FREE Trade Show Tips – yes more
FIVE MORE Free Trade Show Booth Tips – Running a Successful Trade Show Booth (part one)
Insight from CODE Cracking for Trade Show Booth Success
Working a booth at a trade show can be such a powerful way to network, reinforce existing relationships, and build name recognition that I wanted to offer some trade show tips into making the most of the investment. The key is to find ways to encourage visitors to stop and comfortably begin building a solid relationship with you. Here is the first batch of trade show tips. I will offer more insight from on running a successful trade show booth over the following weeks.
Free Trade Show Booth Tip # 1
Build rapport by being friendly and nonthreatening.
A smile goes a long way in welcoming people to visit your booth.
“Every business is built on friendship.” — James Cash Penney
Free Trade Show Booth Tip # 2
Create the right first impression.
Stand and be interested in making contact. Do not sit, read, drink, eat, or smoke in the booth. Don’t just chat away with the people working the booth with you. This makes you less approachable.
Free Trade Show Booth Tip # 3
Keep the booth looking sharp.
Do not let the booth get disorganized, cluttered, or untidy. Throw trash away. If skirted, the space under the table is a great place to store boxes and stuff. Many trade shows last weeks. Even if it is a lengthy show, do not let your booth get run down.
Free Trade Show Booth Tip # 4
Avoid drinking alcohol or eating spicy or garlicky foods.
Bad breath is bad business – as is slurred speech and inappropriate behavior. You do not want to be remembered as the drunk guy, or halitosis girl.
Free Trade Show Booth Tip #5
Ask open-ended questions — Avoid asking questions that can be answered with a yes or no. Create a list of questions to ask that begin with who, what, where, when, why, or how. This will stimulate thought and encourage conversation. Relate questions to the event, industry, product/service and its benefits, or to a specific situation.
Examples of Stimulating Questions:
What brought you out to the show today?
How could you see using this (product/service)?
How important is (benefit) in your present situation?
What are your most important needs in (situation)?
How familiar are you with our product/company/service?
Be careful not to overuse common and overused questions, like:How are you doing today?
Can I help you?
Are you enjoying the show?
Our new program: CODE Cracking for Trade Show Booth Success is now available. Contact us for Details – Dean@DeanLindsay.com 214-457-5656
Six Free Trade Show Booth Tips
Free Trade Show Booth Tips – Running a Successful Trade Show Booth (part three)
Insight from CODE Cracking for Trade Show Booth Success
Working a booth at a trade show can be such a powerful way to network, reinforce existing relationships, and build name recognition that I wanted to offer some trade show tips into making the most of the investment. The key is to find ways to encourage visitors to stop and comfortably begin building a solid relationship with you. Here is the third (and final) batch of trade show tips from Cracking the Networking CODE.
Free Trade Show Booth Tip # 1
Do not badmouth your competitors.
Badmouthing competitors makes you appear less confident about your products/services and especially about yourself. It also shines an unnecessary spotlight on the competitor. Bring up the good points about your stuff and leave badmouthing the competitors to your ecstatic customers.
Free Trade Show Booth Tip #2
Do not eat at your booth.
I’m sure you would agree that it’s not attractive to watch someone chow down on nachos smothered in that bright orange fake cheese gunk. What is worse is when they see you coming and they lick their fingers while looking around for a napkin to wipe off the grease so they can reach out to shake your hand. The need for nourishment is another solid reason to find someone you can trust to run your booth while you go get a bite to eat.
Free Trade Show Booth Tip #3
Get a list of attendees and contact them before the show.
Send them an invitation to your booth. Make them want to visit your booth. Offer a giveaway, or announce that you are unveiling something new to the market they must know about. Look over the list of attendees for heavy hitters and ask them personally to visit your booth.
Free Trade Show Booth Tip # 4
Get business cards/contact information.
