BI WORLDWIDE - Engage your World. Improve your Business

Putting Your Finger on Employee Engagement

Fri 18 May 2012 16:45 GMT

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Employee Engagement - On the Right Track?

Fri 4 May 2012 13:06 GMT

A Tweet appeared the other day from a rail company proudly proclaiming a steady rise in their employee engagement score, but no mention of any consequence of this. Are customers getting a better experience, has their satisfaction risen, are trains more full, more often and with more delighted customers, are trains more reliable?

A Real Oasis?

Tue 24 Apr 2012 12:59 GMT

Having not been to Dubai for twelve years, the opportunity to revisit and head to Abu Dhabi for a direct comparison was too good for Rhian in the BI WORLDWIDE Events design team to miss. Here's her report...

Hong Kong - I'm Back, Is It?

Fri 20 Apr 2012 11:42 GMT

Libby’s returned from her catch up with Hong Kong and first visit to Macau. Here's what she found ...

21st Century Hong Kong

Tue 3 Apr 2012 14:57 GMT

During our time revisiting Hong Kong we came across a lot of information regarding development in the first decade and a bit since the Chinese took over the territory and how it compares to the explosive growth experienced in mainland China.

Part of History in the Making

Fri 23 Mar 2012 12:00 GMT

Having departed Mandalay in the early morning we were amazed to see that we had a convoy travelling with us to the airport. This was the morning of ‘The Lady’s’ arrival at the airport and we were part of the welcoming party, without realising it!

The Facts of Business Life

Fri 23 Mar 2012 10:04 GMT

What makes business better? At BI WORLDWIDE we're obsessed with this topic - why do some people strive to achieve more than others? Why do businesses spend billions on incentives, yet not get the returns they could? ...

A Despatch from Burma

Mon 12 Mar 2012 15:26 GMT

Having arrived in Burma, it took a while for Georgie to get an internet connection. Here's the first, and likely to be the last, update given the apparent speed and difficulty...

Partners in Success 2012 - Where We Recognise Excellence

Fri 9 Mar 2012 11:15 GMT

Over a hundred people gathered at the Glaziers Hall in London for our annual Partners in Success event. This unique event is where we recognise excellence among our community of event partners...

A Greek Tragedy?

Thu 1 Mar 2012 16:44 GMT

Do we have the makings of a Greek tragedy? Here we have a popular and unique destination that runs through all the considerations that we face as corporate event planners…

Lessons from Fukushima?

Tue 28 Feb 2012 11:25 GMT

There are rare moments when real world events illustrate perfectly the elements that underpin how we perform as people and how we apply that in business. This morning was one of those moments, a single radio report..

Events Business Shows Strong Growth

Mon 27 Feb 2012 12:00 GMT

We’ve seen a great start to this financial year in terms of our events business and, now we’re over half way through, we thought it was time to have a look back over the first two quarters and report on its success.

Hong Kong Revisited, Macau Visited

Mon 27 Feb 2012 11:06 GMT

I absolutely love Hong Kong, so when the opportunity to revisit Hong Kong came along I jumped at the chance. I have not operated there for more than five years, so a catch up is long overdue...

A View of Burma inside Myanmar

Thu 23 Feb 2012 10:53 GMT

Georgie is setting off on her travels again and this time she is heading to one of her favourite parts of the world - the East. Her destination is Burma (or Myanmar), a country currently undergoing transition and change.

WIN a Visit to Vibrant Vancouver

Thu 26 Jan 2012 13:18 GMT

Win a fantastic, three night stay in fabulous Vancouver...

Canada – Seven Reasons Why Vancouver is a “must go”

Thu 19 Jan 2012 11:31 GMT

The country is beginning to get Olympic fever and for the events world, ‘legacy’ will be the watchword in the coming months and years. But, what of other venues that have benefited from the Olympic effect? Vancouver is one of our favourite destinations and here’s an update following a recent event there...

Don't 'Dis' the Disengaged

Thu 12 Jan 2012 13:21 GMT

How often are engagement and incentive programmes run that primarily address the top and mid performers?

