Newsletter 1

Charisma Productions Gazette Volume 2, Issue 5 May 2010

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

1 The Importance of Meetings and Incentive Programs in

a Down Economy

1 Don’t Believe the Snow Job the Facilities Give You

3 From Our IT Department

4 Recommended Private Jet Company

5 Recipe of the Month

6 Linked In Monthly Surveys

The Importance of Meetings

and Incentive Programs in a

Down Economy

Penny Wise and Pound Foolish Charisma Productions Network

Historically, incentive programs and meetings have been the early victims of economic downturns. In the current economy it has impacted the industry; there are reports of cancellations, delayed plans, and general cutbacks. With that as background, it is wise to restate the need for continued use of incentives and meetings even if on a somewhat contained basis. Some managers react to these situations by immediately cutting all “unnecessary” expenses without looking at bottom line impact. “Unnecessary” becomes a very subjective evaluation. Others assess the value of each program before deciding the reasonable course of action. There are now numerous studies that show a very definite relationship between motivation, the work environment, and bottom line profits. Satisfied workers produce at a higher, more efficient rate. The management dictum that employees are satisfied just to have a job in difficult times has long been disproven. Keeping employees and customers satisfied especially in difficult times is the basis of reaping healthy profits.

Don’t Believe the Snow Job the

Facilities Give You

Back By Popular Demand

Mandatory Usage of In-house AV Charisma Productions Network

Have you ever put together an event or meeting and used a facility? Did you need AV for your event? Did the facility tell you that it is was mandatory to use their in-house AV? Well, guess what? That’s a “snow job” the facilities use to make even more money from unknowing planners. Most facilities use private AV companies that have negotiated with the facility to provide service. What does this mean? Basically it means that the AV company provides an estimate of all the equipment that you request and labor needed to complete the task. When your company sends the facility an RFP they have to make a profit on AV equipment and labor as well. In order for them to make their profit, an extra 40% - 60% is added to your cost on top of the equipment and labor rates. Let’s face it, they’re in business, like everybody else to make a profit. In-house AV services charge you 40%-60% more than a production company. Why? Because they have contracted with facilities and they have to pay the facility to be there. So, for example, a power surge protector that you need in a conference room, can cost up as much as $50 per day compared to a using an outside AV production company which usually includes power strips and A/C cables at no charge. What a difference! After making numerous calls in the past months and hearing companies say that the facility they are utilizing has told them that it is mandatory that they use their in-house AV, I found the need to inform planners that this is not true! You don’t need to utilize in-house AV. As a matter of fact, by doing so, you will have a MUCH higher AV bill than utilizing a production company. Not only will you get a much lower AV bill, but you will also get more personalized service. Also, by utilizing an outside production company you get a project manager that only works on your event. Whereas using the in-house company, they are there for the whole facility and the response time is very slow. On average the response time for an in-house AV service is 7 minutes as compared to an outside production company, working only for your company, of 1.25 minutes.

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Newsletter 2

Incentive Programs in Down Economy Keeping your employees engaged and giving them the feeling of being part of the team and appreciated will help them with the mental stress and will improve their outlook. An employee with a positive attitude is just as contagious in improving morale in the workplace as a disgruntled employee is in destroying morale.

In the book, “Contented Cows Give Better Milk”, the authors compared business results of companies considered employers of choice with a comparable group of Fortune 500 companies. (An employer of choice is a company that is primarily people-driven.) Although the Employers of Choice had about 1/3 of the revenue of the others at the start of the study, over a 10-year period (one that included a recession), they:

Outperformed the latter about four to one in revenues,

Increased net income 202% vs. 139%, Roughly doubled the net income of the

latter group, Added 79,000 jobs while the latter LOST

61,000 jobs.

The point: simply that a motivated, committed work force --- one that continues to be recognized by incentive programs that reward excellent performance --- continues to achieve growth while others stagnate. Using these programs correctly is a competitive advantage, especially under difficult economic conditions. Measuring the success of incentive programs and meetings – whether return on investment (ROI) or return on objectives (ROO) or anything else – is the best way to show the value. Measurement as a tool for planners and business leaders is essential at all times. It addresses requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the need to demonstrate results to management, and, often, the justification for one’s job. Both incentive suppliers and corporate planners say that they are increasingly asked for data related to measuring program results. ROI analysis also helps a company determine the impact of an incentive program across the entire operation, something that is crucial to avoiding long-term problems. According to the MPI Foundation, “…ROI is THE single most important tool for a meeting professional. In today’s economy, with more and more meeting professionals answering to their Procurement office, the emphasis on ROI has never been more important.” Employee Incentive Programs reward exceptional employees for reaching work goals, achieving milestones or simply doing a good job. These types of

programs are designed to offer incentive and motivation in employees and increasing the overall performance of the company. An incentive program is a great way to show employees that you value their input while at the same time increasing your business potential.

