Big Impressions - Part II

It happened again!

I am not sure if I should be surprised or not that the very next day after I blogged on making a big impression that it happened again.

Wifey and I are big fans of the Coco Lounge in Glen Waverley.  In particular we like to go there for a Fraus.  For the uninitated, this is a thick European Hot Chocolate.  Typically, I like it extra thick so it becomes like chocolate custard.  Yes, yes, I know I am a bit of a foody.  (You can find out more about Fraus' here, including their flavoursome cafe.)

Anyway, after seeing Robin Hood on tight arse Tuesday (by the way, wait for the DVD.  It is very boring) we adjourned to Coco Lounge for the Fraus.  When we asked for one, the waiter indicated that they no longer served them.  Naturally I went "Noooooooo!!!!!" rather loudly.  We had a few laughs and then a coffee instead.

As we paid, I was speaking to the manager and discussing why they stopped selling the Fraus and he basically said that they were not selling enough and the product would be wasted.  I joked about how would I live without it and then he said "Wait a second"

This is what he brought back to me:

That is 1 KILO of Fraus mix.  He gave it to me free of charge.  It was a very generous gesture and makes me love Coco Lounge even more!  But it wouldn't have happened if I didn't make a significant impression, lets face it, my good looks didn't make it happen!

So what will happen if you make a big impression?  Try it and see.

Let me know what happens for you!

Lovin' your work!

Warwick Merry

The Get More Guy

What Sort of Impression Do You Make?

There are so many competitors out there.  They may not be exactly competitors but there are company and businesses that overlap on your patch of the world.  It may be a team member "competing" for the next new opportunity, a similar business that competes with yours or someone exhibiting at the same show as you vying for the visitors attention.


Wifey reminded me this morning that I make big impressions everywhere I go.  Whenever we go shopping, I have fun with the check out chick (or check out chap).  I figure they are not going anywhere and I know there name (courtesy of the name tag) so I talk to them.  They give me the standard "Hi how are you?" and I make a big impression "Fantastic, Fabulous, Any happier and I would explode".  Maybe not all of those words but some of them!  Then have a bit of a laugh with them.  When wifey went to the supermarket on the weekend, the checkout operator said, "Shopping on your own today?"  My impression was so big that the checkout operator remembered me and Wifey and noticed that I wasn't there.


I do the same things when I am working with my exhibitor clients.  I live by the theory, if you are speaking to no-one, speak to everyone!  When someone walks by the booth I make an impression.  I engage with them by simple small talk that can then engage them in to a relevant discussion.  It could be a memorable one liner, and engaging question about them or a statement that makes them laugh.  Play with it and see what works.


What about you?  What sort of impression do you make?  Will they remember you?  Will they notice if you are not there?  How can you make it bigger, better and more memorable?

Five Observations Fresh From the Floor

I am fresh off the floor from the 2010 Pregnancy Babies and Children's Expo and I have some valuable observations to share.  I spent three days working with exhibitors to help them Get More from their show experience and here are the top 5 learning points:

1. It's all about Engagement.  Some of the exhibitors were concerned about not getting enough interest in their product/service.  It was usually the same exhibitor who was just standing in the booth saying nothing as someone walked past.  Live by the rule, if you are not speaking to anyone, speak to everyone!  If ever you have a quiet time, engage with the very next person.
2. Why are you there?  Some exhibitors forget why they are there.  They get swept up in the excitement and buzz of the show that they forget their prime objective.  Start each day with a briefing refreshing the objectives for the day and what actions are required to meet it.  If you are there to get names and addresses, then get names and addresses.
3. How is your signage? Do you have short, snappy, easy to read (that means HUGE font), action oriented signs?  If not, get some.  People don't really care much about your brand, your long winded mission statement or the features of what you have, they care about a problem they have and how you will solve it.  Find the problem and let them know you solve it.
4. Prepare for the show.  I don't understand people and organisations that spend thousands of dollars to get to a show and all they do is turn up!  At the very least read the exhibitor manual to find out information about the show.  Know what signage, stationery, product, and other items you need in your booth.  Be crystal clear on what you want from the show and what your message is.  Know how you will measure your success and whether it was worthwhile.  If you don't know these things, then why are you even there?
5. Stop whinging!!  Shows are part science, part art and a big chunk of magic.  Things will always be different than expectected.  There will be lulls and peak times.  If things are not going how you want, then change.  You can't expect to turn up last minute, lack half your signage and get the results you got last time with out some change in your approach.  Focus on what is going well and then change the things that are within your power.  Once you start whinging, you bring a whole lot of negativity to your booth which guarantees you wont get the results you are after.

Master these five, and you are half way there!

Enjoy


Warwick