April 19th, 2012
Now is the time of year when many businesses are planning their leadership retreats and corporate strategy weekends. Here are our best tips for planning a successful executive leadership retreat.
 Narrow Your Focus
When you narrow your focus, you can harness power like a laser beam. Therefore, consider choosing only one or two areas to focus on during your retreat, in order to produce specific results and action steps for the most important business challenges your company faces. Consider the impact of a powerful, direct action plan designed to completely resolve two serious issues . . . as opposed to smattering of suggestions and possible improvements for a whole host of issues.
Set the Ground Rules
This is good information for any kind of group meet: Decide on the ground rules, share them at the beginning of your event, and insist that all participants adhere to these guidelines. If you want more buy-in, decide on the ground rules as a group – that way, you’re creating ground rules based on what is most important to the group members. Some examples might include: when sharing challenges with specific employees, do not share the employee’s name; only one person gets the floor at a time; what is shared in the room is confidential and doesn’t leave the room; etc.
Less Is More
Do not fall into the temptation of over-planning your leadership retreat. When you narrow your focus, you will see that you do not need many “activities” to plan a balanced, productive and well-rounded retreat. Facilitated conversation, team building, problem solving, and action planning should encompass the key components of your retreat. But remember to build in extra time for participants to get to know each other in a relaxed out-of-the-office setting – this is important for strengthening the team and facilitating a cohesive working environment that can continue long after the weekend has ended.
Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
While planning your leadership retreat, always keep in mind your main goal. Author and speaker Stephen Covey is famous for saying “Begin with the end in mind,” and this is sound advice for planning your event. Before adding any activities into the schedule, ask yourself “is this necessary to accomplish our overall objective?” If in doubt, leave it out. Begin with your theme in mind, build value-added activities for the group, and if possible, have another set of eyes review the agenda before finalizing the plan. This will help to ensure that nothing is missed, and that the objective of the retreat is duly accomplished. Otherwise, it would be a waste of resources and valuable time.
Need a rental projector for your leadership retreat? Trust the professionals at Projector123.com to provide a professional-grade, affordable rental projector, delivered to the location of your choosing. Click here now to reserve yours today.
April 15th, 2012
Did you get your taxes finished? Here’s a bit of humor to brighten your day.
 How about a rental projector to break the tension and unwind a little? Click here to visit Projector123.com and discover how easy and affordable it is to rent a projector today.
April 12th, 2012
For many spiritual communities and religious organizations, this is the perfect month to begin planning spiritual retreats and periods of focused introspection. If you’ve been put in charge of planning a spiritual retreat for your organization, let us help you maximize the experience with some helpful planning tips and suggestions.
Plan in Advance
Planning a retreat requires a substantial amount of planning and coordination, and you may find it prudent to begin planning several months in advance. Some of the best locations book up early, and you may need to secure your location as much as one year in advance. Plus, the sooner you set your dates, the sooner you can encourage your community members to save the date.
Choose a Theme
This is the part that can boggle the mind. Choosing a theme is the foundation for planning your entire event, yet there are almost unlimited choices. Consider your community, and what would be the most beneficial and timely topic. Then build your activities around this central theme.
Create a Logo
One way to unify the participants is to have t-shirts or some other item custom-made, which includes the name, logo and date of your event. This makes a wonderful (and relatively inexpensive) keepsake for attendees, and immediately helps to garner interest from future participants in next year’s event.
Diversify Activities
A spiritual retreat will inherently possess high points and low points – this is simply part of the experience of deep introspection. One way you can help to facilitate the flow and keep a good balance throughout the retreat is with careful planning of activities. Certainly, you will need some fun icebreaker activities to help participants loosen up and get to know each other. But it’s also wise to include activities that deepen the experience. You may consider independent journaling inspired by thought-provoking topics, or one-on-one work between partner participants. Small group or team activities are also a must, and many of these specific ideas and suggestions can be found online.
Include Down Time
In order to truly create a cathartic group experience, participants need “down time” for rest and unstructured recreation. Allow breaks to facilitate the development of social bonds, during which time participants can break off into impromptu small groups, participate in ad hoc sports, or simply spend time alone to reflect and sit with their thoughts.
Make Meals Fun
If possible, take measures to ensure that participants get the opportunity to enjoy meals with different people, as opposed to staying in their usual cliques at mealtime. Additionally, it helps to involve participants in meals whenever possible. For example, you might take turns or give assignments to cook, serve food, refill beverages, or clean up after a meal. Play music during meals and allow your participants to discuss what they are getting out of the weekend. You may even consider
Rent a Projector
For a truly memorable experience, rent a projector to help display inspirational images, to assist the speakers with visual aids, or to recap photo memories captured throughout the weekend.
