Keeping Up With Technology: Survival of the Fittest

There is no question that the Internet has helped small business owners expand their reach by leaps and bounds to an exponentially greater target audience. They are now able to compete with their larger counter-parts by having the same access to potential consumers. With the use of effective Internet marketing strategies, small business owners now have the means to promote their brand that they didn't have prior to the Internet revolution. The increased usage of social media marketing opens up even more doors to small business owners by enabling them to interact with and engage in online conversations with prospective customers/clients.

However, just like the side effects of medications we take to cure an illness, there are some negative consequences for some to the powerful functionality of the Internet. The Internet has completely transformed the way we live and do business today.

Take for instance, the small local business owner who has enjoyed a successful business based on word-of-mouth advertising and maintaining a good reputation in the community. What if this same business owner either doesn't have a website or has an outdated one? In the past, this wouldn't have mattered but now in today's times with people using the Internet more and more for purchases, doing research on items before they buy, price shopping, etc., this small business owner might find that he or she is losing customers to the competition that has more of an online presence. What choice is there but to "keep up with the Jones" and either create or update one's website in order to maintain a competitive edge? Even though word-of-mouth advertising is still the single most cost-efficient and effective form of advertising, not having an online presence or less of one than your competition will have a negative impact on your bottom line. A website visit is often the first interaction a consumer has with a business, and without one or an ineffective one, some small businesses are at a significant competitive disadvantage.

Remember telephone booths? Remember when there were phone booths on almost every major street? Now the only place you can find a phone booth is on a street on Disney property. Many people are giving up their land line phones in favor of cell phones. How about phones that are attached to phone cords? How many of us even have a phone in our home that is NOT cordless? (You will wish you did if you have a power failure!)

The business world is now becoming one that is consumer-driven. Consumers want what they want when they want it. Many industries are being negatively affected by both the Internet and the new consumer of today.

Email is replacing snail mail and is having a negative impact on the US Postal Service as they continue to raise the postage rates. The cost of newspapers has increased significantly while the circulation has decreased. It is much easier for people to get their news from the Internet than to rely on a newspaper. Online news is immediate and accessible 24/7 which is much more convenient and today's consumers flock towards convenience. Many newspapers have had to shut down while others are having tremendous difficulty staying afloat.

Travel agencies are losing business because people are no longer reliant on them to book airline flights and hotel reservations. The Internet makes it much easier and sometimes more cost effective to go online and make your own reservations. The entire market sector of the travel agencies has changed and perhaps in time will cease to exist as more and more people make their own travel arrangements.

The music and video industries have been seriously affected by the Internet. Music, movies and television are readily available for free. With sites such as Hulu which allow you to watch anything you want anytime you want, what will happen to DVD rental companies? The music industry, in particular, has been turned upside down in trying to keep up with the changing technologies and the way music is purchased, marketed and shared. The large music stores have had to change their marketing and business strategies because of how simple it is to purchase mp3s from the Internet. There has been a significant negative impact on the music industry's revenues due to how easy it is for anyone to basically steal whatever they want whenever they want to. Copyright infringement is running rampant on the web resulting in time and resources to try to police it.

The Automotive industry has had to change their business model to keep up with the times and the increased usage of the Internet for researching reviews, online companies that help consumers find the best price, and online car auctions. The internet is now the main player where people look to sell or buy used cars, trucks and vans. Auto makers realize that if they want their cars to get good press coverage, they need to have a strong online presence.

"Survival of the fittest" is a phrase that carries enormous meaning for many industries. Those that adapt and change their business models and marketing practices in line with the effects of the Internet are those that by natural selection will survive. Those that don't, will die off.

So what does this mean for business owners, both large and small? It means that during the natural course of evolution, unfortunately, some niches will no longer have a market, however, by keeping up with technology and the needs and wants of the consumer, it is very possible to alter your company's offerings to be able to continue giving your perspective clients/customers exactly what they are looking for.

How to Budget for Your Corporate Event

When planning an event, the first thing you should do is plan your budget. Events always require a serious financial investment. Create a rough estimate of the costs of the event. Make sure you get your budget approved by any necessary higher-ups before you get too deep into the planning of your event.

Get preliminary estimates from potential suppliers early in the planning process. You can firm up these estimates after your preliminary budget is approves. Remember to err on the side of caution - if you are given a range of prices, use the higher estimates just in case.

