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Take advantage of technological resources to optimize your time and efficiently manage your resources. Organizing an event requires time and a great effort for those who have to dedicate themselves to it. Fortunately, technology has made it much easier these days. Here are 6 useful apps to help you with event planning and management: "Success is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well." Jim Rohn DanielaSánchezSilva©

Adapting your event in relation to its purpose will help achieve your goals and improve your brand image. The organization of events is a communication tool that allows you to optimize profits and sales, attract or retain customers, present or advertise a product, service or company, create a better brand experience and generate cohesion between groups. In order to select the adequate event, they should be classified according to various variables such as: expected objectives, financing, target demand and duration. In this way, it is possible to differentiate between assemblies, congresses, fairs and exhibitions, courses, seminars, conventions and symposia, among others. Another very important aspect will be to determine the message that you want to convey and to which target audience it is directed. Once it has been determined, it will be time to choose the type of event that best suits our needs. Criteria for selecting an event The events are differentiated and can be classified according to different variables such as: type of objectives to be achieved, event organizers, participant requirements, duration and financing. - Organizer: It can be public when the proposal comes from the government (ministry, secretariat, embassy, ​​etc.) or private when it is a company, institution (university, civil organization, institute, etc.), individual or a group . - Objectives: It is the purpose that guides the tasks to be carried out and gives the event its reason to exist. Some types of objectives can be: training, advertising, social action, business, celebration, scientific dissemination, entertainment, commemoration, motivation, political, etc. - Access: The events can be paid or free. On some occasions there may be a list of special guests who do not pay the entrance fee as they support the event through their brand image associated with the event. - Character: They can be public, open to all who wish to participate, or private, with entry through an invitation. - Public: In this case we can find two types: external or internal. The external public such as: suppliers, distributors, clients, press, government, community, competitors, unions, entities, etc. The internal are members that make up the organization that organizes the event, such as its employees or partners. - Economic scope: Events can pursue economic, charitable objectives such as raising funds for a CSR program or institutional, such as a corporate family day or an employee motivation meeting. Here are some of the main types of events that you can hold to boost your business: Congresses are meetings that are held periodically (annually, every two years ...) in which people belonging to the same body, the same profession or with a common interest in a specific topic participate. The reasons that lead to organizing a congress should be: to transfer information, generally current in the sector, and to make sure that the information reaches the same time and to the group of people to whom it corresponds to receive it. It can also pursue the objective of facilitating discussion and participation of the employees of a company. The duration of a congress varies between two and five days. The seminars are didactic meetings in which a group of experts impart knowledge to the participants through instructive talks to improve and expand their training. The average duration of the seminars is two days and the groups that participate in them are small (a maximum of fifty people). Conventions are company meetings whose objective is to study the progress, objectives, results, etc. At the same time, it has an integrating character, since it is intended to motivate and unite the work-team in order to achieve the objectives jointly. Conferences are acts whose main characteristic is the public appearance of one or more personalities to deliver a speech on a specific topic and with a particular interest for the society in general or for a group of people in a specific sector. The conferences administer different formats and, on occasions, the press is summoned to publicize the event. They consist of meetings on a specific topic that is interesting to develop among all attendees. They can last up to a week. Attendees actively participate, because they do not receive the information already prepared, but instead seek it on their own in a collaborative environment. Fairs and exhibitions are wide-ranging events in which companies in a certain sector exhibit their products in a specific time and space so that visitors can learn about their products or services. Companies place their stands, which become marketing tools, to boost their business and present their news to an audience interested in their products. Fairs and exhibitions attract a lot of people and represent an important source of income for exhibitors, organizers and the city in which they are held. A new product, a new company or a new organization is presented to the media and attendees in a launch, which will be launched on the market. For a product to be successful, research, planning, and a skilled and knowledgeable marketing team are necessary. The new product must meet the needs of the consumer in terms of quality, price and function. A product that does not convey new emotions, new values, new advantages and is not capable of generating an impact on the consumer, will