To rent a projector from Projector123.com, click here to learn more or to reserve your unit today.
April 9th, 2012
For many businesses, April 1 marks the start of a new fiscal year. In fact, April 1 is the second most common fiscal year start date, second only to January 1. But why do some companies choose to start their year in such a non-traditional manner? There are several reasons why this choice makes sense.
Seasonal Businesses
Companies who receive the majority of their income in the spring, and most of their expenses in the fall may choose this second quarter start date. Alternatively, there may be tax advantages that allow a firm to shift income and expenses to a month that falls outside of the fiscal year (which can help to decrease the company’s taxable income).
 Tax Advantages
There are no true tax advantages to choosing a different start date for a company’s fiscal year, but the laws do not allow this to be changed from year to year. Once a company chooses a start date, they must stick with it. However, a company can choose its start date to make itself appear more attractive to investors or shareholders, if it chooses to start its fiscal year around any periods of seasonal increased expenses or revenues.
Federal Government
The Federal Government’s Fiscal Year runs from October through September. This gives newly elected officials times to conduct the budget process for the following year, as well as giving Congress sufficient time to approve the budget. If the budget is not approved, certain government offices must shut down until the budget is resolved. You have likely seen the press about this in recent years.
Regardless of when you’ve started or ended your fiscal year, now is the perfect time to rent a projector from Projector123.com. From board meetings to budget planning and sales forecasting a rental projector helps you get your point across in a bold, effective manner, with only the highest quality equipment at competitive pricing.
Not sure where to find a great projector? Projector123.com has a large selection of inexpensive rental projectors. Click here to learn more.
April 5th, 2012
Rental projectors are used by a variety of companies and organizations, including religious groups of all types and denominations. Whether you’re planning a special religious service, or a celebratory ceremony such as a wedding or coming of age ritual, or perhaps a religious retreat or weekend of focused introspection, there are countless ways that a rental projector can enhance the overall experience for your religious community.
Special Services
Depending on what kind of religious organization you’re involved with, you may have several special events scheduled throughout the year, which often result in record attendance numbers. Take advantage of these well-attended events and make the day even more memorable by adding themed music accompanied by beautiful digital imagery, thanks to an affordable, easy-to-set-up rental projector. You do not have to have technical know-how to be able to effectively use a rental projector, and certain rental companies strive to make setup and takedown as easy as possible (or may even offer telephone tech support).
Ceremonies and Rituals
Ceremonies and rituals are among the most traditional and beloved of all religious celebrations. From weddings to coming-of-age rituals to christenings and more, these types of gatherings bring families and friends together throughout the community. Imagine how much more special each event would be with a rental projector featuring memories and photos specifically of the individual or couple who is being honored. It’s easy to assemble a tasteful, elegant slide show or video montage, which can be showcased before or during the ceremony, or perhaps at the reception immediately following.
Weekend Retreats
A quiet weekend of thoughtful introspection may be just what the doctor ordered for your stress and worries, or your searching for answers to life’s deepest questions. From board retreats to spiritual retreats to couples retreats and more, a rental projector adds that little extra “something” that makes the event even more special. When you spread this minor expense across all the participants’ registration fees, it becomes a very affordable way to really amp up the entire experience.
Additionally, renting a projector on an as-needed basis is the perfect way to ascertain whether or not an investment in this type of equipment is warranted. Projector rentals can also help your church or religious group to take advantage of the many benefits of using a projector, without the significant expense or upkeep. It’s a great way to access a projector for important events, while keeping expenses low as your group continues to grow and expand.
Ready to rent a projector for your next religious event? Go to Projector123.com to find the best selection of affordable rental projectors online.
April 3rd, 2012
It’s not too late to rent a projector for Easter weekend. Treat your family to a fun-filled weekend and enjoy a break from the daily grind with a rental projector from Projector123.com. Here are some ideas to help you make the most of this family time together.
 Gaming Tournament
Challenge your housemates to a rolling raucous of a good time with a gaming tournament. Rental projectors from P123 are compatible with nearly all gaming systems, and you’ve never seen gaming like this until you’ve experienced it projected onto a screen or a huge blank wall. You might even want to offer prizes and special treatment for the winners.
Movie Weekend
Pop some popcorn, round up the pillows and gather the family for a weekend filled with new releases and your favorite family flicks. What you watch isn’t as important as being together and enjoying the time as a family. HINT: To really hit a home run with the kiddos, let each child choose a movie for the family to watch.
Slideshow Montage
Gather all the digital snapshots you collected this weekend, while the kids were hunting for brightly colored eggs, diving into their baskets on Easter morning, and munching away on candy. It’s fun and easy to put these memories into a slide show and set it to music – what a great way to end a fun family weekend! And what better way to showcase your montage than with a rental projector, displaying larger than life imagery and bright, vivid color.
To learn more about rental projectors from Projector123.com, or to reserve your unit, click here to visit our website.
March 30th, 2012
Nowadays, it is more important than ever to brand your business. We recently ran across an excellent article that addresses this topic. The original article by Ken Chandler can be found here at SmallBusinessBranding.com
Use continuity in your branding by enhancing your corporate image with a rental projector for any business event. Click here to visit Projector123.com and start exploring branding options.
How to Avoid Blurry Positioning
by Ken Chandler
If you find yourself in the role of consultant, how you express that role speaks to your brand. How you position your brand, is what defines it. Ideally you should embrace the services that best show your passion to your audience. I recently had this discussion with a client of mine. Their consulting services were equally divided between two audiences. Essentially the same solutions but to two disciplines. They had a passion for one, and a responsibility to another. This intrigued me.
I wanted to know why they felt it necessary to split their attention between the two. The client felt that because they were two distinct audiences the service should also be split. On the surface, this seems logical, but from a brand perspective it divides the message. In order for your brand to stand out, it should have a singular thrust. The more fractured the message the larger the risk of confusing your audience. You really want to fine tune your discipline. Choosing one strong direction absolutely focuses your consultancy. I advised my client to choose the avenue where they were most passionate. I felt that that would be the most powerful. They would also enjoy themselves more. And shouldn’t you have fun in your business?
I showed them that if they embraced their passion and put all their energies is succeeding in that area, their clients who are entrepreneurs would by nature bring their other businesses into the fold.They would get all their business naturally. Initially, my client felt that targeting the two areas was the better strategy, but now focusing on their passion gave delivered their ultimate goal more organically. It was also a more honest and natural approach. My client is now much more focused and excited to take their brand in a distinct direction. Compared to their competition, they are no longer a generalized service but a differentiated one. They will be seen as a strong leader in a category populated by generalists.
All too often businesses feel the urge to be all things to all people. This is fine when you have the customer through the door. But the process leading up to that awareness is a little more refined. In order to capture new business, you’ve got to distribute a message that resonates and gets them to notice you. This is where branding shines if done properly. Strategically. Keeping focus pays off. Avoid the temptation to sell everything all at once. One caveat of this strategy is that if you forget to mention it – you don’t do it. And for every service mentioned you also invite competition for that that service. Focus the message reduces the competition and delivers your brand powerfully.
March 27th, 2012
Your best girlfriend is getting married, and you want to do something special for her. She may have protested against having a bridal shower, but you know that she really wants one. She just doesn’t want you to go through all the hassle of planning and throwing it. So, you’re doing this bridal shower under the radar. In this day and age, however, it’s hard to keep a secret. The question becomes how do you throw a surprise bridal shower without the bride-to-be knowing about it?
Get Everyone on Board
The first step is to select a date when all the important people can make it, including the bride-to-be. So, know everyone’s availability and plan accordingly.
Fool the Bride-to-be
You love your girlfriend, but it will be to her own advantage if you lie to her in this situation. Your friend will figure out that you’re planning a party no matter how hard you try to hide it (or no matter how many people on Facebook you tell not to say anything). So, tell her it’s a party – just don’t say that it’s a bridal shower party. Make up a birthday, anniversary, going-away, etc. party.
Someone will have to be the patsy for the day, but she’ll love being that patsy. This way, you can send out those physical, Evite or Facebook invitations for a real party.
Order a Rental Projector
A rental projector is the perfect way to showcase home videos or collages of photos of the bride- and groom-to-be. Order the rental projector as soon as you know the date of the bridal shower. This way, you’ll ensure that the company has one reserved for you and that it gets to your house on time.
You’ll definitely want the projector the day before because you need to set it up. Depending on the time of the year or the weather, your projector will either be inside or outside. A good high-lumen DLP projector will work for either situation.
Get the Groom-to-be Involved
The groom-to-be is the perfect person to help you plan the bridal shower. He’ll have those sought-after pictures that you want for your rental projector collage. Plus, he’ll be in on the conspiracy to help you avoid having the bride-to-be find out about the bridal shower.