How many times is the basis of a corporate engagement strategy “one size fits all”?

A lot of time and money spent improving sales and customer service is focused on employees who are deemed “engaged”. Those sitting outside this definition will no doubt attract the label of ‘poor performers’, ‘laggards’, ‘disinterested’ and be viewed as a “cost”.

Ever Been Poken Down Under?

Tue 20 Dec 2011 15:58 GMT

On a recent fam trip something rather unexpected and innovative happened. At Dreamtime 2011 in Australia, we were all given a Poken to share our information with the suppliers we were meeting. With an accepting grace I went with the flow, not being too clear what I had in my hand. I now Poken, do you? ...

Festive Feelings Matter

Mon 19 Dec 2011 11:08 GMT

The atmosphere in our office is building as we approach our Christmas party. It is quite amazing the effect it seems to have had on everyone which is why it is surprising for us to hear how so many companies have been scrapping their Christmas parties this year; we know that times are tough and 2012 looks set to be another challenging year but Christmas provides the perfect opportunity to reward, recognise and motivate...

Must Do, Must See - My Bucket List

Fri 9 Dec 2011 14:05 GMT

The subject of bucket lists came up in conversation in the office the other day. This was a term I was not altogether acquainted with but I now know to be the list of things you would like to achieve before you, well, kick the bucket.This is not meant to be morbid, but it did get us thinking!...

Best Results in a Decade

Thu 8 Dec 2011 09:18 GMT

At times it's nice to bathe in the warm glow of good news and be a little self-indulgent. So, we're delighted that the dedication of our associates, the trust of our clients and our pursuit of delivering measureable business results for them, has resulted in our best set of results for a decade...

C&IT Awards

Fri 18 Nov 2011 14:41 GMT

C&IT hosted their first ever Excellence Awards at the beginning of November and although we didn't submit any events for awards, we still played a key role in the proceedings.

More Nice in Nice! Plus Agadir A-Go-Go?

Thu 21 Jul 2011 15:46 GMT

New BMI flights to Nice provide for more flexible group opportunities—and will a new route to Agadir put the south Moroccan coast on the group agenda? ...

WIN a Weekend Break at the Luxurious Syon Park

Tue 3 May 2011 16:40 GMT

There are lots of reasons to visit London - look how many people turned out for the Royal Wedding. Well, this month we’re giving you one more.

The recently opened London Syon Park, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel, brings a contemporary addition to a very traditional site.

Nestled within the two hundred acre Syon House estate, the country home of the Duke of Northumberland for over 400 years, the hotel brings contemporary luxury to its guests...

We All Love to Be Loved

Tue 3 May 2011 12:03 GMT

Employee recognition programmes are key to engagement and motivation. In fact, a well developed programme, with the correct communications to support it, will help employees feel valued by the business, improving productivity and reducing attrition – implementing one is a no brainer surely?

But what constitutes a good employee reward programme? How do you engage employees and, more importantly, keep them engaged with the scheme…

Get Ready to Rio!

Wed 20 Apr 2011 16:32 GMT

With confidence returning to the incentive events market, it’s pleasing to see airlines increasing their capacity on long-haul options.

So often, lack, or complexity, of accessibility make long-haul options a logistical challenge with indirect, infrequent flights resulting in more time spent travelling than enjoying the destination itself. So when we heard that BA was increasing, nay doubling, its weekly flights to Rio de Janeiro, we sat up and took notice. There will now be six flights from Heathrow instead of the original three...

We Believe in Performance Improvement

Tue 12 Apr 2011 13:30 GMT

As a business that preaches performance improvement, BI WORLDWIDE also practices it. We are proud to be working with clients to help improve their businesses, but we know that we're only as good as the last project - whether a full performance improvement programme, reward and recognition scheme, or a product launch, conference or incentive travel event. To keep us on our toes we ask all we pitch to and work with what they think...