not be a successful product launch. The inaugurations have become an ideal instrument to show the achievements, the new facilities or the buildings of the company. The objective is that the public knows what is going to be inaugurated and what it means, both for the organization and for the consumers, clients, staff, etc. Therefore, the presence of the media and dissemination on social networks is essential. The workshops are interactive activities between those who teach the subject and those who participate in it. The usual duration is a maximum of four hours and can be part of another type of larger event. They can be organized to train company employees or to introduce new products or services to customers. Includes musical, sporting, cultural, gastronomic events. The objective is to enhance the playful aspect of the event thanks to fun aspects, and to strengthen and consolidate the links between workers, with customers, suppliers or the general public. Regardless of the chosen event, to achieve the expected success it must be approached in terms of creation, generation and connection, so that the brand concept can be effectively linked with the public. Currently, the new trends in event organization revolve around the creation of multidisciplinary events, integrating experience, entertainment, technology and reach. Each event is unique and unrepeatable, take advantage of it to create extraordinary experiences. DanielaSánchezSilva©

An open house event is an ideal opportunity to show the characteristics and values of an organization to the community. An open day is an event in which an organization invites one or more audiences so that they can get to know the place and the operation of its facilities. This event can be held during one day or several, and can pursue various objectives such as: those of a hotel, for example, to present its lounges, rooms and gastronomic services, an industry to exhibit its new machines and equipment, a company to offer training, demonstrations and specialized attention, an airline to take your guests to know one of their planes or a school to get new students. During the day, the guests will be able to tour the facilities, observe the way of working, learn about the production processes, assess the investments and appreciate the benefits that the organization brings to the community. To make the event successful it is important to put together a good budget and plan the activity at least two months in advance. Do not forget to choose the dates taking into account the calendar of the participants. Regarding the transfer, it must be in charge of the organizers, who will also have to coordinate the logistics with the guides. Prepare a list of frequently asked questions and answers for the tour staff. It is important that the necessary security measures are taken for the proper functioning of the tour of the facilities. Everything must be in perfect condition. Try to prepare a special setting and a food service appropriate to the number of guests. It may also be a good option to deliver personalized presents. The local staff should be informed about the visit, and those who will be hosts should receive training on how to serve and communicate to the public. In case that you decide to do a digital event, you must create a registration form to register for the virtual tour, and check all the technical aspects with the organization's technology or IT area. The communication plan must be detailed and specify each of the chosen communication channels. Prepare brochures, posters, discount coupons and all the necessary promotional material to deliver on the day of the event. At the end of the day, both in person and online, I recommend you to follow up and send a thank you email for the visit, along with a summary of the activity and additional information. Finally, do not forget to measure the results through metrics in the case of virtual events, or through indicators such as the number of visits or sales, in the case that the event was in person. The only universal way to welcome is with a smile. DanielaSánchezSilva©

The work of creating digital content may seem very complicated, but with these applications you can create high-impact publications. Softwares for creating brochures, enhancing your images, editing videos or tools to share documents in a team are just some of the parts that are important to manage to create attractive digital content. Here you will find 30 applications to surprise and generate content: ILLUSTRATOR: It is a design application that allows you to capture your creative vision with shapes, colors, effects and fonts. CANVA: It is one of the most used tools to create digital content. PHOTOSHOP: Image and photography editing tool used to retouch photos and make montages. MINDMEISTER: Tool to easily generate mind and concept maps. LIGHTROOM: One of the most complete photo editing applications on the market. PICSART: It incorporates many photo editing functions to achieve incredible results. OVER: A very simple app with which you will get original photos with text. UNIFOLD: Your templates will dramatically improve your stories. MEITU: App with effects, filters and makeup for photos and videos. A COLOR STORY: Very useful for correcting light, color and contrast in all your photos. THINGLINK: Application to create videos, images and 360º / VR. SNAPSEED: With this app you can erase objects and people from your photos perfectly. VISCO: You can edit photos using predesigned filters and create your own ones. VIDEOLEAN: It is a tool for creating digital content in digital video format. MDIRECTOR: It offers software to configure email marketing campaigns and reach customers in the best way. SLIDESHARE: It is the most used tool to share knowledge through presentations. MOJO: Create wonderful video stories