Back in my training and development days at Westinghouse, Creative Productions, Dean Witter and Coopers & Lybrand, I managed and planned meetings independent of any organization-wide SMMP initiative. In fact, SMMP was not even a twinkle in anyone’s strategy. The merger of Coopers & Lybrand and Pricewaterhouse led to a consulting braintrust that created one of the first SMMPs in the industry in 1997. Honored, grateful and lucky, I led that SMMP for many years before I started the T&E consulting practice at PwC. While some companies such as PwC have advanced-level programs, many organizations and associations are just starting down the SMMP maze. Reducing meeting spend and risk, and ensuring compliance to regulatory policies are only three of the many reasons to manage meetings and events strategically.
As a collaborative effort with Meetings and Conventions Magazine, I will be delivering a four-part, distance learning accredited course on “Launching a Strategic Meetings Management Program” throughout October. The four-part course offers numerous takeaways for audiences in the U.S. and abroad. Below and attached are the course descriptions.
Week 1: Plotting SMMP Strategy, October 6, 2010; 2:00-3:00 p.m. EDT
Review the key components of a Strategic Meetings Management Program, understand the benefits of the initiative and learn how to present the idea to top management and key stakeholders. Among takeaways is an extensive template participants can use for building a professional business case.
Week 2: Establishing an SMM Policy, October 13, 2010; 2:00-3:00 p.m. EDT
A policy governing Strategic Meetings Management is much deeper than a traditional meetings policy. Key components include risk management, security, contracting and compliance. Participants will receive a policy template that can be tailored to individual needs.
Week 3: Implementing SMMP; October 20, 2010: 2:00-3:00 p.m. EDT
Putting the plan in action involves targeted marketing, communications and change management strategies. Learn to develop an action plan for rolling out the results of your efforts. Among takeaways is a suggested timeline.
Week 4: Measuring the Success of your SMMP, October 27, 2010; 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. EDT
Benchmarking, measuring and reporting are critical steps in measuring the effectiveness of SMM. Learn the key tools and techniques to use to demonstrate hard and soft dollar value and strive for continual improvement.
The series in October will be $49.95 for all four sessions. To register, go to http://www.mcmag.com/smmpseries
Debi Scholar, GLP, CMM, CMP, CTE, CTT
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Debi has the following designations:
· Wharton Aresty Executive Education/National Business Travel Association (NBTA) Global Leadership Professional (GLP)
· Meeting Professionals International Certificate in Meetings Management (CMM)
· Convention Industry Council Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)
· NBTA Corporate Travel Expert (CTE)
· Six Sigma Green Belt
· Chauncey Certified Technical Trainer (CTT)
Debi was selected as:
· Meetings Management Mover and Shaker by Corporate and Incentive Travel Magazine (2010)
· Top 20 Changemaker who influenced the meetings management industry by Corporate Meetings and Incentives (2008)
· Best Meeting Practitioner by Business Travel News (2007)
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