The following OPINION will undoubtedly raise some brows so I wanted to provide this little caveat so that folks will know the spirit in which this write-up is being offered. I believe EXCELLENCE is a top-down behavior. I also believe it is important that we provide honest and usefully constructive criticism to help drive improvements, which in turn delivers EXCELLENCE. With that said, let’s chat about yesterday's Chamber of Commerce experience.
First let me start off by saying it was wonderful to see so many people gathered for the expressed purpose of discussing economic development in the city of Plainfield. As Mr. Dunn remarked, the rebuilding of this city is going to require the collective mindset and commitment of our diverse community. I hope this is the beginning of the Queen city reclaiming her majesty!
Now having said that, here’s where this event faltered…
I’m not exactly clear what the evening’s event was about. What did the Chamber wish to gain as a result of the meeting? New Applicants? Real economic develop discourse? Networking? Ideas? Next Steps? All? Neither? Or, Something else?
As a meeting planner I can NOT help but look at the details, or lack thereof. And if I were to grade the execution of this meeting is would be a D- and here’s why…
• No chairs for invitees who worked all day (this can be assumed given it was held during the work week and in the PM)
o Being asked to stand on their feet (some in heels) for 2+ hr shows a lack of consideration and decorum
o Solution:We MUST do better at this!
Reaching out to the local school board could have easily remedied this as they have chairs and tables ‘a plenty’ that could have been loaned out for this event. What an awesome opportunity to PARNTER with community stakeholders!
• No podium
o Speakers had to juggle papers (very distracting)
o Speakers turned their back on the audience (although briefly) to find a resting place for their papers
• If a person registered for an event that person should have a copy of EVERYTHING that was a part of the evening’s event; including: Overall this gave an appearance of unpreparedness and very elementary; quite frankly unprofessional and does not display the level of EXCELLENCE we need at this juncture of our city’s plight to turn things around.
• It took away from the content of the presentations
o So that I am clear – there WAS ABSOLUTE VALUE offered last evening by the speakers but these ‘details’ detracted from the overall effectiveness of the opportunity
o Name tagThis BURNS my hide!!!
o Give-a-ways
o Presentations etc…
o And yes a SEAT
This was an absolute miss on the part of the coordinators. They took the time to send out an electronic invitation with an RSVP confirmation mechanism, which captured names and other important information, and then did not utilize this information to present a polished, professionally coordinated meeting.
• Speaker handouts
o They should be quality checked and coordinated or they should NOT be allowed to be distributed at YOUR function and that’s THAT!• Standing room only versus A Seated Group (area) That was a travesty
o You own the event! The perception of how it is managed from the door (which by the way was very pleasant from the security guard to the woman welcoming you in) but then it took a nose dive. It became haphazard and discombobulated, and then a cluster of confusion as folks stood around jockeying for a position to “see” the presenter.
The presenter should always be in view of the audience…ALWAYS!!!
o It took on an US against THEM persona
The ARRIVED versus the YET-TO-ARRIVE
• This is certainly no way to create an atmosphere of inclusion and collaboration
o Suggestion• If you advertise someone and they don’t show up – HELLO-- you don’t get to pretend it didn’t happen.
This type of event should never have a VIP area, EVER! If however, there is a need to have an area for your speakers then curtain them off from the general view of the public. One should not be able to see folks chatting and chewing while the “would-bees” are stuck standing and listening. It is a distraction from the presenter and rude. Not a good look!
Let me be clear, this is the PRECEPTION of the situation. I do not believe that was the INTENT of this group.
• You just need to be aware of creating this type of adversarial/awkwardness.
o Be a gracious host and address the public cordially and honestly. Anything less is shyster-ish . (I’m just saying…)
Well that about does it. I hope the next gathering of such a diversed group of folks will allow for some real idea exchanges, focus group development, but most importantly yield some well thought out economic development plans!
So, after all this I bet you are wondering if I would accept another invitation to attend such an event. Absolutely! I KNOW we can do better!
The real question is –will I be invited again? The answer depends on whether we want to do better, or are we OK with maintaining less than optimal outcomes!
I don't expect you to publish the last comment, but I ask you to do some research.You will not look at the elected officials, law enforcement or the Chamber of Commerce in this town in the same way ever again!
ReplyDeleteHey Anon -- you are right. There's a lot of accusation but no meat. You provided a report number but I have no way of knowing how or where to look that up. The details are too broad and quite honestly I don't have hours to research anything. I tried with that report # and came up with nothing...
ReplyDeleteI was at the meeting and agree with many of your points.
ReplyDeleteOverall, the night seemed more like a job fair / pep rally rather than a serious attempt by an organization geared towards re-energizing and growing business opportunities in this City.
You mentioned the us vs. them attitude of some speakers, which is probably what bothered me the most.
I've been to numerous City Council meetings as well as other city agency and commission meetings, etc. and have found that many folks in Plainfield seem to have a chip on their shoulder -- always nay saying the surrounding communities as if our leadership has all the answers. Well, it's been decades since this City has truly experienced growth and prosperity instead of blight and despair.
History and architecture can only do so much for this City; and a new supermarket, chicken joint and eye glass store can only do so much for revitalizing our community.
It would be refreshing if we could just be honest with ourselves about the issues that have faced this City for decades, then take a look around; and instead of nay-saying and trying to separate ourselves from our neighboring towns because "we don't want to be like them", let's take a few notes from their playbook and use it to our advantage.
I agree, we want our own identity, but our leaders need to know when to be humble and realize their ideas and strategies have not worked for years.
Those who lead us need to ask why our neighboring communities thrive economically, enjoy safe neighborhoods and are prosperous in business, education, etc.
I didn't walk away from this event with any more optimism than when I walked in, sadly enough.
Thank you for your candid input. You are So SPOT ON!!!
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