How to Inspire and Excite Your Staff Even in Times of Change
Pulling staff from their duties at any time is a tough call, much less in a challenging economy as we have today.However, many executives are finding it an important tool in employee management. They are providing a brief intermission from the hectic day to day for their employees by providing speech presentations on a wide array of topics related and unrelated to their job.
Many speakers are available to provide presentations that will inspire and encourage your employees to think creatively and foster innovative business ideas.Don’t worry about finding someone directly related to your company’s field.It is not all important to find a speaker that focuses in your company’s discipline.Your staff will be challenged to think in new and creative ways which can often result in a positive increase to the bottom line.
Here is a checklist of things to discuss with a potential speaker:
1.Up Front Details.
Communicate the exact date, time, and location up front when talking with potential speakers.In addition remember to let them know how much time you have allotted for their presentation.While it may seem overkill to mention this, there have been plenty of instances where a manager has promoted an event only to discover a mix up with the speaker on the date or time needed for the presentation.
It will also help if you can give the speaker an estimate of attendees and details about the group they will be talking to. This will help them to target their presentation to the audience and give them a better and more meaningful experience.
2.Publicity Buzz.
Ask the speaker for a summary of their presentation in advance so that you can start building excitement among your employees.Flyers, enticing emails describing the event and other promotion all works well.Providing food is always a great way to make it fun for the employees. In any event, make sure your staff sees the event as a bonus for them rather than something they have to attend.
3. Compensation.
If you have a budget available to pay a speaker you will be working with a larger selection. Most speakers have a set rate for local and non-local venues.If out of their area, many may request travel compensation as well, and if you want an extra long presentation they may charge more.
Don’t worry if cost is a factor.Speaking fees are all over the board, and if you can offer other forms of compensation a speaker is often willing to negotiate.For most, their ultimate objective lies in potential sales of the speaker’s services and products rather than to earn a speaking fee.
Two typical forms of payment on a low budget are promoting the speaker’s products to the audience, or, even better, buying a copy of their book or product for each attendee.
There are other ways to compensate a speaker on a low budget.You might consider inviting your customers or those in your office complex to create a larger group for the speaker. Provide the speaker a list of all attendees with contact information and allow them to follow up individually. Even offer a testimonial and referrals to similar organizations.
It takes some effort and time to set up a speaker session your employees will enjoy and get value from, but it is a great way to build positive energy and increase commitment among your staff. Always emphasize the value to your employees and your dedication to their personal development.The effect on the company’s profitability will be your reward.
Marty Dickinson moved beyond his techno-fear of the Internet more than 14 years ago and has since launched more than 100 of his own websites while helping more than 300 clients to use the Internet to grow their businesses. Internet Marketing Speaker, business owner, and co-author of “Web Marketing All-in-One for Dummies” (Wiley 2009), he enjoys inspiring other techno-phobic business owners, authors and speakers to move beyond their fear of the Internet to embrace its full potential.
