at some point, you just have jump off the cliff...

    Post by TMM guest blogger

    Lauren Stout, DMCP, CTA, Director of Sales
    

 

I can’t take credit for this saying… I was recently reminded of it by one of our well-respected colleagues in the industry. For me, it is equally applicable in the office as it is at home.

Human nature tends to be quite resistant to change… I tend to be more resistant than many. To say I’m a creature of habit would be an understatement… I eat the same thing from the same restaurants all the time, I have taken my coffee the same way for 10 years, I always pick out my outfit for work the night before, and I only use my email inbox at work for tasks that have not been completed. Everything else is systematically filed.

I realize that big change can bring big rewards… but at the same time, it is almost always uncomfortable. Case and point – we are implementing new software at the office and our partner understands our reticence to implement until every last formula is completed and every little button is perfectly branded and beautiful. It was during software orientation that she said something I found particularly valuable from a sales perspective “at some point you just have to jump off the cliff….”

Being a perfectionist by nature, I don’t like to do tasks unless they are as perfect as I think they can be. This is good and bad --- the product is usually very thorough, but it can take longer when you hesitate to just make something happen. There is most certainly a fine line between doing something right, and doing it at the right time – in a perfect world those lines will cross and you will invest exactly as much as you need to, no more, no less, to create the ideal product for your customer.

So, without further adieu, I’m going to continue to “jump off the cliff,” provided I have enough information to know that although it could be a bumpy ride down, there will be a stable enough landing at the bottom that I won’t be annihilated.

new year...new priorities

I love using the new year as a springboard for new priorities.  Just as I have to start diets on Mondays, I need to create new priorities at the beginning of each year.  What I find that I have to do to make this happen is to clear out and de-clutter my life.  This year more than ever, I am in a “less-is-more” mindset that is creating space for me to have new goals.

In December, I held my first “Tradition Sharing” brunch for my kids, nieces and nephews.  I wanted to clean out years of collections and yet wanted these special items to be enjoyed by the people I love most.  Two weeks before Christmas, our breakfast room was filled with multi-seasonal decorations, artwork, furniture and home accessories.  To minimize the competition – a lottery system was used.  By the end of the day, everyone had the things they wanted and I had  great pleasure in seeing them enjoy so many things that I had loved.

Next, I resigned my positions on the Board of the Mission Valley YMCA where I had served for the past 20 years and on the Board of the DMC Network  where I had served as President, Membership Chair and Board Member for more than 10 years.  I believe that Boards should be vibrant, evolving organizations and that there is great value to a balance of experience and new talent. I wanted to make room for new people – and I wanted to make room in my life for new priorities. The Network won’t have to make many adjustments as Trevor (my son and owner of TMM OC/LA) joined the Board.

So – what now? I want to learn a thousand new things – starting with my iPad. I want to take workshops at the Apple store and get comfortable with all that it can do. I want to go to Machu Picchu this year – I want to be the best wife, Mom and Yiayia I can be. It all takes time. And I want to be healthy and able to continue contributing to our company, our industry and my friends.

New Year – new priorities – new learning opportunities. I am excited. Hope you are too!

yule blog

Post by TMM guest blogger
Lauren Stout, DMCP, CTA, Director of Sales

I have been teased relentlessly at the office for the name of this blog, but in traditional quirky Lauren spirit, I think it’s hilarious and I’m posting it anyway. (For those of you who don’t get it, it’s a play on Yule Log.) Moving on…

It would be appropriate to write a holiday themed blog this month, and I was thinking of topics while I was hand decorating dozens of miniature Christmas trees to give to our valued industry partners this time of year. Then, with hands full of glitter, pine tree fragments and twine, it occurred to me – TRADITION.

Tradition is perhaps one of the most valuable parts of my life personally, and now,  (referring to the miniature trees above), professionally as well. I was raised in a household that valued tradition almost above anything else – we joke that my dad is “Mr. Christmas,” and to this day, I still consider him the patron saint of all holidays. As I have grown older and now have my own household to run, I have carried many of those traditions forward. Some are silly and small: “always eat Junior Mints in threes”, and some are more meaningful: give your child a new ornament every year for the Christmas tree that represents the past year. 

The tradition bug has carried over to work as well…. For the past several years, we have given our annual holiday gift of a miniature live Christmas tree. As each year passes, we revisit our friends – some have collected half a dozen trees over the years and don’t throw them out… some take it home and plant it. And some, go to the trouble of decorating it with mini ornaments. What they choose to do with the gift is less important than the fact that they anticipate it every year, and we are greeted with smiles when we walk in the door of their office carrying a mini tree farm.

It is well worth the glittery pine tree mess to be greeted with the anticipation of our valued partners and to participate in yet another holiday tradition every year.

the question is...Y give?

As I get older, I am reminded on a daily basis of how blessed our family and business has been.  Our good fortune has been dimensional – starting with strong, long-lasting personal and professional relationships and loving support.  When you have always had something – it is easy to take it for granted.

What does it feel like to not have your most basic needs – physical or emotional met?

What does it feel like to be alone?

Most of us take for granted the blessings and good fortune we have.  I have been involved with the Mission Valley Y for 22 years.  My first introduction to the Y was in 1988 when we were asked to partner with GE Plastics on “SHARE TO GAIN” - one of the most ambitious corporate/community service projects ever.   It was decided that between January and April of 1989, GE Plastics employees would renovate five nonprofit facilities--one by each of the four main divisions that would meet in San Diego, and one by another sales group that would be attending. Building renovations would be a particularly apt team-building project because participants could use many of the company's own products.

After considering twenty different possibilities, the planning committee chose five: the Copley Family YMCA near downtown San Diego; the Armed Forces YMCA, an antiquated facility catering to young enlisted personnel; the YMCA Surf Camp, an overnight beach site for YMCA's youth groups; the St. Vincent de Paul/Joan Kroc Homeless Shelter, a facility providing shelter for over 400 homeless people; and, finally, the William J. Oakes Boys' & Girls' Club, a safe haven for children of a dangerous San Diego neighborhood.

During the course of their five meetings in San Diego – with counts ranging from 100 to 700 people, our job was to identify and help coordinate local projects that would remain long after GE left.  Ultimately, this incredible company sponsored more than $1 million in supplies and the combined efforts of a work force of 1500 +.  It was the first example of “Extreme Makeover” – what a difference a day made.

Their teamwork – their common focus provided them an inarguable platform for shared goals.  It was good for the community – it was good for the company and its employees.

Since that project, I have always enjoyed finding ways to tie destination management to giving.  First, we designed our Bike Building event that has become an industry standard.  Then, over the years, we worked with the military to identify projects that we could promote and support.  This included MOM (Military Outreach Ministry), Wounded Warriors and other initiatives (With San Diego housing the largest Marine base in the country – there was always great need and appreciation.  Our many private corporate  events hosted at MCAS (Marine Corps Air Station Miramar)  benefitted MCCS (Marine Corps Community Services) who help the families of the military personnel.


On a worldwide level, I have had the honor of working with Project Concern International – an amazing organization based here in San Diego .  This year, we supported the celebration of their 50th Anniversary.  Using our company American Express points, we sponsored the airfare for a young man named Tobias Tembo to travel to San Diego from Zambia.  He is one of the lucky ones – an orphan child who was saved and who is now working to save others. He was asked to present the Humanitarian Award to Dr. James Turpin – the man who founded this heroic organization 50 years ago when he first opened an orphanage in Tijuana.

And, just last week, while the Board of Managers for the DMC Network was in San Diego  for our annual Strategic Planning Retreat, we prepared meals at our local Dream Dinners and delivered meals to Ronald McDonald House families to enjoy.

This is what I know to be true – we can make a difference. As an individual, a family, a company – there are things we can do to make a difference.  Look around and consider the possibilities – what is it that you can do?

i need it yesterday…

Post by TMM guest blogger
Lauren Stout, DMCP, CTA, Director of Sales

One of the most prominent changes in the hospitality industry is the reduction in pre-planning time for a program.  Historically, DMC involvement in program planning would be requested 3-6 months in advance, or longer. Now, it is not uncommon for us to get requests for program site, planning and operation only 30-90 days out.  The shortened planning window may sound stressful, but it has given us the opportunity to adapt our systems.  Here are a few things that are allowing us to remain continually flexible:

• Proactive receipt of information: we don’t wait for vendors to advise us of their changing rates – our sales team is aggressive in requesting all pricing from vendors, venues and suppliers to have it on hand for a quick turn-around. 
• Modern Software: Adaptation of new modern software helps us prepare our proposals more quickly and efficiently to meet deadlines… time is a luxury these days!
• High Impact Electronic Media: The advances in our software development have expanded our proposal capabilities immensely. We are able to produce proposals that are sensory and include not only still shots, but video and sound clips embedded in them. This paints the picture for any event that is right around the corner, and perhaps there will not be time in the planning cycle to produce a table set. 
• Early Operational Involvement: When the planning window is so close to the operational window, we are required to involve operations immediately from the beginning of the sales process. This allows for the most thorough transfer of knowledge and comfort level between our clients and our operations team.
• Educating our Partners: We have an obligation to advise our partners in the hospitality industry of the shortened planning cycles that we are experiencing, and also let them know what type of information is most beneficial to us and what formats are most accessible for a quick turn-around.

rentals, anyone…

Post by TMM guest blogger
Lauren Stout, DMCP, CTA, Director of Sales

TMM’s parent company is the majority owner in a local event rental company. The rental company has a diverse clientele and services weddings, local golf courses and social events within Southern California.  The added seamlessness of our in-house rental division is perhaps one of our greatest assets and what sets us apart in a highly competitive business environment (and.. selfishly…. It makes my job easier!)  Our offices are adjacent to 16,000 square feet of warehouse space, housing linens, centerpieces, lighting, tenting, chairs, heaters and a myriad of other special event rentals.  We are lucky enough to physically have seamstresses onsite that can create custom linens when the request comes in –or fill a last minute order.

The business advantages of the rental company are easy to see – flexibility, quality control and superb value:

• Supreme flexibility – Rarely does an event NOT have a last minute change or addition… when another dining round is added 2 hours before a dinner, we can provide a coordinating linen, chairs and napkins for it.
• Quality control – by managing event rentals we are aware of all products that leave the warehouse, and know their quality and accuracy of the order. If a client needs 300 fruitwood chivari chairs, they will all be fruitwood… not mahogany, red, and espresso (unless of course that’s what they ordered).
• Value Add– We are able to remain more flexible with the cost of rentals for our clients and industry partners. This is perhaps the top concern on everyone’s mind in a sensitive environment. It also allows us to make the most of the budgets we are given and ensure a quality, cohesive event within a wide variety of  financial parameters

While it is extremely valuable from a professional standpoint, the personal advantage is not to be overlooked. It is a luxury to have décor at my fingertips for creative inspiration. When I’m tasked with designing a new event, I walk 50 feet behind me to the warehouse and am presented with a veritable maze of linens, fabrics and chairs. It is an event planners version of heaven…

the power of personal hospitality

Our San Diego TMM Team recently produced an exclusive corporate event at the private, fifty acre ranch of Duane Pillsbury and Joan Embery. Nationally known for her television appearances with animals, Joan has appeared on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and Jay Leno, Good Morning America, PM Magazine, The Home Show, Donahue, Hour Magazine, Entertainment Tonight, and many others. She has hosted two series, Animal Express and Animals of Africa, which have aired both in the United States and abroad, and the Baby Panda and Challenge to Wildlife specials for Public Broadcasting.



At the ranch, Joan raises Quarter horses, Miniature horses, Lippizans, Warmbloods, Clydesdales and Percherons, and her California State Grand Champion Brahman Bull, Bruiser. She also maintains an assortment of animals which travel with her on appearances.

Guests arrived at her home – recognizing the unique opportunity . . .but having no idea of the extraordinary hospitality awaiting them.  As they walked up to the front gates, Joan rode out on one of her prize horses  to greet them personally.  She then worked with her team of handlers to provide a very personal and up-close introduction to her menagerie. 

With pride and affection, Joan continued to educate and delight guests with a showcase of her animals – helping everyone appreciate the amazing traits of varied species.  From the tiniest armadillo to the elegant cheetah... Joan ensured an evening of magic.
As the sunset waned and the stars came out, Joan then accompanied guests to one of the barns where an elegant and sumptuous dinner was served. 

What impressed me most this evening was the genuine hospitality of our hosts, the effort they made to ensure the comfort and enjoyment of their guests and the beauty of their ranch.  This evening reminded me of the “power of personal hospitality” – welcoming guests with genuine warmth and pride. It was an evening to remember!