Despirate help needed

[labman]

Hi everyone

I am doing a dinner about trying to get businesses in a certain area to go smoke free. I sent out 100 letters either the letter got sent back b/c the address was wrong, did not send them back or 2 business sent them back. So now I am in the despirate phase and have to call businesses. Can you tell me how my script is.

Hi I ____ from the Winnebago tobacco coalition. I would like to invite you or a representative from your company to a free dinner presentation about the positive aspects of a tobacco free workplace with your business (date and place). The keynote speaker will be (Dr. jeff hall made up name) who is affiliated with affinity occupational health who has helped many businesses in your area go smoke free and will talk about his experences, advantages to going smoke free and how a tobacco free policy is initiated.

Thanks for your time and I hope to see you there. Please contact me. My phone number and my e-mail address.

Do you think that is good or should I do another approach? Add something? Delete something? Remember it is a phone thinggy?

[GingerSue]

instead of saying "please contact me"

could you suggest that you will call again to confirm that they are coming?

(I just think that they aren't likely going to contact you)

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

People are so busy - I doubt many will come unless they are as passionate about the topic as you seem to be. You might do better in a health fair environment. I would call the local alcohol and drug abuse agency to see if they know about any upcoming fairs.

[labman]

Thanks for your help but I picked this topic and thoguht I could atleast get 5 bussinesses to come but I am having zero luck!

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

labman. . .you are trying to sell or promote a product. I think you are going about this the wrong way. Like any salesman, you need to take the product to the consumer. Work out a presentation and pound the pavement. Make appointments to visit individual businesses and present what you have. The only time you can have businesses come to you is when you already have a known product that is wanted by customers. These businesses are busy running their companies and aren't interested in spending time to learn about something that isn't going to increase their profit. I'd round-file (throw away) anything you sent me in the mail and hang up when you called. You have to go to them, not have them come to you.

[labman]

Daytonite

I totally agree with you. This aggregate is going down the toilet. My policy is that I have to put on a dinner for companies in a certain area to promote a smoke free workplace. So what else could I do to convice others to come.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

If this is your policy then you need to change it. If this is a school assignment I don't know what to advise you. I don't think you're going to get businesspeople to take time out of their busy schedules to attend something that has no payoff for them.

[labman]

Daytonite

I totally agree with you totally on this aspect. Why call and disrupt their time either. I am figuring if they did not return the survey that they are not intrested.

Grrrr. I am talking to the clinical instructor. This is totally bogus. I also have like 200 pages I am behind on too because of this bull crap.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

i see. so, this is a school assignment. you might get a better response from employees than from the bosses. it is usually the non-smoking employees who are irked by the other employees who smoke for various reasons. employees are more likely to come to a meeting where they will get free food as well as information items to take back to work to start a no smoking campaign. is that doable? plan it for a time that would be convenient and accessible for them and increase attendance, like during their lunchtime or right after work lets out. advertise it by putting flyers on their cars in the parking lot. or, be there in the parking lot to meet with the employees as they are coming out of work to discuss this. also, rather than a meal, how about an ice cream social? everyone likes ice cream. speaking of taking the show on the road. . .there are some ice cream vendors that will do just that. perhaps you could devise a brief 30 minute presentation along with free ice cream for the employees of various facilities.

[november17, ASN, RN]

also, rather than a meal, how about an ice cream social? everyone likes ice cream. speaking of taking the show on the road. . .there are some ice cream vendors that will do just that. perhaps you could devise a brief 30 minute presentation along with free ice cream for the employees of various facilities.

put doughnuts in place of ice cream and i think this is a viable idea.

[Freedom42]

I suggest telling the businesses what they'll get out of participating. It's not enough to invite them to find out about the benefits of a smoke-free workplace. You've got to go right for the bottom line. First tell them what the benefits are, then tell them how they can achieve them, e.g.:

"Would you like to lower your health-insurance premiums? Reduce employee absenteeism? Increase customer traffic at your business? (or whatever it is your expert will highlight)

You're invited to find out how at a free dinner presentation. Dr. X, an expert on so-and-so, will talk about what businesses in (your town) stand to gain by creating smoke-free work environments."

You could also throw in some research on the benefits seen by businesses where smoke-free workplaces have already been mandated.

I used to work in TV. You gotta tease 'em to get 'em to watch.

[labman]

Jeez you two have sweet teeth hehe must be in nursing school too. Thanks I did talk to my prof and she talked with my teacher leader and we are doing a presentation to businesses at their convience with food. So there thanks for such the great ideas.

kent:balloons: