{ "version": "https://jsonfeed.org/version/1", "user_comment": "This feed allows you to read the posts from this site in any feed reader that supports the JSON Feed format. To add this feed to your reader, copy the following URL -- https://www.seebtm.com/en/category/must-read-en/experts-opinions/feed/json/ -- and add it your reader.", "home_page_url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/category/must-read-en/experts-opinions/", "feed_url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/category/must-read-en/experts-opinions/feed/json/", "title": "SEE Business travel & meetings magazine", "description": "Magazin za oblast poslovnih putovanja i kongresnog turizma Jugoisto\u010dne Evrope", "items": [ { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/agile-serbia-conference-all-stars-edition-2020/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/agile-serbia-conference-all-stars-edition-2020/", "title": "Agile Serbia Conference: All-Stars Edition 2020", "content_html": "

It\u2019s never too late for education, so in order to help you to connect with your friends, colleagues, and mentors for two-days of learning, sharing, and connection Agile Serbia has prepared a brand new Agile Serbia Conference: All-Stars Edition 2020 on 7th and 8th December!

\n

Fifth time in a row, but the first time in an online format, this educational center organizes this virtual event with the exceptional name \u201cAll-Stars\u201c. Because of its great tradition, Agile Serbia Conference became the biggest event of the Agile approach to Software Development in the SEE Region. It has become widely recognized, especially within the IT industry, in which the application of Agile approach is the most frequent and the interest of the professional community is growing since the 2012 year.

\n

Big, bigger, the biggest

\n

And they continue to make Agile sky full of stars. For this edition, the main stars are Alistair Cockburn, one of the co-authors of the Agile Manifesto, with over 25 years of experience who will talk about Heart of Agile. Besides him, Sander Hoogendoorn as an Agile, Kanban, and Scrum professional expert will present useful tips & tricks about agile requirements, design patterns, and software estimation. Also, the next Agile star, Jurgen Appelo is in the top 10 speakers of the whole Agile World who’s going to share his thoughts about Management 3.0 and its complexity. And of course \u2013 an amazing Angel Medinilla is cherry on the top with his knowledge and specific presentation. More and more significant speakers\u2019 names will be announced soon.

\n
\"\"
Agile Serbia Conference 2020
\n

But, wait, how are we going to watch this amazing Agile Serbia Conference edition?

\n

This upcoming online ceremony will be held thanks to app MatchAbout, an easy way for networking from event to event and between, without any limits. This app is a great opportunity for networking and the conference will offer 2 stages, amazing lectures, exciting panels, and educational workshops. Download this application from Google Play/App Store, sit back and start the countdown! Also, by MatchAbout you will be able to collect contact and Agile materials.

\n

Don’t hesitate and grab your opportunity to watch and learn from the best. Yes, Agile is the present and the future, business reality with many benefits. Hurry up and take your place for the Conference!

\n

More information about this upcoming event find here: www.agile-serbia.rs

\n

The post Agile Serbia Conference: All-Stars Edition 2020 appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.

