VIBE CHALLENGE: Win VisitDenmark’s MIND CHALLENGE and WIN A TRIP TO LONDON!!!

We thought there might be some of you that would enjoy rising to a challenge.  You know to feed that competive spirit lurking inside?   This is a challenge that could land you in London during the 2012 Olympics.  Good luck and read on for all the details of the competition sponsored by VisitDenmark.

The purpose of the conference is to introduce a new business structure for the company.  The reason for choosing Copenhagen as a destination is the Awareness of the environment and sustainable thinking since this is highly prioritized within the company.  This is therefore an opportunity for the client to showcase their sustainable credentials.

GUIDELINES:

The conference should take place in a hotel within maximum 20 minutes from the Copenhagen airport.  The proposal should include options for the meetings and accommodation as well as suggestions for two off-site dinners, one team building activity and appropriate transportation to the dinners.  In general, the client wishes to optimize the ROI of the conference by using new an innovative tools.

CREATIVITY:

Participants in this challenge are encourage to think creatively, and maybe even use some MIND-blowing ideas, when putting together their proposal for the conference.  Creative solutions will be an important element for the judges.  Find inspiration and contact information to event partners on this site; www.visitdenmark.com/MINDchallenge

PRESENTATION:

Format for presentation:  all creative ideas are welcome, power point is accepted but other formats encouraged.

The companies submitting the 5 best North American submissions will be invited to present their ideas at a New York event, April 12 (live or via Skype), AND, the North American winner picker here will get a trip to London for the Grand Finale during the London Olympics 2012!

 

North American submissions will be judged by our honorable judges:

• Greg Oates – PREVUE
• Saira Banu Kianes, CMP – Banu Events Solutions & Training (B.E.S.T.)
• Susan Hennig, United Airlines

Participants presenting form each company:  Minimum 1, maximum 10 (if you get all the way to the grand finale in London, there is a maximum of 2 peopl presenting).

MEDIA PARTNER NORTH AMERICA:  We are proud to have as our exclusive media partner in North America:  PREVUE.  Go here to follow their coverage of MIND challenge 2012:  http://www.pevueonline.net/mindchallenge/

GRAND PRIZE:  the winner will get a free venue in Copenhagen suitable for the case abou (50ppl/1 day max).

Deadline for North American Submissions:  Please make sure we have your submission no later than March 14, 2012.

Send to:  Send your program suggestion directly to your North American representative via either mail or email:

Christina Anderson

Sales and Marketing Manager, Meeting Industry

VisitDenmark

655 Third Avenue, Ste. 1810Y

New York, NY  10017

United States

Email:  can@visitdenmark.com

Web:  www.visitdenmark.com

Direct:  212-885-9772

Fax:  212-885-9726

Skype:  vdk-christina.andersen

Pitching The Elevator…What’s Your Grade?

At this very moment, the most important element to you and your business is a client.  So how do we expand and monopolize opportunity to create new business?

Picture this.  You’ve run into a high powered decision maker that you’ve been trying to connect with (or someone you meet by chance).  You have mere moments to present them with your company, capture their interest and make them realize you’re someone they want and need to work with.  Can you do it?  No?  A little preparedness goes a long way. 

Enter the dreaded elevator pitch.  Are those blanks stares I’m seeing through this screen?  If you don’t have one, you may be missing out on key opportunities to create some serious revenue generation for your company. One of the most overlooked prospecting strategies available to business owners is an elevator pitch. The better prepared you are when you encounter someone asking you about what you do; the better the chances are of using this strategy tool successfully.

Okay, I get it.  You don’t have an elevator pitch because you are unsure how you should put together one that is effective.  I’m going to give you some pointers of how to put an effective speech together quickly.  Grab your pen and paper and let’s get to work.

1.  Focus on one thing about your business.  That means that your first sentence has to capture and hold the interest of your interviewer.  Be powerful, short, concise and straight to the point.  If the person doesn’t understand right away, you’ve lost the opportunity.
2. Write down who you (your company) is. State it in a powerful way.  This may take some time so write down different variations, compare and choose the one that is the best fit.
3. Tell people what you do and be specific. (keep this specific and simple and to the point)  Ie.  We are a full service, live event production company specializing in outbound incentive trips.
4. Next, tell people why you are the best at…. Ie. We have 25 plus years of experience and some of clients include Coca Cola, Bentley, Microsoft and Gucci.  (or you can even back up your statement with a couple of strong figures)  Ie.  We’ve won 25 national awards for our creativity.
5. End it with a call to action.  What is it that you want to happen next? it easy for the listener to say yes to your call of action.  Ie. Would you have time to have a cup of coffee…or…. drop into the meeting we are having today in your marketing department…

So you’ve got it down on paper.  Now what?  Trust me, this is the HARDEST part.

It’s time to practice, practice and PRACTICE some more until you can say it naturally and conversationally.  Standing in front of a mirror is the best way to perfect your elevator speech.  It will be uncomfortable at first, but keep on keeping on.  The more you do it, the better you will become at it.   Stop and re-read this paragraph…you will thank me later for being so persistent about it.

This one business building tip can make or break you business. None of us can afford a single missed opportunity these days.  Spending a couple of hours developing this key part of your marketing strategy can improve your customer base and bottom line dramatically.  In other words, a small investment of time NOW will pay huge dividends later.

Grab yourself a glass of wine, curl up somewhere and get down to business.  This is one of those things that you cannot afford to skimp on.  If you do…you’re only cheating yourself and giving your competition a jump start. 

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