sourcing & contracting in North America, Europe, South America and Asia.
Kelly will manage your budget as if they were her own, negotiating the best possible rate and hotel contract to benefit and protect every client and exceed all expectations for all planning aspects for sales meetings, educational meetings, product launches, incentive trips down to a small board of directors meeting. We make meetings easy understanding your meeting objectives and delivering meeting matched components.
Need Help Planning Your Next Corporate Event or Meeting?
Perks and benefits are what draw employees to an incentive travel company. The salary might be their first contact, but the benefits will be part of the occupation that will lead them to accept the opportunity to work within a company.
Travel incentives are rewards given to employees or a team for reaching a goal or completing a task of high importance set by management within the company. This reward is all expenses paid for travel to a specific destination.
Incentive travel rewards are a method of motivating the staff to be more productive. These incentives will increase sales and will ensure that both the individual and the company grow.
What is Incentive Travel?
Incentive travel is a reward system where employees will be rewarded with a travel experience to a beautiful destination. These employees will receive this incentive when they achieve or complete a set task or goal. The company managers or leaders will set these goals and tasks.
There are many reasons for using incentive travel within the company. This will boost sales and productivity, and the incentive can also improve the work culture and increase employee retention. The employees will feel validated and appreciated for the hard work and time they provide for the company.
What Are Different Incentive Programs
Incentive programs can look different and adjusting it to fit the company’s values and goals are essential. These incentives will allow the company to move towards the goals they have set to accomplish within a specific time. The key is to determine which incentive program will work best for the company and its employees.
Companies have the option to decide between monetary and non-monetary incentive programs. Monetary incentive programs are a financial benefit that employees receive when they complete a task. Some of these incentives can include a bonus or performance-based increases.
Non-monetary incentives include some days off or a certain period of working from home as a reward for achieving a goal. Another incentive within the nonmonetary incentive programs is a travel program. In this program, employees have the option to travel domestically or internationally to a destination to enjoy a holiday courtesy of the company.
Incentive Awards & Trips For Employees
An incentive travel program can take time to plan and incorporate within a company incentive plan. This however can be used as a once-a-year occurrence that will motivate the team and employees to work towards the goals that have been set for them
When companies decide to use a travel award system, the managers and company leaders must have set rules and regulations in place to assist the planning team in creating and building the best-suited traveling incentive program.
The incentive should focus on the employee and not the company. The incentive program will be set to reward the employee, thus adjusting the plan to fulfill their desires will lead it to success.
Every employee must be informed in advance to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to reach the goals. The management of the company must provide every team member with a space to asses their goal and track their current performance. This will allow them to keep track of how far they still need to go.
Check Out Incentive Travel 101:
Customer Loyalty
An employee incentive program can have a great impact on customers. The program can set goals such as increasing sales, which will lead the team to take care of their customers. This will lead them to show loyalty due to the great care the employees have for them.
Companies can create an incentive plan for customers that show their loyalty, this however is not as common as an employee incentive program. By simply focusing on the employee, companies can reach more benefits and grow their business at a rapid pace.
Sales Incentives
Retail businesses are well known for their incentive programs to ensure growth in sales. These incentives build a desired outcome that benefits the company and the team and one of the incentives that enhances that outcome is a travel incentive based on sales.
Statistics shows that 53% of award programs reward sales goals, 43% recognize employee performance and 33% are the partners of the company.
While the majority of awards are given to the sales team, companies can create multiple programs to ensure that the entire company has the opportunity to be awarded an incentive program. An incentive annual trip can be an individual incentive trip or for an entire team, and while some companies have internal planners, incentive travel agencies can be used.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Incentive Travel
As with every incentive program, travel incentives have advantages and disadvantages that must be compared to ensure that the award system is beneficial and possible for the corporation.
The advantages of an incentive program come in the form of increased sales and productivity. The company culture and employee engagement will increase with an increase in profit. The incentives will ensure that employees build healthy and meaningful relationships, and the company will increase its employee retention rates.
The disadvantages of a corporate incentive trip are that the quality and high performance can suffer due to manipulations and deceit to ensure that the employee receives the award. The cons of incentive travel are that incentive programs are not long-term solutions to problems the company faces.
Careers in Incentive Travel & Destination Management
There are multiple options for traveling incentive managers within incentive companies. An occupation for managing traveling can occur within an event planning organization. This career opportunity will allow the employee to create an incentive plan that can be enjoyed by many employees over some time.
While some incentive travel companies only focus on deluxe incentive travel, others focus on multiple different events, thus acquiring an event planner more than a sole incentive travel planner job. Some incentive travel companies will assist businesses with multiple options, including VIP access trips, while other incentive companies focus on domestic and sales incentives for any team and business.
Examples of Incentive Travel
Sending the team or individual to a domestic location such as Miami or New York is an example of incentive travel. The employee can visit multiple sights that are tourist attractions and enjoy an afternoon of leisure activities that they find exciting.
Many companies will send employees to Italy, Spain, or Portugal. This is due to the fantastic weather, different culture, and history of all three countries. These are fantastic destination examples that can be used for both team travel and individual incentive programs. These cultural activities can be beneficial within the business sphere.
FAQs
What is the Slogan of Incentive Travel?
There are many slogans to choose from. Companies can focus on the perks and benefits that the employees receive and add a rhythm and fun chant to it. This will improve the company culture and employee satisfaction.
How Do You Organize Incentive Travel?
Organizing incentive travel will take time and a team to ensure that the right procedures are followed. The team must first identify the main goals and reasons for the incentive. Thereafter the company must evaluate what goals must be rewarded and with what incentive program. Only then can the focus be on a location or destination that the attendee will enjoy.
What is the Difference Between a Reward, an Incentive, and a Gift?
A gift will be received as a good gesture or an achievement, such as a birthday. Conversely, an incentive will be rewarded to a person when specific tasks or goals are completed. A reward is performance-based.
Final Considerations
Travel incentive programs are a great way to motivate the team to grow. With benefits such as increasing team productivity and sales or building team culture, travel incentives will benefit any company that uses them. Companies can use a professional meeting planner or other incentive travel companies to ensure a quality trip for all employees.
Companies can use incentive programs to ensure that the entire team and company grow towards tear goals. And while some incentive programs are more successful, incorporating an incentive travel program will provide the business with that desired growth.
Kelly Murphy
PRESIDENT & FOUNDER
Certified Meeting planner with 20+ years of event management experience, founder of ConferenceSource, expert in meeting facility sourcing & contracting in North America, Europe, South America and Asia.
Kelly will manage your budget as if they were her own, negotiating the best possible rate and hotel contract to benefit and protect every client and exceed all expectations for all planning aspects for sales meetings, educational meetings, product launches, incentive trips down to a small board of directors meeting. We make meetings easy understanding your meeting objectives and delivering meeting matched components.
Need Help Planning Your Next Corporate Event or Meeting?
An organization is just as strong as its weakest link. This phrase has been thrown around many team meetings and corporate events, and even though it’s true, most companies ignore it. There are many methods for strengthening and motivating a corporate team, and some have found that incentive travel programs can fulfill that task.
Corporate incentive trips are a reward system for employees and teams gave when they have achieved a goal or completed a specific task. These rewards are used as motivation or to increase productivity and teamwork. An incentive will ensure growth for the company and the individuals that pursue these incentive rewards.
Incentives are more than an expense most corporations can not afford. Incentives showcase the care companies have for their employees and provide growth for individuals and teams within the business. These incentives can be used in a variety of ways, all leading to different benefits and advantages.
Types of Corporate Incentive Trips
As corporations open the idea of incentives they will quickly come to realize that there are multiple options and a set of benefits to each and every incentive program. Certain incentives can be a local trip, while other explores international waters.
Domestic Corporate Incentive Trips
Domestic incentive travel is a trip planned and scheduled in and around the U.S. Companies will determine a specific location based on its attraction and activities. The employees will enjoy these activities. Domestic travel is budget-friendly, and with transport all over the United States, company managers have much to choose from.
International Corporate Incentive Trips
A more exotic experience can be added to the incentive trips in the form of international travel. These locations will provide travelers with new experiences, both culturally and physically. These trips will allow the attendees to relax and recoup in a foreign country.
New experiences can build creativity which may provide the team with new solutions or ideas when the attendees return to the organization after their incentive travel. These are great examples of incentive travel that can lead to a strong program for the team.
Adventure Corporate Incentive Trips
There is an incentive for each member of the team. While some enjoy the calm and recouping trips, others will find adventure within every incentive program. The management team must ensure that every incentive trip includes some sort of adventure. This can include hikes, swimming in the big blue ocean, or other thrilling activities.
The adventure will not be for every individual, however, by adding an easy hike or some form of adventure, the staff will return with more motivation and insight that can be used to build creative solutions to any problem.
Luxury Corporate Incentive Trips
A luxury corporate incentive travel plan includes expensive hotels, meals, and other items that will only be found at a luxury resort or hotel. These incentives can be used when an employee achieved one of the big goals set by the company.
These incentives do not occur often and can be seen as a reward to a team or individual that completed a business task. An incentive trip will show the company’s appreciation and gratitude to the team. Not only will the individual experience a luxury resort, but they will also know what to work for next, to experience that exact feeling and destination again.
Benefits of Corporate Incentive Trips
There are many benefits a company can access by allowing incentive trips as a reward system. Moreover, not all incentive trips provide the same benefit. The company must clarify what goals they want to achieve and determine the best incentives to suit that goal.
Boosting Employee Motivation and Morale
A team’s motivation and morale determine the period it will take to complete certain levels of tasks that managers or company leaders set. If low morale and motivation occur, the team will struggle to finish simple tasks. Any goals set by the company leaders will not be achieved and the corporation will stagnate or move backward.
There are many different incentive programs that can motivate a team, but some companies have found that an all-expenses paid trip to a new city or country works really well. A travel incentive will provide the team members with a tangible reward that can be accessed, thus motivating them to achieve the goal. The morale in the office will increase due to the desire and pursuit of a reward.
Rewarding Employee Performance
Rewards can motivate most teams to improve their performance and increase their productivity. The key, however to an excellent reward is based on the employee’s desire to achieve and gain access to the reward. Sales incentive trips to locations that the employees desire to visit are a great method to boost performance. These programs can reward employees for improving their poor customer service.
Performance-based rewards can be misleading due to the capacity and capabilities of different employees and teams. Thus setting a standard to ensure that every member has an even chance of obtaining the reward is key. The incentive must reward positive employee performance and not solely any performance.
Check Out Incentive Travel – Reward your Employees:
Building Team Cohesion and Collaboration
Strong teams build and create a well-functioning corporation. Without teamwork and collaboration between different teams, a business will not be able to grow. The sales team must work with the marketing and customer service team to ensure that the sales are increasing day by day. A strong team depends on cohesion and communication.
Team-based travel incentive programs will ensure that the entire team works together to pursue a goal. The incentive will provide the team with motivation to work together. This will assist all members to understand their role in the team, and with a reward in mind, the team will need every partner within the team to do as required. The team will motivate and work with each other, cohesing and collaborating to chase down the reward.