by its predesigned templates. LIFE LAPSE: Great for creating stop motion videos that capture the attention of your community. CAPCUT: One of the best apps for editing video from a smartphone. VIDEO LEAD: Video editing app, combine clips, add texts and effects. GOOGLE DRIVE: It is a powerful Google tool that allows you to have all your digital assets in any space. FOTOJET: It is an application that allows you to convert images into works of art. TOGGL TRACK: It will help you manage your projects and keep track of your times. PINTEREST: A social network full of images that will inspire you. LANDING OPTIMIZER: With this platform you will be able to create landing pages optimized for desktop and mobiles in a few minutes. INFOGRAM: It's a really cool data publishing tool. PIKTOCHART: It is an ideal tool to incorporate content in the form of infographics. GIPHY: Ideal to get the best gifts already converted into video. UNSPLASH: Website with a free stock of high-quality images. EVERNOTE: Join the digital platform that works as a notepad. "Innovation distinguishes leaders from followers." Steve Jobs DanielaSánchezSilva©

The press conference is an event organized by companies, governments or organizations that aims to communicate relevant information simultaneously and to various media. A press conference reaches the public through traditional media such as radio, television or the Internet and allows you to increase your relationship with the specialized press on a particular theme. When planning this type of event, it is essential to define the content of the message you want to convey. You must also evaluate the relevance of the information, which implies that it must be a topic of great interest or to cover urgently. In case the topic to be developed is not relevant or actual enough, it will be better to send press releases, or invite journalists to small meetings, such as work breakfasts or lunches. Some tips for organizing a press conference: - Set the date and time, taking into account working and non-working days, as well as events related to the media. - Determine a place of easy access. Include a plan in the invitation to facilitate logistics. - The invitation must include place, date, objective, participants, program, telephone and email to confirm attendance. Try to send them at least two weeks in advance, and keep track of each one. - Issue printed and / or digital credentials for guests and staff where the name, surname and news agency to which they belong or that the service they provide is shown clearly. You can use different colors for better visualization. - Updates the press database in order to avoid incorrect shipments. - Make sure that the entire technological infrastructure works perfectly. Sound, communications and Internet must be checked prior to the start of the event. - Ensure that the space is adequate. Each journalist must have his place, as well as the speakers. It is essential to reserve a special area for managers and an exclusive area for personal interviews. Do not forget to install a press background for the photos. - Prepare a budget that includes: catering service, setting, printed material, lighting, sound and recording, scenery and hiring of additional staff. - It trains the spokespersons of the organization for the interventions of the speakers, and in case the conference is open, to possible questions. - Organize the accreditations in alphabetical order (surnames) at the time of delivering the credentials and the press dossier. - The press dossier must include: an index, an opening text with the purpose of the statement, a corporate presentation, a gazette about what is going to be announced, copies of the speakers' speeches and contact email so that the journalist can request more information. In the case of being sent digitally, photographs or videos may be included. - Do not forget to strategically plan the visual identity. Logos can be added behind the speakers, podium and space for photographic shots and recordings. - Prepare table posters for the speakers, including the name and surname, position and logo of the organization if required. - Keep track of the times according to the established program. Plan each activity in advance. - Train staff on how to communicate with the media and the importance of immediacy when answering questions or queries. - Designate a master of ceremony to coordinate the event. A speaker or moderator with experience in this type of event, and that can coordinate the questions fluently is recommended. - After the conference, send additional information, photographs or interviews to the news agency that are interested in covering the event, and also thank all the participants. + INSPIRATION "The press is like the weather, a man-made climate." Woody Harrelson DanielaSánchezSilva©

The Halloween party that is celebrated on October 31 is one of the most popular events all around the world. The Halloween celebration takes place on October 31 and is a tradition that originated with Celtic Samhain (which means "end of summer"), when people lit bonfires and dressed up to scare away ghosts. In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as All Saints' Day, and Samhain traditions were incorporated into this Christian holiday. With the passage of time, this festival has been incorporating various cultures, coexisting with the local traditions of each place. Currently, Halloween is one of the most important dates on the festive calendar in many countries, which with its celebration commemorate the union or extreme closeness of the world of the living and the dead. Here are 5 ideas that you can implement to liven up your Halloween event: +INSPIRATION Halloween is a great day to learn to overcome your fears! DanielaSánchezSilva©