This is HUGE. How else are you going to follow up? Offer your company’s free e -mail newsletter. Don’t have one? Start one. Have a giveaway, a drawing, or some kind of contest. Ask for cards. You have to be able to reconnect and market to these people after the event.
Free Trade Show Booth Tip #5
Take notes.
So many people, so little brain space! Write a few words on the back of cards that will help you remember the person, the conversation , or the opportunity. This will go a long way toward making # 16 happen.
Free Trade Show Booth Tip #6
Follow up in a timely manner.
This is where it so often falls apart. You MUST reconnect with the folks you met. Thank them for visiting your booth. Mention something interesting they shared with you. Look at your NOTES. Do not do this three weeks after the show. Do it the next day. Don’t try to hard-sell them in the follow-up, just make a pleasurable second impression and see if there are ways you can serve this person, even if it is not with your stuff.Trade shows are powerful and profitable places to grow your network if you are prepared and know how to work them.Our new program: CODE Cracking for Trade Show Booth Success is now available. Contact us for Details.
Key to Selling in Down Economy – Be a Hub of Info!!
Becoming a HUB OF INFORMATION – The KEY to Selling and Serving in a Down Economy
by Dean Lindsay
Follow Dean’s Blog Posts at: www.Twitter.com/DeanLindsay
If we hope to sell and serve in this down economy we must strive to never miss a chance to offer contacts a referral to important people, organizations, information, and opportunities. Be a valuable person for someone to build a relationship with. Work at it. If we focus on giving information and support rather than cultivating contacts for our own benefit, our network will grow naturally. It is imperative in these tough times to make it easy for others to see that we are in their corner. Help them feel cared about and important.
Make information flow in and out of your life. Work to be known as someone who has great information and contacts and is willing to share them. Work to be known as a Progress Agent . Always be poised to make a referral for someone else. It will all come back around. When you learn something new, ask yourself:
Who in my network would find this information valuable?
Share it (as long as it isn’t confidential). When reading an article, always ask yourself:
Who in my network would be helped by this article?
Forward useful articles via e -mail, or send clippings from newspapers or magazines that relate to or affect the people in your network. If you mail an article, keep in mind that the real article is better than a photocopy of it. Simply clip it out, attach your card with an FYI Post-it, and drop it in the mail.
If the person you’re chatting with is having a challenge with book-keeping , offer to e -mail the number of a couple of good CPAs.
Be a resource for people and they will become a resource for you. Turn them on to useful business books (I got a couple I could recommend). Learn about the other person’s profession and, if it feels right, offer to call a contact on their behalf. To get referrals, give referrals. If you give without keeping track, you get repaid without ever asking for it.
Help others first. Offer your information with no strings attached. Connect people and position yourself as a resource to others on a totally altruistic basis. Favors with strings attached are not favors and not nearly as appreciated.
Crack the Networking CODE.
Build priceless business relationships.
Questioning Change
10 Ponder & Progress Questions from The Progress Challenge: Working and Winning in a World of Change by Dean Lindsay.
Dean’s Progress Challenge is being Published 2/4/10 – Advanced Copies available here.
Ponder & Progress: Progress or Change?
“We all want progress, but if you’re on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.”
– C.S. Lewis
1. What transitions are most significant in the world?
2. What transitions do you see in your professional life?
3. What transitions are shaping your personal life?
4. How can you focus on daily progress?
5. What “next big thing” means progress for you?
6. What “next big thing” would not be progress for you?
7. What are you striving for?
8. What’s next? Why?
9. What does progress mean to you?
10. Which parts of your life are progressing and which are merely changing? 
A Couple of endorsements for Dean Lindsay’s The Progress Challenge: Working and Winning in a World of Change
“Everyone has a purpose in life. Nobody is here by chance. Focusing on the positive and self motivating drivers will move you down the road of progress to realize your true purpose. Reading The Progress Challenge will help direct you down the correct road.”
– Scott O’Grady
Former USAF Fighter Pilor
Bosnian War Survivor
“Part Drucker, part Dyer, part Dilbert — The Progress Challenge is an entertaining and practical guide on how to achieve success in business and follow your bliss.”