Your preliminary budget should include the biggest costs for the event. These include:

• Venue rental


• Accommodation and transportation (if necessary)


• Food and drinks


• Invitations, place cards, and other printed materials


• Decorations, flowers


• Staff requirements


• Music


• Entertainment


• Photographer


• Sound and lighting requirements (if any)


• Power requirements (if any)


• Insurance (if required)


• Security (if required)

Make a complete list of all possible expenses. Highlight any "must have" items from that list. These must have items should be included in your preliminary budget. You should then contact possible suppliers to get ballpark estimates for these items.

Once you have your preliminary cost estimates, compare it to your overall budget. If your list of "must have" items costs more than your budget, you may have to re-think your event. If your preliminary cost estimates is lower than your budget, then you can begin to add in optional items.

After working through your budget, you should always seriously consider whether you can afford to hold the event or not. It is usually better to put off an event rather than go forward with a shoddy event on a low budget.

As you continue to plan your event, create a spreadsheet or list of your event's expenses. This will let you see what items have been included and keep you within your budget. It will also clearly show you how you are spending your money. You may choose to make different choices once you see how your costs compare. For example, you may decide to abandon the floral arrangements you selected in order to put the money saved towards a string quartet. Review this spreadsheet every day. You don't want to find out after your event that you were way over budget.

Because every event is different, there is no magic formula or cost sheet. Just walk through the event in your mind from start to finish, writing down as many details as you can. Go back and fill in the costs. Remember, always get written estimates and not verbal quotes. Again, you don't want any nasty surprises.

Also remember to factor in taxes and gratuities. These are often overlooked and can add up unexpectedly. Always ask, and never assume.

Specifically ask each supplier if there are any additional costs that will be added. Venues are notorious for adding unexpected charges for things like power or labor. Ask the venue to give you total estimates based on similar events they have hosted. Have your suppliers invoice you before the event, if possible.

As invoices arrive, do not pay anything until you compare the invoice with your budget. Question any differences. You may have to adjust your budget as you go or look for lower cost suppliers. If you don't keep your cost sheet updated, you may find yourself over budget. You will also be better equipped to make last minute decisions.

One last detail you need to include in your cost sheets is a list of payment dates. For each expense, you need to know when the supplier has to be paid. Make note of any deposits required and when they are due. You do not want to find out that you lost a key component of your event because you didn't send a deposit.

Finally, remember your goal is to stay within your budget while still creating a memorable and entertaining event.

What Event Planners Can Learn About Recycling From The 2012 Olympics

Olympic organizers made a concerted effort to make the 2012 London Olympics the most environmentally friendly games in history. Event planners who want to make their affairs greener can learn from what is going on in London right now.

Recycling Starts At Home

Construction at the London Olympics made extensive use of recycled metal including abandoned gas pipes, and the complex of buildings was built using one tenth of the steel used in Beijing in 2008. Buildings were designed to use natural lighting and ventilation to minimize the amount of electricity that would be needed.

Keeping your event environmentally friendly begins well before the opening date. You need to do more than simply put out a couple of recycling containers and call it green. You don't have to build an entire Olympic village to benefit from recycled and sustainable materials. Reuse decoration or construction materials from past events. Buy compostable cups instead of plastic. Educate staff and volunteers on cleanup duties to ensure trash and recycling don't intermingle.

Make Recycling Easy For Guests

A survey found that 97% of London residents felt there weren't enough facilities to accommodate recycling efforts. To meet the new demand hundreds of new recycling containers were placed throughout London's city center to prepare for the large Olympic crowds. These containers with their bright green faces were easy to spot by people wondering where to dump a plastic bottle or aluminum can.

You have little control over how your guests dispose of waste during the event. It can be frustrating to see someone throw a plastic bottle in a trash can right next to a recycling container, but mistakes and carelessness happen. What you can do is make it easy for your guests by placing plenty of recycle bins throughout the location, especially around high traffic areas such as food vendors.

Learn From Mistakes

One problem that has been observed at the London Olympics is that, despite the presence of recycling containers, there has been significant mingling of materials. This may be due to inadequate marking of container locations, insufficient containers to meet the need, or improper education of Olympic visitors. Future Olympic organizers will have to come up with better ways to encourage people to recycle.

If your event has the same problem, then you need to ask yourself why this happened. For example, did you place recycle bins and trash cans together or separately? It is better to place receptacles next to each other so no one is tempted to throw items into the wrong container simple because it's closer. Or perhaps bins weren't emptied often enough so guests were forced to throw recyclables into the trash.

