A Tale of Two Mixers: Part 3

The two mixer events I've blogged about recently (a theme camp leads mixer and a marketing and sales focused executive breakfast) had a number of similarities that contributed to the success of each. Below are takeaway tips for the next mixer I plan:


Provide Name Tags - Name tags provide good conversation starters, especially when titles and organization names or descriptors are included.

Set the Agenda - Set expectations regarding what participants should get out of each event by reading off an outline of what is to be accomplished.

Facilitate Conversation - Have pre-planned topics queued along with activities that stir conversations. Play games that encourage interactivity, and have a means of displaying topics for continued discussion.

Encourage Questions - Always include a Q&A portion! I didn't do this at the Theme Camp Leads Mixer, but it would have been an excellent opportunity to have participants ask burning questions and express feedback to event organizers.

Focus on the positives first - This one was learned from Cooper's advice. Keeping things positive tends to move the conversation forward and opens up a broad horizon of solutions and idea exchanges.


What are your tips for creating effective mingling?

A Tale of Two Mixers: Part 2

My company hosted what could be considered a mixer a few weeks ago, though the event was technically a breakfast with a panel discussion about building B2B pipeline for 2015.

People mingled for the first 45 minutes until it came time for the speaker portion. Our Sales Director then announced an interactive intent and then polled the audience for their respective professions and motives for being present.

We heard from a series of sales reps, marketing professionals, and entrepreneurs. At least three people were in attendance with similar self-introductions to this one:

"My name is _____. Our company is a manufacturer of water pipes. That's right folks, we're a bong company."

The majority of a the audience had a good laugh, and I would be willing to be I was not the only one who was pleasantly surprised when the three "water pipe manufacturers" turned out to be thoughtful contributors to the conversation.

Our Sales Director asked hard hitting questions to our CEO and a representative from a partner organization as the audience listened and shared their own best practices - as well as their struggles - with marketing and building their own businesses.

I'd consider the event a success, especially since our sales team walked away with a handful of business cards for people looking to build a lead generation program.  I also had the pleasure of meeting a (now new) colleague who seems to have the same affection for the color purple as I do!

A Tale of Two Mixers: Part 1

I have a not-so-secret life that involves festival planning. The festival I plan for is driven largely by theme camps, or collectives who gift some kind of thing or experience, that each contribute to the nature of the event. The event itself is established on the principles of accountability, self-expression, and cooperation.

I had the lovely opportunity of hosting a mixer for Theme Camp leads last Friday. I'd say it went fairly well. My Key Performance Indicator was the number of Post-It notes that were issued that evening.

I can't claim all claim full credit for the awesomeness that ensued. A friend, who seems to be a pretty accomplished guy, had given this snippet of advice:

"Part A:  First, have everyone brainstorm / identify all the things that people liked, that went well, that was successful and things that we want to do again next year.  Keep people in this process and if they have "yeah buts" and " i didn't like that" have them make a note of that for next part.  This starts off on a positive note, creates energy and avoids dealing with downers right at the outset of a meeting, which can derail the whole fucking thing.  Keep these on one sheet of paper."

The first hour was spent mingling as attendees trickled into my home. By the time we had a full house, I stood on top of a cooler and announced these not-quite-verbatim directions:

"So you may have noticed all these categories listed out throughout our space here -- I'm going to give you all Post-It notes, and I want you to write the positive and successful aspects of your camp related to the categories you see."

...and just like that people started brainstorming and talking to each other about what went well with their respective camps.

Fear of Public Speaking (FOPS)

The hardest class I took in college was Public Speaking.

My father would laugh when I told him about my struggles. He said most people used that class to bump up their GPA.

I was terrified every time I was put on the spot to deliver a speech. Thankfully, I had a really awesome teacher who taught me to reach deep inside for the confidence required for oratory presentations. If it weren't for "Madam Duke" (as I adoringly referred to her), I'd be far behind professionally and socially. 

I'm still not where I want to be in terms of squelching my FOPS, but I am still surrounded with very strong influences who push me to exude the same confidence that Madam Duke imparted on me years ago.

Just last week, my intonation was scrutinized, and I was thankful for the reminder to Always Be Improving, a direct link to confidence -- and the ultimate cure for FOPS. 

How do YOU prepare for speaking publicly?

Laying out goals

Most of us have those weeks where we feel less effective. This week is one of those weeks for me. I'm sick with some kind of cold/sinus infection and can't hear very well,  my attention span is about a tenth of what it usually is, and all I really want to do is sleep. I'd love to give myself the excuse of "I just don't feel well", but that shouldn't deter me from the bigger picture.

Whenever I feel like I'm veering off of a productive path, I take a moment to reestablish goals and the tactics that will be required to achieve them -- even if it means pushing past my comfort zone.

Today I present you with three major goals of mine:

1) Be awesome at my job. 

In my current role, I am tasked with growing business among existing accounts. In order to do this, I need to understand individual business goals for each client and how our marketing services can help them achieve these goals. Luckily, I work with awesome team members who pay close attention to the impact our program has on our clients' bottom lines. 

From a tactical standpoint, I will list out goals per client and recommended services that will help them succeed. I will also work more closely with our program leads to gain additional insights into how I can add value to each client relationship without making an overt pitch.

2) Figure out what's next. 

My boss popped a big question a few weeks ago -- "What do you see yourself doing next?"

I found it really hard to answer. I love what I do now, but I will always operate under the principle that there is more I can be doing and learning.