We have now seen how virtual events have managed to allow organizations to activate a large part of their event calendar that previously seemed immobilized by the global health crisis. During the international crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, countless companies and consultancies began to provide their services and knowledge so that their clients can adapt to new environments, but the questions are: Did virtual events replace physical events? And, what are your main advantages and disadvantages when organizing virtual communication with our clients? Below you will find a summary of some advantages and disadvantages of this type of event, and also the alternative of their combination: Advantages of a virtual event - The cost related to the face-to-face mode is reduced. By avoiding travel, it is more economically profitable, and it also saves time for attendees. - They convey a concept about the product or service related to innovation and current affairs. - They allow to increase the public and its participation thanks to the interactivity in real time. Virtual events eliminate distances and make it possible to connect with people from anywhere in the world. - They provide a virtual experience that allows the visitor to experience a new way of approaching the brand. The creation of an avatar allows the participant to feel immersed in virtual reality and facilitates the meeting with other visitors. - They can be documented and be part of the content of our social networks for the desired time. - Your customers will be able to access more detailed information about your products and services. Many platforms offer a personalized website with all the information about the company, the biographies of the speakers and the possibility of downloading content such as presentations, technical sheets, videos, etc. - They admit the use of game and participatory dynamics that make the event a more complete experience through activities such as contests and the possibility of winning prizes. - They allow different types of events at the same time, such as: interactive round tables, talks and presentations with experts in real time, exhibition areas and stands, training workshops, among others. - They provide access to event statistics through financial reports, surveys, public participation, etc. that will allow you to measure the results in real time. Disadvantages of a virtual event - They require basic equipment and intermediate technological knowledge that not all our clients have. For the organization's staff, an additional training plan will need to be planned. - The lack of social interaction between the participants can have a negative effect on interpersonal relationships, which will impact the formation of work networks. Multidirectional communication is very important to generate commitment and encourage participation. - It is not possible to have control of the environment. Audience concentration is in constant jeopardy and action is required to constantly attract attention. - It is more difficult to get sponsorships than in face-to-face events. Hybrid events Hybrid events take advantage of virtual and physical events. This type of format combines the face-to-face with the virtual modality, since it includes any meeting or event with at least one group of participants present who connect digitally with the participants in another or several locations. In a hybrid event you can attend workshops, conferences, trainings, both online and in person. Advantages of hybrid events: - They reach a greater number of audiences (face-to-face + virtual). - They allow participants to participate alone or in small groups. - They provide new content and communication. - They connect multiple events that occur at the same time or at different times or places. - Increase the reach of messages by reusing event content. This option allows adding to the physical event some tools such as applications, online presentations, webcasts, social networks, chats, videos, streaming, etc. In this way, once the event ends physically, it remains virtually active. Hybrid events allow you to generate new types of experiences, increase content delivery and improve the participation rate. “Oftentimes it is the events that decide for us. Hence the need to calculate. Anticipate." Pierre Lemaitre DanielaSánchezSilva©

Boost your brand image and obtain a better customer experience with these simple steps. Realizing events is a fundamental investment for the development of any enterprise. Through the scheduled events you will be able to achieve a better visibility of your brand and a greater commitment from your customers, which will translate into higher sales. Here are some tips for you to start developing your project: "Successful leaders will be those who lead by inspiring individuals." John Sculley DanielaSánchezSilva©

The ceremonial and protocol is conformed as an event management technology that serves to maintain and strengthen relationships between the public. Throughout history, and within the social organization framework of each era, societies have sought and promoted methodologies that allow them to create, maintain and develop formal relationships, within and outside their own culture. The ceremonial, protocol and etiquette origin from customs, manners and social habits, and have, over-time, established rules for precedents and guidelines for interrelations and public action. At present, the enormous growth of organizations at the global and regional levels requires more and more the use of norms and rules that dictate the relationships between the different extended communities. That is why the advice of professionals who can coordinate ceremonies and events in dissimilar areas such as the government or the business world. The ceremonial and protocol professional must show initiative and skills to solve obstacles