They would have spent a truck load of money for the stand. I wont mention who it was but it was a highly recognisable airline. I was at the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo in Melbourne. It was hard to tell there was a global financial crisis going on. Some amazing stands (multi-level with suites for discussions) and some amazing marketing going on. A surprising amount of traffic was moving around also, apparently attendance was up by almost 10%. From an organisers perspective, it would have to be seen as a success.
There Was Static
So how would you take advantage of all this traffic? Well the airline in question had a reasonable size booth. Nice comfy chairs, welcoming decor, plenty of marketing collateral for people, an attractive woman in the booth and the plasma screen in the background was playing static. I thought it must be a glitch that they would fix but when I went past again 45 minutes later, it was still showing static. The woman in the booth was not interested in much that I could see. She was still sitting in the chair waiting. I am not sure what for.
Take Responsibility
I understand that technology deserts you just when you need it. But surely there would have been a better way than just showing static. Some thoughts I had on what the company representative could have done:
- Turn off the TV - Nothing was showing, better a blank TV than a distracting one.
- Say "Hello" - At no time did she try and engage me in conversation
- Ask "Do you know how to make the DVD work?" - Who knows I may be an AV wizard and she could then sell me her product
- Stand up - It was horribly apparent that she did not care and did not want to be there, simply standing up would have changed her approachability
- Smile - The easiest and simplest thing to do.
Warwick Merry
The Get More Guy
www.warwickmerry.com
www.GetMoreBlog.com
www.GetMoreShowSuccess.com
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1 comment:
Maybe the problem was hiring a 'booth babe' solely for her attractiveness rather than her product knowledge or skills. It's a mistake made all too often, and one that also relies on an assumption that all potential customers are (straight) men.
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