– Janet Gellici
CEO, American Coal Council
Copies of The Progress Challenge available here.
For Bulk purchase discounts call: 214-457-5656
Contact Dean Lindsay about your next event.
Southwest Airlines Foreword to Progress Challenge Leadership Book
The Foreword for Dean Lindsay’s The Progress Challenge
Foreword by Julie Weber, Senior Director, People, Southwest Airlines Co.
Let me just get this out first: The Progress Challenge is a great book. It is fun to read and crammed full of thought-provoking, practical and motivating take-aways. I recommend this book to HR professionals, business leaders, sales leaders, and anyone who is trying to not only navigate the world’s economy today, but to succeed in it. With the Six Ps of Progress, Dean gives us all the incredible opportunity to be purposeful in creating progress, not just change, in our lives and work.
If only I had read this book prior to the Tech Bubble burst in 2001. While working at a software company, like many of my fellow HR professionals, I was doing my best to “lead change,” to “manage change,” in an unprecedented time when high-technology companies dramatically went from such incredible highs on Wall Street to such devastating lows in a short period of time. We were reeling from the emotional shock and uncertainty after the events of 9/11. This book would not only have provided a new way of looking at change management, but also a more hopeful way of beginning to answer the question: “What now?” So here we are again in the midst of unprecedented economic times. HR professionals are again faced with the challenge of managing our workforce in a shrinking economy. The Progress Challenge is a must-read for all of us. Only the businesses that are able to grow, gain market share, gain Customer loyalty, and gain Employee loyalty and engagement will survive when recessions occur. That requires more than change management; it requires progress. It requires committing to progress and it requires persistence.
I am so fortunate to be working for Southwest Airlines, a company that truly gets what taking care of Customers and Employees really means in any economy. (For starters, the “C” in Customers and the “E” in Employees are capitalized deliberately.) In describing the 6 P’s of Progress (I won’t give away too much!), Dean captures why Southwest Airlines Employees provide such incredible Customer Service. We LUV what we do and our Company LUVS us! We work very hard during the selection process to hire Employees with a natural desire to serve others. At Southwest, we hire for attitude and train for skill (as needed). Yeah, some skills are incredibly hard to train, but to train someone to have a great attitude and to enjoy their work, their Customers, and their fellow Employees is completely impossible. The mission of Southwest Airlines is dedication to the highest quality of Customer Service delivered with a sense of warmth, friendliness, individual pride, and Company Spirit. Try doing that with a lousy attitude! Having a Fun-LUVing Attitude is not just part of our “core values,” it is a requirement of every Employee.
What Dean explains in a witty and entertaining way is that our attitudes, our ability to endure and successfully emerge from the current recession, our shot at getting what we want out of this life, is up to each one of us. I have always believed that “if it is meant to be, it is up to me.” Dean explains why that is true and gives us the tools to make it happen! We have to grab every minute of every day and create progress in our work and in our lives. We own it. I own it. I will be progress. This book is so timely.
Thanks, Dean.
– Julie Weber, Senior Director, People
People & Leadership Development
Southwest Airlines Co.
Austin Motivational Speaker
Austin Motivational Speaker
Click arrow and watch Austin Motivational Speaker: Dean Lindsay
Author of The Progress Challenge : Working and Winning in a World of Change.
(Click here to watch more clips)
About Dean Lindsay
Booking Info / Check Schedule
“The Progress Challenge is an excellent guide to both personal and professional success. The book helps the reader understand that change is inevitable, yet progress is a choice. In Lindsay’s words…”be progress”.”
– Jim Keyes
CEO, Blockbuster
“The Progress Challenge is a much needed kick in the pants for all of us. What an enlightening book!”
– Ken Blanchard,
coauthor of The One Minute Manager®
and Leading at a Higher Level
“Finally a meaningful book with a workable process for progress.”