In addition to the obvious ecological benefits, recycling saves money and improves your public image. Place plenty of recycling containers at your next event to help save the environment and boost your company's bottom line.

Avoid Stress by Letting Your Event Planner Take Charge of Your Wedding Plans

With your wedding day not too far off in the future, are you feeling all stressed out worrying about things being ready for the big day? Do you have unresolved issues in your 'Wedding Plans' folder? Are you concerned you can't afford an event planner? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it's time to take action before its too late. For many brides, a wedding planner is the only way to go!

Your first step will be to explain what you want to achieve to your wedding coordinator and they will take it from there. All of the events and tasks will be detailed and scheduled so that your wedding will all come together as planned. Don't get me wrong, there will be moments when minor glitches will pop up, but an experienced wedding planner can handle these easily. For just a moderate fee, a professional wedding organizer will save you from the sleepless nights and constant worry.

Preparation Is The Key

Preparing for each event and task will involve a logical process with each item carried out in a specific order. The planner will then guide you through the proper sequence of events. This allows you to stop worrying about your wedding plans 'going to pieces', with the knowledge and confidence that your wedding planner has gone through the same preparatory process dozens, if not hundreds of times before. And don't forget that there are many issues that the wedding planner can assist you with, but most importantly, they will put order into the handling of your wedding event and establish a firm timeline to be followed.

Saving On Your Wedding Expenses

Your planner will help you determine the overall cost of your wedding and reception. What you will find is that your wedding budget will go a lot further and be more realistic when you know exactly how much you are going to pay for each service. The bonus here is that your planner can generally negotiate better prices on your behalf, allowing you to choose more upscale options or to apply the savings toward the honeymoon.

After making a list of required services and discussing it with your wedding planner, you will have a good idea of the investment that will be required and the timing of the various payments. You will need to discuss the reception menu with the caterer and don't forget to include any special foods or diets that may be required. Planning the wedding professionally means you will get the best quality for the best price, without the hassle and inconveniences of trying to deal with the various vendors yourself.

So, if you are in the planning stages for your special wedding day, be sure to consider hiring a wedding planner. A professional planner can relieve you of the responsibilities, and especially the stress, of doing it all yourself.

Researching Reception Halls for Your Business Events

Having reception halls that you can always count on for special business events will be very helpful to you. You will want to find one that is always clean, has an organized banquet staff, offers excellent variety in food service, and excellent customer service.

If you own a business that often hosts events then you should have some trustworthy reception halls that can be reserved when needed. In order to have these trustworthy locations, you might need to do a little research.

The locations that you choose should always be clean. This is important when you are doing an event where everything there is a representation of your business. The kitchen, banquet hall, and the restrooms should be immaculate. They should be stocked with everything necessary for guests. It is helpful if everything can be included in the hall rental.

It is also important that there is an organized banquet staff at the hall. This means there needs to be a wait-staff and a bartender to accommodate any event. All of the staff should look professional and be well-trained to perform well at their jobs.

Food service is another consideration as you research. You will want to be able to choose the type of food. For some events you might have heavy finger foods, at another a buffet, and at a fancier one, you might want a served meal. The hall you consider will likely have menus that describe the items that they can provide in whatever setting you end up choosing.

Customer service is another essential. Without good customer service, you will not be happy as the business owner, and your guests and employees will not be happy either. Most likely the guests will leave with a poor impression of your company rather than the specific banquet hall.

As the business owner or the secretary of one, you have to be careful in your choices. Make sure you consider all scenarios as you choose the right reception hall for future events in your company. Cost is probably something that you will want to think about before you even begin. By having this in mind from the start, you will know what you have to spend.

If you have never needed reception halls for events in the past, but are beginning new practices that include events, you might be able to form contracts or agreements with various reception halls so that you can get a better deal than someone that only uses a hall once or very rarely.

Themes and Corporate Entertainment For Corporate Events

With the popularity of corporate events steadily rising, it is no wonder that businesses are now going all out with their planning.

Many large companies are using live music to spice up an event. This even means hiring a mainstream band for thousands of dollars and perhaps adding activities like a carnival or a beach trip. By using such entertainment, it is also easy to disguise team building. Many people cringe at the thought of playing name games all day at a company retreat. Therefore, planning a skydiving trip, paintball or something adventurous will help. Other ideas include Kayaking, canoeing, treasure hunts and sailing.

