Posted on Tue, Oct 19, 2010 @ 01:33 PM
In MCPc’s small but mighty Marketing department, we spend a great deal of time planning, meeting, executing and following up on customer events. With such a diverse group of people with whom we want to reach and build relationships, I admit that it can be challenging to plan events that are both fun and informative. Everyone has busy schedules so we are always trying to think about what is worth your valuable time.
This past Friday’s event made me realize just how valuable such events can be; truly worth all of the hard work that goes into them.
Our Marketing Coordinators and masterminds behind the event, Lauren and Erin, met me out at Hill'n Dale Club in Medina, Ohio where we had about 30 customers and prospective clients in attendance. We all enjoyed chicken and ribs that fell of the bone, redskin potatoes, corn on the cob, a great salad (or should I say I had a little greens with my ladle of ranch dressing) and deliciously chewy sugar cookies and brownies.
Getting Down to Business
Steve Libby, our Citrix Field Sales Manager, was prepared with his IPad and presented a concise overview of the Citrix story. He shared with us that today almost any mobile device can be converted into a business tool, speaking a universal language that allows it to communicate with other devices and corporate networks. The Citrix solution is truly amazing technology that is changing the way we all do business.
All Work and No Play…
When Steve’s presentation was over, it was time to shoot.
As I was walking to the shooting area, all I could think of was Jeff Goldblum in the movie Independence Day as he was explaining how he’d give the mother ship a computer virus and mumbled “this will buy you some time to do your stuff, take them out.” I started to think, “Wow, my job is diverse.”
The atmosphere was relaxed. We were clothed in jeans, boots, and sweatshirts, I in my Akron Zips gear and my team in their Kent State Golden Flashes apparel. (What is a Golden Flash anyway?). The interaction was light and very enjoyable. Steve Libby and our sales team had the opportunity to discuss virtualization with our clients while cheering (or chuckling) as others attempted to shatter the clays into tiny pieces.
In marketing, we don’t often get the opportunity to meet and get to know our customers in person, so this was a true pleasure, particularly for Lauren and Erin.
As our turn approached, nerves in check, I stood back and watched as Erin and Lauren gave it their best “shots.” The results were not exactly what they had had hoped for as that 12-gauge shotgun was just a little too overpowering. I too only nicked one clay of my ten opportunities. Our turn was completed and the next round of true marksmen stepped forward.
A short time later, Charles, a very patient and kind customer, encouraged us to give it another “shot.” He took us under his wing, brought out the 20-gauge shotgun and gave us personal guidance on how to execute this skill properly: fingers lined up, focus on the right eye, butt of the gun up against your chin, tuck it into your shoulder and follow the clay as it moves across the landscape. And wouldn’t you know it: Erin hit two clays and I hit three in a row. Lauren nicked one but as our instructor said her form was excellent.
An Unexpected Lesson
You know what I never expected to get out of this event? I learned a lot about my team. I knew they would seamlessly execute this event. But what I found out is that they are true competitors. They want to excel in everything they do and they didn’t want to give up. They are passionate and give everything 110%. Herein lies the true value of the MCPc Marketing Department, and really everyone at MCPc: What we do, we do to the hilt and take complete ownership. It’s one of MCPc’s three main differentiators: our people, process and technology. The pride in our work is second to none. This event gave my team the opportunity to demonstrate these tremendous attributes even if I was the only one who noticed.
Even better, as we were leaving, Erin was pumped up and said, “ I feel so…so…liberated. I did it.” I was sincerely happy for her, and proud of her and Lauren — two awesome women with so much potential for their professional careers. I’m sure those of you in management positions know exactly what I’m talking about.
So, at the end of the day I realized that not only are these events an excellent way to get to know our customers better and a true catalyst for enhanced business relationships, they also offer opportunities for people to shine, grow and gain experiences that otherwise may never have occurred.
Have you had an experience in your career that surprised you with an unexpected lesson? Or if you attended on Friday, feel free to share what you enjoyed about this event. It was truly our pleasure.
A big thank you goes out to our sponsor Steve Libby with Citrix, and all of our customers who attended this event. We appreciate your partnership with MCPc, and look forward to more traditional and not-so-traditional business dealings in the future.
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Anne Browning is Marketing Manager for MCPc and is responsible for the development and execution of corporate marketing strategies that enable us to better communicate with, reach and serve IT professionals. Connect with Anne on LinkedIn.
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