Push the Big Red Button and Contact

Charisma Productions Network to help you with your next Incentive Program or

Meeting

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Newsletter 3

Snow Job When you give an RFP to a facility, they may come within your budget, but if you’re not careful and don’t read the fine print, you may get caught “holding the bag”. Every time you make a change, no matter how small, you will be charged extra. At the end of the event, when you get your final bill you’ll find surprise back-end service charges, local and city taxes, labor charges, that you weren’t expecting. So the next time you begin planning and choosing your facility, make sure the facility can accommodate the number of your attendees and rooms needed for your meetings. Also be sure they can put this in writing and that they will not do double booking for the same meeting rooms in your allotted time frame, because, you must remember, any changes made, big or small, will be done at your cost. One important question to ask is if they are a union or non-union facility. This can bring on even more charges because union facilities have higher labor rates. Most importantly remember always send your RFP with your budget constraints out to bid. Get at least 3 bids, one being your facility, and see who can, not only, stay within the restraints of your budget, but can also provide you with the service that you would like to have. This is not going to cost you extra. Bids on RFP’s are at no charge to you.

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From Our IT Department

In order to optimize your computer it is recommended that on a weekly basis you review and delete all unneeded files and programs that you do not utilize on a regular basis. After a clean-up you should always de-fragmentize your system. You do this by:

1. Go into your control Panel 2. Find the Administrative tools icon. Double

click on it. 3. Find the Computer Management icon.

Double click on it. 4. On the left hand side find the Disk

Defragmenter icon and double click on it. This will begin your defragmenting process and will tell you when the program completes. After this your computer should run smoother.

Newsletter 4

“Recommended Private Jet Company”

At Sentient*, we understand that credibility isn’t something that comes easily. It takes years of focus, unwavering

follow-through and relentless professionalism. With an innovative 9-point safety program and a top-notch service

team available 24/7, it’s no wonder that Sentient is the #1 facilitator of charter flights in the country. Sentient

Charter can take you anywhere you want - on the jet you want - at the competitive price you deserve.

Since 1999, Sentient has been a leader in private aviation offering innovative, flexible products that deliver real

value. We offer contemporary travel options that are quite simply superior to our competitors: more choices, lower

costs, and completely free from the economic risk of fractional ownership - all with extraordinary service and

commitment to safety.

Whether your trip is domestic or international, leisure or business, or a complex, multi -stop itinerary - Sentient

Charter is your complete private travel solution. We will always have access to the aircraft best suited for your

itinerary.

Key Program Features

Fly when and where you want

Sentient Charter has access to a full range of aircraft available through our network or carefully certified

operators - ensuring we will have the right jet available for your trip

Pay as you go, on-demand solution for individual trips

International Travel Desk to assist with flights to any destination in the world

Service of a Trip Manager - a feature unique to Sentient Charter - who personally oversees your flight

from start to finish

Contact Christopher Early today at 415.331.1615 or cearly@sentient.com to get a quote on your next private

jet flight.

*Sentient Charter is a program of Sentient Jet, LLC (ìSentientî). Sentient arranges flights on behalf of members and clients with FAR Part 135 air carriers that exercise full operational control of

charter flights at all times. Flights will be operated by FAR Part 135 air carriers that have been certified to provide service for Sentient and that meet all FAA safety standards and additional safety

standards established by Sentient. (Refer to www.sentient.com/standards for details.)

Newsletter 5

From Our Executive Chef, Gustavo Castano

Inside-Out Chicken Cordon Bleu

3 tablespoons apricot jam

½ teaspoon chopped fresh thyme

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

4 6-ounce skinless, boneless chicken breasts

1 cup shredded Swiss cheese (about 3 ounces)

8 thin slices black forest ham

5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 shallot, minced

½ teaspoon Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

2 cups baby greens

Directions:

Mix the jam, thyme, salt and pepper to taste in a bowl. Lay out a long piece of plastic wrap on a cutting board.

Place the chicken on half of the plastic wrap and then fold the remaining plastic wrap to cover the top of the

chicken breast and pound the chicken to about ¼ inch thickness.

Uncover the chicken breasts and brush half of the jam mixture evenly on top of each breast. Mound a quarter

of the cheese on each piece of chicken, then wrap 2 slices of ham around each breast to cover the cheese.

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook

until golden and crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Turn and cook on the other side until cooked through but still moist, 3 to

4 more minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk the shallot, mustard, vinegar and the remaining jam mixture in a medium bowl. Slowly

whisk in the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil to make a smooth dressing.

Place each piece of chicken on a plate and drizzle with a small amount dressing. Toss the greens with the

remaining dressing; serve with the chicken. Enjoy.

Prep and Cook time: 25 minutes Serves 4

Newsletter 6

Recent Results of Surveys Taken by

Charisma Productions Network on LinkedIn

Dream, Visualize, Plan, Simplify, Relax and let Charisma Productions Network

become your one-stop solution for all your corporate meeting, events and

conference needs.

Newsletter 7

Thank You for Your Support We wish to thank our readers and our clients for their support and feedback helping to continually grow the Charisma Productions Network. We look forward to another successful year in 2010 as we continue to grow and provide you with successful stress-free events. We appreciate hearing from all of you and strive to improve our articles and hope to have something for everyone at one point or another. Please send us suggestions for topics you would like to read about or if you have an article that you would like to share we’ll be happy to post it.:

Please send all comments to: comments@cpnevents.com

Charisma Productions Network A Geoff Andrews Company

805-241-0566 www.charismaproductionsnetwork.com

info@cpnevents.com

Newsletter 8

Charisma Productions 9