Corporate entertainment is such an important tool when it comes to team building. After all, live music is usually at every great event, so this is no exception. Team building and corporate entertainment go hand in hand.

Another way to spice up your company teambuilding event is by incorporating and event theme to Here are just a few great ideas for the next time you need a theme and gift ideas for the perfect corporate event;

Beach/Hawaiian Event
A sunny beach theme, complete with Hawaii shirts and leis gives the event a fun, laid-back and friendly vibe. You can decorate your venue with sand and pool toys, and choose gifts that go with your theme. Try visors, sunscreen, and beach towels as creative corporate gifts, giveaways or prizes. Stubby holders are a good idea for holding your favourite summertime beverage of course. You might also try beach tents and umbrellas for larger corporate gifts.

Vegas Corporate Event
A gambling theme is great because you can easily incorporate games to wine conference prizes, large or small. You can decorate the venue with neon lights, sequins, and fuzzy dice, and include pries that only the "high-rollers" win.

Western Event
Yee-Haw. Rent a mechanical rodeo bull for a laugh. Cowboys are also equated with honesty and loyalty, other good qualities to associate with your business. Some great ideas for conference gifts with this theme include animal shaped stress toys and water pistols for a laugh. Larger gifts could include cowboy hats vouchers to line dancing lessons.

Sports Event
You can throw together a sports themed event fairly quickly and for inexpensive prices, you can choose gifts that emulate this theme, like themed stress toys and company branded water bottles. You can even narrow things to a particular sport. Golf is a good choice. You can use a tiny putting game as a game for giving away conference prizes-offer personalized tees to people who play and personalized golf balls to people who get the hole in one.

Balloons as a Themed Event
Not only do balloon designs and sculptures look amazing, but they are also a creative and eye-catching way of promoting your companies image, logo or brand. At conferences and exhibitions, a host of balloons in corporate colours or printed with your strap line will give your business that wow factor to make you stand out from your competitors and make your business stick in their minds. If you are planning to open a new shop or promote a product, then a specially designed balloon sculpture will make a real impact.

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Benefits Of Event Planning Software

For that big day, you will need some effective management. Whether you are tying the knot or planning another important event, or are a professional and do this every day for other people, you will probably want to take advantage of an online package to help you. There are so many to choose from , you will want to choose the one with the best features for your event. the following checklist of essential features should help you decide.

Remember, the software should save you time, so you do not want something overcomplicated. It should be user friendly and have excellent online support. It should only take a few minutes to publish the event and mass-mailing should be possible at the click of a button. A to do list is a must - and reminders should be included. The size of the event will be a determining factor - many packages offer planning for up to 50,000 participants, which is well in excess of most individual needs but will be of interest to the professionals in this field. Online forms should be customisable, to be compatible with your own system. Reports should be vary varied and easy to compile.

Attendance should be optimized by the feature of automatic reminder e-mails. Credit card payments should be integrated real.time, to ensure safe and prompt processing. Accounting should be facilitated with easy tracking. The ability to easily set up a personal webpage should be included, with features for personalized ticket creation, which will maximise ticket sales from the word go. The graphics and pop-ups will be of great importance to you - will they help capture your target participants, or put them off?

In February of this year, Event Payment Services, launched the ePSPay(SM) SmartCard application. Designed for use by both profit and non-profit event planners, it streamlines registration, purchasing, and post-event financial processes. Registration lines are minimized by credit card swipe technology. A swipe at a portable terminal allows donors to be assigned a bidder number. Until they check out of the event, they can then make purchases freely. At a 2006 Rotary Club event in Washington State, volunteers spent over eight hours just entering credit card numbers. With ePSPay(SM), this can be done at pre-registration in just a few seconds," said McConville. "Our technology allows volunteers to be more involved in the event, rather than having to focus on registration and coordinating donor information." You can visit http://www.event-planning-software-guide.com for more information on event planning tools.

Event planning software really can make a difference to costs as well as sign-ups. Spindustry, for example, helped The Iowa Credit Union League to cut costs. A major overhaul was achieved in a matter of months. When choosing your software, it makes sense to go with an established firm, because the online support is more likely to be well established and past the teething stages. Most firms provide a free simulation, which will give you a very clear idea of whether the application meets your specifications.

Happy planning!