\n", "content_text": "It\u2019s never too late for education, so in order to help you to connect with your friends, colleagues, and mentors for two-days of learning, sharing, and connection Agile Serbia has prepared a brand new Agile Serbia Conference: All-Stars Edition 2020 on 7th and 8th December! \nFifth time in a row, but the first time in an online format, this educational center organizes this virtual event with the exceptional name \u201cAll-Stars\u201c. Because of its great tradition, Agile Serbia Conference became the biggest event of the Agile approach to Software Development in the SEE Region. It has become widely recognized, especially within the IT industry, in which the application of Agile approach is the most frequent and the interest of the professional community is growing since the 2012 year.\nBig, bigger, the biggest\nAnd they continue to make Agile sky full of stars. For this edition, the main stars are Alistair Cockburn, one of the co-authors of the Agile Manifesto, with over 25 years of experience who will talk about Heart of Agile. Besides him, Sander Hoogendoorn as an Agile, Kanban, and Scrum professional expert will present useful tips & tricks about agile requirements, design patterns, and software estimation. Also, the next Agile star, Jurgen Appelo is in the top 10 speakers of the whole Agile World who’s going to share his thoughts about Management 3.0 and its complexity. And of course \u2013 an amazing Angel Medinilla is cherry on the top with his knowledge and specific presentation. More and more significant speakers\u2019 names will be announced soon.\nAgile Serbia Conference 2020\nBut, wait, how are we going to watch this amazing Agile Serbia Conference edition?\nThis upcoming online ceremony will be held thanks to app MatchAbout, an easy way for networking from event to event and between, without any limits. This app is a great opportunity for networking and the conference will offer 2 stages, amazing lectures, exciting panels, and educational workshops. Download this application from Google Play/App Store, sit back and start the countdown! Also, by MatchAbout you will be able to collect contact and Agile materials.\nDon’t hesitate and grab your opportunity to watch and learn from the best. Yes, Agile is the present and the future, business reality with many benefits. Hurry up and take your place for the Conference!\nMore information about this upcoming event find here: www.agile-serbia.rs\nThe post Agile Serbia Conference: All-Stars Edition 2020 appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2020-10-13T10:19:32+02:00", "date_modified": "2020-10-13T10:19:32+02:00", "author": { "name": "Milica Novak", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/milicanovak/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Milica-Novak.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/naslovna.png", "tags": [ "Agile Serbia Conference", "Experts opinions", "MUST READ", "NEWS", "News and events" ], "summary": "It\u2019s never too late for education, so in order to help you to connect with your friends, colleagues, and mentors for two-days of learning, sharing, and connection Agile Serbia has prepared a brand new Agile Serbia Conference: All-Stars Edition 2020 on 7th and 8th December!" }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/do-something-nice-for-yourself-today/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/do-something-nice-for-yourself-today/", "title": "Do Something Nice for Yourself Today", "content_html": "

Success is made up of people. In your personal life, the people surrounding you and sharing your day-\u00adto\u00ad-day considerably affect your path of growth.

\n

At the micro-level, they even affect \u2013 as we\u2019re all well aware \u2013 our daily moods. The values you uphold, the kind of person you become, the things you want to achieve. In our professional lives, our interactions with the people we work with also shape the decisions we make and the attitudes we maintain.

\n
\n

SEEbtm is the result of all of us who take part in its creation, of our readers, as well as of the suggestions, comments, and praise that we welcome and appreciate. In recent years, SEEbtm has become richer for articles written by Dragana Deh, MSc Psychology and Systemic Psychotherapist. Sadly, Dragana left us in September this year. They say that a single sentence or advice at the right time can change people\u2019s lives. Through the articles she wrote for our ma g a zine, which embodied her expertise and the subject matter she covered, we believe that she succeeded in helping readers and giving them guidance. If that was true for at least one person, then our and her goal was fulfilled. And that is why there\u2019s always a reason to smile. And to say thank you. In honor of that, we bring you fragments from Dragana\u2019s past articles that we think might come useful as an expert\u2019s advice, support, or opinion.

\n
\n

\"\"

\n

What is Important for Good Communication

\n

Clear, open and direct communication is the rule of exactly every good relationship, and thus of the operations as well.putlockers Understatement, ig no ring, \u201cincompetence\u201d or a lack of desire for active listening, lack of collaboration ability, ambiguity, so-\u00adcalled \u201cdouble messages\u201d (the messages of the opposite/different meaning at the level of verbal and non\u00adverbal communication), individual but unspoken decision to change the plan(s) and operation, are only small parts of what we call unhealthy communication.

\n

Success is a Result of a Good Team

\n

From the perspective of psychology, success nowadays is usually measured through a possession of \u201cthree hot intelligences\u201d, namely: social, emotional and practical. Someone holds in his character one or all three of those as highlighted, but, also, all of those can be learned, trained, brought to high level of functionality.

