Meeting at C-Level: Chapter 1 – Understand

I just started reading a book called Meeting at C-Level by Eric Rozenberg. I’m excited to read it because it focuses on what happens and what should happen at the senior level within organizations as it pertains to meetings and events (including incentive group travel).

The book, from a very high level, talks about the following:

• Value of face-to-face meeting & events
• CEO perspectives on meetings & events
• Efficacy & Inspiration – company growth & brand success related to meetings & events

The first chapter has to do with understanding – understanding an organization’s strategy before embarking on meeting/event planning. It discussed the following points:

• Clarity around vision & strategy: Unless your organization has a defined and clear overall strategy, any meeting/event you host won’t be as effective as it could be
• Trickle down alignment – starting at the top: It’s not enough to have a defined and clear organizational strategy. It is also critical to have everyone that is responsible for communicating that strategy throughout the organization able to define and express it the same way.
• A way to establish clear positioning: Once you have a clear corporate vision and strategy communicated clearly and consistently from the top you can (and should!) link those very closely with the objectives of your meeting/event.
• A compliance issue – aligning around a why: Be ready and willing to handle any “why” related questions you have regarding your meeting/event with outside of the box and innovative thinking. Look outside of your industry for answers. Outside advice can be very valuable.

Stay tuned for a chapter 2 recap about identifying meeting objectives, stakeholders and expected outcomes!