Increasing Employee retention
Retention is one of the biggest struggles big corporations struggle. Providing in-depth training to an employee to ensure that they are on par with the team and occupation role takes time and investment. However, when the employee decides to quit, the managers and team must train and educate a new individual, which will take time and energy, which will lead to slowing down progress and tasks that must be finished.
Rewarding teams and staff members for their hard work will ensure increase employee retention. The employee’s hard work will not go unnoticed, and the reward will add value to the individual and other members that did not receive the reward.
Every individual will witness the employee being rewarded, thus motivating them to work harder, knowing they will receive an appreciation and reward for their hard work.
Planning a Corporate Incentive Trip
Planning a corporate incentive travel program will take time and dedication. The team must evaluate the goals and the reasoning behind the reward as well as administrative detail to ensure that the traveler is well taken care of.
Defining Trip Goals and Objectives
Without a goal, the incentive trip will waste the company’s money and the individual’s time. Thus setting clear goals and objectives for the incentive trip will ensure that both parties understand what the reward holds. This will put the traveling employee at ease because they know what is allowed and what objectives must be completed.
Identifying Target Audience
Creating an incentive program without the target audience in mind will lead to an unsuccessful trip. Companies must identify the target audience to ensure that the planned trip will be suited to the audience. Employees will not pursue a reward that does not excite them. Advertising a beach holiday to a group of people that enjoy the woods will not add any value to their performance, thus selecting a suitable trip for the audience is a key part of the planning department.
Setting a Budget
An all-inclusive travel package sounds amazing and will motivate any employee, however, once the funds run dry on the trip, the traveler will be upset. Creating a realistic budget will display the company’s financial backing for the incentive. The budget will provide clear guidelines of what the team or individual can spend money on. This will ensure that the company does not spend extra money that they do not have.
Choosing the Right Destination and Activities
A destination and the activities on offer are what most individuals chase. The feeling of exploring a new destination, or partaking in an activity that they love, can be a great motivating tool behind an incentive. This however can only be done if the company decides on a location that motivates the entire team. A location that is new and has a variety of activities will be the best suited. Any employee must be able to enjoy the different activities of their choice.
Planning Logistics and Accommodations
Planning all the administrative detail and logistics beforehand will allow the employee to relax and enjoy the journey the location provides. Pre-booking different accommodations, and buying all traveling tickets will allow the team or individual to enjoy the destination and activities without stressing about unnecessary administrative tasks. They only have to be present and enjoy the journey.
Managing Communications and Itinerary
There must be clear communication with the traveler at all times. This is especially difficult for international traveling. This is important for both parties. Clear communication will allow the travel to feel safe and taken care of at all times. They will know where to go and what to do at all times.
And while communication plays a key role, a set itinerary that includes the entire trip’s transport, activities, and accommodation will leave the travel at ease at all times. Companies must ensure that they have a set itinerary for the team and a form of communication in the case of emergencies.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Destination
Determining the destination might take some research. Sending any employee on a paid holiday sounds great; however, there are factors to consider. Employee safety must be a priority, whether through traveling or the destination’s activities.
Accessibility and Transportation Options
The final destination the company decides to send the winning employee or team must have accessible transport throughout the trip. Transport can be in trains, airplanes, trams or taxis. This will give the team access to tourist attractions and activities they can visit.
Local Culture and Customs
It is an exquisite experience to witness different cultures. A quick visit to a holiday destination that allows the team to experience different cultures can lead to a creative return to the office. The team might have new ideas and solutions to expand marketing techniques or ensure an increase in sales.
Customs accompany most cultural experiences. This is a service that will allow entrance to a country based on passports and documents. It is the company’s responsibility to have all documentation ready for the entire traveling team. The communication of what is allowed within a country must be provided with clear instructions for what they can return if they purchase any specific products.
Safety and Security
The team’s safety is of utmost importance. Security must be in check to ensure the team is always safe. There are many different methods to provide security to traveling individuals. The planning team can focus on security measures that must be taken at all times.
Or they can dot down all the secure and safe locations around the destination to ensure every traveler can identify them. Another form of security will be to provide the team with potential threats. This will allow the attendees to avoid certain areas or activities with prior knowledge of safety and security.
Seasonal Weather Patterns
The world is a beautiful place, and all areas of the world have seasons. Thus investigating and determining the best time to visit a location based on the time of year is a must. Summer in Europe and winter in the U.S. are all at different times.
The idea is that the team must experience the best destinations; thus, planning according to the destination season plays a crucial part in the success. Some destinations provide snow and winter activities that can only be enjoyed in the winter; thus, seasonal weather patterns must be considered.
Available Activities and Attractions
Many destinations have tourist attractions or cultural activities that lead people to travel from far destinations to come and experience. These attractions will be activities in which the team partakes. The planning team must ensure that all attraction activities are available.
Some attractions are seasoned-based, and not all activities are year-round; thus, ensuring that all activities the team wants to enjoy are available is key. The team planning the entire trip must be advised to include the activities the traveler wants to experience.
Not all members enjoy the same activities; thus, ensuring employee-specific activities can lead to great success. Experiential exercises and life experiences can add value to the employee’s unforgettable experiences, which will have an even more significant impact on how they will solve problems in the future.
ROI and Measuring Success of Corporate Incentive Trips
Defining ROI for Corporate Incentive Trips
The return on investment on corporate incentive trips can be calculated by observing the goal and measuring whether the trip assisted in obtaining the goal. There are multiple metrics to make use of. Companies must determine the ROI because it will confirm whether the trip had a positive or negative impact on the business.
Measuring the Success of Corporate Incentive Trips
Successful corporate incentive travel programs can only be successful if the company measures the trip. There are multiple methods to measuring a trip; simply asking the traveler or team is a great start. Measuring the success of a trip can be done by comparing the goal set beforehand and the feedback they received afterward from the employees.
Analyzing Data and Feedback
Data analysis and feedback evaluation are essential ways to identify flaws in an incentive program. This procedure can highlight the difference between an event planner and an event coordinator in a business setting. Managers and leaders can confer with former prize recipients as event planners, digging into their experiences and obtaining suggestions for areas the organization can improve.
Concurrently, the event coordinator’s responsibility entails using this feedback to modify and correct any detected faults in the incentive program. As these responsibilities converge and the incentive scheme matures, its success is unavoidable.
Common Challenges in Planning Corporate Incentive Trips
Budget Constraints
Creating a budget to ensure that the employees have the best experience on a trip can be a difficult task. The pieces of traveling or activities can rise due to seasonal traveling. Some destinations will raise their prices, tapping into the tourist flocking toward the destination.
Other budget constraints can be in the form of unplanned emergencies. As rewards are a luxury, the team might adjust and lower the budget to ensure that all emergencies and necessities are handled. The company can create two separate budgets to ensure the trip occurs. The first is with all luxury items and accommodation, while the second is a trip that ensures resting without all the activities included.
Logistics and Travel Arrangements
Traveling arrangements and logistics can be planned upfront. This, however, must be subject to change due to unknown situations or problems that can occur. The team can arrange taxis as transport; however, on arrival, the traveler can identify a better mode of transport or accommodation.
Change arrangements can come at a loss to the company but enhance or ensure the safety of the employees. If this is the case, the small loss can be justified, and the team must change the logistics and arrangements accordingly.
Cultural Barriers
Communicating with others can be a difficult task. This is even more so when considering cultural differences and language barriers. While employees must navigate a diversified foreign country, language can be a stumbling block. This can be countered by providing the team or traveler with apps such as google translate to ensure they can communicate in their own language.
Health and Safety Concerns
The company’s main objective is to ensure that the team is always safe and healthy. This can be a daunting task and difficult to execute; however, prior arrangements and documentation can be filed and completed to ensure that the attendees are taken care of if an accident occurs.
Best Practices for Successful Corporate Incentive Trips
Communication and Transparency
Clear and transparent communication will ensure a successful trip. This communication is necessary for both the traveling and home base teams. With continuous and concise communication, the team will know where and what to do. The communication will leave both parties at ease.
Personalization and Customization
Every individual in a team is different. This is true with attractive travel rewards as well. The incentive trip must be customized to fit the needs and wants of the team or traveler. By personalizing the trip, the attendee will benefit most from the reward, returning with a great sense of energy to the office.
Adding Value Beyond the Trip
The employee will add more value to the company if they feel validated and taken care of. An incentive trip is a great method to reward them for working hard; this, however, is not the only method of validating and showing appreciation to the team. The company must add value to the team on a daily basis to ensure that the employee and team grow within the company. Cash rewards can be used for reach sales goals. However, the use of all-inclusive offerings will add more rewarding experiences for the employees.
Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility
The corporate business must ensure that their incentive trips are sustainable. These trips must grow year by year and not stagnate or reduce. The company must start at a comfortable level and determine a reward best suited for the company. This, accompanied by their social responsibility to ensure great teamwork and cohesion, is paramount.
FAQs
Are Company Incentive Trips Tax Deductible?
These trips are only deductible if there is proof that the individual or team is traveling for work, even if it only accounts for a small portion of the time in the holiday destination. Companies can include business meetings with these trips; however, this will impact the incentives’ success rate.
What Is An Employee Incentive Announcement Sample?
This is a letter that will be sent to the individual or team that is awarded the reward of an incentive trip. The letter will congratulate and define the trip. The individual will be able to see what they have been rewarded with for the exact task or goal that they achieved.
Final Thoughts
There are many benefits for the company and the team when incentives are used. Boosting sales and increasing productivity will be two of the first benefits, while teamwork and employee retention are other benefits that can occur at a later stage Incentives will provide more value and appreciation to the company’s employees.
The planning, creating, and building of an incentive can take time, energy, and financial support. However, this is a small price to pay when all the benefits are considered. The company will grow with and through the employees and their incentive programs.
Kelly Murphy
PRESIDENT & FOUNDER
Certified Meeting planner with 20+ years of event management experience, founder of ConferenceSource, expert in meeting facility sourcing & contracting in North America, Europe, South America and Asia.
Kelly will manage your budget as if they were her own, negotiating the best possible rate and hotel contract to benefit and protect every client and exceed all expectations for all planning aspects for sales meetings, educational meetings, product launches, incentive trips down to a small board of directors meeting. We make meetings easy understanding your meeting objectives and delivering meeting matched components.
Need Help Planning Your Next Corporate Event or Meeting?
Corporate Incentive travel programs add to the employee experience at any corporation. And while some incentives only occur once a year, they will have the necessary benefits and impact the company desires.
Incentive travel has many benefits that companies can access. These benefits will ensure that the company grows in the direction they desire. These benefits will allow the team and employees to feel validated and reward them for their hard work within the company.
With all the expenses connected to incentive programs, companies defer from using them. This, however, is a short-term viewpoint that will not benefit any company. Businesses can increase sales, employee retention, and customer service by simply using an employee incentive program.
How to Plan an Incentive Trip
Planning a corporate incentive travel trip is of utmost importance to ensure the trip’s success. If the company has an in-depth planning structure, the incentive travel trip will have a strong foundation that will lead to success.
There are key areas that companies must place focus on to ensure that the trip can be planned accordingly. The team can not solely focus on the company’s needs and wants for the employees, but must find what the audience needs. These needs must fall within the company budget.
