February Book Review – Purple Cow by Seth Godin

For the month of February our team was excited to read Seth Godin’s Purple Cow. An old favourite, published in 2003, we were looking forward to seeing how applicable the information was in today’s age - we weren't disappointed. The concepts in the book are still sound, primarily focusing on Be Remarkable; ie. Don’t copy what’s already been done, don’t mass market a boring product, find a new angle in your industry and push it as far as you can.

Some examples were Jet Blue, who toyed around with the idea of creating a dress code for their airline, catering to higher-end clientèle.  They even considered offering a free ticket to their best dressed passengers. Controversial? You bet! But boy would people be talking about it.

A more modern day example we discussed was Men in Kilts Window Cleaning; definitely a concept worth talking about. The point being, how can you shake up your industry? If something as hum drum as window cleaning was able to create a new, crazy, buzz-worthy concept there’s absolutely something you can do in your industry.

So what is your Purple Cow? What is going to make innovators share your story?

Four parting rules from Mr. Godin:

1. Don’t be boring
2. Safe is risky
3. Design rules now
4. Very good is bad

On a scale of 1-10 where 1 equals a book with little value one would not wish to read again, and 10 equals a fantastic book with the ability to grow an individual personally, professionally or both,  we rated this book a 8.1.

Have you read it? Let us know what you thought. 

Unconvention 2013 New Session Announcement

We are pleased to announce another session for the 2013 Unconvention...

Building the Better Housing Prospect

Led by Dan O'Neill, Vice President of Strategy and Sales 

for the Bloomington, MN CVB

Join Dan O’Neill, Vice President of Strategy and Sales for the Bloomington Convention Bureau, as he takes you on a comprehensive journey through sourcing, analyzing and budgeting for new housing groups. The Bloomington, Minnesota CVB has offered housing services for a number of years. Starting with a broad range of groups differing in size and market type, it didn't take long for them to realize that not all housing groups are profitable housing groups. Over the past year the bureau has adjusted its focus and is now laser clear on what makes a group a good housing candidate.

This session will include:

• Sales Cycle Analysis for Online Housing
• Marketing Strategies to Support Clients
• Financial Sharing Strategies
• Case Study
• Q&A and open sharing among the group

REGISTER NOW

 About Dan O’Neill:

Dan has over 17 years experience in travel and hospitality and heads up day to day strategy and sales for the Bloomington Convention Bureau. Dan develops “win-win” strategies and partnerships, often with major entertainment, travel and sports properties. His background includes hotel strategic planning, brand marketing and market research covering business-to-consumer and business-to-business. Dan has consulted with Radisson Hotels & Resorts, Country Inns & Suites, Caribou Coffee, Northwest Airlines, Delta, American Airlines and National Rental. Dan has exceeded Destination production goals in 2008, 2009 and 2010. 

About the Unconvention:
For Organizations and Destinations that want to succeed at housing, this is a must-attend event.

Join us in Vancouver, BC April 10 - 12, 2013 to establish, increase or refine your housing services through tactical expert led learning. We don't believe in sitting in one ballroom all day, it's too boring! We promise to keep you engaged through a diverse offering of learning opportunities and networking events.

We make every effort to foster an environment of open discussion with your peers, those who face the same housing situations you deal with on a daily basis. This conference is the perfect mix of education, networking and fun.

$595 for first registration, $450 for each additional registration. This includes all learning sessions, networking events, transportation, food and beverage. Accommodation and flights not included.

Unconvention 2013 New Session Announcement

We are pleased to announce one of our keynote sessions for the 2013 Unconvention...

Building the Better Life

27 Success Habits: Developing Million-Dollar Habits For Success
with world renowned and award winning speaker, Peter Legge!

                                                                                                                                      
Join Dr. Peter Legge as he takes us through 27 habits for success. To be a winner in life and in business you must act like a winner and what better way to do that than to emulate the habits of highly successful people. Let internationally renowned businessman, best-selling author and acclaimed professional speaker Peter Legge be your guide. A born storyteller with an entertainer's wit and sense of timing, Peter takes audiences on an inspirational journey through 27 simple and easy-to-implement habits that cumulatively have the power to change your life and your fortunes. During this unique seminar Peter will help you...

·         Learn the importance of goal setting and focusing on your strengths.

·         Commit to "doing what it takes" to get the job done.

·         Discover the power of an optimistic outlook and prosperous mindset.

·         Learn how to practice more self-discipline.

·         Find out how to gain strength from adverse situations.

REGISTER NOW

About Peter Legge:

Peter Legge, O.B.C., LL.D. (HON.), D.Tech., CSP, CPAE, HoF
Peter Legge is Chairman and CEO of Canada Wide Media Limited, the largest independently owned magazine publishing company in Western Canada controlling a network of over 40 magazines across the country in addition to providing a diverse range of media services and products with over $30 million in sales annually.

