Event-uring
About
Events are the way I choose to express my creativity and passion. I am a stickler for detail with out of the box ideas.
My goal in life is to be happy. Life isn't planned out step for step - that's was makes it exciting and that breeds happiness. =)
I don't know where this life is going to take me, but I love events and I will continue event-uring and discovering.
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“The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.”Dorothy Parker (via foodloveswriting) (via gracekboyle)
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Foursquare Day - Magic Hat Style
Okay so I know this post is extremely delayed, seeing as how Foursquare Day was on April 16th, but now that I have graduated college and spent some time doing nothing I am ready to blog.
I was still interning at Magic Hat for Foursquare Day so I got to experience it being used from their perspective. Magic Hat chose to team up with The Scuffer Steak and Ale House in Burlington, VT for an afternoon of social media fun and new beer releases.
One of the biggest problems Magic Hat(MH) and I am sure many other companies are facing is turning their social media into action. MH has been trying to figure out how do you get their Twitter and Foursquare followers down to a bar to purchase a delicious pint of Magic Hat. Doing this Foursquare Day promotion was one of the ways they have been evoking action.
The promo was publicized on Twitter - anyone who showed up to The Scuffer and checked into Foursquare got a free T-Shirt and was able to taste the summer IPA Wacko as well as Blind Faith. (Both of which are amazing)
I think the event went over well for it being the first time they ever did this type of event. The goal was to get a swarm on Foursquare which would have been getting over 50 people to check in a The Scuffer. Unfortunately that goal wasn’t met; I think we had around 30 people check in- which is still impressive since it was raining that day- which ruined the games planned to be played out on Church Street.
The only problem that I ran into durring the event was cell phone issues. Some people couldn’t get Foursquare to work. I even had one women whose Foursquare was saying she was in Australia so it wasn’t finding the bar, crazy stuff I didn’t know how to fix.
(This is me (with the orange headband) explaining to some Foursquare newbies how to check in)
Also, the space we were in was a little cramped we were trying to stick to just the bar area which is tiny and with 30 some-odd people, if not more, it was tight and hard to walk from one end of the bar to another.
Next time I think it should be held at a bar that has more room by the bar. I also think it should be promoted more on Twitter and Facebook, give more time for a buzz to get started. If this type of event takes off Magic Hat could host it all over the US- Fun!
-While doing a little research online I found that Prague had a hoppin Foursquare Day with swarms popping up all over the place. While reading the blog post I found I read that one of the bars in Prague offer a 15% discount for checking in on Foursquare. How cool is that? More bars should follow in their footsteps.
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Final Brand Reflection: My life Event-uring
I was so excited to start my personal brand assignment after reading Gary Vaynerchuck’s book CRUSH IT! in Dr. Elaine Young’s class. The idea of it seemed trilling. It wasn’t until I got deeper into it that I realized it wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be.
Some of you may remember a previous blog I had for a short time, Life Without a Map. That blog was supposed to be about living life with no boundaries going where ever life takes you, -making your own map. I got this idea after reading Seth Godin’s book Linchpin (Which is an amazing read by the way). I was so pumped, took a lot of time figuring out the design of my blog set it all up and was ready to start adding some content. It was then that I ran into trouble. Living Life Without A Map is great but what the hell do you blog about? It was way to general, I couldn’t Google Alert anything or search for specific blogs, or people on Twitter to follow. I got probably around 1/2 way through the semester, if not more and decided I wanted to make a change.
I went back to the drawing board to find out what I was truly passionate about. When people ask me what I am passionate about I never have any idea what to answer with. I am a passionate person in general, or at least I think I am, but ask me to name my biggest passion and I want to run and hide. I always felt like I was less of a person for not knowing what my true passions were but working through this personal branding experience really opened my eyes.
While in a meeting with Dr. Young we talked about what my passions where. I realized it didn’t have to be something that I did everyday, but rather something that excited me whenever I was involved with it. I am a marketing major and while developing my relationship with marketing I discovered event marketing and planning was were I wanted to take my career. I have been running events since I was in middle school and really enjoy all aspects of it.
It is the realization of this passion that inspired my creation of Event-uring, a blog about adventuring through events whether they be my own or ones I got to experience or read about. There is something amazing about a great event where everyone is having a good time and really enjoying the people and their surroundings. Seeing everything fall into place successful is really exciting to me.
