2009 was a year of transition, for me and for this economy.
I've been grateful for working at EchoStar, where I've transitioned from event management to more of a comprehensive marketing role in defining campaigns (the company has never had to do any before), creating campaigns and executing campaigns.
I have stretched myself in developing new social media, web and email campaigns to help in branding EchoStar as newly relevant in the rush towards "TV Everywhere."
I've positioned myself to help others consider new roles, out of their comfort zones, in teaming with folks from other departments to develop a better go-to-market strategy as we reinvent the company.
And all along, I've enjoyed the respect I've been shown in considering new creative ideas and new ways of better supporting each other in a team that I have proposed.
It's been a challenge to keep at this blog when I've had to focus upon work and my family. When I started this blog I was in transition from my last position and wasn't sure where I might land. Since then, my last company, Pentax, has struggled to stay afloat and many of my past co-workers have found themselves looking for work.
I was at CES (the Consumer Electronics Show) last week and while I ran into many of the folks I used to work with on the show floor, I discovered many familiar faces missing from action. This economy is not easily forgiving.
I hope I can maintain my livelihood and grow in new directions in this New Year!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Ta Da!
Today I'm unveiling my new website -- www.bobtheplanner.com
In it you will find examples of my work (photos still uploading as we speak), links to this blog and to my Linked In profile, and a list of those resources or services that I can provide to you or to those interested in events.
My main goal remains to obtain a full-time position planning events -- whether in meeting planning, exhibits management, or in special events.
Check it out! I'd love to get your feedback!
Bob the Planner!
In it you will find examples of my work (photos still uploading as we speak), links to this blog and to my Linked In profile, and a list of those resources or services that I can provide to you or to those interested in events.
My main goal remains to obtain a full-time position planning events -- whether in meeting planning, exhibits management, or in special events.
Check it out! I'd love to get your feedback!
Bob the Planner!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Redefining Yourself in this Economy
It's been awhile since I've posted. I've been pursuing various positions related to meeting planning and exhibits management.
I have to say in this economy you need to get creative in your approach to the market. This goes for those selling their services to the market as well as those situated in a planning position.
What may have been called meeting planning or exhibit management in the past may now need to be reframed as Project Management or Program Management. The act of coordinating the logistics alone may no longer be considered relevant in a multitasking world, where managers are seeking "jacks of all trades" who can deliver value in defining objectives, delivering corresponding services to meet those objectives, and critically evaluating lessons learned to improve upon services in the future.
I have been retooling my resume to reflect more relevantly upon my experience in this economy. This means using more current vocabulary, emphasizing how I've saved money or increased productivity, and tightening my descriptors to respect the shorter attention spans that employers can focus upon me, as one of many candidates from whom to choose.
I've also been working on a companion website called Bobtheplanner.com which will unveil in the New Year. That should provide me an opportunity to showcase some of my past experiences through portfolios of past projects, as well as provide heightened visibility in this digital arena.
Stay tuned!
I have to say in this economy you need to get creative in your approach to the market. This goes for those selling their services to the market as well as those situated in a planning position.
What may have been called meeting planning or exhibit management in the past may now need to be reframed as Project Management or Program Management. The act of coordinating the logistics alone may no longer be considered relevant in a multitasking world, where managers are seeking "jacks of all trades" who can deliver value in defining objectives, delivering corresponding services to meet those objectives, and critically evaluating lessons learned to improve upon services in the future.
I have been retooling my resume to reflect more relevantly upon my experience in this economy. This means using more current vocabulary, emphasizing how I've saved money or increased productivity, and tightening my descriptors to respect the shorter attention spans that employers can focus upon me, as one of many candidates from whom to choose.
I've also been working on a companion website called Bobtheplanner.com which will unveil in the New Year. That should provide me an opportunity to showcase some of my past experiences through portfolios of past projects, as well as provide heightened visibility in this digital arena.
Stay tuned!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Moving Forward
In today's economy, no matter how hard one works or how much one tries to be adaptable or prepare for every eventuality, situations arise over which we have no control.
As event producers this is hard for us to accept, since we are used to always having a Plan B or even a Plan C.
One of the situations that has recently arisen for me, personally, is that my corporate position has just been eliminated. Beyond allowing myself to experience the typical stages of grief over the loss of this position, I find myself more motivated to "move forward" and consider new opportunities and to keep myself open to change.
A friend of mine, Bill Ganz, whom I have recommended in prior posts, has counseled me to consider moving "beyond" the event production world to the online world. He likens the online world to a "well" that we will all be going to for nourishment and sustenance. Just as "all roads lead to Rome," he feels all paths in the future will lead to the online world.