Aviation Expert in the C&IT A List

Thu 31 Mar 2011 15:12 GMT

BI WORLDWIDE's resident aviation expert, Chris Townsend, attended C&IT's A List event yesterday at Kensington Roof Gardens. The A Listers, described by C&IT as the events industry's leaders in waiting' is a group of events industry professional under the age of 35 who have already made a significant impact.

Chris was selected from a number of candidates within BI WORLDWIDE's events team as this year's A Lister. "Chris was chosen for his constant dedication. He continuously keeps his eye on the ball for complex events, has an awareness of costs and leverage best fares for our clients," explains BI WORLDWIDE's special events director, Mark Taylor .......

WIN a Two Night Stay at the Stunning Banyan Tree Al Wadi

Mon 21 Mar 2011 15:12 GMT

This month's prize is extra special, and one we think you will love. It might be a little further from home, but we guarantee it will be worth the trip. We're really excited about the Banyan Tree Al Wadi resort, and its one that should most certainly be on your list if you're looking at destinations in the Dubai region.

Read the full story to enter!

Measuring Up for Event Success

Wed 16 Mar 2011 12:19 GMT

BI WORLDWIDE's mission is to produce measurable business results. A pharma client's conference demanded a great event solution and needed to demonstrate true ROI. But what of the event from a measurement perspective and what were the key research elements that ensured the event was a positive success for the delegates and the client business......?

Shanghai Stories - Made in China

Wed 9 Mar 2011 17:20 GMT

Made in China - now resonates the world over and since opening its doors to the world, China and its economic revolution has been truly startling.

Whilst the 'Made' bit is very familiar, what of the 'in China' part, and what exactly does China offer the meetings and incentive marketplace? As a destination China has been relatively ignored (Hong Kong and perhaps Beijing aside) and group traffic from the UK remains low.

BI WORLDWIDE On Track For Profit Growth

Mon 7 Mar 2011 11:42 GMT

BI WORLDWIDE's half year figures (1 July – 31 December 2010) show profits have risen through client growth and that it's on track to achieve its target PBT of £400k this year.

BI WORLDWIDE Strengthens Global Supplier Relations

Fri 4 Mar 2011 10:55 GMT

In February this year we hosted our annual, and much anticipated, 'Partners in Success' event at the fabulous Primo Bar at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London.

The evening reception is held to recognise and thank BI WORLDWIDE's network of events partners who have worked with us over the past year and helped us deliver exceptional events for our clients - it's a fabulous opportunity for us to show our appreciation to our suppliers.

Cancun Can - & More So

Thu 3 Feb 2011 16:53 GMT

Sometimes it's easy to overlook some incentive travel destinations and perhaps Mexico is one of those at the moment. However, there are now some very good reasons why it, and the Mayan Riviera specifically, could, maybe should, appear on your radar ...

Marrakech - When it Rains it Pours

Mon 31 Jan 2011 16:25 GMT

Marrakech, a destination ever popular with event planners and delegates for obvious reasons, has never fully realised its potential for reasons of poor access. However, 2011 may see a marked rise in its ability to attract conference and incentive business thanks to two carriers announcing direct UK flights.

Mark Taylor Assumes Responsibility for BI WORLDWIDE's Olympic Activity

Wed 22 Dec 2010 10:39 GMT

Following BI WORLDWIDE's recent success in securing its first Olympic sponsor for London 2012, it is delighted to announce that Mark Taylor, Head of Events at BI WORLDWIDE since October 2008, will take on the new role of Special Events Director – Olympics 2012.

An App for all Reasons?

Tue 21 Dec 2010 14:14 GMT

Is Apple on the verge of doing an iTunes on the travel market? If you believe the submissions lodged with the US Patent and Trademark Office surrounding its rumoured iTravel service then it may be the case, and if so what's in store for the incentive travel and conference market?

Win T42 at The Stunning New Savoy Hotel

Tue 7 Dec 2010 13:43 GMT

The Savoy Hotel - it's here. In fact it's been here since 1889, but its recent £220 million facelift has been money well spent - it would even impress Gok!