on the spot, so it is essential to have a genuine vocation for service and deep professional training, combining flexibility and dynamism with creativity and innovation. The most relevant aspects of ceremonial, protocol and etiquette are described below: CEREMONIAL It is the development of a sequence of steps to follow in an event of public or private nature. The ceremonial focuses on all aspects and forms related to the organization of an act or ceremony. Establishes guidelines for behavior and treatment of those who must act. It is based on the uses and customs, current legislation or common sense. The ceremonial carries the tools for the organization of the protocol. PROTOCOL It is a set of rules, laws, uses and customs necessary for the optimal organization of an event. The protocol establishes the rules, decrees and regulations to be observed in the ceremonial, and is the least similar to a direct or blind application of the rules, since it requires a lot of creativity to carry out each of its applications. Principles of the protocol The application of the protocol rules have two principles that guide their implementation: - Hierarchy principle: This principle refers to the proper location of both people and elements. For people, the precedence of the participants must be taken into account, while the hierarchy of elements or materials can be viewed according to the location of the flags or other symbols. - Organization principle: for the purposes of organizing, coordinating and scheduling an event, the nature of the event must be known in advance, as it will not be the same as a private, public or official event. Norms for governing the protocol - Legal norms: Laws or norms issued and dictated by the State, International Community or competent authority. In addition, they also include other criteria that may not be explicit in the legal regulations but are applied in events in which different authorities intervene. - Social norms: Rules or norms of each society that vary over time. They refer to socially established conventions and uses. - Moral norms: They are those that are based on good education and respect. They are determined by the existence of a moral duty. Application uses The protocol can be implemented with greater or less rigor depending on the scope of application and nature of the act and the people to whom the protocol is directed: - Civil: It is the rule and regulations implemented for public and diplomatic acts of the State, which determine the ranking of civil personalities. - Diplomatic: these are rules and formalities that are carried out concerning diplomatic ceremonies between state authorities. - Military: they are rules that determine the order of hierarchy, in all those acts of history, military or official. - Ecclesiastical: These are the regulations that govern liturgical acts and celebrations. - Business: Set of rules by which private companies regulate their actions. It is based on official and social protocols, although companies establish their own codes of conduct. - Social: Rules based on the official protocol and on the “know-how”, which are not mandatory, and are usually applied at social events. Orders of precedence Precedence refers to the ordering of individuals according to their official rank, which is assigned by law, tradition or use. Establishes the order and location based on the real importance that they have in society. In this sense, it is possible to differentiate those personalities that have their pre-established place for official reasons and those that do not. Likewise, this concept of precedence can be applied, not only to people but also to states, flags, anthems, institutions, etc. Taking into account this differentiation, it is possible to order an official act or an event with greater efficiency. These application criteria have been regulated through the centuries at the national and international level, and are regulated by laws and conventions. The basis for establishing precedence is the regulation from the official level. However, it is an instrument for support and guidance that can be applied to all the activities carried out in the private and institutional sphere. At the official level, the order of precedence is regulated by legal regulations. On the other hand, in the private sphere, for example a company, it is determined by its organizational structure, that is, according to the position or hierarchy of each person within the organization chart of the company. In turn, the host will be able to resolve the locations in relation to their adopted criteria. If no criteria are established, the alphabetical order is used. The precedents in acts must be analyzed and planned with the maximum detail, since an error can condition the success of the event. Main criteria for determining precedence The elements elements that provide a basis to establish a correct and adequate order in each act, whether of a public or private nature, or in any kind of event that requires planning (congresses, seminars, inaugurations, conferences, fairs, exhibitions, etc. ) can be determined as the following: - Seniority: On certain occasions it may happen that two official personalities of equal rank attend an act or event. In that case, one of the ways to determine your priority is by considering the seniority of the position to assign precedence. - Alphabetical order: Generally it is the most implemented and it is very useful in case personalities from different countries intervene, since it would be very problematic to establish an order of importance based on other parameters. In this way, you choose to order the countries based on the alphabetical order of the country. - Jurisdiction: This criteria determines that when an act is celebrated within a certain jurisdiction, the highest authority