Knowing Your Audience
Incentive programs, particularly incentive travel, are used to recognize and reward the efforts of a company’s employees. These contributions could take the shape of goals met, an increase in sales and performance, or the successful execution of many duties and objectives delegated to employees by the organization. In essence, incentive travel is a concrete recognition of an individual’s or a team’s remarkable contributions to furthering the company’s objective.
The reward, however, must be seen as a benefit for the employee. If the incentive program is not attractive to the target audience, they will not aim to complete the goals that will reward them. Companies can increase productivity by simply rewarding the team with a trip that they desire. This will increase the efficiency and success rate of the trip.
There are a few easy tips for getting to know the audience, or in this case, the employees. The business can start by asking for assistance from the employees to provide destinations and locations they would love to visit. Thereafter the planning organizer can summarize and create information on the popular destinations.
Another method of gaining information on the audience is by allowing them to provide feedback and information once the trip has been completed. The employees will provide feedback on specific weaknesses and improvements the trip needs.
Qualification & Event Timing
An incentive event has many benefits connected to it. One of the biggest problems when providing employees with an incentive program is defining and communicating the qualifications needed to receive the reward. This will leave employees confused and irritated with the company.
The business must start by clearly defining the goals the employees must finish to ensure that they achieve the reward. The employees must know exactly what is expected and how they can receive the reward of a travel incentive trip. The development of the incentive will take time and planning to create.
Another focus point is that the company must be transparent and stick to its word. The company must reward the employee with the original program. This will build trust between the organization and the employees. The business must have clear guidelines to ensure that everyone knows the rules and regulations connected to the incentive program.
Check Out How to Start an Incentive Travel Program:
Timing, on the other hand, will defer between companies. The company must determine the ideal time. The following factors can have an impact on the timing of the program. Most incentive programs’ benefits will be reached when the reward is given as soon as the employee accomplishes or finish the tasks and goals.
This, however is not always possible for trips. The team must identify a period where the company can function without the employee. The employee must be allowed to enjoy the trip without any distractions from the work.
The timing will be assessed before the incentive program is communicated to the employees, thus ensuring that the date does not change every week. Problems and emergencies arise, and when this occurs the company can communicate and set a new date immediately to ensure that the employee has time to prepare for the trip.
Program Outlining & Budgeting
Creating a budget for the incentive program is of utmost importance. The team must provide the employee with guidelines and information on what items and expenses are paid for. This will allow the employee to save or set a budget for expenses they will need to pay.
A budget for incentive trips is a document with all the expenses the company will pay during this trip. This will include fixed expenses such as accommodation and transport. The company must include other variable expenses that will be covered by the business for the incentive event.
By displaying these expenses the business will know exactly how much money will be spent on the trip. With a budget, the company prevents the employee from spending more money than what is allocated and ensures that the employee does not end up stranded without any financial support.
A program outline is a document that displays the entire program for the employee. The detail on when the travel starts, with transport detail and accommodations. The outline can include daily activities and other arrangements, such as emergency contact detail.
Negotiating Budget with Specific Vendors
The budget can be adjusted and changed throughout the use of the incentive program within the company. The business can negotiate the price they pay to vendors. While the company sends employees on incentive trips year after year, the vendors are destined to have business from the organization. This can be used to negotiate lower prices due to the constant of the vendor.
What Are The Factors to Choose an Incentive Destination?
There are factors included in determining the best destination for the company employees. The first factor to take into consideration is the activities that will be available for the team. The activities must be in line with the interest the employees have. A hiking trip for an employee that loves museums is not ideal. First, identify what activities the employee will enjoy.
The second factor to consider is safety and communication. The employee must be safe at all times, and this includes areas where the employee’s lack of communication can lead to a safety problem. This can be present in international travel.
Accommodation and transport is the last factor that companies must consider before deciding on a destination. The planning team must determine whether the employee will be able to move freely with public transport and taxis. If the transport is accessible, the accommodations are the next focus point.
The employee must be able to move around the destinations, finding the accommodation at ease. The accommodations must be close enough to all planned activities and tourist attractions to allow the employee to explore and observe the beauty of the location.
Ideas For a Corporate Incentive Trip
6 Nights & 7 Days
A week of an incentive event is more than enough time to either roam around one destination or two separate destinations. The team can split up the days to ensure that the employee has three days at one location, a travel day, and then another three days at a different destination. This can be separate cities or even countries.
9 Nights & 10 Days
This long fantastic incentive trip is great for an international destination or location. The employee has the time to rest from jetlag and then enjoy the beautiful culture and activities the international destination holds. This incentive travel experience will provide the employee with a decent luxury incentive trip to experience cultural and other incentive trip activities based on the destination.
5 Nights & 6 Days
The five nights and 6 days incentive trip allows the employee to experience one destination with multiple tourist attractions over a wide space. The employee can visit a destination such as Miami and experience the ocean on two days while moving around the other four days to enjoy Miami’s different rides and locations.
3 Days & 2 Nights
The three-day employee incentive travel is a great break away from the office. This duration provides the employee with enough time to experience a few fun activities while still kicking back and enjoying the little holiday. There are amazing destinations all over the U.S. where employees can enjoy fun activities and rest for three days and two nights.
2 Days & 1 Night
This employee incentive trip can be seen as a great weekend away. The trip can be to a lavishing hotel or a destination outside of the busy city. A small wooden cabin or a small coastal city where the individual can relax and rest for two days straight. These luxury incentive trips are great for a team building and will fit perfectly within a company time slot.
FAQs
What are the Success Factors of Incentive Travel?
Success factors will include employee satisfaction and feedback on the trip. The goals and motivations for the incentive trip and whether the company and employee stayed within the budget set by the team. The company will enjoy the positive impact of a successful employee incentive travel.
What are the Drawbacks of Incentive Trips?
Some drawbacks come in the form of struggling to decide on a destination or a lack of budget for the entire program. Other drawbacks include finding time to send the employees to their destination. This could lead to the strongest employee not being present in the office when needed.
How to Apply Project Management to Incentive Trip Planning?
A project manager will be hands-on, planning, creating, and running a program. This is no different from an incentive trip. The manager will determine the budget, destination, time, and all other logistics connected to an incentive trip. The manager must be hands-on and do regular checkups on the employees while they are on their trip.
Is an Incentive Travel Planner an Excellent Option for Holding Corporate Events?
A travel planner is primarily responsible for coordinating travel arrangements, whereas an event planner or event coordinator is in charge of all elements of event administration. Due to the substantial distinction between an event planner and an event coordinator compared to a travel planner, this role divergence may generate certain complications if a travel planner is assigned event planning tasks.
While travel planners can coordinate and plan, their knowledge may be limited when dealing with the specialized needs of event planning or coordination. Such a mismatch may result in neglected vital components and tiny details critical to successful event management.
Conclusion
Incentive travel trips can have a great impact on a company. With the benefits of boosting sales and morale, the company can enrich the employee’s work life by rewarding them for their hard work. Showcasing the value and appreciation the company sees in its employees will leave the entire office with high productivity and a sense of belonging within the company.
Given the detailed orchestration and financial investment involved, planning an incentive trip significantly underscores its position as one of the most powerful incentive programs. Employees gain a great sense of value simply by knowing their employer is willing to sponsor an all-encompassing trip. Companies can block out time in their annual calendar and budget to provide this type of incentive to their employees. As a result, the work culture has improved, and staff retention has increased significantly.”
Kelly Murphy
PRESIDENT & FOUNDER
Certified Meeting planner with 20+ years of event management experience, founder of ConferenceSource, expert in meeting facility sourcing & contracting in North America, Europe, South America and Asia.
Kelly will manage your budget as if they were her own, negotiating the best possible rate and hotel contract to benefit and protect every client and exceed all expectations for all planning aspects for sales meetings, educational meetings, product launches, incentive trips down to a small board of directors meeting. We make meetings easy understanding your meeting objectives and delivering meeting matched components.
Need Help Planning Your Next Corporate Event or Meeting?
Motivating a team without a reward is a hard and tedious task. Team members do the bare minimum and do not tend to help around if they know that there are no additional benefits to them.
Sales incentive programs are of great benefit to companies when used correctly. These incentives will motivate the sales team to be more productive and motivated to sell more products. There are multiple programs that can be use that will boost sales, clear old stock, and motivate staff to attract new customers in the automotive industry. All of this can be achieved through sales incentive programs.
These sales incentives can be used by companies on staff members and customers. Customers can be driven to purchase stock due to incentives such as specials or discounts, while employees are persuaded to sell specific products that are accompanied by a small cash bonus.
A Look at Automotive Industry’s Company
Automotive industry can use incentive programs to set in place to encourage new car sales or other specific products and parts. These incentives can be directed to either a company or an employee and client.
The company-focused incentive is to act in a way where the manufacturer provides specific products at a low cost to ensure the sales numbers can be increased. This product or car can be brand new from the manufacturers or can be the old stock that has been standing for a lengthy time in a warehouse.
Sales incentives programs place the primary focus on rewarding sales members or teams that meet specific goals that have been set by the company. These plans are used to motivate staff to increase the sales numbers of new or older cars.
Client incentive programs can be granted to customers that reflect behavior that builds the business. These incentive plans can be to provide discounts on specific cars or products, or cash backs and low financing rates. Companies can use this incentive to show appreciation to customers.
Importance of such Programs in the Automotive Industry
Motivating customers and employees without any incentives can lead to low success rates and sales. This will not only affect the financial aspect of the business but can lead to stock aging in a warehouse.
Automotive industry can use incentives to ensure that new stock and cars are out of the company through a sale as quickly as possible. The key to these incentives is to have clear goals and guidelines to ensure the customer and employee understand the benefits that come with every sale.
These incentive plans can play a crucial part in the automotive business due to the stock control sales teams and management will have, as well as providing a service that customers will return for.
Incentive programs can include loyalty programs for both the manufacturers for providing the best cars and stock and the customer to arrange only the best in the industry at a good price which can come with other benefits.
Types of Automotive Sales Incentive Programs
There are a variety of incentives that business owners can use to motivate and achieve specific objectives within their marketing strategy. The company must clarify the goal of the incentive by which they then can choose the best-suited program that adds the most value to them and the customers. This will force the employees to build product knowledge that will assist them to pull through promotions for customers.
Rebates
Rebate services is a program that repays an amount to the customer when the purchase value is above a certain dollar value. This will allow the business to sell more stock at a better price.
Different rebates achieve certain goals. Volume rebates can be used to secure a bigger deal on equipment or stock. A customer can earn money back when they purchase a certain amount of a specific product.
A mixed-product incentive rebate can be used to connect high-demand products with slow-moving products. Customers can buy a bundle with an opportunity to receive a financial benefit. This will allow the company to get rid of older stock at a profit rate.
Promotions are one of the better-known rebates that companies use. Selling a combination of the same stock for a lower price ensures that the company can get rid of it. This will allow the business to gather some cash flow money to buy new stock.
Cashback Incentives
A cashback incentive works as a simple yet effective way of selling more products while adding benefits to the customers. This incentive allows the customer to receive a definite amount of money back for every dollar they spend.