\n

\"\"

\n

One\u2019s Own Uniqueness and Uniqueness of Others

\n

Stems from Feeling Love or Recognizing Likeness It is true that we are unique, but the breadth of our insights into our own uniqueness and uniqueness of others stems from feeling love or recognizing likeness. When we realize this, uniqueness will become a mirror for recognizing those we love or aspects we love, and get from others \u2013 whether they be artists, athletes, bosses, or random passers\u00adby.

\n

Setting the Boundary Between Real and Virtual

\n

Being extreme and exclusive can rarely bring benefit to one\u2019s life. These very standpoints encompass the risk of losing the human element or, in the opposite case, failing to exploit the powerful potentials of technology. It would certainly be useful to switch from the either/or attitude to the both/and stance and accept that virtual reality is the one we live in, but that it should not be the only place where we exist and act.

\n

\"\"

\n

By Helping Others, We Actually Help Ourselves

\n

By helping others, we actually help ourselves, whether we recognize it as the driving motive or not. Noble acts boost self\u00ad esteem and trigger the \u201cmechanism\u201d of nobility that
\nevery \u2013 again, average \u2013 person has. A call to humanity can have different names assigned by the modern age. All these names, or meanings, essentially represent paths towards the same goal, which is to stay human in every situation. Taking care of loved ones, as well as others, when we have the opportunity, because willingness should exist in all of us. Being and remaining a noble and worthy per son means far more than mere success or survival, far more than philosophical questions.

\n

\"\"

\n

Why Is Playing Important?

\n

Sensitive topics, as well as topics that in a way touch upon issues of discrimination (practice often shows desirability of male/female roles, but many other topics are also present), can easily be overcome through the principles of games. Starting from the basic principles of the team\u2019s strengths that are based, among other things, on (professional but also basic human) trust, all the way to achieving high productivity levels in work, as well as gratification and satisfaction after the accomplished, all of the steps can be accompanied by certain \u201cgames\u201d. The circumstance that employees who more or less work together intensely in fact don\u2019t know each other can take a toll in productivity, and turn the profits of the company.

\n

SEEbtm Magazine\u2019s Team

\n

The post Do Something Nice for Yourself Today appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.

