Google IRL (in real life)
News surfaced this week that Google is “poised for retail launch.”
Why? Google offers every service under the sun, and their reputation precedes them. If consumers can do everything online, why would they venture into a store? Well, reports claim that Google believes customers will be more likely to purchase Android devices if they have a “hands on experience.”
This news of retail expansion emphasizes the value of face-to-face interactions. IRL (in real life) is powerful (but less creepy than GMale), and even the omniscient Google recognizes this. While the internet can provide endless tools and services to enhance one’s life, nothing can replace the persuasive potential of a real-life interaction.
While this would be Google’s first venture into retail, it is not their first venture into creating spaces for human interaction. The Google HQ office is heralded for its dynamic and unique office amenities – as meeting and event professionals, let’s take inspiration from the strategies that Google uses to motivate their employees and encourage in-office productivity.
1. Be Unique
Offer an experience that your attendees cannot find anywhere else. Anyone can offer free food (which Google does do), but only Google has a conference bike. Productivity has never been so fun.
2. Go Big or Go Home
Create an immersive experience for your attendees. If the event has a theme, incorporate that theme into every aspect of your event – from the napkin rings to the bathroom. At Google, even the Ball Pit features the colors of the logo.
3. Listen
Pay attention to your attendees and give them something that they want. Will your meeting attendees appreciate Japanese Toto Toliets? Probably not, but Google employees do. Will your meeting attendees appreciate an event app? Perhaps. Take a survey, or just simply listen, to ensure that you are adding value to improve the attendee experience.
Lesson: The personal is powerful. Utilize unique, immersive, and relevant strategies to create the best possible IRL experience for your attendees.
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Do you agree or disagree? Leave comments to let us know what you think.
Cadence, Inc. is a full-service meeting planning and event production company in Chicago, Ill. For more unexpected perspectives from the event industry, follow @Cadence_Live on Twitter, connect on Facebook, find us on LinkedIn, or visit our website.
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