This incentive is a great way to build a loyal customer bond. They will return to ensure that they can build up the cash they can receive. Companies can use this to convince customers that they are the better brand and that they want to add more benefits to the customer experience.
Low or 0% APR Financing
An interest-free car deal means that customers can purchase a car without an interest being added throughout the purchase of the new car. This seems too good to be true, yet companies use these incentives to draw new customers and sell more automobiles.
These 0% APR financing can be set to only a limited selection of cars, and even though the business does not make any money from the interest they seal the deal on many cars because of the attraction of interest-free buying.
This incentive program allows the company to broaden its target market and sell to individuals that are interested in buying a vehicle without having the financial backing. The customer can use the interest-free deal and only pay for the vehicle.
Lease Specials
Car lease incentives is a program used by business to make buying a car more approachable and affordable for their clients. These plans come with lower interest rates, and a cash rebuke to reward the client for leasing a car and receiving a better vehicle for a lower price.
These rates differ between companies and the aim is not to gain financially for the business. The employees are rewarded with discounts, which will lead to motivated and passionate sales individuals that believe in the products they sell.
Dealer Incentives
A dealer incentive is primarily given to the dealership for taking stock of motorcars from the manufacturer at a lower or special price. These programs allow the dealer to obtain vehicles for a lower price, which can save the business on the stock.
The dealer incentive is a starting point for multiple incentives. Due to the money saved at this incentive, companies can inject other incentives such as low-interest rates or lease specials to ensure sales throughout the year.
These incentives can only occur when the dealer achieves sales goals and can be accompanied by rebates and discount incentives for the dealership itself.
Manufacturer-to-dealer Incentives
A manufacturer-to-dealer incentive places focus on allowing the dealer to sell cars to their customers at a better price. This program aims to sell cars that are not as popular and well-known as other vehicles.
The manufacturer takes part in these incentives to get rid of older stock, while still making some financial gains from them. This will allow both parties to gain sales through unwanted stock.
Manufacturer-to-customer Incentives
The manufacturer-to-customer incentives are used to ensure customer loyalty. This program also ensures that the manufacturer generates sales throughout the year. Manufacturers allow rebates and discounts straight to consumers based on the vehicle they purchase.
Rebates can be a discounted price on a purchase in the future or service and assistance on the current purchase set for some time. These incentives provide manufacturers with direct access to their customers which ensures that they can provide correct and valuable information.
Check Out Why Its Illegal to Buy a Car from a Manufacturer:
Advantages and Disadvantages of Automotive Sales Incentive Programs
There are both positive and negative aspects to applying incentives to an automotive dealership. These can affect how costumes perceive the business, cut on the financial aspect, and other perks and disadvantages to these programs.
Pros
Boost Sales and Revenue
An incentive plan will allow the automotive business to improve the sales numbers and revenue coming into the business. By selling more products and cars, companies have access to more revenue. These sales will also show the manufacturer that the products are moving out of the dealership.
Attract New Customers
Customers will talk to their family and friends. This communication among people will allow the word of mouth to work in the business’s favor. The company will attract new customers through the implementation of its incentives, due to customers want the best deal they can find.
Clear Out Old Inventory
An incentive allows the company to remove old stock from the floor. This will allow the business to produce revenue from old stock, and create space for new stock that will attract customers to the business.
Maintain Market Share
Companies can use incentive programs to ensure customer loyalty, brand awareness, and pricing of products efficiently. These incentives will lead a company to maintain market share which will lead to them being a competitor in the industry.
Cons
Decrease Profit Margins
With an active incentive plan companies will have a decreasing profit margin. The vehicles are now being sold at a lower price to draw the eyes of potential customers. The business will be able to pay the bills, but with incentives, they cut the profit margin. Selling the old stock is more important than massive profit margins.
Damage Brand Image
Once a company is known for its incentives the brand image can take a blow. The business will be known for deals and incentives and not for the products, services, or customer care. This will lead to customers only returning based on deals they want, and not due to products or the amazing vehicle range they provide.
Create Price Confusion
A continuous range of incentives run at the same time across multiple options can lead to customers’ confusion on prices. The incentives will lead customers to place the incentives prices as a norm for all the products in the business. This will force businesses to sell all the products at a lower cost, because customers only want the cheaper deals, and are not used to the higher prices on some products.
It can be Difficult to Manage
Sales teams and management are the employees on the floor with the customers. By having multiple incentives and discounts, the employees can get confused and miss manage certain incentives. This will lead to products being sold with the wrong incentive which will cost the business profit.
How to Determine the Effectiveness of Automotive Sales Incentive Programs?
Setting up incentive plans and insuring that the staff members know why and how they work is one aspect of these programs. Automotive businesses must ensure that they use the data to calculate the effectiveness of the program performance.
Measure Return on Investment (ROI)
Calculating the success of these incentives starts by assessing the return on investments. Is the program at hand generating an additional lump sum of sales or revenue for the company?
If the active incentive can attract more customers, or recurring customers as well as additional sales numbers to the business, it can be seen as an effective program. The business must use the numbers to ensure the success of these programs.
Monitor Sales Trends
An effective approach to setting incentive programs in the automotive industry is by observing the sales trends. The business can observe trends of what customers find attractive. This will allow them to beat the competition on prices and offers which will lead to an increase in customers.
Evaluate Customer Feedback
Ask for the customer’s feedback. The main focus of a business is to supply the customers with a product or service that will enrich their lives, or solve a problem they have. Companies can ask for feedback from customers.
This will provide them with first-hand experience of the success or lack of the business, which can lead the management team to discover areas where they can improve.
Examples of Successful Automotive Sales Incentive Programs
Ford’s “Built for the Holidays” Campaign
The incentive program run by Ford provides the company with an idea of what programs can provoke customers over the holiday season. Ford used an incentive program over the Christmas holidays to ensure that customers buy their products over the holiday season.
Chevrolet’s “Truck Month” Campaign
Chevrolet’s incentive program focuses on advertising a product that is not that attractive to customers, but through this plan, these customers will find ways to purchase the products on sale or discount. Chevrolet is moving old stock with new prices.
Hyundai’s “Hope on Wheels” Campaign
Hyundai used an incentive plan to draw customers with emotions. Their incentive brought brand awareness and products to the people. This incentive does not sell customers a product but ensures that they feel the passion Hyundai has for kids.
FAQs
Why Do Car Manufacturers Offer Deal Incentives?
These incentive plans are used to attract new and loyal customers. The program also ensures the removal of old stock and products by still obtaining revenue.
What Is An Example Of An Incentive on a Car?
Discounts or lease specials are great examples of car incentives. Another example is the low-interest rates provided by vehicle companies to ensure the best deals for the customers.
What is a Good Sales Incentive Program?
A good incentive program has a set objective or goal, that can be measured through an effective system. A good sales incentive considers the customer, while still adding profit and value to the automotive business.
Final Thoughts
Automotive incentive programs are an effective way to gain new customers, build a strong brand, and ensure the competitiveness of the company within the industry. These incentive plans can ensure that the business makes a profit from old stock, and create space for new products or vehicles.
Businesses can benefit in more than one way if they calculate the effectiveness of these incentives. Sales can increase and the dealerships can build a strong relationships with the manufacturers and customers.
Kelly Murphy
PRESIDENT & FOUNDER
Certified Meeting planner with 20+ years of event management experience, founder of ConferenceSource, expert in meeting facility sourcing & contracting in North America, Europe, South America and Asia.
Kelly will manage your budget as if they were her own, negotiating the best possible rate and hotel contract to benefit and protect every client and exceed all expectations for all planning aspects for sales meetings, educational meetings, product launches, incentive trips down to a small board of directors meeting. We make meetings easy understanding your meeting objectives and delivering meeting matched components.
Need Help Planning Your Next Corporate Event or Meeting?
Ever since the height of the pandemic – nearly three years ago – healthcare organizations have been fighting an uphill battle against their employers, trying to get them to recognize the hard work and effort they have been putting in as the healthcare system became overrun with COVID-related cases.
Now, with the pandemic in the rearview, healthcare workers are still demanding better employee incentives, from increased wages, and being rewarded financially to more time off as an increasing number of professionals are finding it harder to cope with mass work-related stress and burnout.
Though considered one of the most developed nations in the world, the United States has found itself in the midst of a severe healthcare worker shortage. According to a surgeon general advisory report, the U.S. will have a projected employment shortage of more than three million essential low-wage healthcare workers in the next five years and more than 140,000 physicians by 2023.
Signs Your Staff is Overworked
To prevent workers from becoming overworked, tired, and disconnected, employers and managers must take note of their team members’ attitudes and emotional stability while at work.
Common signs of employees feeling overworked include:
Often productivity in the workplace tends to be lower, and employees often feel less engaged with their colleagues and team leaders.
The quality of their work is not up to standard, and they tend to be less focused.
Healthcare workers will often feel as if their growth and development are being stalled if they are not offered adequate access to essential training.
Interaction with patients tends to decline, and they are often more focused on getting the work done faster than concentrating on sustaining a healthy relationship with their patients.
Some people may feel overworked when they are not noticed or valued for their effort. This can often directly affect their mental health, and have mixed effects in terms of their productivity, and service they provide.
Team morale plummets, and employees are feeling less passionate about the work they are doing.
An increasing number of healthcare workers are either quitting or resigning on short notice.
In the high-paced healthcare environment, where staff are required to be constantly engaged with patients and other colleagues, burnout can quickly flow from one worker to another.
Incentives for Healthcare Employees
Some incentives might require employers to dig a bit deeper into their annual budgets to help attract and retain valuable staff. In the case of healthcare workers, many of them tend to debate over higher wages and better healthcare incentive programs as a way to ensure they are paid and valued for their expertise and the services they offer the community.
Though it’s not always possible to place a monetary value on healthcare workers’ services, this will change according to experience and field expertise.
Give Time Off
A survey by Indeed found that more than half, around 52% of employees claimed to be feeling burned out, exhausted, and tired most of the time. Giving staffers adequate time to rest, and disconnect from the workplace is the best possible way employers can avoid their teams feeling tired and overworked.
In the same breath, it’s important to allocate enough time off, based on industry standards and the needs of either the hospital support staff or clinic. Ensuring employees are not over-scheduled will give them adequate time to rest and potentially help boost company morale.
Gift Cards
It’s perhaps not the most conventional incentive to give to healthcare workers. Still, it’s often the smaller and lesser-known tokens of appreciation or incentive programs that can help keep employees feeling valued.
Gift cards will need to be based on employee needs and preferences. In this case, it would be more suitable to give gift cards that can be translated into a financial incentive. Ensure that employees can make the best use of gift cards and that they are related to their direct needs.
Lunches
Providing free or partially subsidized lunches at work is another way to incentivize healthcare personnel.
Seeing that many of these employees are constantly on their feet, and are required to be engaged with the patients and the work they do, it’s important to provide them with a balanced and healthy meal(s) during their working hours. Nutrition and a well-balanced diet can play a big role in employee performance.