\n", "content_text": "Success is made up of people. In your personal life, the people surrounding you and sharing your day-\u00adto\u00ad-day considerably affect your path of growth.\nAt the micro-level, they even affect \u2013 as we\u2019re all well aware \u2013 our daily moods. The values you uphold, the kind of person you become, the things you want to achieve. In our professional lives, our interactions with the people we work with also shape the decisions we make and the attitudes we maintain.\n\nSEEbtm is the result of all of us who take part in its creation, of our readers, as well as of the suggestions, comments, and praise that we welcome and appreciate. In recent years, SEEbtm has become richer for articles written by Dragana Deh, MSc Psychology and Systemic Psychotherapist. Sadly, Dragana left us in September this year. They say that a single sentence or advice at the right time can change people\u2019s lives. Through the articles she wrote for our ma g a zine, which embodied her expertise and the subject matter she covered, we believe that she succeeded in helping readers and giving them guidance. If that was true for at least one person, then our and her goal was fulfilled. And that is why there\u2019s always a reason to smile. And to say thank you. In honor of that, we bring you fragments from Dragana\u2019s past articles that we think might come useful as an expert\u2019s advice, support, or opinion.\n\n\nWhat is Important for Good Communication \nClear, open and direct communication is the rule of exactly every good relationship, and thus of the operations as well.putlockers Understatement, ig no ring, \u201cincompetence\u201d or a lack of desire for active listening, lack of collaboration ability, ambiguity, so-\u00adcalled \u201cdouble messages\u201d (the messages of the opposite/different meaning at the level of verbal and non\u00adverbal communication), individual but unspoken decision to change the plan(s) and operation, are only small parts of what we call unhealthy communication.\nSuccess is a Result of a Good Team \nFrom the perspective of psychology, success nowadays is usually measured through a possession of \u201cthree hot intelligences\u201d, namely: social, emotional and practical. Someone holds in his character one or all three of those as highlighted, but, also, all of those can be learned, trained, brought to high level of functionality.\n\nOne\u2019s Own Uniqueness and Uniqueness of Others\nStems from Feeling Love or Recognizing Likeness It is true that we are unique, but the breadth of our insights into our own uniqueness and uniqueness of others stems from feeling love or recognizing likeness. When we realize this, uniqueness will become a mirror for recognizing those we love or aspects we love, and get from others \u2013 whether they be artists, athletes, bosses, or random passers\u00adby.\nSetting the Boundary Between Real and Virtual \nBeing extreme and exclusive can rarely bring benefit to one\u2019s life. These very standpoints encompass the risk of losing the human element or, in the opposite case, failing to exploit the powerful potentials of technology. It would certainly be useful to switch from the either/or attitude to the both/and stance and accept that virtual reality is the one we live in, but that it should not be the only place where we exist and act.\n\nBy Helping Others, We Actually Help Ourselves \nBy helping others, we actually help ourselves, whether we recognize it as the driving motive or not. Noble acts boost self\u00ad esteem and trigger the \u201cmechanism\u201d of nobility that\nevery \u2013 again, average \u2013 person has. A call to humanity can have different names assigned by the modern age. All these names, or meanings, essentially represent paths towards the same goal, which is to stay human in every situation. Taking care of loved ones, as well as others, when we have the opportunity, because willingness should exist in all of us. Being and remaining a noble and worthy per son means far more than mere success or survival, far more than philosophical questions.\n\nWhy Is Playing Important? \nSensitive topics, as well as topics that in a way touch upon issues of discrimination (practice often shows desirability of male/female roles, but many other topics are also present), can easily be overcome through the principles of games. Starting from the basic principles of the team\u2019s strengths that are based, among other things, on (professional but also basic human) trust, all the way to achieving high productivity levels in work, as well as gratification and satisfaction after the accomplished, all of the steps can be accompanied by certain \u201cgames\u201d. The circumstance that employees who more or less work together intensely in fact don\u2019t know each other can take a toll in productivity, and turn the profits of the company.\nSEEbtm Magazine\u2019s Team\nThe post Do Something Nice for Yourself Today appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2019-12-26T09:45:46+01:00", "date_modified": "2019-12-26T09:45:46+01:00", "author": { "name": "Milica Novak", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/milicanovak/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Milica-Novak.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/NASLOVNA-128.jpg", "tags": [ "Experts opinions", "Interviews", "MUST READ" ], "summary": "Success is made up of people. In your personal life, the people surrounding you and putlockerssharing your day-\u00adto\u00ad-day considerably affect your path of growth." }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/the-best-of-seebtm/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/the-best-of-seebtm/", "title": "The Best of SEEbtm", "content_html": "

Over the last decade, SEEbtm magazine has been trying to pick out the most compelling topics referring to the MICE industry and event management.

\n

The cover stories in our issues \u2013 carefully planned, elaborated, and laid out \u2013 proved to be interesting, useful, and important for everyone involved in this highly dynamic industry. Our main guideline was the fact that many things are unavailable in our market, and this could be different. There were many unanswered questions that we tried to answer. Many things had never been attempted in practice, and we expounded on them.

\n

We tried to bring and implement new event planning trends to the SEE region. Adapt options to the circumstances specific to this area and expand horizons. One issue after another, our surveys illustrate a clear, precise, and above all accurate, picture of each of the topics they zoom in on. That is a special point of pride. Of course, we are also proud of every praise and suggestion offered up by our readers. After all, our value is measured by how much we are perceived as a relevant knowledge hub by those who are professionals in this field. Our goal is to make things easier and help both present and future event professionals. That is why this anniversary issue contains a retrospective of select articles that generated the most interest – Writing an Effective RFP, What Is Incentive Travel and Happy Team Is a Good Team. Enjoy! \"\ud83d\ude42\"

\n

The post The Best of SEEbtm appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.