– Gerhard Gschwandtner
Founder and Publisher
Selling Power Magazine
CLICK HERE FOR More info on Austin Motivational Speaker, Dean Lindsay and The Progress Challenge
“Dean Lindsay is truly one of the best and most insightful speakers out there. I have hired him, heard him and read his work. He is always top notch with profitable tips and strategies – plus he is fun to watch. Dean Lindsay rocks!”
– Paul Rosowski
Regional VP – Central, Teknion
“Lindsay’s energy level seems to know no bounds.”
– Dallas Business Journal
*****************************************************
“Dean Lindsay is one sharp and funny guy. I have been in the business arena for over forty years and we have needed his unique voice for far too long.”
– Max Derden,
Partner, Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP
Looking for a Austin Motivational speaker and/or an engaging Austin Motivational training specialist for a Austin Motivational Convention Austin Motivational Conference
Dean is based in nearby Dallas, Texas, and travels nationwide for speaking engagements.
To discuss your event with Dean directly call him at: 214-457-5656 or email him at Dean@DeanLindsay.com
An authority on harnessing human potential and creating authentic business growth, Dean Lindsay is an engaging and highly sought-after business consultant and speaker.
Dean is an active member of the Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy and the American Society of Training and Development.
Your Austin Motivational event deserves a truly forward focused Austin Motivational speaker who is funny, engaging and has something fresh and empowering to share.
CONNECT W/ AUSTIN MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER DEAN LINDSAY VIA SOCIAL MEDIA:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/deanlindsay
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/deanlindsay
Austin Customer Service Speaker
Austin Customer Service Speaker for Austin Customer Service Conference or Austin Customer Service Convention
Click arrow above and watch Austin Customer Service Speaker: Dean Lindsay
Author of The Progress Challenge : Working and Winning in a World of Change.
(Click here to watch more clips)
“The Progress Challenge is an excellent guide to both personal and professional success. The book helps the reader understand that change is inevitable, yet progress is a choice. In Lindsay’s words…”be progress”.”
– Jim Keyes
CEO, Blockbuster
“The Progress Challenge is a much needed kick in the pants for all of us. What an enlightening book!”
– Ken Blanchard,
coauthor of The One Minute Manager®
and Leading at a Higher Level
“Finally a meaningful book with a workable process for progress.”
– Gerhard Gschwandtner
Founder and Publisher
Selling Power Magazine
CLICK HERE FOR More info on Austin Customer Service Speaker, Dean Lindsay and The Progress Challenge
“Dean Lindsay is truly one of the best and most insightful speakers out there. I have hired him, heard him and read his work. He is always top notch with profitable tips and strategies – plus he is fun to watch. Dean Lindsay rocks!”
– Paul Rosowski
Regional VP – Central, Teknion
“Lindsay’s energy level seems to know no bounds.”
– Dallas Business Journal
*****************************************************
“Dean Lindsay is one sharp and funny guy. I have been in the business arena for over forty years and we have needed his unique voice for far too long.”
– Max Derden,
Partner, Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP
Looking for a Austin Customer Service speaker and/or an engaging Austin Customer Service training specialist for a Austin Customer Service Convention Austin Customer Service Conference
Dean is based in nearby Dallas, Texas, and travels nationwide for speaking engagements.
To discuss your event with Dean directly call him at: 214-457-5656 or email him at Dean@DeanLindsay.com
An authority on harnessing human potential and creating authentic business growth, Dean Lindsay is an engaging and highly sought-after business consultant and speaker.
Dean is an active member of the Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy and the American Society of Training and Development.
Your Austin Leadership event deserves a truly forward focused Austin Leadership speaker who is funny, engaging and has something fresh and empowering to share.
