by Michele Nichols
I recently read an article written by Elizabeth Zielinksi, CMM, about an experience she had being an attendee at a non-meeting industry conference. Admittedly, it had been a long time since she had been an actual attendee. She wrote about it being refreshing, validating and eye-opening as a planner to experience the meeting from the 'other side'.
As a mother of three teenage boys, I constantly find myself saying, "Well, look at it from their perspective. How do you think that makes them feel? Put yourself in their shoes."
Putting yourself in someone else's shoes is such an easy thing to do, yet so many of us can't or won't do it. This is especially true when we've been at something for a while. We forget to look at it from another perspective, we think we've already covered that at some point.
Imaging yourself in place of the person attending your meetings, receiving your marketing materials, using your website or reading your advertisements can only improve your delivery, your message, your event. It's a simple strategy that is probably overlooked because, well, it's so simple.
Take Elizabeth's challenge and attend a non-meeting industry conference. I guarantee you'll come back to the office with a few ideas on how to improve your next event or meeting.