\n", "content_text": "Over the last decade, SEEbtm magazine has been trying to pick out the most compelling topics referring to the MICE industry and event management.\nThe cover stories in our issues \u2013 carefully planned, elaborated, and laid out \u2013 proved to be interesting, useful, and important for everyone involved in this highly dynamic industry. Our main guideline was the fact that many things are unavailable in our market, and this could be different. There were many unanswered questions that we tried to answer. Many things had never been attempted in practice, and we expounded on them.\nWe tried to bring and implement new event planning trends to the SEE region. Adapt options to the circumstances specific to this area and expand horizons. One issue after another, our surveys illustrate a clear, precise, and above all accurate, picture of each of the topics they zoom in on. That is a special point of pride. Of course, we are also proud of every praise and suggestion offered up by our readers. After all, our value is measured by how much we are perceived as a relevant knowledge hub by those who are professionals in this field. Our goal is to make things easier and help both present and future event professionals. That is why this anniversary issue contains a retrospective of select articles that generated the most interest – Writing an Effective RFP, What Is Incentive Travel and Happy Team Is a Good Team. Enjoy! \nThe post The Best of SEEbtm appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2019-12-16T14:34:18+01:00", "date_modified": "2019-12-16T14:34:18+01:00", "author": { "name": "Mirjana Novitovic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/officebs/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/slika-.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/naslovna-123.jpg", "tags": [ "event organization", "mice industry", "retrospective", "Experts opinions", "MUST READ" ], "summary": "Over the last decade, SEEbtm magazine has been trying to pick out the most compelling topics referring to the MICE industry and event management." }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/how-much-are-hotels-in-region-working-on-creating-experience/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/how-much-are-hotels-in-region-working-on-creating-experience/", "title": "How Much Are Hotels in Region Working on Creating Experience?", "content_html": "

In mid\u00ad-2019, SEEbtm conducted a survey on how much effort hotels and hotel brands in the region put in creating experiences for their guests.

\n

The overall conclusion is that everyone wants to create a positive and unusual experience for their guests. However, for now only a small percentage takes a systematic, methodical approach to the objective. As a result, creating the guest experience is largely left to luck and good weather, when it\u2019s there.

\n

Every hotel brand and venue that took part in the survey underlined that they indeed work to create the guest/customer experience. They do this mostly (60%) by implementing unusual amenities and events on their premises \u2013 performances, themed events, exhibitions, and similar. In addition, they often use special concepts and design for this purpose, as they do information technology. Hotels also frequently rely on their own staff and their interaction with guests in creating memorable experiences (Chart 1).

\n

\"\"

\n

Hotels in the SEE region still mainly (60%) get feedback from guests regarding their needs, \"\"impressions, and experiences by having them fill out a questionnaire when checking out at the front desk or upon arrival in the room. 20% of them collect feedback through online questionnaires, and another 20% through reviews. We can say that the region\u2019s hotels collect 60% of comments and impressions by direct survey at hotel (Chart 2).

\n

\"\"

\n

\"\"Considering that the website of the hotel, hotel brand, or venue is quite often the first point of contact for the guest and that it also affects the guest\u2019s experience in in interacting with a particular brand, 60% of the survey participants note that a UX designer was involved in creating their website (Chart 3).

\n

The same share of respondents said that the percentage of users\u2019 satisfaction with their website exceeds 50%. No respondents reported users\u2019 satisfaction with their website as high \u2014 greater than 80%. On the other hand, quite a lot of them, as many as 40%, reported users\u2019 satisfaction with the hotel website as less than 30% (Chart 4).
\n\"\"This information decidedly indicates that these failed to take enough care of user experience and website structure and design (read more about UX design by clicking here). In this regard, 80% of the survey participants said that their hotel and hotel brand had no mobile app that their guests could use during their stay and that could improve interaction with the brand and the overall experience, but that they would soon have it (Chart 5).

