{"id":2385,"date":"2019-01-11T08:00:01","date_gmt":"2019-01-11T14:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abcbiz.abcplugin.com\/testing\/?p=2385"},"modified":"2018-12-15T09:17:25","modified_gmt":"2018-12-15T15:17:25","slug":"how-to-position-yourself-as-an-independent-strategic-planner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/abcbiz.abcplugin.com\/testing\/how-to-position-yourself-as-an-independent-strategic-planner\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Position Yourself as an Independent Strategic Planner"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"strategy<\/p>\n

As independent meeting planners in the Meeting and Events Industry, we need to change the way we are asking questions to our clients and shift from logistics to developing a strategic partner relationship with our clientele.<\/p>\n

Instead of asking the how, what, where and when questions first, we need to ask the why<\/strong> questions first!<\/p>\n

Of course, it is critical to ask the logistic questions like, how many people are coming to the event, what type of property would you like to have the meeting at, how many rooms will be needed and are there any particular diets required, etc.<\/p>\n

These types of questions need to come after<\/strong> we have discovered the reasons why our clients want to have a face-to-face meeting.<\/p>\n

Focus on the Why first! Then How!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Over the past 20 years<\/a>, I have discovered that most of the companies I work with, shared one or more of the following challenges: aligning people, implementing strategy, motivating staff, transforming learning into behavior, training, energizing sales, creating cohesion, increasing brand awareness or activating it, engaging with and\/or retaining customers and increasingly engage on innovation and generating ideas.<\/p>\n

My experience is that in the process of working on any of the above challenges, down the road, there was always a face-to-face event of some kind: a sales meeting, product launch, an advisory board, trade show, conference, or an incentive trip, etc.<\/p>\n

This is why when you learn about your client\u2019s objectives and align yourselves with their corporate strategy first, the event takes on a new meaning and you position yourself as a strategic partner.<\/p>\n

To position yourself as an innovative event business planner and differentiate your company from the competition, focus on asking your client these questions first:<\/p>\n