A note to readers...

Due to an increased focus on operations over at Event Safety Consultants, activity on this website will be substantially slower for the foreseeable future. Although the blog may be dormant, Sytelabs is still open for business and available to discuss new opportunities. Contact us to learn more.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Found on the Web - 2012-02-12

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Your Competition Doesn't Matter

Your largest competitor in town just spent thousands on the latest in video technology, and hasn’t been shy about flaunting their purchase to everyone...including your clients.

The upstart company down the street has suddenly dwarfed you in Twitter followers and Facebook “Likes”, despite having been around less time than the phone in your pocket.

And that stodgy family business you casually disregarded before now has a website that makes yours look like it came from a castoff bin circa 1999.

So what?

The leaders in any industry know that the key to a successful operation in not having the flashiest website, the most followers on social media, or even the latest in technology. It’s about listening to your client, not wasting precious time and resources trying to outdo your competition with the latest toys. Yes, all of those things may bring in a few new customers. But not nearly as many as simply doing excellent work and solving your client’s problems.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Speak Plainly

Any seasoned event producer will tell you that one of the most important characteristics of an effective manager is the ability to communicate clearly with all participants in the event - the artists, the guests, and the employees. Unfortunately, these same producers are often the biggest offenders when it comes one of the toughest roadblocks to effective communication - overuse of jargon

Jargon by definition is the vocabulary peculiar a particular trade (in this case, event production). Although you may be working within that said trade, you want to limit the use of jargon as much as possible. Much like speaking English in a foreign country, every person you interact with will have a different degree of understanding. By removing industry specific jargon from your event communications, you reduce the possibility of misunderstanding and miscommunication. Everyone, from your veteran staff to the newest employee should know immediately what you’re telling them.

Jargon develops as a sort of professional shorthand that makes our jobs easier. Unfortunately, it also alienates those outside your “sphere”, and confuses those who lack experience or exposure. Using simplified yet detailed language to explain technical concepts may take more effort, but it’s the surest way to ensure your message is getting across.