|
  |
|
|
| Author |
Message |
Rod Taylor
Guest
|
 Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2006 4:42 pm Post subject: Suggestions? |
 |
|
Transformers has recently moved to a new meeting place, using the
boardroom of a company. The building is situated in a fairly quiet
cul-de-sac, with office buildings on both sides of the road. We meet at
18:30.
It struck me that there might be a number of prospective members
working nearby. The question is - how best to reach them? I'm guessing
we're looking at about 600 employees spread over 40 companies. My guess
is that the employees will be mostly clerical, sales, and lower/middle
management.
Notices on office notice boards might be one option, although getting
these in place would have to be done during working hours. Does anyone
have any experience of this sort of recruiting?
What materials might work best? Pamphlets? Posters?
Should we mix the messages, or stick with one?
Should we attach our Club bulletin, or leave it in reception? (employees
may not read it, but visitors might.)
Should we do this one-off, or regularly (getting volunteers to get
permission and place materials during working hours will not be easy.)
All and any bright ideas welcome.
Rod Taylor (rodt iafrica - don't forget the @ and the dotcom)
Transformers Toastmasters Club
District 74, Southern Africa |
|
| Back to top |
|
rich.hopkins@gmail.com
Guest
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 12:30 am Post subject: Re: Suggestions? |
|
|
Sounds like you have many bright ideas already!
Still, nothing works better than personal invites. Go into some of
these companies and ask for a few minutes with the boss, and see if you
can get a few minutes at a company meeting.
Offer an open house with food and fun - see if you can get it promoted
in a local paper or newsletter.
Ultimately, though, I would think the key is getting allies on the
inside.
Rich.
Rod Taylor wrote:
| Quote: | Transformers has recently moved to a new meeting place, using the
boardroom of a company. The building is situated in a fairly quiet
cul-de-sac, with office buildings on both sides of the road. We meet at
18:30.
It struck me that there might be a number of prospective members
working nearby. The question is - how best to reach them? I'm guessing
we're looking at about 600 employees spread over 40 companies. My guess
is that the employees will be mostly clerical, sales, and lower/middle
management.
Notices on office notice boards might be one option, although getting
these in place would have to be done during working hours. Does anyone
have any experience of this sort of recruiting?
What materials might work best? Pamphlets? Posters?
Should we mix the messages, or stick with one?
Should we attach our Club bulletin, or leave it in reception? (employees
may not read it, but visitors might.)
Should we do this one-off, or regularly (getting volunteers to get
permission and place materials during working hours will not be easy.)
All and any bright ideas welcome.
Rod Taylor (rodt iafrica - don't forget the @ and the dotcom)
Transformers Toastmasters Club
District 74, Southern Africa |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
Colin William
Guest
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 1:31 am Post subject: Re: Suggestions? |
|
|
"Rod Taylor" <seemysignature@nospam.ever> wrote
| Quote: | It struck me that there might be a number of prospective members
working nearby. The question is - how best to reach them? I'm guessing
we're looking at about 600 employees spread over 40 companies. My guess
is that the employees will be mostly clerical, sales, and lower/middle
management.
|
I'd contact the human resources offices for these companies. With that many
companies they'll likely have a number of different policies on posting or
contacting employees, but since this is a professional training/development
opportunity HR may have an interest.
Colin |
|
| Back to top |
|
Jean
Guest
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 4:37 am Post subject: Re: Suggestions? |
|
|
Hi Rod
Don't know if you'd be up to doing what I would do but, in your
situation, I'd take in some goodies to my new 'neighbors' (every
receptionist you can find) and innocuously introduce myself, letting
them know that I'd be happy to chat some more but more neighbors to
meet and make sure you leave behind a brochure with where, time, etc.
and invite them over if they can make it... bring a friend...
One thing I've found, after many years in business, is that
receptionists know everyone and then some. They usually love to chat
and spread gossip about the new 'neighbors' and wasn't it sweet that we
came by and left goodies at the office and there's some new club really
close by and perhaps we should go and check them out.