Better Pay for Productivity
Better pay and wages are often the biggest, if not the only, incentive programs healthcare industry workers are seeking when they are changing jobs or entering the labor market.
Some research revealed that in 2005, around 75% of American employers paid their employees’ wages based on the Pay-for-Performance (P4P) model.
This system has traditionally been known to reward employees through financial incentives based on the quality of their work and the patient satisfaction they can provide.
In modern times, better pay for productivity is a big part of the general debate on how much medical staff should be making, and how employers can help to find a way to match worker needs.
Recognition
In any workplace, it’s common for employees to feel more valued and appreciated when they are directly being recognized, either by their manager or their employer. Though in the healthcare industry it might be harder to actively seek out employees individually and provide them with the recognition they deserve.
In this case, healthcare providers and employers will need to think of innovative ways to provide employees with the right amount of recognition for their work.
Recognizing employees not only boosts their confidence, but it plays a big role in how employees will treat their superiors and engage with patients during their normal working hours.
Often incentives are used to help boost employee morale, increase feelings of recognition and appreciation, and help keep employees more engaged in the workplace.
The Difference between an Incentive and a Motivation
An incentive can be a physical, or non-physical benefit, either employee reward such as a gift card or a wage bonus. Typically incentives are more focussed on the physical value of the nonmonetary incentives or encouraging people to become high performers.
However, motivation can be words of affirmation or any form of communication used among employers and staff to help personnel feel more connected with one another and help to boost their workplace mindset. Often motivation is used to increase the workplace dynamic by fostering a more positive and welcoming environment for all workers.
Ways to Improve Work Performance in Healthcare
There are several ways employers can look to improve the performance of healthcare sector workers in the workplace, but generally, it would depend on the requirements of the facilities and the resources personnel have access to.
In the same breath, some hospitals and clinic managers can improve work performance by:
Providing adequate communication from top management.
Ensuring that all healthcare employees are well-informed and up-to-date about any changes.
Keeping track of performance and incentivizing based upon these milestones.
Having workers avoid any unnecessary multitasking that can lead to burnout.
Provide enough access to learning and development materials.
Ensure that delegation among team leaders and managers are more efficient.
Keeping staff healthy and providing enough work-life balance rest.
FAQs
What Are the Top 10 Motivators for Employees?
1. Feeling valued and appreciated. 2. Having access to recognition programs to improve performance. 3. Better pay and adequate incentives. 4. Career and job-related development opportunities. 5. Job security. 6. Healthy and positive working environments. 7. Loyal employers and team leaders help to motivate staff. 8. Open communication between team members and leaders. 9. Engaging and interesting work that healthily challenges staff. 10. Well-structured and organized working conditions.
Final Thoughts
Healthcare workers have endured a tumultuous few years, and having them receive the recognition they deserve, paired with incentives that help them feel more recognized, has become a crucial part of keeping employees engaged and motivated in the workplace.
Though the healthcare industry can be an extremely taxing and exhausting industry, employers and managers need to respect and provide employees with adequate assistance and job satisfaction.
Kelly Murphy
PRESIDENT & FOUNDER
Certified Meeting planner with 20+ years of event management experience, founder of ConferenceSource, expert in meeting facility sourcing & contracting in North America, Europe, South America and Asia.
Kelly will manage your budget as if they were her own, negotiating the best possible rate and hotel contract to benefit and protect every client and exceed all expectations for all planning aspects for sales meetings, educational meetings, product launches, incentive trips down to a small board of directors meeting. We make meetings easy understanding your meeting objectives and delivering meeting matched components.
Need Help Planning Your Next Corporate Event or Meeting?
Sound can travel far and at a rapid speed and while some enjoy certain sounds, not all appreciate the mere fact of hearing others’ sounds and noises.
Individuals can use a towel to reduce some noise. However, not all noise will be canceled out for the neighbors. Many different methods tend to be more effective in soundproofing a room.
With multiple methods of reducing or canceling unwanted noise, individuals can use them at home. Some of these processes need no professional, whereas a professional must install the others.
What is Soundproofing?
Soundproofing refers to the process where an individual or a professional team, follows a process of blocking or reducing unwanted sound from entering or leaving a room, house, office, or other areas.
Individuals can not dampen or remove all sounds that occur around them, thus closing a specific location or room, and soundproofing it to ensure no sounds can come in or go out is the next best solution.
Sound travels through waves, and preventing it from moving around can be difficult. There are many reasons and soundproofing benefits for a noise-canceling room or house. Some prefer to prevent outside sounds and noise from entering their room, while others are determined to keep noise and sound waves inside their house.
There are methods that homeowners can use to ensure a soundproof room, however, the first objective must be to determine the entrance of the sound. This can be through the ceiling with heavy-footed neighbors, through the windows that access the streets, or through a door. Determine where the sound comes from, then decide on a method to block sound from entering the room.
Does Putting a Towel Under the Door Work for Noise Reduction?
Bath towels are usually made from cotton, silk, synthetic or nettle, and wood fibers. Towels are soft objects used to dry or clean individuals or surfaces. Thus, using a towel to reduce noise is not its main purpose. This will only provide limited soundproofing to any room or apartment.
Effectiveness of Using a Towel under the Door to Reduce Noise
Sound can be absorbed by many different materials. And cotton is one of the best materials to absorb sound. Thus using a towel to soundproof a door or to reduce sound is possible. This, however, will only be suited for doors and or windows. With a limited amount of surface space, the towel will not be able to cover the entire door or window, which will leave the room with limited soundproofing.
How Towels Can Help Reduce Noise?
Bathing towels can absorb the sound that enters from outside the room, whether that is children screaming or other irritating noises that the individual wants to eliminate. Towels are an effective short-term solution to soundproofing a room. Using towels for soundproofing has a set of benefits.
The soundproofing effect of a towel is that it is cheap and simple to use. Homeowners can buy or use multiple towels all around the necessary entrances. The towel can have a dual purpose which means it can be used for more than just soundproofing a room. And the last is that it is an object that the individual already owns. A wet towel can be used as acoustic foam to ensure a sound disruption and as a bathroom necessity.
Limitations of Using a Towel as a Sound Barrier
As a soft and delicate product with a specific surface area, towels can have a limited amount of reach. This limitation of a small surface level would reduce the capability of absorbing sound coming from multiple directions.
Another limitation is that a towel is not a permanent fix to a sound problem. Even though the towel can absorb sound waves and reduce the sound that enters the room, it must be removed if a door or window wants to be used. The towel might gather dust and dirt as the days pass.
Other Methods for Soundproofing Doors
Alternative Ways for Soundproofing Doors
There are many methods for soundproofing a door. Some of the DIY methods are cheap and easy to get hold of, while others are more expensive and will take time to arrive. There are pros and cons to all and the best option will be determined by the buyer.
Soundproof Curtains
Curtains can add more to life than just absorbing light. Some curtains can be used to soundproof a room. Individuals have different options and choices to choose from. With different styles, colors, themes, and textures the customer has all the power in determining what will suit them best.
Weather Stripping
Weather strips are originally used to fill gaps around a window or door that allows a draft or wind in. These strips were made to block out any unwanted wind and keep the room temperature at a consistent degree. Individuals can use weather strips to keep out noise with the evolution of weather strips.
Weather strips are easy to install and are a great method to reduce sound. The stripping will be placed at the ends of the doors, which will absorb any sound that might be heading in their direction. Weather stripping is a great way to reduce sound and isolate the room.
Acoustic Door Seals
An acoustic door seal will be an economical option that can be modified according to the customer’s style. These door seals are one of the best tools to reduce sound from entering or leaving the room. They are easy to install and will last over a long period of time.
Check Out 15 Best Ways on How to Soundproof a Door:
DIY Soundproofing Tips
Most individuals enjoy the comfort of their house due to the lack of noise and disturbance that can occur. With some peace and quiet, individuals can rest and relax to ensure that they are ready for what may follow. This however is not always possible. Noisy neighbors or traffic can keep individuals awake.
Individuals can use towels, curtains, or rugs to reduce sound. These soft materials will absorb the sound waves that might enter through the door or windows of the house. Another method is to build or buy a bookcase that fills an entire wall from top to bottom. Books absorb mass sound and will reduce sound within an apartment or house.
Building an extra layer of wall between the noise and the silent desired room can be done. Some individuals prefer to build a drywall or soundproof wall. This will reduce the sound and ensure some peace and quiet within the house.
Another method that most have tried is to place eggshells all around a room. Even though it can present in an ugly and disorganized way, eggshells can reduce some noise and echo. The main reason most would shy away from using this technique is due to the fact that it looks ugly and disturbing. There are better products that represent eggshells, that individuals can use that are more efficient and present in a better way.
When to Hire a Professional
The idea behind DIY is to save money and time on planning and organizing a specialist to install the entire system of soundproof. This might be a great solution for a small room or house that needs some noise reduction. However, this will not have a great impact if there are multiple different loud noises or a big house or room that needs soundproofing.
Large-scale projects such as setting up a house that is soundproof will need a professional with proper soundproofing panels. The professional will save the homeowner or project manager time and money by installing the correct equipment and professional soundproofing material. Professionals will know exactly what to suggest and install to ensure the best reduction of noise through real soundproofing materials. These professionals will be able to install permanent soundproofing solutions that prevent external sounds from entering the room.
FAQs
How Do You Soundproof a Door with Towels?
An easy method to use to ensure a soundproof door is to either fold the towel into a long sphere shape and then place it at the bottom of the door. Another method is to place it over the entire frame, if it is long and wide enough, which will then absorb any noise—making it a tremendous soundproof instrument.
Are Hotels Soundproof?
Most hotels are soundproof. And these rooms are not solely soundproof to keep next-door neighbors’ noise away, but the wall soundproofing ensures that street noise, such as cars and trains, does not keep the guests away.
Final Thoughts
There are many methods for reducing or canceling noise from external sources. Some of these sources might be more economical, while others have a higher endurance. All these methods have their price and strengths. However, in conclusion for a towel-under-the-door noise reduction method, can be a good short-term plan.
A towel is not the best long-term solution; individuals can use many other methods to reduce noise. While it is easy to use and can reduce some noise, it can be a tedious task to fold or place the towel over a door or window the entire time. Reducing noise is a great first step to ensure calmness and silence within a house. Thus, whether it is a towel or any other method, individuals can be at ease that methods to reduce sound and noise are a great possibility.
Kelly Murphy
PRESIDENT & FOUNDER
Certified Meeting planner with 20+ years of event management experience, founder of ConferenceSource, expert in meeting facility sourcing & contracting in North America, Europe, South America and Asia.
Kelly will manage your budget as if they were her own, negotiating the best possible rate and hotel contract to benefit and protect every client and exceed all expectations for all planning aspects for sales meetings, educational meetings, product launches, incentive trips down to a small board of directors meeting. We make meetings easy understanding your meeting objectives and delivering meeting matched components.
Need Help Planning Your Next Corporate Event or Meeting?
As the online era is taking shape companies are planning ways to stay with the trends. Corporate businesses are all fighting for a spot as a top tier company in their respective fields. This can be achieved in multiple different ways.