\n

\"\"

\n

All this suggests that the awareness of the need to plan the guest experience is underdeveloped in our region, but we believe that, as with everything else, the hotel industry leaders will approach this issue in the future with more commitment and resources. This will make good experiences less a result of ad hoc outcomes and happy circumstances and more a result of well-thought-out tactics and invested effort.

\n

The post How Much Are Hotels in Region Working on Creating Experience? appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.

\n", "content_text": "In mid\u00ad-2019, SEEbtm conducted a survey on how much effort hotels and hotel brands in the region put in creating experiences for their guests.\nThe overall conclusion is that everyone wants to create a positive and unusual experience for their guests. However, for now only a small percentage takes a systematic, methodical approach to the objective. As a result, creating the guest experience is largely left to luck and good weather, when it\u2019s there.\nEvery hotel brand and venue that took part in the survey underlined that they indeed work to create the guest/customer experience. They do this mostly (60%) by implementing unusual amenities and events on their premises \u2013 performances, themed events, exhibitions, and similar. In addition, they often use special concepts and design for this purpose, as they do information technology. Hotels also frequently rely on their own staff and their interaction with guests in creating memorable experiences (Chart 1).\n\nHotels in the SEE region still mainly (60%) get feedback from guests regarding their needs, impressions, and experiences by having them fill out a questionnaire when checking out at the front desk or upon arrival in the room. 20% of them collect feedback through online questionnaires, and another 20% through reviews. We can say that the region\u2019s hotels collect 60% of comments and impressions by direct survey at hotel (Chart 2).\n\nConsidering that the website of the hotel, hotel brand, or venue is quite often the first point of contact for the guest and that it also affects the guest\u2019s experience in in interacting with a particular brand, 60% of the survey participants note that a UX designer was involved in creating their website (Chart 3).\nThe same share of respondents said that the percentage of users\u2019 satisfaction with their website exceeds 50%. No respondents reported users\u2019 satisfaction with their website as high \u2014 greater than 80%. On the other hand, quite a lot of them, as many as 40%, reported users\u2019 satisfaction with the hotel website as less than 30% (Chart 4).\nThis information decidedly indicates that these failed to take enough care of user experience and website structure and design (read more about UX design by clicking here). In this regard, 80% of the survey participants said that their hotel and hotel brand had no mobile app that their guests could use during their stay and that could improve interaction with the brand and the overall experience, but that they would soon have it (Chart 5).\n\nAll this suggests that the awareness of the need to plan the guest experience is underdeveloped in our region, but we believe that, as with everything else, the hotel industry leaders will approach this issue in the future with more commitment and resources. This will make good experiences less a result of ad hoc outcomes and happy circumstances and more a result of well-thought-out tactics and invested effort.\nThe post How Much Are Hotels in Region Working on Creating Experience? appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2019-09-09T11:38:33+02:00", "date_modified": "2019-09-09T11:38:33+02:00", "author": { "name": "Mirjana Novitovic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/officebs/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/slika-.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/naslovna-srp-4.jpg", "tags": [ "creating experience", "hotel brands", "hotels", "research", "survey", "Experts opinions", "MUST READ", "RESEARCH", "Statistics" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/hotels-that-put-ux-design-on-first-place/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/hotels-that-put-ux-design-on-first-place/", "title": "Hotels That Put UX Design on First Place", "content_html": "

Hotels are no longer selling place where you can spend the night in. They are now selling an experience that the customer perceives as a service.

