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“A change would do you good.” Sheryl Crow |
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IN THIS ISSUE
“Change has come to America.” Barack Obama
Indeed it has: change in our economics, change in the way we conduct and approach our business and change in how we see the world. At BIG SHOW, I have always thought of change as a positive thing. I believe we should embrace and view it as a chance to rethink how we serve our clients, prioritize their investments and find and create new opportunities.
Our team is always willing to change its approach to an event to stay innovative, customer-focused and creative. Because we are a boutique company, we can scale our services to meet our clients’ needs, remaining agile, flexible and extremely cost-effective. We are uniquely positioned to help our clients see and think differently about their events and to embrace the positives that can come with change.
We look forward to partnering with you in this historic time of global change. Indeed, a change will do us all good!
John Caron
CEO, BIG SHOW PRODUCTIONS
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Change: It’s good for business! |
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“Change the metaphor.” Buckminster Fuller
OK, so it’s no longer business as usual. You have to make changes – to stay competitive, to do more with less, to remain effective.
At BIG SHOW, we agree with Buckminster Fuller. Changing the metaphor, in today’s times, means changing the way we face challenges. It means becoming more cooperative than competitive. And it means allowing your creative ideas to flow – to find innovative, out-of-the-box ways to get things done. What better time to try something new and different? Why not dust off all those great ideas you never explored? This is the ideal time to reconnect and collaborate with your business partners, vendors and colleagues to find creative solutions to meet the challenges ahead.
BIG SHOW is poised to help you through this evolution! Here are a few tips to approach change:
1. Get a grasp on recent budget and staffing changes. That way, you’ll know the key parameters to work within as you make changes. Just try not to let these parameters stifle your creativity!
2. Management can be your friend through this process. Especially if there have been recent changes in your company, management fervently wants you to succeed and will support you as you incorporate change into the way you do business. Get their buy-in as you work to create exceptional events in a new climate – it will prove useful in managing their expectations.
3. Banish the phrase “but we’ve always done it that way” from your office. Let’s face it, we cannot continue to operate our businesses the way we did yesterday. The best way to work with new marketing budgets, staffing models and realities is to start from scratch. Bring together your staff/colleagues (from all levels of your company) to brainstorm ideas that take these new realities into consideration. Sometimes the best ideas come from the most unlikely places!! Talk about efficiencies, change of roles, new partnerships, goals and how your suppliers can help you achieve greatness.
4. Talk to your colleagues at other companies. Sometimes the quickest way to get new ideas is to go outside your own business. And in these times, everyone is interested in exchanging information. Your peers can often be a great resource for ideas.
5. Partner with your suppliers differently. Everyone is dealing with change today. By viewing your suppliers as partners instead of vendors, you’ll be able to work together to find efficiencies, savings and new processes that will benefit all of you. And when business eventually returns to normal (whatever that will look like!), you’ll have forged much stronger relationships with these suppliers that can only be beneficial.
6. Make room in your budget for professional help. We’re not talking about a therapist here, but rather an experienced event strategist and management company that can help you navigate these challenging times. Let us apply new strategies to your business to ensure your continued success. Need a facilitator for discussions with your management or staff about changes to your event strategy and execution? Want ideas for getting the most out of your suppliers and partners? We bring innovative thinking and expertise to the table so you can adapt quickly and create events that are successful, impactful AND on budget. Make an investment in yourself; call BIG SHOW today at 510.251.8757 or e-mail us.
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Changing the environmental impact of your events
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“Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes, turn and face the strain.” David Bowie
The new administration has pledged to change America's policies on energy consumption and our impact on the environment. At home, at work and at play, we'll all need to make changes as part of this goal. Did you know that the event business is just behind the construction industry in waste production? So why not get ahead of the curve by changing the impact your events make on the planet? Here are some simple steps BIG SHOW can offer to green your event:
- Onsite recycling. We work closely with the venue operator in advance to understand their recycling policies and how we can work with or augment them for your event. Their partnership in your recycling program – including placing recycling bins onsite for attendee use and disposing of recyclable waste after the event – will help ensure that your efforts are successful. And you can report this back to you attendees, even noting their contributions as a tickler to get back in front of your audience.
- Food and beverage service. We recommend the use of biodegradable food ware – plates, cups, napkins and utensils made of sugarcane, potato, corn or other materials that can be composted right after your event. Set up “compost” bins so attendees can easily toss these items. Think of how little trash there will be as a result!
- Floor and table coverings. Use products made of recycled materials and then reuse – or at least recycle – them. Although reuse may require a bit more work, it will help reduce your costs – and your waste. Which is why we are doing this in the first place, right?!
- Event signage. We have fabulous, green materials to replace the ugly foam-core products that so many companies use – and they don’t even cost more! Use recycled paper and materials to create event signage – and recycle them after the event.
- Printed materials. Whenever possible, use 100% recycled paper for your event materials and work with printers that use vegetable- or soy-based inks. Set up paper recycling bins where attendees can dispose of items. And after your event, of course, recycle all unused materials!
- Giveaways and clothing. Choose products made from recycled, organic or renewable resources, including bamboo (you have to wear it to believe it). You’ll be amazed at the fabulous products being made from recycled plastic bottles these days!
- Energy consumption. If you really want to “green” your event, consider offsetting the energy you consume – electricity, gas, etc. – through a carbon offset program. These efforts balance out the carbon dioxide produced by your energy use with restoration of natural energy sources. There are many programs to help you do this – Google “carbon emissions offset programs” and pick your favorite!
Contact BIG SHOW. Visit our "sustainability" page on our website or call us at 510.251.8757. We will be happy to advise you about creating and marketing a “green” program and to put our experience to work for your next event. For more than two years, BIG SHOW has helped clients change the environmental impact of their events and we can help you do the same. Do you want the gold, silver or bronze? Give us a call to learn more about our three tiers of “greening” and how we can help you with your next event.
Does BIG SHOW really know how to help green events? Just ask the folks putting on the California Clean Tech Open, who asked BIG SHOW's CEO to be their advisor and consult on their launch event taking place on Thursday, March 19 at the San Jose City Hall Rotunda. That seems like validation, don't you think? For more information about attending the Clean Tech Open, click here.
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What's your favorite venue? |
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“There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction.” Winston Churchill
How about this for a change: When was the last time you visited one the fabulous Bay Area museums right in our own backyard?
Our museums come in all shapes, sizes and orientations and many have historical features. From the remarkable new California Academy of Sciences to the Museum of Craft and Folk Art, these institutions offer rich environments in which to explore art, craft and ideas from many viewpoints.
Some of our favorite museums are listed below. As an added bonus, these institutions offer free admission on specific days to ensure that you and your friends and family can enjoy some of the rich culture and knowledge the Bay Area has to offer – no matter what your budget these days.
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