While browsing the Web, I came upon this interview in Fast Company with Michael Begeman, a leading authority on meetings.  Although the article is a bit old (1999 to be exact), it still has a lot of great advice for those of us participating in or organizing meetings.

Begeman’s best example of a well-run meeting — a scene from Dances with Wolves (1990), the Oscar-winning film featuring Kevin Costner.

“[In the scene] people actually listen to one another,” said Begeman. “There are some genuine disagreements, but everyone recognizes merit in everyone else’s position and tries to incorporate it into his thinking. The chief spends most of his time listening. When the time comes to make a decision, he says something like ‘It’s hard to know what to do. We should talk about this some more. That’s all I have to say.’ And the meeting ends! He is honest enough to admit that he’s not ready to make a decision.”

Brad Closson of Connective Management has some great ideas on how to make the most of your next business networking event.  For success, he advises that spending a few minutes thinking about these six elements:

1. Your introduction. Be sure to change up your introduction from time to time.  Keep it short, clear and interesting.  Remember to add in something about yourself that others can connect to, in case they do not relate to your business this week.

2. Your request. Take a few minutes before you arrive to decide on your request for the group.  This specific call for help should be concise.  “I’m looking to meet roofers this week.”  “Can anyone introduce me into the XYZ company?”

3. Your mission. Be sure to have a mission for each event.  This could be scheduling 2 one-on-ones or meeting four new people.  Your goal may be engaging a particular member of the group or following up with a key business partner.  If you go into a meeting without a mission, you are wishing for something to happen, instead of making something happen.

4. Your appreciation. Be prepared to thank those who have assisted your business.  Be specific on how they helped you.  If you need to write this information down, do so, but trying to “wing it” can be messy.

5. Your involvement. Be primed to engage the other members of the group both professionally and personally.  Make ready to connect.  Showing up at a networking function and passing out business cards will not achieve much these days. The key to networking is connecting.

6. Your supplies. Bring your schedule, your business cards, your “thank-yous” and your notepad.  Preparation allows you to concentrate on your mission and on your fellow networkers.

Business Coach Kellie D’Andrea has written an excellent article for the Elymedia Frenzy Blog on what small businesses can do to survive in a tough economy. We liked it so much we posted it here!

1. Become the ultimate deal maker. With everyone pinching pennies and looking for new ways to save money, this is a great time to offer excellent deals for your products or services. Now is the time for you to be strategic about making deals with your customers, vendors and service partners. In fact, try bartering for services, ad space or product. Every business is looking for ways to save money so do not be afraid to renegotiate contracts with your current vendors and to offer more value to keep your current customers.

2. Look for efficiencies. Take a look at all of the processes in your business and see if there are ways to streamline and become more efficient. Look for areas that are manually heavy tasks and see if there is an opportunity to automate. Look for areas that are paper heavy and duplicated and see if you can tighten up. Combine like tasks for greater productivity and do not shy away from investment opportunities that may reduce your overall labor in future periods. For example, investing in technology that could would reduce labor by 50%. Although there is an upfront outlay of cash, the investment will pay for itself.

3. Up your marketing.  Now is the time to increase your marketing. Studies have shown that in times of a downward companies, small business that increase marketing have a greater chance of growing their business since there are so many business owners that cut back on their marketing. Here is a great opportunity to stand out from your competition and grab more market share. Marketing is a process and a continuous one so to get customers in your sales funnel, you need to continue to market your business.

4. Bring additional value to your customers. Since your customers are why your business exist, show them how much they mean to you. This is the time to reach out and strengthen the bond you have with your customers and show them how much you appreciate their business. Try offering them an appreciation day, or discounts for their continued business. Offer rewards and frequent buyer programs and see where you can add more value to your current service model. Perhaps a free bonus, an extra drink, a whitepaper… be creative and think out of the box.

5. Plan. Take out that marketing and business plan and review it and revise it. Now is the time to build a plan a new plan and create new financial projections based upon the current economic climate. By shifting your business to be more efficient now and to train your team to do more with less, you are setting the business up for success when the economy comes back. Once a company knows how to run lean and mean, it stays during the economic swing upward resulting in more profits. Do you know that many successful businesses were started during a recession? Having a strong foundation in branding, leadership and selling techniques will help you weather any economic storm and position you for long term growth.

Washington, D.C. event planner Roxanne Rukowicz of Behind the Scenes Events has written an article on what to consider before booking an event in the latest issue of Be Inkandescent. Aimed at entrepreneurs, it includes a six point list focused on admin, audience and ROI — something we in the biz already know plenty about.

Roxanne counsels would-be planners to think before they act.

“Hosting an event of any kind for event planning’s sake is simply not a practical idea,” she says. “The cost to produce such functions is more than you might imagine and, in this economy, the sponsorship dollars are not as strong as they used to be. Couple that with a decrease in overall attendance and an increase in pressure to show ROI from your constituents, and you can tell why organizations are taking a step back and re-evaluating how their time and dollars will be invested.”

Roxanne was profiled by The Meeting Planner’s Best Resource in March 2010.

Josiah Mackenzie of the Hotel Marketing Strategies Blog has posted an easy to understand 10 point article on Google Analytics for hotel websites. Many of the points can be applied to any business looking to be more competitive in the meetings, incentives, conventions and events industry.