representing that territory has the most important provenance. - Alternation: This criteria arises from Public International Law, International Institutions and the signing of Bilateral Treaties. It is based on the premise that if in a given agreement country A signs to the left and country B to the right, in the next agreement it is done in reverse, that is, country A signs to the right and B to the left. - Representativeness: Representativeness supposes that before the possibility of taking part in an act or event two people of equal rank, one belonging to the public sector and the other to the private sector, the former will have preeminence over the latter. What predominates is what the individual represents and not his hierarchical rank. - Responsibility: On some occasions, certain events are planned and coordinated by a person in charge of an organism, entity or institution. Therefore, out of courtesy, that person can occupy the place of honor. Likewise, it is important to note that in all types of official or private acts, as well as in all events, it is necessary to be guided by a dose of common sense for the ordination of authorities. It is necessary to take into account who is organizing the event, where it is taking place and what is the reason for its celebration. This determines that on certain occasions, a person must be placed in a certain position considering what he represents for that particular circumstance, regardless of the hierarchy that he occupies in relation to the other members of the event. ETIQUETTE The etiquette represents the socially accepted principles of education, dress and apparel. Etiquette is related to knowing how to be in any situation, and although it does not always include in the protocol, on the other hand, every act of protocol does require compliance with the rules of etiquette. It is about the ceremonial of styles, habits and customs that must be observed in all acts and public and solemn ceremonies, as well as in the external manifestations of social life. We can also define the netiquette or internet etiquette as the set of rules that seeks to regulate the behavior of users on the internet to maintain healthy behaviours in digital environments. In other words, it is the etiquette of daily and face-to-face life transferred to virtuality. Currently, ceremonial, protocol and etiquette are key elements in the organization of events that are characterized by taking into account cognitive processes and informality in official relations. Finally, it is important to note that the value of an agile approach is increasing, fundamentally because we find ourselves in an increasingly changing world that rejects pomposity or uselessness and, on the contrary, seeks the practical, simple and schematic. "Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude Zig Ziglar DanielaSánchezSilva©

Make your presentation stand out with these digital design and editing tips. In many circumstances of our training or work experience we are faced with the moment in which we must present our work and we have very little time available. That is why the use of digital tools will be crucial to achieve our goals. To achieve a high-impact presentation, it is important to start the presentation with an attention-grabbing headline, an engaging image, or a rhetorical question that creates curiosity. Regarding the design, it is important that the same template is always used, preferably with a plain and neutral background, and that the use of colors is limited to the same palette without adding distracting elements. One of the main mistakes is inserting only text in each slide and then start the slideshow. It is also important to avoid lists and enumerations, one idea per slide is recommended and never more than four bullets aligned and separated by a greater line spacing. In relation to typeface, it is always better to choose sans serif and not combine more than two styles in an average size of 22 points. It is preferable to avoid italics, capital letters and underlining that generally make reading difficult. Only use images that help to understand and remember concepts and ideas and not as a decorative element. Do not overdo it with the use of animations (some simple effects to speed up the reading rhythm) or complex graphics that require too much time to be explained. Warm colors work together to bring out the most relevant data. Finally, don't forget to say thank you and close the presentation with positive and inspiring words. Some digital tools for creating presentations PREZI: Its design allows for creating high-quality, high-resolution presentations from a distance on all devices. Among its relevant features, it has a camera, whose function allows you to zoom in and out of the sections, in addition to adding videos, graphics and texts. ZOHO SHOW: Using a unique URL, you can share your presentation with the audience you want or, if you prefer, link your presentation on websites, blogs or on social networks. It is a tool that allows you to generate slides with multiple editing; that is, several users can edit the presentation in real time. VISME: In this program you can create a multitude of graphic resources such as presentations, reports, files to print, business cards, images for social networks, among other options. It contains an extensive image gallery and elements to create infographics. CANVA: With this program you can edit digital assets from a cell phone, tablet or computer without the need to have knowledge of graphic design. At the same time, it is used to easily create online presentations in a few minutes with eye-catching templates and a professional style. KEYNOTE: It provides a variety of layouts, original slide transitions, as well as including voice narration and animated presentations. SLIDEBEAN: This virtual resource works with an artificial intelligence algorithm, which facilitates the creation of settings for each slide based on the characteristics that are defined before starting the construction of the presentation. GENIALLY: It is a tool that allows you to create interactive infographics with images, icons, animations, videos, images, infographics, games, maps, questionnaires, eposters and many more options. Provides great ease of use and a variety of templates. "Design creates culture. Culture shapes values. Values determine the future." Robert L. Peters DanielaSánchezSilva©