So, Event-uring had a late start but I am much more proud of this personal brand. It really lets me research things I am interested about, as well as voice my opinion. I have been using my personal Twitter @LDamici to post my blogs and since the creation of Event-uring I have around 20 new followers, 7 of which are professionals in the marketing field. I had the hardest time getting any sort of analytics to work on my blog especially when I transferred from my Life Without A Map blog to Event-uring. Using Tumblr Stats I can see what types of posts I have been doing.
- 22 regular posts
- 0 links
- 2 quotes
- 1 photo posts
- 0 conversations
- 7 video posts
- 0 audio posts
This definitely shows me where my preferences lie or where I may want to try some new things out.
I feel as though with college winding down, and graduation coming up on May 8th I haven’t be able to devote as much time as I would have liked to Event-uring. I am very excited to continue with it after graduation and really develop it into something I can really be proud of.
Here are 2 Events that will be posted about in the near future so come back and check them out!!
Magic Hat’s celebration of foursquare Day at The Scuffer!
Magic Hat’s Twitter Pub Crawl!! - So Much Fun!
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Would you want to go to an event like this?
While reading an article on interactive events one really caught my attention. Up Today Communication in Brussels put on a Birthday party that was out of the box. The Birthday’s theme was a sinking ship.
The location of the event was in an inflatable dome. To make the theme come to life white lounge furniture was spread around - just like they would be on the deck of a yacht or cruise. To begin projections of dolphins, wales, and water skiers were shown on the walls. You could hear the sounds of waves and seagulls in the background.
Then…
A ‘storm’ hit. Images changed quickly as if the ‘boat’ you were on was hitting rough waters. Powerful fans mimicked strong winds, and staff tossed small amounts of water in front of the fans creating a mist. According to the specialevents.com article the effects were so effective guests were seen steadying their balance. The ‘boat’ eventually ‘sank’. This was shown by the wall projections changing of schools of fish shown through portholes.
What I Think
I think this event sounds interesting. I really like the idea of guests really feeling and experiencing a theme rather then just observing it through decorations.
I don’t think I would like feeling dizzy and off balanced. And what about guests who may have epilepsy? _I don’t have much knowledge about it but the flashing of pictures seems like it could be dangerous.
If I could choose any location for this event I would want it in an aquarium. I would cover the aquarium tanks with sheets only to be unveiled once the event ‘sank’. That way guests would really get the under water feel.
I would want the background sound to be projected like the sound is in the Rain Forest Cafe.
-Overall, idea kinda cool, but in my opinion it could be thought out more.
***And why no pictures with the article???? I was upset I couldn’t see actual pictures of what the event looked like.
___What do you think? Would you like to go to an event like this?
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Book: Getting to Yes - What I think about it.
Okay, so now its time to reflect on my thoughts about Getting to Yes, Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In. To be very honest this book was informative but really dry and boring. There was some information that I was like “really that’s kinda common sense”, but there was also some really good information that I can use in the future. I did like how the art of negotiating can be used not only in your work environment but throughout the rest of your life as well.
My only regret about choosing this book is that I wanted to blog about it, and it’s a hard book to explain while trying to make it interesting to anyone who might read my posts. How do you convince someone that they want to read how to “focus on interests and not positions”? - There was no tweet I could think of that screamed READ ME. I challenge anyone to think of one because if you can I really like to know.
I do suggest reading this book if your going to be in a situation where you will be going into negotiations a lot - Or if you’re in a situation where the negotiation has become difficult and you feel like you are not in control of what is being discussed. Do go into this book knowing you are reading for content and not entertainment.
Final Rating on overall experience with a 1-10 scale: Strong 6/Weak 7
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Book: Getting to Yes - Yes, But…Commonly asked Questions on Principled Negotiation
What If They Are More Powerful?
Source: http://blog.al.com/stantis/2008/05/the_great_and_powerful_lala.html
The most that any method of negotiation can do is 2 things:
1. Keep you from making an agreement that you shouldn’t.
Both Fisher and Ury the authors of ‘Getting to Yes’ are against going into a negotiation with a set “bottom line”. If you go into a meeting knowing you wont accept anything below your bottom line you are hindering the negotiation process. If you already commit yourself to a hard bottom line it cripples creativity in creating options to satisfy both parties. Instead if you are feeling that you are the weaker party you should: “Develop Your BATNA— Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement” (Getting to YES, pg. 97). This is an alternative to limiting yourself to a bottom line, if you wont accept anything under your bottom line then what? - Your out of luck? No, have alternative in year head. Example: You can’t get the band you want to play at your event, no matter how much negotiating you do. Your BATNA is who or what is going to be the backup plan?
