An Effective Alliance

Partnering for Profits: Chrysler/Fiat Alliance

Fiat is to take 35% stake in Chrysler under strategic alliance plan. This announcement did not get much press coverage this week due to the presidential inauguration. However it is important news. The sickly Chrysler Corp. has agreed to form a strategic alliance that would give the Fiat, Italian auto empire, a 35% stake in Chrysler and could eventually bring Fiat full control of Chrysler.

The two companies said in a joint statement that in exchange for sharing its small car platforms and fuel efficient engines, Fiat would take an initial 35% stake in Chrysler but would not invest cash.

The indication that Fiat could eventually gain full control was further backed by Mr. John Elkann VP of Fiat and heir of its founding Agnelli family, who was quoted as saying by the ANSA news agency that the company's stake could increase. [To most, this comment means that they are looking for more than a simple alliance.]

An important point that I have always made is not to partner with a sick company. However this is a very smart alliance, especially for Fiat. This alliance will give Fiat the foothold into the USA that it never had. What kind of alliance might give you a foothold into a new market that you’ve been trying to penetrate?

More articles on how to build alliances at http://www.Rigsbee.com/morearticles.htm

Executive Presentation Skills: Self-Confidence

In speech giving, frequently your level of self-confidence will be directly proportionate to the quality of both your speech and its delivery. The two important elements of self-confidence are preparation and practice.

Excellent speech preparation includes: mastery of topic (even if you just did the research), flow of thought and/or persuasion, the quality of your PowerPoint (if you select to use it), planned emotional peeks and valleys, planned emotional releases through humor, and correct length of time. Only amateurs go over their time!

Practice is a whole different issue; defective practice yields defective speeches. While everyone wants their speech to appear to be “fresh” relying on your adlib or improve abilities is surely a mistake. While I would never recommend learning a speech word for word, I do however; recommend that you memorize your outline. Also work in your timing, allowing for audience laughter, which indeed adds minutes to your speech. If you can deliver, in your living room, a great speech to your spouse, significant other, or your children; your speech will be a hit with its intended audience.

Executive Public Speakers, Professional Speakers, and Emerging Professional Speakers; please visit http://www.SucceedInSpeaking.com for additional ideas, assistance, and resources.

Trade Association & Professional Society Executives: Electronic verses Traditional Member Engagement

Andy Steggles wrote a quite informative article which appeared in the January 2009 issue of “Associations Now” titled, “Keeping Score of Your Online Member Engagement.” I highly suggest you read the article.

For me, this article brings to the surface the dichotomy of traditional (in person) member engagement as opposed to cyber member engagement. Up front, I’ll state that both are good, both are important, and both deliver member value.

And, what about the smaller associations that do not have the budgets that the larger associations enjoy—how might cyber engagement be possible? My quick two word answer is: Facebook Groups. Facebook groups are free and take very little skill to administer. I use a Facebook group for Cigar PEG, Inc., the 501 ( c ) 3 that I run.

What about traditional member engagement? In person and cyber member engagement will feed one another. The caution is to not get too wrapped up in cyber engagement. While cyber engagement is important, you can expect several more generations to demand and expect traditional, in-person, member engagement activities.

Association Executives may access association growth articles and member recruitment campaign information at http://www.GrowingYourAssociation.com

Partners Expect More

Partnering for Profits: Webserts for 2009

Consider “websert” partnering with other (non-competing) companies that sell to the same customers as does your organization. A websert is a subtle third-party offer embedded in a transactional e-mail which offers marketers significant advantages over traditional box insert media. You may have noticed this kind of offer at/or from VistaPrint.com, 1-800-Flowers.com, or magazine subscription offers. This idea is cross-selling at its best. Effectively, this is post-purchase offers in transactional e-mails that offer companies a connection to third-party customers through inserted coupons or links. This method will drive additional revenues and (cost effectively) attract qualified customers.

More articles on how to build alliances at http://www.Rigsbee.com/morearticles.htm

Executive Presentation Skills: Guard the Prime Time

If you were to ask most speakers just before they took the podium, why they were there, the most frequent answers would be:

“I was invited to speak.”

“I don’t know why I was invited to speak.”

“I’ve got some things I want to get off my chest.”

“I was roped into it.”

“I don’t know how I get into messes like this.”

While there are many reasons to stand in front of an audience, always remember this; for you, it’s your prime time. You will be remembered by your words; powerful or not…persuasive, or not…caring, or not.