A corporate business can use a corporate event planning business to ensure that they plan, create and host an event that would provide them with credibility and social currency. By providing new insight and knowledge through events companies can reach the top of their industry at a good rate. This is all through the use of a corporate planning company.
Companies can now hire external teams to build an event that will represent the brand that the business wants to build. By setting clear guidelines and goals the planning company will create the perfect event as well as market and advertise it. This will take a lot of pressure and stress on the internal team of the company.
What Is Corporate Event Planning?
Corporate event planning is the organizing and creating of a specific event for a corporate business. These events can vary from normal meetings to a big product launches. Other events such as team breakaways or award ceremonies are included.
Types of Corporate Events
There are a variety of events that a corporate event business can plan. These events differ based on the goals and objectives placed on the event by the hosting company. If the company wants to show a new product, a certain event will be best for it. However, conferences and team-building events will take a different look and planning.
Conferences and Conventions
The main aim of a conference is to distribute and share educational information with the attendees. In these sorts of events, the host will share new knowledge that came to light. This can be used as an engagement tool to access other individuals’ opinions and reasoning.
Conventions focus on a small specific group. These events are not open for any person who wants to attend but rather aim to invite the team and members that must be present in the meeting. The main difference between a convention and a conference is the number of members that are allowed to attend.
Trade Shows and Expos
Trade shows and expos focus primarily on products and services the company has to offer. This will allow the corporate business to advertise and promote its own business at a big show or expo. These shows are mainly industry focus and are usually combined with a group of the top in the industry, all advertising to the clients and potential customers.
Product Launches
A product launch will be used by the corporate planning company when the manufacturers and businesses created a brand-new product or service for their target audience. These events will promote and advertise the strengths and necessities of the brand-new product. There are multiple options for product events, all placing the focus on one goal. Promote a product
Award Ceremonies and Galas
Award ceremonies are events where companies will compensate the staff members and team for their hard work. These awards will be handed to individuals that reached set goals. This is an amazing motivator due to the recognition in front of other staff members.
The Gala is an event that provides food, a beautiful venue, and nice music for the team. This can be used for team building or as a compensation and year-end function.
Corporate Retreats and Team-building Events
Company retreats focus on taking the team members out of their everyday environment such as an office space, or for the remote employees out of their houses. These events bring the team together at a different location where they will have time to relax, recoup and focus on main recurring problems or team building exercises.
Team building can occur at corporate retreats. Multiple retreat and team building options will ensure the team returns stronger and focus on the goals that lie ahead.
Benefits of Using a Corporate Event Planning Company
Professional Expertise and Experience
A professional planner has the experience and direction that will lead to making clear and precise decisions based on prior experience. These event planners will know the pitfalls that can leave an event unsuccessful. They will use their experience to create the perfect event for the goals set by the company.
Time and Cost Savings
Organizing an event will take time and planning. Companies will have to spend money on a trial-and-error attitude to find what exactly they want and need. While a planning management team will know what and where to find the necessary products with the best prices. Saving the business time and money.
Access to Resources and Vendors
Event planners have a lot to offer as a management company. These teams do not only plan the entire event but make complete use of their connections with venues, caterers, and sound/audio companies. This provides them with the foundation to build any event that a company desires.
Reduced Stress for Company Employees
Companies can free up time for internal staff, however, this will take longer and can lead to a frustrated team due to the amount of expertise needed. The business can outsource and save both time and stress for their employees.
Services Offered by Corporate Event Planning Companies
Event design and conceptualization focus on the first few steps of bringing the idea to life. Here the focus is to create the appearance and the feel of the event. The company must view the event from the audience’s point of view. What exactly does the business want to achieve and how should the audience perceive it?
Venue Selection and Management
Deciding on a venue can have a bigger impact on the planned event than one might think. The planning company will provide the team with great venues that will be determined by capacity, parking options, service, and amenities. The venue must add value to the event and not take away from the overall feel. Contracts must be taken into consideration.
Budget Development and Management
The budget development place focus on creating guidelines for spending the company’s money. The budget will provide financial value to every aspect of the event. This is to ensure that the event planners do not run out of financial capital at any time to organize the event. Managers must regularly view and manage the budget and spending to prevent overspending in certain areas.
Marketing and Promotion
Planning and bringing an idea to life is one part of event planning. The event must be seen by the target audience. Planning companies will place focus on creating the best platforms to spread the word about the event. An event website with all the details and social media strategies will benefit the company’s marketing strategy. These strategies can be followed for on-site, or virtual events.
On-site Event Management
Selecting individuals for the day of the event will be of crucial importance. The team must be friendly and educated and must know how to communicate with old and new customers. This part can ruin the complete event. All speakers must be well-informed and communicate positively. From cleaners to speakers, every aspect will add value to the event.
Choosing the Right Corporate Event Planning Company
Corporate planning companies are all different. Choosing the right event planners can only happen once the business knows the ultimate goal and audience they want to reach. The business must find a company that has similar values and whom they enjoy communicating with.
Identifying Your Event Needs and Goals
Event goals refer to the expected outcome the business wants from the event. Companies might prefer a product launch where they can advertise a new product or rather focus on improving the current customer relationships. These goals will determine the needs. The need to focus on what must happen to reach the goal.
Check Out Define Event Goals & Objectives: 4 Essential Steps:
Researching Potential Companies
Take time to decide on the best event planners to work with. Corporate businesses must leave enough time to make an educated decision on whom to work with. Find a company that has similar goals and that wants both corporations to succeed through the event. Set certain criteria and standards and pick the best-suited company based on them.
Checking References and Reviews
Simple check reviews and references. This will allow the business insight into how other companies experience the planning company. Look for those that have better and higher reviews. The business can ask for references from other businesses they trust. This social currency will ensure the pick of a high-quality planning corporation.
Meeting With Potential Companies
Before hiring the best candidate for the event planning, schedule a sit-down meeting where the two teams can communicate the needs, and goals of the event. This will allow both sides to raise any concerns. This will provide a clear communication platform that will set the tone for the entire event.
Virtual Meeting and Event Planning
Planning and creating a virtual event will take a different stance from planning a life in-person event. The virtual meeting might have the same marketing and promotion strategy, however, the technical aspect of the event can become a bit more intricate.
The corporate event management company will have to incorporate a technical team that has experience in setting up platforms to cover a large number of individuals joining one server. The online event must add value and provide the attendees to ask questions and feel the ambiance without being at a specific location.
Case Studies/Examples of Successful Corporate Events Planned by Conference Source
Description of Event
Conference Source can bring the company description and idea to life. They take pride in their ability to build any event that the corporate business desires. They have worked with a variety of clients all cherishing the hard work of Conference Source.
Challenges Overcome
Some of the challenges the corporate events company has overcome are working with different personalities and characters. The variety of teams leads to adaptation and learning how to deal with difficult individuals.
Another challenge the Conference Source team has overcome is the use of untrusted sources and companies. They have been let down by a variety of connections, thus only holding on to companies that can deliver on their promises. This will leave the event in the hands of reliable companies, all working together to deliver a successful event.
Results and Impact on the Company
The impact a successful event has is phenomenal. The company will build a reliable brand and loyalty with its customers. The run of a successful event will result in establishing themselves in a competitive industry. These events will ensure credibility that will draw customers and clients.
Corporate Event Planning Checklist
Building a corporate event from the ground up takes time, however having a checklist that clearly states what needs to be done. Allocating time for the necessary tasks will add more value to the checklist. This will ensure that everything important gets done.
Define the Event Objectives and Goals
Goals are the desired outcome of the event. This can be divided into short-term and long-term goals. Companies must ensure that the goals set are measurable and achievable. Setting unrealistic goals can hurt the brand of the business.
Establish the Event Budget
Building a budget must start with a planning process of the overall financial capital that the business wants to invest in the event. Procedures after setting the event budget will be to allocate the budget for all the smaller tasks and products such as venue hire, catering hire, and décor.
Determine the Target Audience and Guest List
Target audience refers to an ideal group of people, with specific demographics that the product or service that would add the most value. This will assist the company in determining what social platforms to use. The target audience will be the group of people that the company wants to attract through event marketing to attend the event.
Select the Event Date and Venue
Be very selective with the date. The date must be suited for the majority of the attendees and speakers. Companies should not focus solely on the availability of the speaker. Certain dates will be better for the audience, and seeing that they are the target, they must be considered. The event organizer will use their connections to venue sourcing which will leave the business events with the desired outcome.
Develop a Theme and Overall Design Concept
A well-planned theme and design aim to complete the goals set by the business. The corporate events planning company must know exactly what problems the event and products advertised want to solve. Develop a theme that any of the attendees can easily identify. This will add clarity to the event and provides a guideline for event marketing.
Coordinate With Event Vendors (Catering, Decorations, Audio/Visual, Etc.)
Communication is the foundation for a successful conference. The more regular the communication occurs, the higher the chances are for a successful business. The planning corporation must ensure that all these vendors know exactly what is expected of them. Regular checkups will ensure that the vendors stay on track with the business goals and budget.
Plan for Transportation and Parking for Guests
Providing enough parking for guests that are secure and safe is of utmost importance. The attendees should not feel unsafe leaving their vehicles. The company can create allocated parking around the event by using fields or creating a parking space.
If the event requires a distance to travel for events such as conferences and team building the business must provide a safe and cheap(free) traveling option. By providing the traveling, employees can be at ease using their vehicles or spending money that is not particularly in their budget.
Arrange for Accommodations for Out-of-town Guests
Extra services will place the event above other competitive company events. Arranging accommodations for the traveling guest will allow the business to add value to their guests and clients. Going this extra mile in the events industry will create loyalty, and the guest will communicate this to their friends and family members.
Develop a Schedule of Events and Program
The event program provides the attendees and guest speakers with information on the order of the event. The schedule will equip attendees to know what to expect. This will ensure that no member feels lost or confused. Creating this template of the event timeline to be online will allow the attendees to have access to it at all times.
Create a Marketing and Promotion Plan
Event marketing will be the way the target audience will come across the event. Will they encounter it through social media, a website, or pamphlets shared by the business? These strategies will ensure that the set audience knows of the event.
Promotions on the other hand, will be used as a motivation to attract new and existing clientele. Free giveaways or cheaper prices will ensure that customers attend the event.
Prepare a Contingency Plan for Unexpected Events
A contingency plan is to ensure that the event runs as smoothly as possible. However, problems can occur within any industry. So simply avoiding them will not do the trick. The contingency plan focus on event solutions should the problem come to light. Creating solutions before the problems occur will equip the team to solve problems quickly and with ease.
Make Arrangements for Event Security
Implementing a security source can be of great value to the event. This arrangement will ensure that all the attendees are safe, and if a problem occurs the team will be there to ensure they are safe at all costs.
Coordinate With Local Authorities and Obtain Necessary Permits
Hiring a planning company has benefits. These organizations know all permits and documents needed to host an event. Ensure that all the permits are obtained and signed. This will prevent the authorities from ending the event sooner than planned.
Create a Detailed Day-of-event Schedule and Assign Tasks to Event Staff
Assigning tasks to the staff and management beforehand will leave the entire team knowing exactly what to do on the day. This will ensure that the tasks are equally divided and that the team all works together. Assigning the staff tasks creates a sense of accountability which will lead them to work harder. No work will be undone and even the smallest task will lead to a successful event.
