Are,You,Cell,ing,Yourself,Shor marketing Are You Celling Yourself Short?
Automation technologies represent a fundamental aspect of any modern industry. The major types of industrial automation solutions, such as DCS, PLC, SCADA, and MES, are used on a large-scale in process and discrete industries.DCS technologie Awhile ago, I got an email from one of the "gurus" I follow and it shocked me. The gist of it was this person wanted to trade services for a household item.To say it floored me would be an understatement.What was worse was a few days later t
Cell phones have changed our world. With few exceptions, we can now talk to anyone we like whenever wed like. The staccato symphony of ring tones accompanies us through our days: from the morning commute to the crowded restaurant at lunchtime, during meetings and even during the quick stop at the grocery store when the day is done. Were always connected, always reachable. Its a marvel.Its a marvel that can destroy your tradeshow performance.Consider the following:Youre at a tradeshow. An attractive exhibit catches your eye. The product on display is exactly what youve been searching for. When you approach the booth, a staffer looks up and with a gesture indicates that you should wait, just one minute, while he finishes his call. When hes done talking to the important people, the message seems to be, hell be happy to talk to you.How long are you going to wait? After all, youve only a limited amount of time at the show, and there are dozens of other booths on your must-see list. When you discover that the display just a little further down the aisle also appears to feature a product that could fill your needs, chances are thats all the impetus youll need to move along. Theres no sense waiting for the staffer to finish his call, not when there are other people who are more than ready to talk to you right now.Lets flip the scenario around. Youre on the other side of the aisle when your cell phone rings. Do you take the call?I can hear you now. But thats different! My call is important!Guess what? The salesman in the first example thought his call was important too. And it was -- to him. It was more important than you were, at least.Talking on your cell phone tells tradeshow attendees three things:1. Your teams focus is NOT on the tradeshow. 2. Your attendee is not the most important person in the room -- that honor belongs to whoever has your cell phone number.3. The attendees business is not valuable to your company.Add to this the very real possibility that attendees are listening to at least one side of your staffers cell phone conversations. What might they be hearing? Confidential business details, including customer names, order size and more. What great info for your competitors to have. Intimate, personal conversations. Nothings more off putting than TMI (too much information)! Humor or observations that may be considered offensive. What a PR nightmare!How does this impact your marketing message? How does cell phone use by your staffers affect how that message is received by the show attendees?(For a free copy of 10 Common Mistakes Exhibitors Make, e-mail: [email protected])Its entirely possible that cell phone use by your staff will eliminate the clear communication of your marketing message. Sad but true: thats the best you can hope for. Worse, and far more likely, attendees are getting different messages from your company, including: Were too busy for you. Were too important for you. We dont care about you. Youre not worth our time. You dont deserve our attention.Is that the message you want to send? Emphatically NO! Thats why you need a cell phone policy. This policy will obviously vary by company, but should include the following: Cell phones must be shut off when youre on the floor. Give staffers regular breaks so they can check messages and make calls, away from the exhibit. Staffers who have personal reasons to be in constant contact (i.e. small children, ailing parents, etc.) should be encouraged to program their phones to signal high priority calls with a distinctive ring or vibration pattern. That way, staffers can only answer emergency calls and let voice mail pick up the rest. This offers your team the security of being constantly connected while still keeping the focus on the tradeshow attendees.Expect some resistance when first introducing this policy. Cell phones have become such a part of our lives that many people feel naked without them. Explain the benefits and reasoning of the policy. Minimize tension by being flexible, providing ample opportunity for staffers to check in, and leading by example. You cant tell your people to turn off their phones and then spend the day chatting on yours!
Are,You,Cell,ing,Yourself,Shor