Make Sure Everyone is Early
Regular party guests should have an earlier invite time than the bride-to-be. Make it at least 1 to 2 hours earlier since you know that most people are going to be late. This shouldn’t be too much of a problem since your guest of honor still thinks she’s going to some type of party. Everyone, however, will want to see her face when she walks in.
 Capture those Memories
Have all the cameras and video cameras ready for when the happy couple walk through the door, and capture as many memories of the day as possible. You can always use these for your next projector collage, for example, their first anniversary party.
Rent a projector from a trusted name in the business. Projector123.com will get you your projector the day before your event. Learn more here.
March 23rd, 2012
You love your kids, and you want to show off their achievements. But, you only have so much space in your trophy case to display all of their awards and photographs. Plus, you probably want to do more for your little star than simply hang another picture of them with a ribbon on the wall. An MVP night just for your athlete or even the whole team is a great way to memorialize their season, winning games or multiple achievements.
Most parents capture their children’s events in one of two ways: photographs or videos. Either way, you can put together a short movie or slideshow of the best moments of each game. For example, you can create a slideshow that shows off Timmy’s game winning hit and followed by the team celebrating and holding the trophy.
 Creating Your Movie or Slideshow
There are many free or inexpensive slideshow and movie editing programs available. Sites like Slideroll and PhotoShow allow you to add captions, themes or even a soundtrack to your slideshow of photographs. If you have a Windows computer, many versions come with Windows Movie Maker, which makes it easier to cut out unwanted clips and add transitions, title pages and ending credits.
Once your movie or video is made, burn it on to a DVD, and rent a projector and screen. The DVD not only allows you to showcase your MVPs on the big screen, you can also give copies of the DVD to the kids and parents as a parting gift for coming to your MVP night.
Planning the Night
Now, it’s time to start planning your MVP night. Pick a day when all or most of the families can make it. Pick a room in your house that can accommodate the entire team. If you don’t have a room large enough, and it’s warm outside, you can consider setting up your rental projector and screen outside.
Want your MVP night to be truly special? Then spice up the set up with small tables with nice tablecloths and centerpieces. Take the event to a whole different level, and have attendees dress up like they’re going to a real Hall of Fame event.
Satisfying the Crowd
Since you are generally going to be displaying the events of younger kids, don’t go too fancy on the food. Popcorn, hot dogs, hamburgers and the like will satisfy this crowd. Finally, just have fun with your slideshow or movie. Clap or cheer when each kid or a special moment is featured. The point of the evening is to make little Timmy and his team feel special.
Want to find the best rental projectors on the market? Check out Projector123.com. Click here to learn more.
March 20th, 2012
Large events like corporate meetings or conventions always involve workshops, speakers and the like. If you are hosting or speaking during a meeting, you want to ensure that your audience can not only hear what you are saying, but also see your visuals as well. Rental projectors are great options for displaying your PowerPoint presentation, images or text documents. You are now, however, faced with the question of what type of projector to rent.
Types of Projectors
The two main types of projectors are the LCD and DLP projectors. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) projectors use excited liquid crystals trapped behind transparent panels to create images. LCD projectors tend to be lighter than DLP projectors, making them easier to carry around. These types of projectors also have a type of metal lamp that creates a lot of light, which is perfect for situations where you need a high-lumen projector.
DLP projectors, however, tend to be a lot heavier than LCD projectors. While this makes them less portable, DLP projectors have some major advantages over LCD projectors. The images produced by these types of projectors tend to be higher quality images, and the contrast is usually better. DLP projectors are also easier to maintain since you don’t have a lamp bulb to change, and it doesn’t have a filter.
A DLP projector creates images using micro mirrors inside of chips as opposed to the liquid crystals used by the LCD projector. These mirrors open and close at a rapid rate, creating the images projected on the screen.
 What Type to Rent
A 2800 lumen DLP projector is a great choice for a corporate event or conventions. These projectors are designed for both indoor and outdoor use so you’ll be covered if your convention or corporate meeting is inside or outside. Plus, this DLP 2800 lumen projector is perfect for large groups (up to 200 people), and it works well with little to no external lighting.
Usually, a 2800 lumen projector has a high contrast ratio (around 3000:1). High contrast ratios are important because it ensures that your audience will see more than simply the outline of images or text.
Many of these types of projectors also come with a remote control, allowing you to run the entire presentation remotely. No more standing next to the projector or computer while your presentation is playing.
Looking for a great place from which to rent a projector? Projector123.com has a large selection of quality projectors, and you can’t beat their prices. Click here to learn more.
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