Earlier this month we ran a compeition to win Tea for Two at the Savoy, and the winner was...

Kat's Favourite Winter Destinations

Tue 30 Nov 2010 15:58 GMT

Despite the winter weather taking hold a little early this year in the UK, I've been looking abroad to my favourite winter destinations for incentives that work whatever the weather!

Whether you're looking for a short-haul option or something further afield, there are some great destinations that will suit any budget and any group. And just because you're visiting the snowy alps, it doesn't mean you have to ski. There's plenty of activity that won't even involve the ski lift – great for partner programmes where not everyone wants to hit the slopes.

A word of warning though, you'll need to book early to avoid disappointment. Cliché it may be, but ski resorts quickly reach capacity and rates will soar. Larger groups will find it increasingly difficult as the season progresses and you may find you have to split guests across a number of hotels making logistics a lot more complex.

Here are my top three...

BI WORLDWIDE's First Olympic Win

Thu 18 Nov 2010 11:46 GMT

BI WORLDWIDE has recently secured a new business win, and a new client, with a global organisation sponsoring London 2012.

Following a multi-agency pitch BI WORLDWIDE has been appointed to provide a comprehensive hospitality and logistics solution for approximately 3,000 international guests attending the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Tee off at Turnberry

Wed 10 Nov 2010 13:06 GMT

Scotland may have a wet and windy reputation but its golf courses are also something it can shout about. Picturesque landscapes and stunning coastlines lend themselves to this much-loved sport.

Whether you're looking to deliver a golfing event with a meeting, or a meeting with some leisure golfing, the hotels and courses available give event planners the options to create a programme which completely suits their needs, and those of the audience. Scotland, after all, is the home of golf.

However, golf is not the only activity on offer. For the ultimate Scottish experience, outdoor country pursuits such as 4x4 driving experiences, falconry and fishing, and whisky tours deliver the true Scottish culture.

A highly accessible destination, Scotland lends itself to a long weekend incentive or conference event. It still provides the wow factor for those prepared to invest the budget to support it.

Read on for three examples which I think fit the bill:

The Effect of Public Sector Cuts?

Mon 8 Nov 2010 15:35 GMT

First poll up on the BI WORLDWIDE website asked:

Will the public sector cuts affect your business?

and the results were:

BI WORLDWIDE Strengthens Global Offering

Mon 8 Nov 2010 10:34 GMT

BI WORLDWIDE announces the formal creation of three regional headquarters and the adoption of new global technology solutions to provide a more consistent, responsive and better value service to global clients.

BI WORLDWIDE Business Boosted by £3 Million

Wed 3 Nov 2010 09:22 GMT

BI WORLDWIDE has secured £3 million of new business in the first four months of its new financial year, which commenced in July. Recent event wins include a press launch for Lexus, a dealer launch for Chevrolet, an experiential roadshow for a telecoms client and a 500 delegate conference for an automotive client next year.

BI WORLDWIDE Wins Chevrolet Dealer Launch

Fri 29 Oct 2010 13:40 GMT

Chevrolet has selected BI WORLDWIDE as the agency to deliver its dealer launch of the Orlando model in early December 2010. The win came after a two-way agency pitch to the client earlier this month. The two-week dealer launch encompasses six regions across the UK, Edinburgh, Harrogate, Hertfordshire, Surrey, Bristol and Manchester, and more than 350 guests.

Lexus Chooses BI WORLDWIDE for Launch Event

Thu 28 Oct 2010 11:46 GMT

Earlier this month BI WORLDWIDE partnered with a new client Lexus to deliver the press launch of the ct200h model at the recent Paris Motor Show. The three week press event hosted 150 journalists from 25 countries and involved 15 cars.

Getting Your Message Across

Thu 14 Oct 2010 13:57 GMT

Within any incentive programme communication and motivation work intrinsically together and therefore communications are fundamental to positively influencing the behaviour of the audience. However, the nature of those communications and the media by which they are delivered is key to ensuring the message get put across effectively and understood.