Follow up if necessary with a 'remember me?' I was wondering if you
might be able to help me... who do you think would be the right person
to talk to about... etc.
It usually works wonders but it takes a bit more... how are your baking
skills anyway??? Chocolate chip cookie anyone???  ))
Warmest regards
Jean
Rod Taylor wrote:
| Quote: | Transformers has recently moved to a new meeting place, using the
boardroom of a company. The building is situated in a fairly quiet
cul-de-sac, with office buildings on both sides of the road. We meet at
18:30.
It struck me that there might be a number of prospective members
working nearby. The question is - how best to reach them? I'm guessing
we're looking at about 600 employees spread over 40 companies. My guess
is that the employees will be mostly clerical, sales, and lower/middle
management.
Notices on office notice boards might be one option, although getting
these in place would have to be done during working hours. Does anyone
have any experience of this sort of recruiting?
What materials might work best? Pamphlets? Posters?
Should we mix the messages, or stick with one?
Should we attach our Club bulletin, or leave it in reception? (employees
may not read it, but visitors might.)
Should we do this one-off, or regularly (getting volunteers to get
permission and place materials during working hours will not be easy.)
All and any bright ideas welcome.
Rod Taylor (rodt iafrica - don't forget the @ and the dotcom)
Transformers Toastmasters Club
District 74, Southern Africa |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
John Sleigh
Guest
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 5:00 am Post subject: Re: Suggestions? |
|
|
"Rod Taylor" has recently moved to a new meeting place, using the
| Quote: | boardroom of a company ... and there might be a number of prospective
members
working nearby. The question is - how best to reach them? I'm guessing
we're looking at about 600 employees spread over 40 companies. My guess
is that the employees will be mostly clerical, sales, and lower/middle
management.
|
Rod
This may well be the perfect application for telemarketing.
The HR / Training managers in larger organizations, the branch manager in
smaller companies. Just ring the switch and ask who to speak to.
(Grammarians please note the misuse of who in stead of whom and ending the
sentence with a proposition. Was that a Malapropism - or is it just a
Freudian slip? It certainly is not a spoonfed ism.)
Back to the topic:
A demo meeting works well as point to invite either prospective members or
the HR / Branch manager to, rather than just inviting them to a normal
meeting. Use the same format as for a new club without the election of
office bearers.
Is there a networking breakfast meeting in the area? There often is in
"business park" environments. Just attending the networking meeting once or
twice and introducing yourself as you, then adding your involvement with the
nearby TM club avoids the perception of attempting to take over. It may have
bonus value for your training business on the side. I recommend not asking
to speak to a networking club about Toastmasters, but on the other hand it
is perfectly OK to speak about the 10 mistakes power point users make, in
your intro and blurb sheet mention membership of Toastmasters for umpteen
years and your connection with the nearby club. Towards the end mention the
value of TM for practising, have some club details brochures handy and in
the networking afterwards respond to questions rather than selling.
Keep the names of the contacts on a mailing list for special events, like
presentation of a communication achievement award to the local kid who has
been selected as a Springbok. If there is not going to a wholesale spill of
the 'boks then maybe give the award to the person who set up the networking
meeting.
Just a few thoughts.
John Sleigh DTM
Sydney, Australia |
|
| Back to top |
|
John Sleigh
Guest
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 5:15 am Post subject: Re: Suggestions? |
|
|
| Quote: | "Rod Taylor" asked about attracting some of the people that work near to
his club's new meeting venue.
|
A technique that I used years ago was to run the Success Leadership
programs, starting with How to Listen Effectively, then a modifed Productive
Meetings then a Speechcraft.
I used that to build two clubs with people from the mining industry years
ago.