2. Make the most out of what you have so that an agreement will satisfy your interests as well as can.
The answer is in the BATNA, and the better your BATNA is the more power you have. If you have more power to walk away from a negotiation then the other side does you have control. To develope a good BATNA you have the options of “(1) inventing a list of actions you might conceivable take if no agreement is reached; (2) improving some of the more promising ideas and converting them into practical alternatives; and (3) selecting, tentatively, the one alternative that seems best” (Getting to Yes, pg. 103). It also helps in a negotiation to think about what the other sides BATNA is. If you can develop a good BATNA it can tell you what a minimum acceptance in an agreement, and has the power to raise that minimum.
What If They Won’t Play?
Source: http://www.brownsgallery.co.uk/prints/mackenzie_thorpe/
Sometimes you are going to come into a situation where the person you are supposed be to negotiating with is a prick. They wont budge from their position, they may make personal attacks, and they are only looking out for themselves. According to Fisher and Ury there are 3 way to deal with ‘pricks’.
1. Keep using Prinicpaled Negotiation- which is the stuff I have been talking about
2. Negotiation Jujiysu- “As in the Oriental martial arts of judo and jujitsu, avoid pitting your strength against theirs directly; instead, use your skill to step aside and turn their strength to your ends” (Getting to Yes, pg. 108). To practice this you should concentrate on what interests and principals are behind their position and invite criticism and advice on your ideas. If they use personal attacks you should listen and then turn it around to be an attack on the problem at hand. Also, asking questions and using silence as a tool to make the other side feel uncomfortable when stating something unmerited can be very effective.
3. Consider the one-text procedure- One method of bringing in a third party to effectively help resolve a negotiation is called the one-text procedure.
if the third party uses the one-text procedure he will come into the situation impartial not asking either party to give up their position and uncover the real issues at hand, asking about their interests and why they want certain things to occur. Not only does the third party simplify the problem they are able to shift focus from personal attacks to the real issues that need to be dealt with.
What If They Use Dirty Tricks?
Source: http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2009/01/wis_man_paints.php
The best way to go about a negotiation when the other party uses unethical or dirty tricks, to gain advantage, is to bring the issue up in negotiations and establish procedural ground rules.
Here are some dirty tricks to look out for:
- Deiberate deception- This can be ambiguous authority or acting as if less than full disclosure is not the same as deception. To protect yourself against this trick you should ask for verification of the other side’s claims. You may also want to put the claim in writing, but be careful not to come off as calling the other side a liar.
- Psychological warfare- This can be personal attacks, the good-guy/bad-guy routine, or threats. If you are set up in a stressful location you should explain what is bothersome and suggest moving to a more comfortable location. If subtle attacks are being made on you personally the best way to make it stop is to specifically recognize the attacks and identify them to the offender, hopefully extinguishing the problem. Threats can be dealt with in two ways (1) ignore them when possible or (2) bringing up the negotiation of using threats in your discussion.
- Positional pressure tactics- These are tactics that create a situation where only one side can controls the negotiation; they include: refusal to negotiate, extream demands, escalating demands, lock-in tactics, calculated delays, and the “take it or leave it” attitude. If refusing to negotiate when using the principled negotiation tools you should look into what are their interests in refusing to budge from their position. If they escalate the demands every-time you try to negotiate then identify the problem with the people involved and ask if they would like to continue under these circumstances. When given an ultimadum take it as a proposal and explain that all proposals need to be evaluated.
The main point is don’t be afraid to point out dirty tricks when you see them.
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Book: Getting to Yes -Insist on Using Objective Criteria
Some situations can’t be solved by satisfying both parties. Example: you want rent lowered, your landlord wants it higher. When these situations arise you need to negotiate using objective criteria as to preserve a good relationship. In the case of the rent situation you say can say something along the lines of, “I just don’t want to be over paying for my apartment”. Suggest something along the lines of “What are other landlords charging in the area for similar apartments?” This lets you negotiate and come to a conclusion based on principal not pressure without causing tension in the relationship. «Fun Video Link
Some forms of objective crieria include:
- Market value
- Precedent
- Scientifc judgment
- Professional standards
- Efficiency
- Costs
- What a court would decide
- Moral standards
- Equal treatment
- Tradition
- Reciprocity
- Ect.
(Getting to Yes, pg. 85)
This is good to keep in mind when going into the events industry. On a daily basis you may be calling different vendors, sponsors, clients, ect. all of which will be negotiating with you about something. All these people you will want to develop a strong relationship with. Being in events as far as I have seen has a lot to do with who you know and networking.
Source: http://jpsblog.org/tag/social-networking/
3 Basic Points to Remember when Negotiating with Objective Criteria
1. Frame each issue as a joint search for objective criteria- All standards the other side proposes you can use to persuade them. Using their criteria will make it hard for them to argue with. This works for both parties because if the other side chooses to be persuaded by you they still feel like they are sticking to their word.
2. Reason and be open to reason as to which standards are most appropriate and how they should be applied- “You should behave like a judge; although you may be predisposed to one side (in this case, your own), you should be willing to respond to reasons for applying another standard or for applying a standard differently” (Getting to Yes, pg. 89) “It is the combination of openness to reason with insistence on a solution based on objective criteria that makes principled negotiation so persuasive and so effective at getting the other side to play” (Getting to Yes, pg. 90)
3. Never yield to pressure, only principal- Don’t give into bribes, they should be confronted by asking for their reasoning, then suggest objective criteria and refuse to budge except on that basis. If the other side will not budge on their position you should weigh the gains of accepting vs your reputation as a negotiator. Will taking on this client be worth the reputation that you can be walked on, and if this client chooses to repeat business they now have the upper hand knowing you will give in. -
When dealing with your landlord you should objective criteria, otherwise this could happen…
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Book: Getting to Yes- Invent Options for Mutual Gain
4 obstacles the hinder the process of generating an abundance of options:
Picture: http://www.thefunones.com/pageinflatables.html
- Premature Judgment - Decide on an option to early and fail to look at the alternatives
- Searching for the Single Answer - Intent on narrowing down their options to find the single answer. May feel more options will just confuse the process.
- The Assumption of a Fixed Pie - Define problem as being win or lose. If one side gains the other side has to give.
- Thinking that “Solving their Problem is their Problem.” - Emotional decision to put the responsibility on the other party because the problem mostly affects them so they should be the ones to deal with it.
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Book: Getting to Yes - Focus on Interests, Not Positions
Here is an example from the book on how you can focus on interests, not positions:
- Picture: http://segala.com/index.php?s=luca
“Two men are quarreling in a library. One wants the window open and the other wants it closed. They bicker back and forth about how much to leave it open: a crack, halfway, three quarters of the way. No solution satisfies them both. - Enter the librarian. She asks and why he wants the window open: “To get some fresh air.” She asks the other why he wants it closed: “To avoid the draft.” After thinking a minute, she opens wide a window in the next room, bringing in fresh air without a draft.” (pg. 40)
Okay, I understand a lot of this book but so much of it seems to be common sense. Yes many people don’t understand how to negotiate effectively but if your a considerate human being many of this should just be second nature to you. I was hoping this book was going to give me more insight then I am finding. I am still waiting for a profound concept or idea to pop out at me.
I do not want to bore you with facts that you probably already know - like “Acknowledge their interests as part of the problem” (pg. 51). - Duh know one ever wants to feel like their interests don’t matter. I am just going to talk about a few points made in this chapter that I think are interesting or concepts that may be useful that you hadn’t thought of.
-“Your position is something you have decided upon. Your interests are what caused you to so decide” (pg. 42).
-When both parties identify their interests ask why they consider those to be interests. Then look at the situation from their perspective, what questions do they see you asking them and why haven’t they made that decision; what interests of theirs stand in the way of it. Sometimes we can get overwhelmed by our own emotion for our interests that we lose sight of where the other party may be coming from.
- Picture:http://www.flickr.com/photos/royal-nobody/3845462527/
- Put your self in someone else’s shoes.
- *not sure why she has no pants on
- Remember the most powerful interests are basic human needs such as: security, economic well-being, a sense of belonging, recognition, and control over one’s life. When we are negotiating over money especially we lose track of what other interests may be behind it. The example they gave in the book was the negotiation of a divorce settlement. How one side may be asking for a lot money because it represents a sense of feeling psychologically secure, or they want recognition: to feel that they are treated fairly and as an equal.
*In the book they specifically gave the wife as an example of whom would be asking for the money - I thought that was bullshit, why can’t it be the husband who asking to get the money from his successful wife. A little sexist no? I think Rosie the Marketer would agree.
*all of these women where making more money then their ex-husbands when they got divorced.
-I love writing lists for just about anything but writing a list of the interests of both sides of the negotiation as they come up may help you remember them who making a decision. It also could stimulate ideas on how to meet those interests.
-Be hard on the problem, soft on the people.
-“Negotiating hard for your interests does not mean being closed to the other side’s point of view. - Successful negotiation requires being both firm and open” (pg. 55).