Knowing how to listen allows us to determine what the client wants and needs. Most of us would be willing to admit that talking is better than listening. Speaking is a sign of authority and activity, while listening seems to be a passive endeavor. The fact is that listening has been shown to be active, it is mental work. The listening process is made up of simple techniques: planning ahead, taking notes, asking the right questions at the right time, and being attentive to what we hear, verifying the data using feedback. To make this process even more challenging, there are several obstacles that prevent efficient listening. Environmental interference may be beyond our control. However, we can control the distractions that arise from ourselves. One of these distractions is divided attention. By trying to do too many things at once, we put ourselves and the client in an unfair position. There is another obstacle that may have its origin in ourselves; when we talk to ourselves we compromise our ability to listen to the customer. Obviously we must plan ahead, but we must avoid doing so while important information is reaching us. One of the worst obstacles when trying to listen is the fear of failure. By trying to get a vague idea of ​​the customer's concerns or only half listening to them, we are looking for precisely the failure we want to avoid. The active listening process begins before we meet the customer. Before making a visit we must prepare the information. It is necessary to anticipate questions and objections that we can expect from the customer and have possible answers ready for those objections. When greeting the client, we must try to form an idea of ​​their situation by asking them open questions of a general nature. The answers will give us a general context which we can drill down later for details. While listening to the client, it is advisable to maintain visual control and offer verbal and non-verbal confirmation that we are listening. Even if the customer talks incessantly, it is important to keep listening. We may be the beneficiaries of "inadvertent" words that can provide an angle for a successful sale. We can always redirect a conversation that deviates from the point, by means of a guiding question. Sometimes it is convenient to take notes, although these should be limited to facts and figures. Relying too much on notes can interfere with our ability to listen effectively and can be an unnecessary distraction for both parties. It is common for our clients to verbally express what we think they want and not what they really want. By listening and carefully observing the customer we can help to recognize an unspoken message and to solve the problem. There are several forms of physical interference that can distract us and prevent us from listening effectively to our customers. Noise, confusion, and fatigue can severely limit our concentration. However, the mental barriers are more serious. 5 obstacles that prevent us from listening carefully and that arise from ourselves 1. Indifference: Many times we think that what the client says is not important and we stop listening while our minds wander. This brings two obvious disadvantages: first, the client can say something very important while we are distracted and, second, and even more important, we are becoming lazy eavesdroppers and this habit can be difficult to eradicate later. Indifference in listening is without excuse; it means we downplay it, and if so, we are in the wrong place. 2. Impatience: It can be more understandable, although it is still an equally serious problem. We get impatient with a slow customer, or one who won't stop talking, and our ideas start to get ahead of the conversation. Therefore, we must observe strict discipline and focus on what the client says, even if he or she never finishes saying it. 3. Prejudice: If we allow prejudices to appear such as the way the clients speaks, their attitudes or their company, we have to learn to control them. By thinking of the client, from that perspective, we are interfering with the listening process. 4. The concern: We are all human. There will be times when we are preoccupied with personal or business problems. It is important to remain vigilant and not let this interfere with our purpose. When we enter and walk through the client's door, we must leave all those distractions behind. 5. Misuse of words: This is a double consequence problem. First, the client may have difficulty expressing himself and implying things that he does not intend to say. This can confuse us or lead us to misinterpret the message. Second, we can be guilty of misusing words and misinterpreting what a customer tells us. In the first case, it is important to ask questions if we suspect that the customer is not expressing himself clearly. In the second case, we have to concentrate on improving our own ability to express ourselves and our vocabulary. How to improve your listening habits There are multiple successful techniques that we can use to improve our listening habits. They are all simple techniques and they all require self-discipline. 