The next time you take to the podium (by the way, look up podium; not something you stand at, but rather on) consider others by recognizing this is your prime time. Guard it well.

Executive Public Speakers, Professional Speakers, and Emerging Professional Speakers; please visit http://www.SucceedInSpeaking.com for additional ideas, assistance, and resources.

Trade Association & Professional Society Executives: Partner for Advocacy

Just announced (Jan. 12) in New Orleans at PCMA’s annual convention; meetings industry associations have banded together in an unprecedented industry-wide collaboration focused on stressing the value of the travel and meetings industry to Congress and the new presidential administration. “This is something, frankly, that needed to happen yesterday, so it’s happening today,” said Deborah Sexton, president and CEO of PCMA. The effort will involve an alphabet soup of travel industry associations, including CIC, PCMA, NBTA, MPI, ASAE, DMAI, SITE, ACTE and IAEE. The associations will be joined by third-party meetings giant Maritz Travel. “This is way beyond the incentive market,” said Christine Duffy, president and CEO of Maritz Travel. “We’ve had clients that have received bailout money that are canceling meetings because they don’t want to be next on the Jay Leno show.”

Two points; first perceptions are real in the minds of others. For 2009, run your association’s activities through the PC perception filter. Second, like the above mentioned meetings industry coalition, think about other (like minded) organizations your association partner with to have a stronger voice in the State Houses and in Washington, DC.

Association Executives may access association growth articles and member recruitment campaign information at http://www.GrowingYourAssociation.com

Partnering for Profits: Your First Alliance

Your trade association or professional society, regardless of your perception of its effectiveness, is an important alliance for you to consider in 2009. There are two important points I’d like you to consider:

Point 1: Your membership; many trade associations do a great deal of advocacy work for the people involved in the industry they serve. Any you can get a lot of the value whether you belong to the association or not. STOP BEING A FREELOADER! Join the association. This year your industry’s association or society WILL lose membership; therefore revenue. If you want to continue receiving the benefits of their advocacy work, belly up to the bar and pay your share now.

Point 2: Your participation; is crucial for you to receive high-level value from your association or society. With that said, there are many traditional, and nontraditional, ways that you can participate. Some associations have NO IMAGINATION and only want members to play “within the lines,” making no waves. This is BS!!!

Regardless of how you select to participate, conventional or unconventional, look for opportunities to serve in a way that also serves you. Your trade association or professional society is one of the first reviews for 2009. Not a member, join. Dues paying member but not engaged, jump in.

More articles on alliance topics at http://www.Rigsbee.com/morearticles.htm

Executive Presentation Skills: Let the Diamond Show Through

Last year (last week), I suggested that you make every speech an event. I mentioned, Lee Andree Davis, who I have frequently referred to as a “diamond in a garbage can.” What I mean by this analogy is that Lee had a heart of gold but wrapped it up in such a coarse package that few were able to see his diamond.

How this relates to every person that steps onto the platform, literally or figuratively, is in relation to authenticity—what many say is the number one element to a great speech. For 2009, will you take the risk of authenticity? It is easy to stand upon the platform and be “Speaker Guy or Gal,” however it is difficult to be vulnerable enough to let your authentic diamond show through. This year, more so than in any year past, I’m going to work on letting my diamond show through, perhaps you’d like to do the same?

Executive Public Speakers, Professional Speakers, and Emerging Professional Speakers; please visit http://www.SucceedInSpeaking.com for additional ideas, assistance, and resources.

Trade Association & Professional Society Executives: Lower Meeting Costs

In order to put on outstanding meetings for your members on a budget, first may I suggest minimizing the pageantry? Then focus on great food and great speakers—that’s what your attendees will remember. After that, challenge the sacred cows, i.e., is the golf tournament losing money? If so, CHANGE THAT, or any other sacred cow that is taking you down. Here is another sacred cow to look at; are the past presidents still getting an upgraded room or suite for the regular conference room rate? If so, STOP THAT! There is nothing wrong with extending a complementary registration to your board members; you’ve got to give them some perks—but look close at the perks you give.

Here is another; do you really need to haul your staff people to the convention? Think airfare, hotel, and meals. By the way, the staff rooms are not free—your members are paying for them in their room rate. Most likely, you can hire local “temp” workers to fulfill many (or most) of the activities that staffers conduct for a fraction of the cost, couldn’t you? For 2009, ask the hard questions and make the hard decisions.

Association Executives may access association growth articles and member recruitment campaign information at http://www.GrowingYourAssociation.com