Snippets from the Last Sessions

The last session time on Friday often draws the "short straw." Folks who need to fly somewhere are hamstrung by the limited flight options. Unless they want to spend the time and money to stay another night at the hotel, they must check out before noon, and catch whatever flight is available that afternoon or evening. That often means that the 1:30-3p slot is down a few attendees.

This year, the Programs Committee countered that with three of the most dynamic presentations/presentors. I couldn't make up my mind, so I stepped in to all three at varying times and caught these nuggets of information. Typical of my experience at PRC this year, there was more to absorb and learn in even these "moments" than you could shake a stick at. :)

Getting Your Team on the Attack - Michael Green, Senior Vice President, Delta-4
Number 1 takeaway - be selective about who is on your attack team (pursuit team). Not everyone can do this. Not everyone should do this.

He had hula hoops on the tables. I didn't stick around to find out why... Anyone who was there, care to comment?

Creating and Implementing an Internally-Driven Competitive Intelligence Program - Derek Zumwalt, Associate and Recruiting/HR Manager, Vanir Construction Management
Number 1 takeaway - You don't know what your staff knows, or WHO yours staff knows. Why don't you?

Outwit, Outlast, Outplat Yourself Forward - Kristy Alley, Principal, Director of Marketing, Sparling; William Strong, FSMPS, CPSM, Associate, AIA, Principal, Mahlum; Jennifer Van Vleet, CPSM, Vice President of Corporate Marketing, Coffman Engineers, Inc.

Probably the most clever presentation group I saw - these presenters took the Survivor show/theme to the group, and created "tribes" who moved from leader to leader for instruction and insights.

Takeaways -

1. Do you know what AR/AP stand for? Or how your firm's multiplier is determined? Learn to speak the financial language of the company
2. In addition to Emotional and Intellectual Quotients of your company and key clients, are you addressing the Cultural Quotient? Who are you recruiting? Does your company "sell" its culture? Is it aware and tolerant of other cultures? What if you work (or want to work) internationally? How are you cross-training your offices in the other cultures?
3. How is your Strategic Plan lived daily in your firm? What is your "golden nugget" that quickly describes the Strategic Plan - and can anyone remember it OR the plan?

I am having a hard time believing the conference is over. I learned so much and had so many "ah-ha" moments; I don't want it to end. I love it when what I experience every day dovetails with what I learn at PRC. Synergy.

If you Tweet, follow me @crafterkat.
Keep the learning active, all. Marketing is NOT a spectator sport.
Katherine