An Alternative Angle on Long Haul

Thu 14 Oct 2010 10:37 GMT

The recession has made everyone take stock, but how will that shape our views and desires for the future? Will we come out of this with in new-found intuitive awareness about what we take out of our own and others' pockets, or will we get back into our die hard habits of consuming and waste?

How will all this affect long haul travel?

India is already building a portfolio of alternative experiences – experiences that give more but take less.

Choosing Long Service Rewards

Thu 14 Oct 2010 09:39 GMT

Staff retention is a big issue at the moment, regardless of the current pressures like job uncertainty and redundancy, how do you ensure you reward long service in a way that makes employees feel really valued, and what's the right reward?

Positively Influence Your Sales Channel

Thu 14 Oct 2010 09:15 GMT

How motivation programmes are critical to the business strategy for automotives.

The current climate has brought a difficult trading environment for car manufacturers and with it an even greater focus on sales activity. The ability to motivate a sales force to hit sales goals becomes extremely important. In these demanding circumstances, a proven incentive mechanic that is entirely measurable and delivers exceptional results becomes essential. Nothing achieves this more effectively than BI WORLDWIDE’s GoalQuest, a performance improvement solution designed specifically to improve the performance of sales people.

Incentive Travel Gets Back on Track

Thu 14 Oct 2010 08:46 GMT

The recession has knocked incentive travel off its rails in the last couple of years. Many companies have either not run motivation programmes (a mistake in our opinion), or looked for alternatives, for example, offering merchandise or still travelling but only within the UK.

Of course, budgetary constraints and negative PR were rightly considered, but now, as the economy picks up, the industry is looking increasingly back on track – and understandably so.

Report Cites Employee Engagement Issues?

Wed 13 Oct 2010 14:54 GMT

A recent Gallup survey showed that only 24% of employees are engaged with their organisation and in May a CBI report highlighted how critical employee engagement is in weathering the recession. The Training Foundation's white paper, authored by David Macleod, of the Macleod Report to Government on Employee Engagement (May 2009), highlights a different approach for managers.

Employee engagement is just one element that contributes to business improvement and has to be assessed in conjunction with employee motivation and performance improvement strategies to really deliver business improvement.

Choosing a Motivation Solution

Wed 13 Oct 2010 13:32 GMT

Rewards or incentives can prove a highly effective means of motivating staff or channel partners to achieve certain objectives or behave in a certain way. But what automated solutions exist to enable this, and how can you find the right one for your requirements?

There are many existing automated solutions offering rewards and incentives which serve as an attempt to encourage employees to work harder. When considering which automated incentive system would be most effective in rewarding employees and channel partners, companies should be aware that this sort of incentive solution does not necessarily motivate employees to change their behaviour.

Motivation is about improving performance through positively influencing people’s behaviour; simply offering rewards alone may not be enough to achieve this. Therefore, a reward solution should simply be a single component of a structured motivation programme.

The Wisdom of Convention

Wed 13 Oct 2010 11:48 GMT

During a period of job and budget cuts, one thing that shouldn't be cut is the line of communication with your stakeholders.

Understandably, financial caution and negative press have led corporates to question the appropriateness of running events. But face-to-face communication remains vital. Not just despite the current climate, but because of it.

Now is the time to provide clarity; to set minds at rest and to stem nervous speculation; to instil confidence and give a clear direction; to gauge reactions and react accordingly; to bring your people - and ideas - together.

No other medium achieves these objectives like a conference: they're transparent, emotive, dynamic and flexible. Of course, financial considerations still need to be made, but there are many cost-effective options to be found with a bit of research and imagination - read our article on universities.

Read more with our top tips on why face-to-face communication events are king.

A Different School of Thought

Wed 13 Oct 2010 11:46 GMT

"Here's your starter for ten. You want to host a conference and require a venue that has impact, but not on your budget.

What's the answer? I must hurry you! No?"

In reality, this is a tough question, but the answer could actually prove rather academic.