*****************************************************
CONNECT W/ AUSTIN CUSTOMER SERVICE SPEAKER DEAN LINDSAY VIA SOCIAL MEDIA:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/deanlindsay
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/deanlindsay
Austin Leadership Speaker
Austin Leadership Speaker for Austin Leadership Conference or Austin Leadership Convention
Click arrow and watch Austin Leadership Speaker: Dean Lindsay
Author of The Progress Challenge : Working and Winning in a World of Change.
(Click here to watch more clips)
About Dean Lindsay
Booking Info / Check Schedule
“If you desire to become a better leader, I recommend you add Dean Lindsay’s The Progress Challenge to your leadership toolkit. I especially liked the insight into the life and work of Viktor Frankl as well as Dean’s use of humor throughout the book – a valuable and enjoyable read. The Progress Challenge is an honorable challenge that anyone aiming to make a positive difference should take.”
– Ramon F. Baez
Vice President and Chief Information Officer
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
“Finally a meaningful book with a workable process for progress.”
– Gerhard Gschwandtner
Founder and Publisher
Selling Power Magazine
CLICK HERE FOR More info on Austin Leadership Speaker, Dean Lindsay and The Progress Challenge
“The Progress Challenge is an excellent guide to both personal and professional success. The book helps the reader understand that change is inevitable, yet progress is a choice. In Lindsay’s words…”be progress”.”
– Jim Keyes
CEO, Blockbuster
“The Progress Challenge is a much needed kick in the pants for all of us. What an enlightening book!”
– Ken Blanchard,
coauthor of The One Minute Manager®
and Leading at a Higher Level
*****************************************************
“Dean Lindsay is one sharp and funny guy. I have been in the business arena for over forty years and we have needed his unique voice for far too long.”
– Max Derden,
Partner, Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP
Looking for a Austin Leadership speaker and/or an engaging Austin Leadership training specialist for a Austin Leadership Convention Austin Leadership Conference
Dean is based in nearby Dallas, Texas, and travels nationwide for speaking engagements.
To discuss your event with Dean directly call him at: 214-457-5656 or email him at Dean@DeanLindsay.com
An authority on harnessing human potential and creating authentic business growth, Dean Lindsay is an engaging and highly sought-after business consultant and speaker.
Dean is an active member of the Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy and the American Society of Training and Development.
“Dean Lindsay is truly one of the best and most insightful speakers out there. I have hired him, heard him and read his work. He is always top notch with profitable tips and strategies – plus he is fun to watch. Dean Lindsay rocks!”
– Paul Rosowski
Regional VP – Central, Teknion
“Lindsay’s energy level seems to know no bounds.”
– Dallas Business Journal
Your Austin Leadership event deserves a truly forward focused Austin Leadership speaker who is funny, engaging and has something fresh and empowering to share.
*****************************************************
CONNECT W/ AUSTIN LEADERSHIP SPEAKER DEAN LINDSAY VIA SOCIAL MEDIA:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/deanlindsay
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/deanlindsay
Austin Sales Speaker
Austin Sales Speaker for Austin Sales Conference or Austin Sales Convention
Click arrow and watch Austin Sales Speaker: Dean Lindsay
Author of The Progress Challenge : Working and Winning in a World of Change.
(Click here to watch more clips)
About Dean Lindsay
Booking Info / Check Schedule
“If you’re serious about the Sales profession and Sales leadership then this is the book for you. The Progress Challenge offers lots of helpful tips and ideas that will enhance your skills in the field of sales. Dean’s style and sales examples keeps you engaged throughout the book. This is a quick read and one that I enjoyed.”
– Dave Nostrand
Vice President, Sales – Eastern Region
Marriott International, Inc.
“This book is your GPS for personal and professional progress.”
– Willis Turner, President/CEO
Sales & Marketing Executives International
“Finally a meaningful book with a workable process for progress.”
– Gerhard Gschwandtner
Founder and Publisher
Selling Power Magazine
CLICK HERE FOR More info on Austin Sales Speaker, Dean Lindsay and The Progress Challenge
*****************************************************
“Dean Lindsay is one sharp and funny guy. I have been in the business arena for over forty years and we have needed his unique voice for far too long.”