Peter has received the Golden Gavel Award from Toastmasters International and was voted "Top Speaker in North America." In 2003, the Canadian Professional Sales Association inducted Peter into the Sales Hall of Fame. Peter has also been inducted into the Speakers Hall of Fame by both the National Speakers Association in the United States and the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers, and was appointed as one of the Ambassadors for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

Peter travels worldwide speaking to approximately 60-70 organizations annually. His fifteen books including, The Power to Soar Higher, The Power of a Dream and most recently 365 Days of Insights have moved thousands of people towards positive change. He is recognized as a community leader in this province, and in fact, in June of 2008, was presented with the highest honour in community achievement, the Order of British Columbia.

About the Unconvention:

For Organizations and Destinations that want to succeed at housing, this is a must-attend event.

Join us in Vancouver, BC April 10 - 12, 2013 to establish, increase or refine your housing services through tactical expert led learning. We don't believe in sitting in one ballroom all day, it's too boring! We promise to keep you engaged through a diverse offering of learning opportunities and networking events.

We make every effort to foster an environment of open discussion with your peers, those who face the same housing situations you deal with on a daily basis. This conference is the perfect mix of education, networking and fun.

$595 for first registration, $450 for each additional registration. This includes all learning sessions, networking events, transportation, food and beverage. Accommodation and flights not included.

January Book Review - REWORK by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson

Our first book of 2013 was New York Times best-seller REWORK, by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson. Jason and David are the founders of 37signals – a trailblazing software company with products used by millions of people around the world. They have been profiled in Time, Newsweek and Wired.

The back cover of the book is intriguing, spitting out unusual phrases such as ASAP is Poison, Under-do the Competition and Meetings are Toxic. Needless to say it caught our attention.

The book opens by touching on the new business landscape that we all work in today. Tools that were once out of reach are easily accessible; new software and technologies are readily available for little to no cost. One person can do a job that used to take 2 or 3 people.  We’re connected like never before through conference calls, web calls and online social platforms; you don’t technically even need an office these days!

The book comes across as abrasive at times but the fast delivery of information is engaging. That said, some topics are brushed over and we would've preferred if they delved into more detail on a few items.

A few key points we agree with:

1. Unplugging: Alone time is key. Take an hour “off” to focus on a key task. Shut down your email. Don’t take calls. Work alone.
2. Key Priorities: Prioritize your tasks and focus on one at a time. Trying to juggle too many balls at once is hard. Focus on one, finish it and then move on to the next.
3. Do You Really Need?: You need less than you think. Ask yourself this question before making key decisions. Do you really need ten people or will two or three do for now? 

Disagreements:

1. Planning is Guessing: Yes planning may technically be guessing, but it helps steer you in the right direction and brings you closer to your desired outcome.
2. Meetings are Toxic: Meetings with a purpose are necessary. They help to align our team. Structured meetings with assigned actionable items have proven to be effective here at Meetingmax. 

Overall REWORK was a solid book that got us thinking and re-evaluating some of our processes. It scored an 8/10 on our rating scale, where 1 equals a book with little value one would not wish to read again, and 10 equals a fantastic book with the ability to grow an individual personally, professionally or both.

Have you read it? Let us know what you thought. 

Kiva.org: Change A Life For $25.00

At Meetingmax we are constantly looking to align ourselves with other organizations that we feel hold the same values as us. One company that has been on our radar recently is Kiva.

Kiva is a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Lenders provide borrowers micro loans (as little as $25.00) to help create opportunity around the world. Since founding in 2005 Kiva has provided $398,307,025 in loans to 67 countries.

Kiva has a simple set of instructions on their website (1) Choose a borrower (2) Make a loan (3) Get repaid (4) Repeat! It really is as simple as that. On the Kiva.org website you can view hundreds of borrowers from across the globe; from Mirna in Lebanon who is requesting a loan of $2,500 to open a tutoring centre, to Enkaiser in Kenya who is requesting a loan of $700 to buy wheat seed and fertilizer. Each lender provides $25.00 in as many increments to as many different borrowers as they wish to. Each borrower has a short story about how they will use their loan and a given repayment term. While Kiva does not guarantee repayment they do boast a 99.03% repayment rate! 

Meetingmax will partner with various Kiva borrowers to help fuel their success. As many of you know our CEO, Jeff Duncan, is currently President of the Vancouver Chapter of the Entrepreneurs Organization. Kiva struck a cord with him as he feels this is a wonderful opportunity to give back to other entrepreneurs across the globe. We’ll soon be deciding as a team on who we will grant our first loan too. If you are interested in contributing to anyone on Kiva please join our team!