Prepare an Event Evaluation Plan to Gather Feedback and Measure Success
The turnout of the event does not solely determine the success of the event. Companies must create systems to inquire about feedback from guest speakers and attendees on the success rate. The business can set up questionnaires to focus on what they have missed according to the attendees.
Follow Up With Guests, Vendors, and Attendees After the Event
Following up can be a tedious job. However, companies can set up reviews and questionnaires on a website or social media to check up on the attendees and guest speakers. This will allow input on where to ensure a future successful corporate event.
Hiring an Established Event Planning Team
There are many benefits to choosing an established event planning team. The company not only has connections with key vendors that will save the company money but moreover will provide the business with key input on what it takes to run a successful event.
The planning company will know what to focus on, how to achieve the goals set as well as what pitfalls to avoid in the planning and hosting phase of corporate meetings.
Conference Source has some of the best teams the industry can provide. The team has experience in multiple industries and can ensure organizing the next event. This corporate event management company will plan and build any event, from product launches to team buildings, according to the goals and guidelines set by the business. The friendly staff will provide the company with everything they need to host a top-tier event.
Corporate Event Planning Company: FAQs
What Is the Most Difficult Part of Planning an Event?
Various parts can be seen as difficult when planning an event. The biggest difficulty in event planning will be to identify and state clear goals. With a team and a planning company, the business can overcome any problems and difficulties if they spend time focusing on clear and absolute solutions.
What Are the 6 Stages of Planning an Event?
Set a goal and clear objectives for the event. Produce a budget that will suit the company. Decide on a team that will assist the company in building a successful event. Determine a date, time, and venue.
The fourth stage in event planning is to find established speakers and vendors for the event. After deciding on the speaker companies must focus on marketing and promoting the event. And lastly, host and obtain feedback from attendees.
Final Thoughts
Planning an event can take its toll on anyone. Companies can reduce stress by simply hiring a team that knows the ropes around planning and creating the perfect event. This will not only save time but money as well. Establishing the perfect relationship with customers through a successful event has never been this easy.
Kelly Murphy
PRESIDENT & FOUNDER
Certified Meeting planner with 20+ years of event management experience, founder of ConferenceSource, expert in meeting facility sourcing & contracting in North America, Europe, South America and Asia.
Kelly will manage your budget as if they were her own, negotiating the best possible rate and hotel contract to benefit and protect every client and exceed all expectations for all planning aspects for sales meetings, educational meetings, product launches, incentive trips down to a small board of directors meeting. We make meetings easy understanding your meeting objectives and delivering meeting matched components.
Need Help Planning Your Next Corporate Event or Meeting?
The strategic planning of a meeting can be a daunting task. Most companies start every planning process from the ground up. This not only wastes money but takes precious time.
Businesses can now use strategic meetings management programs to ensure that the strategy is kept throughout the year and that all event planning has the same look and feel to them. This will ensure that the entire team is up to date with what’s happening when it is happening and what their individual or group tasks are for a meeting or event.
Defining Strategic Meetings Management
The definition of strategic meetings management is a method of strategically managing all aspects included in the running, planning, processing, and financial side of a meeting.
The approach focuses on creating a platform where the management team will be able to view all vendors, budgets, processing, and other information under one umbrella.
A strategic manager will be assigned to oversee and delegate the tasks to smaller and external groups, which will still follow the overarching budget and goals of the company. The manager must ensure that the event or meeting happens as planned. These platforms will allow for a business to layout its measurable business objectives to the team.
Significance of Strategic Meetings Management (SMM) for Managers in the Current Business Climate
Managing strategically provides various benefits in the realm of strategic management. This will allow the team to set a strategy that will be used at multiple events and meetings. This will produce a set plan and goal for future engaging events, as well as a method of measuring the success of each of them.
Key Components of an Effective SMM Program
Certain criteria and elements must be present in an strategic meetings management program for it to be effective. This will ensure that the program is working for the company and not against it. The following key components play a big role in an effective program.
Meeting Policy and Guidelines
An event planners must have clear guidelines and policies that it follows. The policies refer back to the company’s procedures. Examples of policies are the social media strategy, setting strategic goals for engaging events, and hiring procedures. This is to ensure that the company does everything on a consistent and ethical basis.
Clear guidelines and policies will ensure that the SMM program focuses on and portray the same values and ethics as what the company stands for.
By displaying these guidelines on a program, any member of the team will have access to it, which will ensure that the entire team will build according to the core values and policies set by the business.
Event Sourcing and Procurement
Strategic meetings management focuses on a set of procedures that will occur before an event sourcing will be completed. These procedures are placed into the SMM program to ensure ethics and are aligned with the goals of the event and the company.
The main aim of making use of an SMM program when sourcing for an event is to ensure that the products, services, and assistance that will be used are in line with the event’s overall goals. The procedures such as contracts will ensure that every party understands these goals and that every member will be working towards the goals and objectives.
Meeting Registration and Attendee Management
An SMM program aims to ensure that all the necessary steps are in place to create the most effective way for registration. The program must be user-friendly for all attendees. The easier the registration is, the easier it becomes to manage the attendees.
Areas that will play a key role in registration is the platform that the company uses whether that is in-person meetings management or virtual. Set up an easy-to-follow system that will ensure a simple flow and prevent overcrowding in a certain area. Managing the attendees can come at a cost. However, this will provide the business with detail such as where the SMM program lacks.
Attendees must be able to find venues, registration, and other administrative tasks comfortably. This will ensure a pleasurable experience and an effective program.
Onsite Meeting Logistics and Execution
Onsite logistics focuses on the décor of the venue, catering, and other services to ensure an effective display of the goal of the event.
The theme must be clear and all outsourced teams must know exactly what their job is and where they need to be. This will leave every member with set tasks that will prevent attendees from feeling overwhelmed and confused.
The event management must have a clear execution plan for the event. Displaying a layout even before the event will lead to a more organized team. Managers of the event will know exactly where to place all vendors, products, and promotions to draw more clients and to set the overarching theme.
Check Out STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT Explained Defined & Examples | Animated:
The Role of Technology in Strategic Meetings Management
Technology is an amazing tool to use. Planning meetings is no exception. Technology will increase effectiveness and will allow team members to follow and execute at a higher level. The platform ensures that the entire team can view set goals and procedures that must be followed.
SMM Software Solutions
Management programs aim to simplify the work and to have everything dotted down for the team members. If the tasks are not written down, the chance of them being completed is slim.
The platform ensures that the members have an online system that will showcase all tasks that must be completed.
Dates will be blocked out with meeting times and the specific members that need to be present will be added. Some platforms will allow an agenda, schedule, and tasks for the meeting or event. This will ensure clear communication with the team. Which will ensure effective planning and running of the meeting itself.
Virtual Meeting Platforms
The use of a virtual Meeting platform will ensure that the team has a specific location to obtain any information on the meeting, their tasks, or the time and dates of future meetings. Companies can allow access to individuals on these platforms to ensure that they only receive information on the meetings they are included in. This will allow the individual to not be bombarded with unnecessary information and deadlines.
Data Analytics and Reporting
With the development of technology, team members can not only view what they and other team members have done but can review and analyze data and risk based on previous reports. These programs will allow reports and meetings data to be drawn up and analyzed to ensure that every meeting and goal can be reviewed
Measuring the Success of Your SMM Program
Businesses and managers must make use of effective measuring tools to ensure that the SMM programs is successful. Running a program without evaluating it will only lead to a waste of time and money.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Data
Key performance indicators are similar to deadlines. These indicators refer to the statement that the meeting will use to measure how far the final goal is and if the team is on track. Simply put, it states what the company wants to achieve, by a specific time.
Well-set plans have 5-7 indicators in them. Companies can use, reuse and adjust these performance indicators if it seems fit. These indicators will guide the team to reach the final goal set by the managers.
Cost Savings and Return on Investment (ROI) Data
The savings cost and return on investment with a good strategy meeting plan can exceed the company’s expectations. The company will save finances by having a set goal for each meeting, not wasting time that could have been used to work on revenue. Using a planner will cost far less than a group of organizers and the program will allow meeting detail and information to be copied to the next.
The business will use ROI to determine the success of the purchase and use of an audit trail to evaluate the success of the SMM objectives . If they provide more value and clarity than what the company loses financially the ROI is positive.
Enhancing Stakeholder Satisfaction
A strategic meeting plan can provide great insight to the stakeholders and team. Schedule a meeting and provide them with statistics and goals the company has set. This can be done through the strategic management program. Stakeholders can provide their input and satisfaction in these meetings, which will assist the business to grow to stakeholder satisfaction.
Best Practices for Implementing a Strategic Meetings Management Program
Aligning SMM with Corporate Objectives
All businesses start with a goal or an objective. Companies must ensure that the meetings, events and strategies they work on all push the company closer to their set goal. A strategic meeting management program must be aligned with the company’s goals and objectives. This will provide clear guidelines for all meetings and plans created by management.
Engaging Stakeholders and Building Buy-in
The stakeholders are some of the company’s most valuable assets. They have the knowledge and direction for the company. The meetings committee will have to provide clear and specific facts and reasons why the goals and plans are necessary for the business. Managers can provide tracking methods to ensure growth after SMM implementation before some stakeholders buy in.
Continuously Improving your SMM Process
SMM is a continuous process that must be adjusted and fixed throughout its use of it. The system will always have areas where it works perfectly and those without. Working hand in hand with developers to customize the platform to ensure only progress will be of great benefit.
Overcoming Common Challenges in Strategic Meetings Management
Strategic meeting management meetings are set to work through and overcome common and difficult challenges throughout the business.
Navigating Budget Constraints
Budget constraint refers to a situation where the financial allocation set for a certain expense is not enough. Managers will use strategic meetings to bring this to light to either increase the budget or find ways to achieve the goal differently.
Managing Global and Multi-cultural Meetings
The beauty of business is that it brings different cultures and individuals together. The challenge, however, is to ensure that all members are heard and have an opportunity to voice their concerns. These strategic meetings are a great place to tackle hard thought questions.
Adapting to Evolving Industry Trends and Regulations
Continued development is a key part of a successful business. Planning these changes can have a better impact than adapting by force. Strategy meetings provide the space where companies can ask for input and explain the changes. These meetings will allow feedback and questions to ensure that the staff members are all on board.
Case Studies: Successful Strategic Meetings Management in Action
Real-world Examples of SMM Success Stories
Business stories such as Tesla, Airbnb, and Toyota are great examples of strategic meeting management. These businesses had to sit through transition, difficult times, and planning to create the dream they wanted. Through strategic meeting management, the companies defined their goals and planned a path toward them. This is possible through strategic meeting management planners.
Lessons Learned and Key Takeaways
Change is inevitable. Companies must go through it. But instead of fearing it, embrace it. By using SMM, companies can create a platform for regular and direct meetings, taking on challenges and working towards the goals and objectives.
By simply using a platform, companies can ensure growth. This will showcase the direction of the business, which can include more buy-in from stakeholders if the trajectory is positive. Mitigating risk will provide a platform for meeting policies that will allow the event professionals to plan a successful event.