– Max Derden,
Partner, Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP
Looking for a Austin Sales speaker and/or an engaging Austin Sales management training specialist for a Austin Sales Convention Austin Sales Conference
Dean is based in nearby Dallas, Texas, and travels nationwide for speaking engagements.
To discuss your event with Dean directly call him at: 214-457-5656 or email him at Dean@DeanLindsay.com
An authority on harnessing human potential and creating authentic business growth, Dean Lindsay is an engaging and highly sought-after business consultant and speaker.
Dean is an active member of the Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy and the American Society of Training and Development.
“Dean Lindsay is truly one of the best and most insightful speakers out there. I have hired him, heard him and read his work. He is always top notch with profitable tips and strategies – plus he is fun to watch. Dean Lindsay rocks!”
– Paul Rosowski
Regional VP – Central, Teknion
“Lindsay’s energy level seems to know no bounds.”
– Dallas Business Journal
Your Austin Sales event deserves a truly forward focused Austin Sales speaker who is funny, engaging and has something fresh and empowering to share.
*****************************************************
CONNECT W/ AUSTIN SALES SPEAKER DEAN LINDSAY VIA SOCIAL MEDIA:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/deanlindsay
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/deanlindsay
“The Progress Challenge is an excellent guide to both personal and professional success. The book helps the reader understand that change is inevitable, yet progress is a choice. In Lindsay’s words…”be progress”.”
– Jim Keyes
CEO, Blockbuster
“The Progress Challenge is a much needed kick in the pants for all of us. What an enlightening book!”
– Ken Blanchard,
coauthor of The One Minute Manager®
and Leading at a Higher Level
Dallas Motivational Speaker
Dallas Motivational Speaker
Click arrow above and watch Dallas Motivational Speaker: Dean Lindsay
Author of The Progress Challenge : Working and Winning in a World of Change.
(Click here to watch more clips)
“The Progress Challenge is an excellent guide to both personal and professional success. The book helps the reader understand that change is inevitable, yet progress is a choice. In Lindsay’s words…”be progress”.”
– Jim Keyes
CEO, Blockbuster
“The Progress Challenge is a much needed kick in the pants for all of us. What an enlightening book!”
– Ken Blanchard,
coauthor of The One Minute Manager®
and Leading at a Higher Level
“Finally a meaningful book with a workable process for progress.”
– Gerhard Gschwandtner
Founder and Publisher
Selling Power Magazine
CLICK HERE FOR More info on Dallas Motivational Speaker, Dean Lindsay and The Progress Challenge
“Dean Lindsay is one sharp and funny guy. I have been in the business arena for over forty years and we have needed his unique voice for far too long.”
– Max Derden,
Partner, Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP
Looking for a Dallas Motivational speaker and/or an engaging Dallas Motivational training specialist for a Dallas Motivational Convention or Dallas MotivationalConference
Dean is based in Dallas, Texas, and travels nationwide for speaking engagements.
To discuss your event with Dean directly call him at: 214-457-5656 or email him at Dean@DeanLindsay.com
An authority on harnessing human potential and creating authentic business growth, Dean Lindsay is an engaging and highly sought-after business consultant and speaker.
Dean is an active member of the Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy and the American Society of Training and Development.
“Dean Lindsay is truly one of the best and most insightful speakers out there. I have hired him, heard him and read his work. He is always top notch with profitable tips and strategies – plus he is fun to watch. Dean Lindsay rocks!”
– Paul Rosowski
Regional VP – Central, Teknion
“Lindsay’s energy level seems to know no bounds.”
– Dallas Business Journal
Your Dallas Motivational event deserves a truly forward focused Dallas Motivational speaker who is funny, engaging and has something fresh and empowering to share.
*****************************************************
CONNECT W/ Dallas Motivational SPEAKER DEAN LINDSAY VIA SOCIAL MEDIA:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/deanlindsay
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/deanlindsay
