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Mar2014 - Vol 9, Issue 3
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Ah Spring...Profit is in the air...
Now that it seems everyone is busy again, many of the same old problems are cropping up. It's too easy to blame problems on surges in business instead of examining the core issues. After all, busy is what you signed up for. It's never too late to get your people, processes, and products under control and working for the same outcomes.

Stimson Group offers proven solutions, insights, and advice that will improve your business condition in measurable and qualitative ways.

Lots of news and blogs this month, but first some
BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS:

This is probably the coolest thing I have been a part of in my career. What began as a roundtable discussion concept is now a video series that you can own or rent. Last December I sat down with six top CEOs and spent a day talking about business. Working with the good folks at Magic Production Group, we now have eleven videos of these conversations - over three hours of content - covering topics that most CEOs don't discuss in public. Plus in each video, I recap the discussion and list key takeaways that you should talk about with your team. Just watch the Trailer, fill in the box next to it, and I will share Episode 1 - 2014 Predictions with you for free. If you like what you see, then rent or purchase the remaining ten episodes.


At InfoComm in Las Vegas, Tom Stimson will be hosting a unique session called the Rental and Staging Business Exchange (IS030) on Wed, June 18, from 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. This is not a lecture. You choose the topics and share your insights and experience. Learn more ...�


Featured Case Study
This month's Case Study video is from Creative Visions' CEO and Founder, Allin Foukrod. When Allin first contacted me, he knew his business needed to ask questions that would lay the groundwork for the next ten years. Listen to how his company's average event has grown sevenfold and why CV is more profitable now than anytime in its twenty-five year history.
Case Study: Creative Visions
Case Study: Creative Visions

My website features several video Case Studies that highlight the types of projects and relationships. If you think you need some assistance for your business, please call or email. If you are not sure where to start, then this article talks about the different types of relationships companies have with Consultants and Advisers like me. 

Almo E4 Tour in Orlando April 23
The Almo E4 AV Tour with stops in Orlando on Apr 23. This is  a free event with an excellent list of exhibiting companies, great networking, and of course top notch speakers. I will be presenting two seminars: My very popular "Don't Be a Commodity: Dealing with RFP's" plus "The New A/V Integration Model". Registration is open now.


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Thanks for reading and please share this with your co-workers and encourage them to subscribe as well.  As always, I welcome your questions and comments.

Best Wishes,

Tom

214-553-7077 direct

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Around the Table with Tom Stimson
From L-R: Mike Meduri, NMR Events; Murray Lapides, AVFX; Tom Stimson, Stimson Group; Rusty Ranney, Live Technologies; Allin Foulkrod, Creative Visions; Nick Smith, AV Concepts; Mark Aistrope, Meeting Tomorrow
Video Series Now Online:
Around the Table with Tom Stimson

 

Stimson Group is pleased to announce the release of an eleven part video series titled, Around the Table with Tom Stimson featuring top CEOs from the Live Events industry. These industry leaders share ideas, views, and approaches on important subjects such as Employee Recruiting and Retention, Social Media, Labor and Tax Audits, Capital Budgeting, and more.

 

Moderator Tom Stimson comments, "For many years I have hosted dinners at events like InfoComm and LDI and invited CEOs to meet, dine, and chat. Everyone loves these events and I am often asked how can someone get invited or at least be a fly on the wall." Around the Table with Tom Stimson is access to this exclusive club. For much less than the cost of nice dinner, you can sit in on hours of conversations that will help you better understand how these experts became so successful.

 

Tom continues. "Episode 1 - Predictions for 2014 validated all the trends I have been tracking for many months. I was glad to hear other people were seeing the same things. And in Episode 11 - What's Really Important, our guests shared their favorite business lessons. Everyone really opened up."

 

The series is intended to be viewed and discussed by owners and managers of any rental production company working in the AV, Touring, or Event Management segments. The episodes are 15 to 30 minutes long and include a summary of lessons and key takeaways presented by Tom Stimson. "It's not always easy to apply what we've just heard. I wanted to take some extra time to help you frame the internal discussions you should be having at your company."

 

To learn more about the series, see the trailer, and to access the free episode - click on the link below.  

 


 Here are the topics by episode:

Around the Table with Tom Stimson
  • Episode 1 - 2014 Predictions
  • (Available for free! Click on the link above, fill out your name and email, click on Give Me Instant Access button) 
  • Episode 2 - Leveraging Social Media
  • Episode 3 - Capturing and Using Data
  • Episode 4 - Recruiting and Retention
  • Episode 5 - Producing Content
  • Episode 5 - Capitalization
  • Episode 7 - Labor and Tax Issues
  • Episode 8 - Marketing and Client Referrals
  • Episode 9 - Pricing
  • Episode 10 - Lessons from the Recession
  • Episode 11 - What's Really Important?

bestpracticesBest Practices Blog



03-23-2014 14:29:48 PM

At the risk of winding everyone up (or perhaps because it will), I want shed some light on the current discussions regarding exclusivity clauses and fees designed to keep revenue and control of various services with the hosting venue. I see failure on all sides of the issue to make a compelling case for their [...] The post In-House Exclusivity and Value Proposition appeared first on The Stimson Group. ...�

 

03-20-2014 15:49:55 PM

Imagine that this month your business is at full capacity. What would you charge if someone begged you to do one more project? Alternatively what would you be willing to accept if you had no business at all booked for this month? Now, answer the same questions for a project six months from now. It's [...] The post Dynamic Pricing for the AV Services Industry appeared first on The Stimson Group. ...�

 

03-15-2014 13:50:00 PM

Have you ever heard anyone say, "Oh god, don't look at our website. We are trying to get it updated." ? I am starting to think that is what people should put on their business cards to save the rest of us time. I would rather think that you took down your ratty website than [...] The post Website Mistakes We All Make appeared first on The Stimson Group. ...�


ClosingThoughts CLOSING THOUGHTS

Here's a few scribbles from the margins:

Companies that focus too much on the competition often overlook opportunities for self-improvement that would significantly contribute to the bottom line. Keep this thought in mind:

If your failure is due to competition, then their success is because of you.


See you next month, - Tom  

 

About Thomas R. Stimson, MBA, CTS

Tom Stimson consults with organizations to improve their performance through strategic planning, process improvement, and team development. The Stimson Group provides coaching and tools to companies in the Audiovisual Industry that enable them to define and reach their strategic goals.

Whether you serve the Rental/Staging market, the Systems' Integration market, or or provide blended services - The Stimson Group provides unparalleled expertise, industry insight, and methodologies that drive operational efficiencies and increase profitability. 

For more information visit the website.