“Information technology and business are becoming inextricably interwoven. I don't think anybody can talk meaningfully about one without talking about the other.”
Bill Gates, Principal Founder of Microsoft Corporation
Technology has never been a greater focal point in our society than today. It’s an enormous part of our lives. We can do more and learn more everyday because of it - communicating faster, traveling safer, advancing our healthcare, improving our defenses, and inventing new types of entertainment. Our businesses have completely changed in the last few decades, too. They’re far more efficient and profitable due to machine and software advancement.
Manufacturers (and their marketers) know sales increase when new designs debut with the supposed latest, greatest tech features. Who doesn’t want a smartphone with a faster processor and a better camera? Doesn’t our television look amazing with a bigger, thinner display and eye-dazzling color? With all the hype, it’s easy to understand how we get caught up in the race to have the newest products.
“Ability is important in our quest for success, but dependability is critical.”
Zig Ziglar, American Author, Salesman,
and Motivational Speaker
But all this hype also convinces us that the latest and greatest product must be the best. In some cases, this is true. But often times, we should consider the technology’s reliability first. This may mean the newest product or the most recent version is not always the best. Think about how quickly we feel reliability or durability is crucial when something we value is depending on it. Your vehicle’s safety and reliability is a great example when you consider the precious cargo it carries - your family, your friends and yourself.
Capitalizing on those two qualities, Volvo sales were at their peak in the US fifteen years ago. The company had a banner year in 2004, selling 139,067 vehicles. Volvo’s success came by heavily promoting their cars’ advanced safety features and long-term reliability. The company touted that the average Volvo on the road was ten years old and still running strong.
Other auto manufacturers saw how the American public reacted to this safety and reliability message and quickly raised their own vehicles’ standards. They did such a great job promoting their advances that within five years, Volvo’s US car sales dropped to less than 50% of the peak. As of 2018, Volvo’s US sales have only climbed to 98,263 vehicles (source: manufacturer).
This doesn’t mean Volvo no longer makes great cars. It just means other manufacturers realized how important safety and reliability was to the American public. Yet today, most of us are so confident the new vehicles we purchase have a certain level of safety and reliability – whatever the manufacturer – that we simply take these qualities for granted.
So, now think about what’s at stake during your conferences and corporate meetings:
The strategic effort to create, produce and deliver your critical message(s)
The impact these messages have on your company’s bottom line
All the time and energy everyone has invested in the production of the event
Shouldn’t reliability be a primary concern for your event technology, as well?
“Technology does not always rhyme with perfection
and reliability. Far from it in reality!”
Jean-Michel Jarre, French Composer, Performer
and Record Producer
Imagine the audio system quitting in the middle of your CEO’s presentation. Perhaps the failure was caused by the audio technician’s unfamiliarity with a brand-new audio-mixing console. Or a slightly older console which just had the latest firmware downloaded which changed a touchscreen function. But the tech wasn’t informed or familiar with it. I doubt the CEO will be very forgiving when she’s told the reason for the failure.
Sadly, these unfortunate scenarios happen all too often. A wise production company will only provide technical equipment that’s tried and true. This doesn’t mean that technology isn’t current or state-of-the-art, it just has to be proven. Anyone who regularly works with technology will tell you there’s no 100% guarantee that equipment won’t fail. But like your car, the most reliable models greatly improve your chances for success. Plus, every event should have key backup equipment for additional dependability.
Besides the potential for equipment failure, there’s also potential for presenter support failure. Today, there are many different technologies for presenters to use. Only a technical team with years of experience understands the need to accommodate multiple options. Again, the technical teams’ experience gives them the insight to engineer their systems for the most flexible presentation support possible. This advanced level of service is one of the primary differences you’ll encounter when using an event production company versus a traditional A/V company that simply takes your equipment order.
“Ability is a wonderful thing, but its value is greatly enhanced by dependability. Ability implies
repeatability and accountability.”
Robert A. Heinlein, American Novelist and
Science Fiction Writer
There are few investments a company makes that yield as many benefits to their business as a strong emphasis on reliability. Clients who work with event production companies like Enliven understand and value the emphasis we place on dependability. This, along with our consistent, high-level of service, establishes long term trust and strengthens our client relationships. It’s wonderful knowing our clients feel they can count on us.
If you would like to experience this level of service for your next event, contact us at Enliven. We welcome the opportunity to support you.