John |
|
| Back to top |
|
John Fleming, DTM
Guest
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 7:41 am Post subject: Re: Suggestions? |
|
|
On Sat, 19 Aug 2006 11:42:27 +0200, while chained to a desk in the
scriptorium, "Rod Taylor" <seemysignature@nospam.ever> wrote:
| Quote: | $Transformers has recently moved to a new meeting place, using the
$boardroom of a company. The building is situated in a fairly quiet
$cul-de-sac, with office buildings on both sides of the road. We meet at
$18:30.
$
$It struck me that there might be a number of prospective members
$working nearby. The question is - how best to reach them? I'm guessing
$we're looking at about 600 employees spread over 40 companies. My guess
$is that the employees will be mostly clerical, sales, and lower/middle
$management.
$
$Notices on office notice boards might be one option, although getting
$these in place would have to be done during working hours. Does anyone
$have any experience of this sort of recruiting?
|
Not directly, though a club I am familiar with does these kinds of
things. They are a lunchtime club that meets in the building in
question. Also if there are notice boards either in the elevators or
elevator lobbies, posters could possibly be posted here as well..
| Quote: | $What materials might work best? Pamphlets? Posters?
|
For a notice board, a poster would probably work best.
| Quote: | $Should we mix the messages, or stick with one?
|
I would stick with one.
| Quote: | $Should we attach our Club bulletin, or leave it in reception? (employees
$may not read it, but visitors might.)
|
Not the club bulletin, but maybe a copy of a Toastmaster magazine with a
club business card giveing time and location of the meeting.
| Quote: | $Should we do this one-off, or regularly (getting volunteers to get
$permission and place materials during working hours will not be easy.)
|
The club I know that does this sort of thing seems to do it on an
ongoing basis. Easier, of course, with publicly accessible notice
boards.
| Quote: | $All and any bright ideas welcome.
|
Another club that meets in the building where I work has arranged with
building management to place a sign at the building entrance on days the
club meets.
This sign is a permanent sign made out of two pieces of wood connected
along one edge with a pair of hinges. The sign gives the name of the
club and the meeting time and usual meeting location.
Come to think of it, they also put posters in elevator lobbies in the
building if there is a special meeting, for example, a guest speaker
coming in to do a presentation.
--
John Fleming, DTM
Edmonton, Canada
Attitude Boosters Toastmasters (7022-42) - Member
Chamber Toastmasters (5594 - 42) - Immediate Past President
A scientist can discover a new star but he
cannot make one. He would have to ask an
engineer to do it for him.
- Gordon L. Glegg |
|
| Back to top |
|
Rod Taylor
Guest
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 10:08 pm Post subject: Re: Suggestions? |
|
|
"John Fleming, DTM" <nospam@sprynet.com> wrote in message
news:r9bfe2tskctbnqlrtaf30pslmjmc7vk0an@4ax.com...
| Quote: | On Sat, 19 Aug 2006 11:42:27 +0200, while chained to a desk in the
scriptorium, "Rod Taylor" <seemysignature@nospam.ever> wrote:
$Transformers has recently moved to a new meeting place, using the
$boardroom of a company. The building is situated in a fairly quiet
$cul-de-sac, with office buildings on both sides of the road. We
meet at
$18:30.
$
$It struck me that there might be a number of prospective members
$working nearby. The question is - how best to reach them? I'm
guessing
$we're looking at about 600 employees spread over 40 companies. My
guess
$is that the employees will be mostly clerical, sales, and
lower/middle
$management.
$
$Notices on office notice boards might be one option, although
getting
$these in place would have to be done during working hours. Does
anyone
$have any experience of this sort of recruiting?
Not directly, though a club I am familiar with does these kinds of
things. They are a lunchtime club that meets in the building in
question. Also if there are notice boards either in the elevators or
elevator lobbies, posters could possibly be posted here as well..
$What materials might work best? Pamphlets? Posters?
For a notice board, a poster would probably work best.
$Should we mix the messages, or stick with one?
I would stick with one.
$Should we attach our Club bulletin, or leave it in reception?
(employees
$may not read it, but visitors might.)
Not the club bulletin, but maybe a copy of a Toastmaster magazine with
a
club business card giveing time and location of the meeting.
