| `
August 31st update:
Latest
Data For Meetings Industry
What I like best about Meeting Professionals International's (MPI)
bimonthly economic report: the findings are based on the latest
data. And so far, no surprises: 39% say attendance is bigger than
last year. That's significant -- only 10% saw an uptick last April.
The interesting news: that increased attendance will not result
in higher budgets. Buyers are only going to pay for what they gotta
have.
What else to watch out for: short lead times for more meetings.
Negotiations will continue to run rampant into 2011 and possibly
beyond. My recommendation: get your fee strategy in place now that
you can live with.
August 26th update:
Who Gets Top Speaker Fees
I get a lot of questions about what to charge for a speech. Answer:
compare your fees to similar speakers and decide to reduce the fee
(for more volume) or raise the fee (and give more value). Now it
is easier than ever before to find out what your colleagues are
charging. Look no further than to speaker wiki, who decided to put
fee info by the speaker's photo.
- Professional athletes are now more in line with their business
counterparts. High profile celebrities are getting around $25,000.
- Celebrities in low-fee markets (such as education) still ask
for top fees (above $25,000) but probably do that to limit their
schedule.
- Their SpeakerCred criteria have nothing to do with their talent,
speaking experience, reviews or relevant message. My scores: poor.
Keep in mind the source of the information' there's no way to verify
accuracy. Here's the link: http://speakerwiki.org
August 24th update:
Young
Leaders On A Global Stage
Many of my profitable colleagues are growing their businesses abroad.
And this
article from Booz Allen's strategy+business is a great example
why. The business elite in the Middle East have embraced the next
generation of leaders and have identified three qualities they need
to develop:
- a long-term outlook that builds sustainable organizations for
future generations;
- the willingness to seek new ideas and customize them for the
gulf's environment; and,
- the awareness that their work is not only building organizations
but the gulf region's prominence on the global stage.
Here's an idea: instead of trying to find U.S. leaders who are
willing to invest in these qualities, why not go where you are preaching
to the choir? Remember, these young leaders went to school in the
U.S. and Europe, so everyone is well aware of global leadership
practices. My thinking: there's plenty of opportunity for those
experts who are willing to get out of their U.S. comfort zone. Best
next step: take the long-term approach and figure out how to plant
seeds now.
August 19th update:
Why
Authors Don't Get Enough Speaking Invites
Here's another deadly mistake experts make when they pitch a speech:
they assume that being an author is enough to get the gig. I can
understand why: after all, you've spent almost a year writing and
promoting the dang thing. It's time to get out there.
The reality: a book might get you in the first round of consideration
if the overall approach is relevant. But in the midst of many options,
buyers will go for the topic that not only addresses a hot trend
or challenge but also hints at a unique approach. It is the latter
-- the approach -- that gives an expert the inside edge.
Yes, I rant more about this topic via video -- here's
the link again. And if you want my best ideas on how to create
that topic, join me for Tuesday's Extreme
Mini Makeover call. Yes, you have to purchase the entire series
-- but the price point is low enough that if you get the help you
need from just one call, it's worth the investment.
| 
