{"id":1928,"date":"2014-09-19T07:55:14","date_gmt":"2014-09-19T11:55:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.trustacrossamerica.com\/blog\/?p=1928"},"modified":"2014-09-19T07:55:14","modified_gmt":"2014-09-19T11:55:14","slug":"trust-the-deal-of-the-day-a-rant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trustacrossamerica.com\/blog\/?p=1928","title":{"rendered":"Trust & the Deal of the Day! (A Rant)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"TAA_R2_EDIT-CS3\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Today’s blog post is somewhat of a rant, but it contains a trust message. It’s about a call I received yesterday.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The conversation went something like this:<\/p>\n

Him:<\/strong> Hi, it’s your buddy John Smith conference organizer. Trust Across America-Trust Around the World was\u00a0kind enough to offer us a panel discussion of trust experts for our upcoming conference, but we\u00a0decided to pass.<\/p>\n

(Side Note: Several months ago this same group declined our panel of experts, but DID\u00a0choose to use our idea and assemble their own panel on the topic of “trust.” The brochure description has little to do with the subject of trust itself, nor are any of the panelists experts,\u00a0but hey,”trust” is\u00a0a cool buzzword.)<\/p>\n

Back to the conversation:<\/p>\n

Him:<\/strong> Anyway, I have an even better offer for you. I would like you to come speak. Our speakers usually pay\u00a0$10,000, but you can speak for $2500. We’ll even throw in free admission to the conference, and a dinner. And you can bring some books to sell.<\/p>\n

Me:<\/strong> Huh? You want me to pay you for the “privilege” of \u00a0speaking at your event? I\u00a0won’t pay to speak.<\/p>\n

Him:<\/strong> Okay thanks, and take care.<\/p>\n

Tell me you can’t pay me but don’t ask me to pay you. It’s not only insulting but speaks\u00a0volumes about the “quality” of your conference. If I were an attendee, I would want to know, in advance of registering, how many of your speakers were paying to peddle their wares.<\/p>\n

If you are a conference organizer and this is your business model, you are shooting yourself in the foot, from a quality perspective, and I’m about to tell\u00a0you why.<\/p>\n

Earlier this week I was asked to speak (without having to write out a check) at another conference next summer. I respectfully declined because I did not think I was the right person for this engagement, but offered up the names of several folks who are members of our Alliance<\/a>, and who have the expertise to do an\u00a0outstanding job. But first I checked in with these people\u00a0to make sure they were available.\u00a0Most of them\u00a0wanted more information\u00a0about the “quality” of the conference and the conference host. They have learned from past experience. They won’t compromise their integrity, nor will they agree to speak without a quality assurance.\u00a0They certainly won’t pay.<\/p>\n

This practice\u00a0is becoming the industry “norm,” at many conferences. \u00a0Remember the expression about “getting what you pay for?” The conference organizer\u00a0may be maximizing short-term profits, but\u00a0they are failing to build the “right” long-term relationships. It’s what I call a long-term “lose\/lose” and it certainly compromises the quality of the conference, and the reputation\u00a0of the organization itself.<\/p>\n

Too me, this business model is a trust-buster.<\/p>\n

Enough said. What do you think?<\/p>\n

Barbara Brooks Kimmel<\/strong>\u00a0is the Executive Director of\u00a0Trust Across America-Trust Around the World<\/a>\u00a0whose mission is to help organizations build trust. She is also the editor of the award winning\u00a0TRUST INC.<\/a>\u00a0book series. In 2012 Barbara was named “One of 25 Women Changing the World” by Good Business International.<\/p>\n

<\/h5>\n

\"Print\"<\/a>\"ND\"914Trust<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Coming Soon!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Should you wish\u00a0to communicate directly with Barbara, drop her a note at\u00a0Barbara@trustacrossamerica.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Copyright \u00a9 2014, Next Decade, Inc.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n