For events buyers, universities could prove the solution to your challenge. If budgetary constraints bypass conventional wisdom, it's important to try a different school of thought. Universities have all the right qualifications to be the smart choice.

More to Events than meets the ROI

Wed 13 Oct 2010 11:28 GMT

ROI – a universal three letter acronym that it is often poorly understood, incorrectly used and often ignored by events buyers, at their peril.

Find out BI WORLDWIDE’s views on the what, how and when of Event ROI from our in-house Research and Analytics expert.

Read our seven top time-saving tips about how to approach ROI from an events perspective and ensure your ROI delivers real value to your business.

You Either Love It or Hate It

Wed 13 Oct 2010 11:19 GMT

"I always love going back to Istanbul. It might stand on a rock-bed of history, but don’t be fooled - it’s hip, stylish and fast-paced.

Getting there is easy, as it’ serviced by two international airports. From the moment you arrive, the city demands your attention and you’ll never be ambivalent about it – you either love it or hate it. I happen to love it."

In-House Isn't Always Home Sweet Home

Wed 13 Oct 2010 11:08 GMT

The downturn in the housing market has seen homeowners turn their hand to DIY to improve what they currently have. Similarly, the current financial predicament has seen companies 'do it themselves' and take their events in-house. But in-house doesn't always mean home sweet home. Although it's feasible an in-house team will run a successful event:

Can they source materials as cost effectively as a professional agency? Unlikely

Will it take them longer than a professional agency? Likely

Will the finished article be as good? Possibly not

Because an agency uses qualified professionals with years of event management training they can offer the D.I. why, who, where, when and how on budget control, food and beverage management, risk assessing, negotiation and contracting, timeline management and project management.

By having these solid foundations can you build an event that brings the house down. Here's seven reasons why we think using an agency makes sense.

What's Your Exit Strategy?

Wed 13 Oct 2010 10:52 GMT

What are the chances of an incident taking place during your event?

The world is increasingly volatile and nowadays it only seems to be a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

If you're faced with a crisis, a terrorist attack for example, would you have had the right plans, people and support to mobilize your exit strategy?

What would your immediate action be? Who would you contact? Do you have your crisis plan and essential contacts ready?

How would you handle the media?

What about next of kin; the trauma you are faced with; the distress of others?

Does this leave you with more questions than answers? Read our Top Ten Tips on Crisis Management.

Mike's Recession Beating Tips

Tue 28 Sep 2010 10:32 GMT

BI WORLDWIDE MD Mike Davies addresses the Incentives Show.

Learn more about 'How to motivate staff out of a recession'

Wait One Moment Please Caller

Thu 23 Sep 2010 12:24 GMT

Call centres are typically characterised by the highly repetitive work undertaken by the operators, be it sales or customer service focused, the job is the same day-to-day. Heavily operational and process driven, staff are there to deliver results.

The initial challenge when delivering a motivation programme to an audience of this nature is to consider their level of engagement, in most cases engagement is very low due to high attrition rates and seasonal workers, more often than not call centre staff are there because they need the income, not because they love their job. In many cases, a period of time spent working in a call centre can be just an interim phase where employees want to get in, do the work, and get out as quickly as possible. The job can therefore become too systematic at the expense of customer service.

What's Your Motivation ROI?

Thu 23 Sep 2010 11:42 GMT

It's a well known fact that motivation solutions are an important element of business strategy. However, there's a risk that companies fail to fully understand their definitive role in achieving business objectives. All too often, they fail to fully evaluate the efficiency of their investment in motivation. In other words, do they really measure the return on investment.

Only the proper analysis of Return on Investment (ROI) will serve as a valuable element to business improvement. Measuring the investment made in any motivation programme is critical to determine whether budget has been well spent in effecting the desired behavioural change. If you can’t measure it - you can’t manage it!

BI WORLDWIDE is recognised as 'outstanding'

Thu 23 Sep 2010 11:40 GMT

BI WORLDWIDE is recognised as an 'outstanding' organisation and awarded prestigious two-star status in 2009's Best Companies accreditation.