Chat with Doug: Will There Be Onboarding and Ongoing Training?

As I was exploring my options to make the transition from employee to independent meeting planning consultant, I wanted to make sure I affiliated with an organization that provided both onboarding support and ongoing training. I am certain this came from starting my career with one of the premier hotel companies and all the training that was provided to us from onboarding and throughout our careers.

As you explore making the move, it is important to select an option that is committed to your success. Even though we want to go out on our own, we do not want to be on our own. By affiliating with an established brand, you get the following.

Onboarding

On our team, onboarding is the important process of getting our independent meeting consultant set up, fully informed, and ready to start fast and build their individual business.

The following is a sample (not all the specifics we provide our new team members) onboarding plan that we will put together for our new team members.

Week 1: Get Started
● Set up dedicated office space, computer, phone, and voicemail.
● Review Welcome Packet with startup information and complete prior to attending 101 training.
● Complete the suggested lessons on Learning Lab
● Set-up email and all necessary systems.
● Professional headshot for LinkedIn, and team website.
● Establish your office hours with your friends and family.

Week 2: Training and System Set-up
● Attend 101 training.
● Review all internal resources with your Leader.
● Complete Cvent training.
● Update LinkedIn Profile.
● Meet the Team and set up calls to learn their path to success.

Week 3: Set up your Business
● Determine how you are going to incorporate.
● Determine funds needed during ramp-up (expenses)
● Administrative Support.
● Accountant / Bookkeeper: Taxes/Expenses / Tracking Commissions and Payments. (QuickBooks, etc.)
● Open a Business Bank Account and Business Credit Card.
● Insurance: Secure Medical Benefits (if needed), General Liability, E&O
● Establish Constant Contact program

Going Forward: 30/60/90 Day Plan

Once you finish the onboarding process, you want to hit the ground running. It is important that you follow a proven blueprint. We have established a roadmap based on all those that have traveled the path before you. Below gives you an example of a blueprint that we will tailor to you.

30-60 Day Plan

• Get the word out about your new position / market yourself!
• Establish ‘Personal Brand Standards’
• Review customer agreements and how to use them
• Establish earnings goals: What do you need to make short term and long term. (What do you need to book to accomplish these goals?)
• Review Tier 1, 2 and 3 customer lists. Analyze how to identify how many will work with you today, what prospecting data do you need to find new accounts, how diversified your list is (short-term bookings vs. long term).
• Prepare for conversations with customers (your introduction, customized presentations, materials, etc.)
• Draft Business / Marketing / Account Generation Plan
• Calls with Tier 1 / top prospects
• 7 touch points with all prospects
• Get out and network!

60-90 Day Plan

• Calls with Tier 2 prospects
• 7 touch points with all prospects
• Review best practices for building, sourcing RFP’s and using Customer Response Forms.
• Review contract training
• Review Team Dropbox
• Review BTU Resources
• Coaching with Team Director
• Continue attending industry events

90-120 Day Plan

• Calls with Tier 3 prospects
• 7 touch points with all prospects
• Establish vertical niche (law, medical, sports, association etc.)
• Consider optional certifications (i.e., CMP, CMM)
• Coaching with Team Director
• Continue attending industry events

Training

Our brand has a dedicated person for our training as this is an essential element for new team
members. Some of the training programs include:

• Pre-training preparation with Team Director
• Attend 101 initial training
• Follow through training with Team Director
• Attend 102 training
• Annual Partner Meeting
• Monthly Contract Training
• Monthly Trainings / Masterminds on Additional Tools and Resources to Support Your Clients and Business
• Learning Lab

Monthly Team Calls

I made the transition to the independent meeting planner / entrepreneurial model in 2007…and have never looked back. I know it can be scary and feel like a risk, but all things in life worth achieving come after making the difficult decision to act on our dreams.

Are you ready for the change that will improve your future?

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougbaarman/
Email: doug.baarman@conferencedirect.com
Team Baarman: https://teambaarman.com/