Strategic Meetings Management: FAQs
What does SMM Stand For?
Strategic meeting management is a tool used by companies to manage meetings according to a set strategy or tool. This will allow the meeting to tackle the right issues and set goals for the meeting.
How are Strategic Meetings Conducted?
Strategic meetings have a set goal and agenda. These meetings follow a structure where the team discusses important points set by the management. This can be to brainstorm new ideas or discuss problems or goals the company has set.
Strategic Meetings Management: Final Thoughts
Strategic meetings management platforms will have benefits to any company that embraces and use them. These platforms will assist the business to place all information and detail in one area.
This will provide a platform where businesses can see if they achieve measurable business objectives set throughout the year. Employees, managers, and stakeholders will have continued access to meetings. Leaving everyone in the loop on what is new, what must change, and where every individual can help.
Kelly Murphy
PRESIDENT & FOUNDER
Certified Meeting planner with 20+ years of event management experience, founder of ConferenceSource, expert in meeting facility sourcing & contracting in North America, Europe, South America and Asia.
Kelly will manage your budget as if they were her own, negotiating the best possible rate and hotel contract to benefit and protect every client and exceed all expectations for all planning aspects for sales meetings, educational meetings, product launches, incentive trips down to a small board of directors meeting. We make meetings easy understanding your meeting objectives and delivering meeting matched components.
Need Help Planning Your Next Corporate Event or Meeting?
Communication has changed over the last few years. Companies have taken on the online era by storm, and this new era changed the way a corporate meeting and event are hosted.
Corporate meetings are how companies communicate essential information to the entire team. The purpose of this engagement can differ from meeting to meeting. However, the aim is to ensure that the whole team is present. Corporate events are similar to meetings; however, the event can focus on clients and sharing information with them.
There are many benefits to deciding to use corporate event planners overburdening the team with the planning and running of a meeting or events. A meeting planning company can save the business money and time by using all the resources they have. This will stress the employees and managers a lot, and save the company from making simple mistakes.
How Our Event Planning Services Can Benefit Your Business
Corporate event planners will create a plan of action to create the event that will be on all the attendees lips. The business objectives for the event will be the main focus of the full-service team. The team will create a event website and event app that will solely focus on the audience and build relationships with the audience.
The interactive features won the site and app will allow to company to build brand awareness and have face to face meetings with their potential customer. These sites will allow or follow up platforms and virtual meetings with the attendees either before or after the meeting.
Event Planning Services
Event management services can bring the entire event objectives that the companies want to create to life. The business can describe its clear and precise goals and vision for the event ad provides some guidelines for what the event should have. And watch the planning services do what they love. Plan and create an amazing event that no one will forget.
Comprehensive Event Planning: From Start to Finish
The first step to planning a corporate event will be to determine the goal and objectives of the event. What are the main reasons why the event should be hosted, and what is the desired outcome that the business wants from it?
Secondly, create a team that will assemble and arrange the meeting according to the company standards. Here the planning committee will find volunteers and a production team that will set up, run, and cleans up after the successful event.
The budget plays a key role in creating the event. This will allow the planning company to decide on a venue, what packages to add to the attendees, and what type of production they can set up. This will work as a guideline for the service planners.
Deciding on the speakers, the date and the time will place .
a deadline for the meeting. This will create a sense of direction and a deadline for the planning. The last step will be to market and advertise the event to the clients or employees. This will ensure that they end up at the event that is being hosted for them.
Customizable Planning Packages: Tailored to Your Needs
Corporate meetings are not all the same. The layout, the speakers, and the goals of these events are all different, and planning packages must ensure that they host an event that the business can change as it progresses.
Planning process and creating an event where the main goals and ideas come to life can be a challenge. However, planning companies focus on customizing and changing their standard plan to fit the business’s every need.
The company must ensure that they choose a planning business that can customize and meet the needs of the event. Afterward, they can place primary focus on creating a descriptive and comprehensive guideline of what the event should be like exactly.
Budget Management: Maximizing Your ROI
Budget management will be one of the tougher areas to create. Setting the standard for the event through the budget will allow the planning corporation to know in what financial area they can function in. This will provide them with guidelines on what is affordable and what might be too expensive.
The budget will aim to clarify the money allocation and regularly review whether the planning organization sticks to it. Companies must set realistic boundaries to ensure that no extra money goes to waste.
This will create an event that will allow the maximum return on investment for the company. The money they spent, must be returned through new customers, employees engaging more often, or meeting the other goals set by the corporation.
Venue Selection: How to Find the Perfect Location
Hand-picking the perfect venue will take time and planning. Companies have access to some of the best unknown venues through the planning services they hire. This service has good connections with venue hires and can assist the company to use a venue that’s best suited for the meeting or event.
Extensive Venue Research
The research will allow the team to identify the hiccups that some venues might bring. Deciding on a venue will be based on a few key conditions and accessories. The venue must first have enough parking for the employees or customers that they are expecting. The focus should be to have a bit more parking than attendees expected.
The second focus should be placed on the flow of people and whether or not the venue itself can host all the attendees. The venue must have enough allocated space for the attendees inside the hall and outside.
Lastly, the company must place focus on the restrooms and dining room if food will be served. The venue must be able to take caterers and have enough space for individuals to sit and enjoy their time without being cramped.
Venue Negotiation: Securing the Best Deal for Your Business
Securing the best deal for a venue that suits the company’s budget will be the primary aim. The negotiation can focus on the day of the week. If the event falls on a quieter day, the corporation can negotiate cheaper prices. Another method to gain cheaper rates is to ensure future events and meetings at the location. Negotiate with honesty and integrity. Do not negotiate cheaper prices out of the idea of taking advantage. Ensure that both parties win in the negotiation.
Venue Contract Review: Protecting Your Interests
Protect the company’s interest at all times. The business can set up a contract based on the date, time, and financial benefits for both sides that must be signed by top management. This way the company can secure the venue and protect itself if the venue declines the event at the last minute.
Catering Services
Catering services will increase or decrease the chances of the success rate of the event and meeting. Ensure that the catering company can prepare any meals that the company would enjoy presenting to the attendees.
Menu Planning: Delicious Options for Every Taste
Planning and creating delicious meals for an entire meeting can have its challenges. Some individuals are vegan or vegetarian while others prefer any but bread. This will leave the catering service with some challenges. Companies should focus on a build-your-own meal with tapas and all sides to ensure that every individual can eat at the meeting.
Vendor Management: Choosing the Best Caterers for Meetings Our Event
Providing the attendees with the best meals will not only impress the attendees but will leave them energized and ready for the sessions ahead. When choosing a catering vendor, companies must place focus on the price and the quality. The vendor must be able to ship the food to the venue, and some added benefits can be cutlery and dissing staff.
Special Accommodations: Meeting Dietary Needs and Preferences
The catering service must be able to provide various food options that will meet all attendee’s needs. These meals must be filling and nutritious. The catering service must ensure fresh and healthy options. Companies can send out requests for specific foods to ensure the attendee’s requests are met.
Technology Services
Technology can cause some difficulty throughout the setup and the event. Thus having a service company to provide assistance throughout the whole event and meeting is of utmost importance.
Audio and Visual Technology: Enhancing Your Event Experience
The visual and audio technology add to the complete experience of the attendee. Through the use of high-quality products and services, the visual aspect will ensure that the customers will be able to see and hear all demonstrations and videos. This will add to the power of the message the company wants to portray.
The use of online meetings and events has changed the game for all businesses. Companies can now save money and still create the perfect event that attendees can attend in the comfort of their own homes. Clients are on click away from attending the meeting. No admin, no stress, and no extra expenses.
Mobile Apps: Convenient Access to Event Information
Companies can allow access to employees and clients to gain access to the current event, and all future event management hosted by the corporate company. This will provide the customers with direct information on every and anything about the event. This can be used as a marketing and advertising tool.
Attendee Management
An event and meeting must focus on the attendee’s needs and convenience. By placing the customer first the management of them throughout the event will add value.
Attendee Registration: Streamlined and User-Friendly
A Successful corporate event can streamline registration and bookings by adding the online option. Attendees can register, book, and pay online to ensure that there are no queues and long waiting lists on the day of the event. This will create a flow that can be easily managed by the staff hosting the event.
Check Out Attendee registration using Microsoft Forms – Automatically add user to Outlook Event using Flow:
Communication and Marketing: Keeping Attendees Engaged
Communication will play a key role when sharing information with the attendees. Companies must have a clear and direct message based on the administrative information that they share. Be direct and share exactly what needs to be known.
Attendee Experience: Ensuring a Memorable and Professional Event
The attendees are the main focus of the event and ensuring their experience is nothing but memorable should be the company’s main focus. This will lead attendees to become clients or share their experiences to ensure others become clients. Keep the event professional, enjoyable, and full of knowledge that the attendee can take home.
Post-Event Services
Event Evaluation: Measuring the Success of Your Event
Determining the success rate of an event is just as important as hosting the meeting. This will allow companies to determine if the clients received what they came for and if the knowledge shared was at all helpful to them. Methods such as surveys and monitoring social media will allow the company to evaluate the success rate.
Reporting and Analysis: Actionable Insights for Future Events
Gathering the import and analyzing the results will allow the business to identify key areas where they missed the mark. After which they can readjust, fix and focus on how to improve future events, to ensure the client attracts the most value from it.
Event Wrap-Up: Ensuring Everything is Tied Up Nicely
The last night or hours of an event must be used to draw up a conclusion. This will show the attendees how everything ties together as well as how all of it can be used. Corporate companies can use this time to answer questions and provide takeaway keynotes to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Corporate Meetings and Events: FAQs
What are the Benefits of Holding a Corporate Event?
Corporate events provide the company with direct access to its customers. This allows them to gain insight into the customer’s needs, and provide information and knowledge that will set them apart from their competition.
What are Examples of Corporate Events?
Examples of corporate events are seminars, conferences, product launches, and corporate dinners. Other events that focus on employees are retreats, golf days, or team-building events.
Corporate Meetings and Events: Final Thoughts
Planning an event takes time, energy, financial support, and a full team that provides support. By using a planning service, companies can save time and energy. This corporate event planning will bring the corporate event to life.
Companies can set clear goals, guidelines, and ideas to ensure the planning service knows exactly how to create the event. This will allow the corporate event management to do exactly what the company wants, by outsourcing the planning, admin, and running of the event to another company.
Contact us to provide you with all the support you need. We can provide you with everything you need. From planning to attendees surveys, we cover all. Just sit back and enjoy the event with all the future clients.
Kelly Murphy
PRESIDENT & FOUNDER
Certified Meeting planner with 20+ years of event management experience, founder of ConferenceSource, expert in meeting facility sourcing & contracting in North America, Europe, South America and Asia.
Kelly will manage your budget as if they were her own, negotiating the best possible rate and hotel contract to benefit and protect every client and exceed all expectations for all planning aspects for sales meetings, educational meetings, product launches, incentive trips down to a small board of directors meeting. We make meetings easy understanding your meeting objectives and delivering meeting matched components.
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