Independently speaking
Contributions from Planning for success ‘ L ike it or loath it – plan for it’. It is very
rare for me to loath anything, except the obvious, such as taxes, change and strikes, but if the situation arose, I’d plan for it. In the process of organising conferences, exhibitions and other events, similar to any other business, including retail, there are always many elements that directly or indirectly affect well laid plans. This brings me to the recent SIRIUS BG
Conference at The Lake Resort in Vilamoura, Portugal. Thankfully to all involved, this was again very well attended and proved to be an overwhelming success for SIRIUS Members and preferred Suppliers. The formulae focuses on continuing and gaining more long term business relationships within an environment befitting professional business people. As with all industries, success is measured in many ways beside the short and long term business gains. Environment, atmosphere, attitude, sincerity, empathy are just a few more attributes that go with success. Yet again, by choosing a great venue with a dedicated and committed staff, providing excellent service and delicious food, we, as customers of the hotel, had an enjoyable and memorable experience. The business model of The Lake Resort is very similar to that of the professional independent electrical retailer. ‘Successful planning is planning for success’, and within the right environment, the consumer will comfortably purchase when experiencing an act of sincerity and empathy to satisfy personal requirement. To achieve the ideal, whilst having a
rigorous Plan A is everyone’s starting point and successful goal, taking many intense hours, days and weeks of preparation, strategy planning, financial commitment and determination, even though it’s not always workable. As
Stuart Hopwood
DigitalTVinfo.com & Lingua Franca International
previously mentioned, situations arise that you may loath. So spending similar time and effort on a Plan B or Plan C can actually prepare your business for distractions, although these are rarely considered by many as some people regard these extra plans as being pessimistic. Quite the contrary, planning for a variety of eventualities is as simple as a game of chess, dominos or snooker – knowing your opponent and knowing their next move. Fortunately, speaking with SIRIUS Members in Portugal, most have backup plans regarding several issues that occur with retailing, all quoting the great relationships they have with their suppliers, distributors and manufacturers. The shared support for forward and immediate planning is very strong within the Group.
I wished I had this shared support with the Portuguese air traffic control. The spate of strikes, known in advance to commence on the same day of the many flight arrivals at the recent SIRIUS BG Conference, could have delayed us by many hours. However, with Plans B, C
and D ready to adopt in association with ground staff, transfers, food and beverage, accommodation and conference presentations, pre-planning eliminated any real concerns. Luckily, after diversions to Seville,
refuelling and onward journey to Faro and slight delays with other flights, everyone was still happy, having had an ‘adventure’ that only caused an hour or two of delays. Fed and watered, the conference carried on as normal. With the generosity of all Suppliers donating products, the auction at this year’s Conference raised a staggering £8,500 for the chosen Cancer Research charity. With industry colleagues affected by cancer, it was decided to evenly split the monies between the efforts of Smeg and Samsung who are both raising money for this well deserved cause. Details can be found at
www.justgiving.com/Smeg2012 and
www.justgiving.com/nickportlock. It’s very difficult to single out just one Member or Supplier from all those who gave generously, however, of the items generously donated, Glen Dimplex raised most money with a single item. The auctioned item consisted of a pre-match lunch and tickets for four at a Manchester United home game. The incredible and generous donation was from SIRIUS Member Rob Barnes of Washking Ltd in Burnley. Well done to one and all. Finally for this month, beside looking for a suitable new May 2013 venue, acceptable to the discerning SIRIUS Members and Preferred Suppliers, now it’s also all systems go for IFA, Berlin and the annual September SIRIUS BG Golf Event, VIP Trade Show and VIP Awards Dinner on 25 and 26 September. Oh, and not forgetting, the need to plan for the annual trek to the January CES 2013 show in Las Vegas. ■
“As with all industries, success is measured in many ways beside the short and long term business gains”
18 The Independent Electrical Retailer June 2012
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