He may be right. In theory, it is possible to reduce all marketing activities to a series of queries to predict human behavior. But the human need for face-to-face interactions, and the many kinesthetic variables that touch upon each of us when we encounter a physical environment, still lead me to believe there is a robust future for the trade show and event world.
I'd be interested to hear your opinions on this.
Meanwhile, I will be hanging my shingle out there as "Bob the Planner" and will be driving folks to this site to discover more of those "tips" I promised earlier. I still remain interested in helping organizations succeed -- particularly in a full-time position. But I'm also open to some project work if that can help us both out.
Perhaps you have a need for a seasoned event professional -- one who can think out of the box and come in under budget. If so, I'd like to talk with you!
If you'd like to carry on a conversation offline, please visit my e-mail at bobtheplanner@gmail.com.
As event producers this is hard for us to accept, since we are used to always having a Plan B or even a Plan C.
One of the situations that has recently arisen for me, personally, is that my corporate position has just been eliminated. Beyond allowing myself to experience the typical stages of grief over the loss of this position, I find myself more motivated to "move forward" and consider new opportunities and to keep myself open to change.
A friend of mine, Bill Ganz, whom I have recommended in prior posts, has counseled me to consider moving "beyond" the event production world to the online world. He likens the online world to a "well" that we will all be going to for nourishment and sustenance. Just as "all roads lead to Rome," he feels all paths in the future will lead to the online world.
He may be right. In theory, it is possible to reduce all marketing activities to a series of queries to predict human behavior. But the human need for face-to-face interactions, and the many kinesthetic variables that touch upon each of us when we encounter a physical environment, still lead me to believe there is a robust future for the trade show and event world.
I'd be interested to hear your opinions on this.
Meanwhile, I will be hanging my shingle out there as "Bob the Planner" and will be driving folks to this site to discover more of those "tips" I promised earlier. I still remain interested in helping organizations succeed -- particularly in a full-time position. But I'm also open to some project work if that can help us both out.
Perhaps you have a need for a seasoned event professional -- one who can think out of the box and come in under budget. If so, I'd like to talk with you!
If you'd like to carry on a conversation offline, please visit my e-mail at bobtheplanner@gmail.com.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Bob in the News
I was interviewed by Tech-EM (Event Marketer) and the interview appears here:
http://red7media1.bm23.com/public/?q=preview_message&fn=Link&t=1&ssid=148&id=00lu8nt3cv8a232d2jwkunbrqqper&id2=1wj25e0t05tpkd3z7tpeimn5mlb4k
http://red7media1.bm23.com/public/?q=preview_message&fn=Link&t=1&ssid=148&id=00lu8nt3cv8a232d2jwkunbrqqper&id2=1wj25e0t05tpkd3z7tpeimn5mlb4k
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Actions Speak Louder than Words
I've had an epiphany of sorts. In the past, as I've considered new vendor partners, I've relied upon their presentations and their personalities to determine whether I wanted to invest in a working relationship with them.
Now I've tried "pilot projects" in an attempt to draw out a better idea of how they will perform.
What a difference! I can honestly say it helped better define the level of service I could expect with the competing companies, and has probably saved me and our company future heartache by knowing who was the better performing company!
I will share more about this experience in future postings and future articles, but I highly recommend you consider designing "real world testing" into your searches for vendor partners.
Now I've tried "pilot projects" in an attempt to draw out a better idea of how they will perform.
What a difference! I can honestly say it helped better define the level of service I could expect with the competing companies, and has probably saved me and our company future heartache by knowing who was the better performing company!
I will share more about this experience in future postings and future articles, but I highly recommend you consider designing "real world testing" into your searches for vendor partners.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Welcome
A blank canvas can be intimidating. Starting a new venture -- a new blog -- a new tradeshow booth or event -- or working with a new vendor -- can all be just as intimidating.
That's what this blog will be about: addressing the ways to handle new ventures in event management, or handling the many details along the way. Perhaps we'll come up with ways to overcome the intimidation factor.
Bob the Planner is a way for me to convey to those stakeholders who wonder, "how should I handle this situation?", or "why are we doing it this way?" when it comes to handling tradeshows and events. Along the way I hope to share tips I've come across, lessons I've learned, resources you may want to consider, and even some philosophy from time to time.
So get your TO DO lists out, mention this site to others, and feel free to visit frequently as I get this site up and running.
That's what this blog will be about: addressing the ways to handle new ventures in event management, or handling the many details along the way. Perhaps we'll come up with ways to overcome the intimidation factor.
Bob the Planner is a way for me to convey to those stakeholders who wonder, "how should I handle this situation?", or "why are we doing it this way?" when it comes to handling tradeshows and events. Along the way I hope to share tips I've come across, lessons I've learned, resources you may want to consider, and even some philosophy from time to time.
So get your TO DO lists out, mention this site to others, and feel free to visit frequently as I get this site up and running.
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