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6 Steps To Laying Out Your Competitive Strategy
Why do so many companies languish and watch as their business turns into a zero profit zone, while others seem to thrive?
When you look at your business, whether it’s a new venture or a company with a long history, can you answer the...
Asking For Proof in the Economic Pudding
There are no stupid questions, only stupid people. Ask an economist for proof of one of their pet theories and you'll find quickly that the age old axiom that we all learned in school and work place training seminars is dead wrong. You can ask a...
How To Avoid Email Filters That Prevent Responsible Emails
Email is no doubt one of the most effective form of communication. Virtually anyone with Internet Access must have at least an email account. Email messages can be sent to anywhere in the world, to any email address, and cost almost next to...
The Coming Wave Of Mature Women Entrepreneurs
There is a growing wave of retired female workers getting in on the massive amount of money to be made in the home based business field. The list of products and services that the older worker can provide is almost endless. Older workers usually...
Think You Can’t Afford the Help You Need? Think Again!
So many small business owners - especially those who work from home - are very pressed for time. After all, as an independent professional, you must wear the hats of: accountant, salesperson, customer service representative, marketing manager,...
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Small Businesses Make a Big Impression: Use a Meeting and Conference Center to Connect with Clients
You've got a great business plan, a phenomenal product or
service, and the energy and drive to promote your business.
There's only one problem. You're running your entire company out
of a corner of your living room, or your garage; or you've
rented a hole in the wall office furnished with ancient office
furniture scrounged from anyplace you could find it, and you're
not really comfortable inviting high power prospective clients
to your location.
Your regional meeting and conference center may have the perfect
answer. These centers are springing up all over the country, and
offer a range of options for meetings, conferences, and
conventions. Designed to project a modern, professional
corporate image, they allow even small start ups to make a
dynamic impact on potential clients and management personnel.
Whether you need to schedule a ten o'clock meeting with a few
representatives from a major corporation you're targeting for
business, or you need to rent a room for an entire day to
interview a series of potential management hirees, an
attractive, functional meeting room will reflect your company's
professionalism.
When you're choosing a meeting and conference center, be sure to
research the availability of communications technology; the best
centers will offer the latest high
tech media equipment, so that if you have to project a
Powerpoint display, a CD-Rom, or a DVD presentation, you have
access to the equipment you need. A competently operated
business center will also provide high speed Internet access and
dial-up, as well as a number of business services including
secretarial and clerical support, photocopying services, and
FAXing capability. If you're going to be holding a lengthy
meeting, you also need to make arrangements for your clients to
have lunch or morning or afternoon food breaks, depending on the
timing of the meeting. If you hold annual meetings for
your
employees, your partners or stockholders, or your board of
directors, you may want to splurge on an informational meeting
which includes a sumptuous catered meal.
If you're expecting potential clients or vendors to travel to
meet with you from out of town, you may want to pay special
attention to the meeting center's ease of access, both from
Interstate highways and from regional airports. Business people
who travel frequently want to get to a meeting quickly, have a
productive experience, and then get back on the road, to the
airport, or to their hotel room with as little fuss as possible.
Choosing your meeting's location to facilitate this will make a
positive impact on those you're meeting; putting them in a
position of getting snarled in city traffic will definitely not.
Of course, the best meeting and conference center in the world
is only as impressive as the presentation you make. Make sure
you're prepared, and have all the documentation you need at the
meeting, polished and organized. If you have a media
presentation to make, be sure it says what you want it to say,
and then communicate with the tech experts at the meeting center
to be absolutely certain you know how to operate the equipment.
If possible, troubleshoot the equipment, and practice the
presentation, well before your meeting so that you can make a
smooth, polished performance.
Even if you're operating a start-up company on a shoestring,
creative use of your regional meeting and conference center will
allow you to project a professional, successful image to your
business associates; and nothing sells like success.
About the author:
Aldene Fredenburg is a freelance writer living in southwestern
New Hampshire and frequently contributes to Tips and
Topics. She may be reached at amfredenburg@yahoo.com.
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United States Small Business Administration |
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SBA |
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Business & Small Business |
Online and print small business publication. Information to help start, grow or manage a small business. |
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Microsoft Small Business Center |
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SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" |
A nonprofit association dedicated to encouraging the formation, growth, and success of small business nationwide through counseling and mentor programs. |
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Small Business and Self-Employed One-Stop Resource |
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Welcome to Small Business BC your business resource in British ... |
BC Business Services offers assistance and resources for those running or starting a business in British Columbia and Vancouver. |
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Small Business Service | Home |
Provides information and advice to help small businesses realise their potential. |
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NSW Small Business |
A site developed by the NSW Department of State and Regional Development for small businesses. Topics include management, resources, current issues and ... |
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Business Management & Advice: Small Business Resources & Information |
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Links to Small Business Funding Opportunities and SBIR / STTR Applications. |
grants.nih.gov |
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Directory categorized by industry with company business card feature. |
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Small Business Development Corporation |
Our business information services provides guidance to improve business skills and knowledge on advice on starting, buying, selling and expanding a small ... |
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