1. Don't interrupt. Nothing overrides communication as well as interruption. By interrupting the client's line of ideas, we interrupt our listening process as well. Constant interruption results in a customer who is unwilling to talk. Or worse, that the client will feel annoyed with us. 2. Learn to listen between the lines. There is usually a discrepancy between what the client says and what he really means. It is possible that the customer is trying to hide a problem in its operations, or that he is not sure what the real problem is. In either case, the only way to determine the true meaning of what the customer is saying is to listen carefully. We listen between the lines when we observe both the client's non-verbal communication and what we see around us. 3. Focus on developing retention capacity. Taking too many notes can become a "crutch" if we rely on it too much. It interferes with our mental ability to retain information. However, when a customer presents us with a whole list of production figures or names, we may be forced to take notes. In this case it is useful. It tells the client that we are serious and that we care. 4. "Don't detune the customer." We have all come across clients who keep talking about topics that we consider unimportant. It is likely that many times we have "detuned" these people by thinking that we are not going to get anything of value from their conversation. There are two downsides to this: first, we are developing lazy listening habits that can interfere with valuable information, and second, we are losing useful information. 5. Do not become hostile or emotional while listening. We can drown out any sound by letting anger dominate while listening to someone with whom we disagree. First, the customer may not know that we disagree - second, if we disagree, there will be plenty of time during our sales presentation to express our point of view. If we disagree about something that has nothing to do with our business, it is better to leave our feelings unspoken. 6. Learn to ignore distractions. It's not worth getting distracted by outside influences during the sales presentation. If we are well disciplined in our listening habits, it will be easier to cancel out distractions. It is useful to remember that although the business environment can be distracting, it is likely that the customers are used to it and that it does not affect them as much as it does for us. All suggestions are geared toward fostering self-discipline and can be applied to our daily work. "The most important thing in communication is listening to what is not said" Peter F. Drucker DanielaSánchezSilva©

Receive your guests with a catering that goes beyond the traditional parameters and offers a different culinary experience. Food is a central element within an event that requires particular logistics in each format. Taking these parameters into account, the event organizer must design the best gastronomic proposal that will surprise their guests and suit their budget. Here are some ideas with alternative proposals that will take your event to the next level. FOOD TRUCKS Food trucks are an excellent option to give guests a greater variety of options, while also having the advantage of being able to be offered in open spaces. They are suitable at fairs and exhibitions, but they are also offered for private events. When hiring their services, you have to take into account the available space and adapt a covered space in case the weather does not allow for eating outside. An informal and cheerful proposal to enjoy outdoors or in spacious environments. AUTHOR'S KITCHEN Options prepared by world-class chefs add sophistication to an event. This type of catering works very well for corporate dinners or lunches, product launches or business presentations. If the budget allows it, it is advisable to hire a renowned chef who will surprise diners with his delicacies. It is recommended that the chosen dishes match the quality of the products offered. A perfect option for demanding guests when choosing the menu. ORGANIC AND SUSTAINABLE PROPOSALS Sustainable food has arrived at the events as a way of expressing the importance of caring for the environment and the commitment to responsible consumption. Breakfasts, brunches and snacks are the ideal occasion to add fresh, natural and healthy food to the menu. In this type of service it is very important to verify that the food comes from sustainable production and that all the material used can be recycled. Install a beverage station that avoids the consumption of disposable containers, and uses energy efficient equipment. Ideal for events included within internal communication, community relations and corporate social responsibility programs. REGIONAL OR HOMEMADE MEALS The dishes from the region are an excellent presentation letter in meals where international guests take part. It also provides the opportunity to enjoy the freshness of local flavors. I recommend you look for a cook who is experienced in typical food and use modern dishes. This mix of traditional and modern can be very attractive when presenting dishes. Do not forget that the emotional component of homemade food will always be highly valued by diners. An excellent option for global organizations and official visits. GASTRONOMIC EXPERIENCES A wine tasting, food tasting, dinner on the beach or in the country can be unique experiences that allow guests to enjoy delicious food, meet friends or colleagues and get to know new people. Take advantage of open spaces and events in unusual locations to offer original menus that include a wide range of options, ranging from the simplest to the most elaborate. End of the year dinners, anniversaries, weddings, birthdays and recognition days, are some of the events that allow us to explore fabulous gastronomic experiences. "Eating is sensory. It is about interpreting the information that your senses give you" Andoni Luis Aduriz DanielaSánchezSilva©