$Should we do this one-off, or regularly (getting volunteers to get
$permission and place materials during working hours will not be
easy.)
The club I know that does this sort of thing seems to do it on an
ongoing basis. Easier, of course, with publicly accessible notice
boards.
$All and any bright ideas welcome.
Another club that meets in the building where I work has arranged with
building management to place a sign at the building entrance on days
the
club meets.
This sign is a permanent sign made out of two pieces of wood connected
along one edge with a pair of hinges. The sign gives the name of the
club and the meeting time and usual meeting location.
Come to think of it, they also put posters in elevator lobbies in the
building if there is a special meeting, for example, a guest speaker
coming in to do a presentation.
|
Thanks, John. Nice ideas.
I agree that it's much easier in one larger building where everyone has
access to the same entrance, lobby and lifts. In this case we have a
number of small buildings, each independent in terms of access and very
little or no interaction or communication between the individual
buildings, companies, or parking areas. A few will be buildings occupied
by a single
company, others may have two or three small companies in the same
building.
I expect that permission would be needed from each company.
Since we are now using one company's boardroom and they are familiar
with us, that doesn't leave very much opportunity for recruiting in that
building, since there are only two other small companies operating in
that building.
There must be a way to make it work, but I haven't much idea how to
approach the problem without a huge amount of work from our members
during working hours, and only one of us works in that area.
Rod Taylor (rodt iafrica - don't forget the @ and the dotcom)
Transformers Toastmasters Club
District 74, Southern Africa |
|
| Back to top |
|
John Fleming, DTM
Guest
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 10:25 pm Post subject: Re: Suggestions? |
|
|
On Sat, 19 Aug 2006 22:00:32 GMT, while chained to a desk in the
scriptorium, "John Sleigh" <john_sleigh@yahoo.com.au> wrote:
| Quote: | $"Rod Taylor" has recently moved to a new meeting place, using the
$> boardroom of a company ... and there might be a number of prospective
$> members
$> working nearby. The question is - how best to reach them? I'm guessing
$> we're looking at about 600 employees spread over 40 companies. My guess
$> is that the employees will be mostly clerical, sales, and lower/middle
$> management.
$
$Rod
$
$This may well be the perfect application for telemarketing.
|
LOL
After the little interchange on the subject of telemarketing in this
newgroup the other day, I hope I'm not the only one who sees some humour
here.
--
John Fleming, DTM
Edmonton, Canada
Attitude Boosters Toastmasters (7022-42) - Member
Chamber Toastmasters (5594 - 42) - Immediate Past President
A scientist can discover a new star but he
cannot make one. He would have to ask an
engineer to do it for him.
- Gordon L. Glegg |
|
| Back to top |
|
Jonathan
Guest
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2006 3:24 pm Post subject: Re: Suggestions? |
|
|
Rod Taylor wrote: The question is - how best to reach them?
Hi Rod,
I think the flyers, permission and posting it the best way to go.
I might add to the list, libraries as a place to post. Also a phone
call to find the corporate trainer. Promote the benefit that it will
cost nothing to the business for this staff improving educational work
you do.
Here are a few suggestions on how to put one together.
Limit it to three things. Maybe three things to help.... Three things
to avoid in a presentation... etc. http://speechmastery.com/three.html
To get some ideas on headliners and introductions check out
http://bencivengabullets.com/bullets
All of what he says applies to public speaking too.
But if these will not work for you, then you may need to resort to the
old faithful press release. Use the key work Press Release for a
search on how to make one.
Or half way down this page is a link for 89 free press release tips...
http://www.speechmastery.com/professional-speaker.html
And don't forget the radio. I don't know if you have talk radio on the
weekends like in the US but they often are looking for experts to
interview.
Regards.
Jonathan |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
"Toastmasters
International", "Toastmasters" and the Toastmasters
International emblem are trademarks protected in the United
States, Canada and other countries where Toastmasters Clubs
exist. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.
|
|
|
