Strategy, Networking and SOS

Hello all. I hope all is well.

I have just returned home from a whirlwind 3 hour strategic meeting for SoS. What a crazy 3 hours it was let me tell you!

With the concept launched and off the ground, now comes the challenge of attracting sponsors and most importantly, participants to take part. This was the first meeting that I have sat in on, where every aspect from promotion to prizes to budgeting and costing was scrutinised and plan of action was establshed. As it is the first time that such an event will be carried out by Therapy Focus, initial caution must be taken. Collaboratively, a lot of wonderful ideas were thrown about, but we realised that its important to not "bite off more than we can chew" in this inaugural event. There will be opportunities to expand the event in the years to come (hopefully!).

I'd always realised how important networking was, but never more so than after this meeting. It really is a lot about 'not what you know but who you know'. In terms of sponsorship, most of the companies that will be approached have some kind of connection to the people sitting in on the meeting. There was a lot of " I'll talk to this person because he used to work for this company," and " I know a guy who works for such and such maybe he can get us the main prize." Networking is very important in public relations, especially in a pretty small place like Perth - it can really get you a long way. Fingers crossed it can help in getting some great sponsors for SoS!

Sitting in on this meeting was one of the most gainful experiences that I have had so far during my placement. It provided me with an opportunity to set up the strategy papers for each of the areas that we covered. I felt that I was able to make a valuable contribution to ways in which we can promote, particularly through internet marketing - which of course is becoming a very important commodity. I also came up with a few strategies for distribution of the sunflower kits, which is very important to the success of this event. It felt great to generate some ideas that were received with a positive response.

Even though some of you might be thinking, how can you get so much from just one meeting? I can tell you that it was a great eye opener to see how strategies can be formulated and illustrated to me, in great detail, how much planning and organisation goes into holding an event like SoS.

Its going to be a busy few months a head, but the future looks bright for SoS!