When I was in college, I had high hopes of working in a creative field. Now that I have worked in roles not traditionally considered as "creative",  I've found that creativity does indeed play a huge role in forward-moving career paths. I want to use my creativity to improve processes and make strong cases for change, which is ultimately what selling is really about.

Within the next year, I would like to have a clearly defined career path in which I will thrive on my strongest attributes and strengthen my weakest abilities.

3) Continue growing relationships. 

Whether personal or professional, relationships are absolutely critical to self-improvement. I want to foster my existing relationships by sponging up insights of my colleagues and peers. To do this, I need to be a consistent communicator while remaining sensitive to what drives others.

If you want something, ask for it.

We've all heard the phrase "Good things happen to those who wait." In reality, the best things happen to those who ask.

Think back to being a kid. Was Santa Claus ever on his game enough to bring you something that you didn't request? Probably not.

I don't remember exactly what I whispered in the Jolly Old Man's ears at the mall as a five year old, but the letters I wrote to him went something like this:

"Dear Santa,

Here are some cookies and milk for you and carrots for your reindeer. 

I promise I've been really good this year. 

I really hope that you'll bring me a My-Size Barbie.

Sincerely,

Emily"

I wrote a similar letter for two years in a row, but Santa never provided me a My-Size Barbie (apparently they were sold out all across the world). Now, with 20+ years of experience under my bet, I know exactly what I did wrong.

You see, my request wasn't explicit, and my justification was far from effective. Plus, I didn't tell Santa HOW to get the right doll. If I were to have a conversation with a much shorter and youger version of my self, I'd point out how I really should have been firm about what I wanted and why I wanted it. I would have also sent the letter ahead of time instead of waiting until the last meant and leaving it under the tree. 

"October 1, 19--

Dear Santa,

I've been a very good girl this year. I completed my 99% of my chores on time and never forgot to do my homework. As a result, my parents continue to be pleased with my conduct. Because of my consistently wonderful behavior, I am requesting that you honor my wish for a My-Size Barbie. 

There is a high likelihood that my behavior will only improve if I gain access to a doll to call my own. The My-Size Barbie would be like my best friend. I'd play with her every day.

I understand retailers keep selling out of this doll. I recommend a direct purchase from manufacturer. I've booked you a meeting with Mattel's VP of Operations to discuss inventory needs next month. She has already mentioned her delight to begin a fruitful partnership with you.

I wish you all the best with your journeys to and from the North Pole. Travel safely!

Sincerely,

Emily"

Top 8 Playa Moments of 2014

I'm throwing in another facet of succestication: perpetual experiences of awesome. 

In regards to self-improvement, I strongly believe that new experiences are the key to an open mind and a continuous yearning to go above and beyond what is known. An inspiring setting -- such as an open art gallery in the middle of the desert -- can certainly help.

On that note, here are my top moments at Burning Man 2014:

1) The never-ending drum circle at the Texas Souk.

2) Finding the Burning Man Ultra Marathon. I went to bed early our first night on playa and set my alarm for 6AM in hopes of catching at the last half of the Burning Man Ultra Marathon. Since I had no idea what the course would be, I laced up my running shoes and headed out into deep playa and looked for fast moving dots of humans in the distance. As I approached the trash fence,  I found a very loud bus with a swarm of people dancing around it. It was Robot Heart, an elusive set my friend had been describing the night before, and right beyond it were RUNNERS. I made a mad dash to catch up and met a few characters along the way (including one guy running completely naked, bare feet and all!). 

3) Spending White Out Wednesday in my wedding dress.  Aside from feeling absolutely beautiful in the airy white fabric, this dress seemed to hold some sort of enchantment. It was so much fun to dance in, too!

Not pictured: Burning Man

4) Being inside Embrace. This was one of my favorite art pieces -- a wooden sculpture that you could climb inside, passing large mechanical hearts up into the head of each figure. You could look out the eyes for a lovely view of the desert.

Photo courtesy of DUNCAN RAWLINSON.

5)  Seeing Saturday morning's sunrise. After Embrace burned on Friday morning, Justin and I had an amazing adventure out in deep playa that involved hours of observation of the blinky horizon dotted by ship masts, alien forms, and giant dragons.  We settled into our own coziness for what seemed like hours -- still in deep, deep playa -- and watched a neon red sun emerge. It was the most beautiful sunrise I ever witnessed.

6) Hanging out with the Neunzig family at Fire House. There's no better way to pass the heat of the day than hanging out with two generations of Neunzigs!

Try to spot Tim in this picture...

7) Not losing my fanny pack. After an 8+ hour adventure, I realized I was missing a critical component of my wardrobe: the fanny pack that contained both Justin's and my I.D.s. After wracking my brain for a good hour, I realized where I left it -- "some big playground-like structure along Esplanade".  Given that Esplanade is a mile long frontage of camps, I was very happy to find that my sense of direction was still in tact. Fanny pack found; identities saved.

8) The Temple burn. The Temple is an ornate structure located across from the man where people leave written memories or thoughts for loved ones who have passed. Some leave behind representations of what they want to remove from from their lives. When the Temple burned, everyone sat or stood silently out of respect. Its large dome fell with a graceful twist, and all the emotional heaviness it held became ashes, ultimately turned to dust. Needless to say, it was very cathartic.



I didn't take any pictures at the event, so if you need more visuals, check out this gallery (including the last photo -- the Shrine of the Crossroads -- an Austin-based project).