Creating a Game Plan for Victory: Word on the Street - November 10th thru November 14th

I Love College Football

It’s exciting. It’s fun. It’s often unpredictable. Whatever you think of the current debate about college athletics, I still believe that the college game has far less of the “show and glow” arrogance of pro athletes.

To me, the time and effort that goes into creating a winning game plan is amazing. Some teams have a clear defensive mindset, others are more offensive. Which approach creates the highest victory percentage is debatable.

But one thing is sure. No matter how great your defensive game plan, you still have to score at least a field goal to win, assuming you keep the other team scoreless. Yes, I know you can get a safety and win with only 2 points. But that’s rare.

Managing a business is no different. Recently Mel and I were asked, “Are you on the Offense or on the Defense as a business?” I said, “Defense,” and Mel said, Offense.” Honestly, we were both right, but it depended on our individual focuses over the past several months. There are many companies clearly on offense in some areas of their business, but reacting in others.

That’s not to belittle defense. Sometimes you find yourself with a good game plan, one that allows you to score when needed, one that is solid enough to defend the pass from the competition. That’s balance.

However, the question sticks with me. Can you really be successful long-term as a growing business, if you are not on the offensive most of the time? Simply said, does it not stand to reason that we would all rather be playing a game with a comfortable lead as opposed to playing so safe that winning always depends on a 50-yard field goal as time runs out?

Talking is Easy

Talking about your plan is easy. Executing it is hard. Whether it’s group resistance to change, cash flow issues, technology implementation, communication snafus, or just feeling too darn busy to execute plans today that will not bear fruit for 3-6 months.

This is where your team comes into play. If your team is on board and each player has a clear idea of their role, and they do their part executing their roles, then you should be able to move the ball down the field. But as a manager, or as a management team, I would challenge you to ask these questions,

Are we playing offense?

Do we have a plan?

Does each player understand their role within the game plan?

Is there accountability to the team? And feedback?

For our business, this is something we are working very hard at right now. And it’s challenging. Good challenging . . . the kind that helps a team grow and move a business to a new level.

How about your business? Are you offensive or defensive minded? What challenges do you face when creating a long-term game plan for success?

I would love to hear your comments and feedback.

Be well and have a great weekend with your families.

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The Top 10 Design Mistakes of Trade Show Graphics

You decided on your new trade show display . . . but you’re not done yet. Now, it’s time to design the graphics. You want AMAZING!. Below are 10 tips to consider when designing your next trade show graphics.

If Puppies Ran Trade Shows and Events

The following are 11 reasons why our lives would be better if puppies ran trade shows and events. To the ferret, goldfish, and lizard owners, you’re on your own.

If Kittens Ran Trade Shows and Events

If kittens ran trade shows and events, experience would be respected, every booth would have toys, two hours naps would be mandatory, and everyone would be cute and adorable. And we would all trust our instincts.

“I’ll Know It When I See It” — Every Designer’s Nightmare

For Exhibit and Graphic Designers, delivering a design that meets all the client’s needs — functionally, aesthetically, and fiscally — is the ultimate goal. But . . . that doesn’t mean the process is always flawless. Here are a few “Design Red Flags” from a Designer’s perspective which can delay the process (and increase your design fees).

What You Should Know about Trade Show Exhibit Budgeting

Companies should define a workable exhibit marketing budget, one that includes all related costs. However, the line between marketing expenses and exhibit marketing expenses can be somewhat fuzzy. You will want to create a well-defined budget that separates them.

What You Should Know as a New Exhibit Buyer

For the sake of simplicity, let’s assume that exhibit marketing is a new experience. Exhibit marketing is certainly not rocket science. You don’t need a marketing degree to be successful at exhibit marketing. However, it helps to get advice so you make the right decisions.

The Complete Guide to Trade Show Services (Offsite & Onsite)

Onsite trade show services include all services available at the show site. Contractors typically provide these services for show management. Turnkey services are particularly valuable for first-time exhibitors, companies with limited internal resources, or those participating in numerous shows where efficiency and consistency are paramount.

10 Tips for Designing Large Format Graphics for Trade Shows

Most designers rarely design a layout larger than a corporate booklet or perhaps a 20″ x 30″ poster. Designing for large format, like trade show graphics, is actually quite simple once you know the basic steps. All it takes is a leap of faith… and trust in my advice.

Trade Shows and the Desire to Change

Are trade shows are relevant? Is there a future for industry trade shows? Are companies willing to spend their valuable marketing dollars building a temporary structure just to attract new customers or meet with existing ones?

Where’s Waldo at the Trade Show!

Where’s Waldo at the Trade Show? @Pink Unicorn Comics? Nope. @Petting Zoo? Nope. @Zombie Killing Workshop? Perhaps.

Buying a Trade Show Exhibit? Ten “Must Ask” Questions

It’s common to express remorse after a big ticket purchase. Typically when the purchase is infrequent, such as a home, car, or expensive equipment. Buying a trade show exhibit is that type of purchase, especially an inline or island exhibit for a large trade show. .

Trade Show Rental — Mullets, Trapper Keepers, Pagers, and Rentals

Recently, what I thought would be a simple, straight-forward conversation left me scratching my head. I was meeting with exhibit industry colleagues, and the topic turned to rentals. Admittedly, rentals shouldn’t be puzzling. Rentals have exploded at a rate 3 to 4 times faster than exhibit purchases. What surprised me was the perception and the language used to define the exhibit rental landscape.

What’s Your Trade Show Kryptonite?

We shouldn’t but we do. We hope hope hope that the next attendee who walks in our booth is Superman. Not Superman Superman, but the sales equivalent of Superman. Faster to sign a contract than a speeding bullet. More powerful than the VP of Purchasing.

How To Make Your Trade Show Backdrop Stand Out!

Many exhibitors assume a backdrop is a simple two-dimensional graphic along the backwall of an exhibit. But it can be so much more. A backdrop in a 10 x 10 or 10 x 20 booth space doesn’t have to be basic. Modern inline displays come in various shapes, heights, and configurations.

Is Your Trade Show Display an Oreo or a Fig Newton?

As an adult I can rate just about everything on a cookie scale. For brevity, I’ll limit this article to Oreos, Fig Newtons, and Nilla Wafers, but be assured that the “science” behind my methodology includes Frosted Animal Cookies, Pepperidge Farms (as a collective group), Girl Scout Thin Mints, and Chips Ahoy.

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Creating a Game Plan for Victory: Word on the Street — November 10th thru November 14th

I Love College Football

Talking is Easy