\n

Guests remember their stay at specific hotels, they remember everything that was entertaining, different, and interesting \u2013 which is why it is in hotels\u2019 best interest to offer them exactly this. Experience. And this experience should be exceptional. They need to offer something that their guests have never seen, felt, tried, or heard before. They need to create a sort of an inextricable relationship with us\u00a0 as their customers who will always come back. In that sense, new standard levels are reached. Innovation and creativity are now part of any seri ous hotel or hotel chain, which started to compete in offering outstanding amenities. That\u2019s why today\u2019s hotel portfolios also include a well-developed hotel brand that puts experience first, perhaps even with a bit of a hipster touch.

\n

Radisson RED

\n

The Radisson RED hotels, operating under the Radisson Hotel Group, started a true revolution in the hotel industry. They are inspired by art, music, and fashion, and their philosophy and concept are rooted in the millennial way of thinking. In this regard, some of the essentials include a free of charge high-speed Wi-Fi connection. The hotel brand centers on providing the guest with as many experiences as possible during the stay, and here\u2019s how. The space named OUIBar + KTCHN is designed as a place that is synonymous with drinking, food, and socializing, while the menu is made up of local, seasonal produce. You can even place your order through a mobile app and come pick it up whenever it suits you.

\n

\"\"

\n

This is what they say: \u201cWe have no time for beige. We\u2019re RED to the core. We\u2019ve designed our places\u00a0 and spaces to be bold and eclectic. Bringing art to life in our architecture and throughout the hotel, it\u2019s almost like a sleepover in a gallery. The rooms are designed for you to have fun in them. It\u2019s your space, after all.\u201d On top of it, you can also connect your smart devices to the TV and watch your favorite programs. Events & Games Studios, located within the hotel, additionally shakes up and ups the fun in your business meeting or helps you de-stress after a long day. Last but not least is staying connected at all times. The hotel\u2019s RED app offers plenty of options, from opening your door without the key to scheduling a group ride to the airport or telling you, for example, what other guests say are the best restaurants in the city. In Europe you can find them in Brussels and Glasgow, while other parts of the world where these hotels are present include Cape Town, Portland, Miami, Minneapolis, and Campinas (Brazil).

\n

Hilton

\n

Controlling your hotel room using your cellphone? Yes, this is another reality now. A year and a half ago, the Hilton launched Connected Room, which serves exactly this purpose and which is currently available at the brand\u2019s hotels in the United States. This technology allows guests to control nearly everything in their room straight from the Hilton Honors app on their mobile device \u2013 from flipping through TV channels and setting up the room temperature (even when you\u2019re not actually in the room!) to opening and closing the curtains and controlling the lighting in the room. Furthermore, you can also use the app to check-in at the hotel.

\n
\"\"
Hilton Innovation Gallery
\n

The app is set to be enabled for voice commands. No more tapping on your phone! Another extremely interesting thing about this hotel brand and designing guest experience is one step further in personalization. If you have the Hilton Honors app installed on your phone, as a guest you can upload your photos and have them appear on all digital screens in your room. You\u2019ve been on a lengthy business trip and you\u2019re\u00a0 missing your family? Not a problem. Every time you enter your Hilton room and turn on, for example, the TV, you\u2019ll see your loved ones.

\n

vocoTM

\n

Last year, hotel group IHG launched a new brand named vocoTM. The name itself takes inspiration from the Latin term, meaning call or convene, combining the informality and charm of a boutique hotel with the quality and security of a global and renowned brand that is IHG.\u00a0 vocoTM promises an experience that is different, brought to life through a bold, well-known identity, an informal service style, and well-thought-out details. The three key moments in the guest\u2019s stay are identified as the following philosophies:

\n

Come on in! \u2013 A welcoming experience, quick and easy check-in with a local delicacy to kick off your stay as a surprise for the guest.
\nMe time \u2013 The brand encourages guests to take a moment for themselves: extra comfortable beds and bedding, quality amenities, various shows on smart TVs, and excellent Wi-Fi in every room.
\nvoco life \u2013 The lively setting in the bar and other public areas of the hotel makes sure that the guests always have room for relaxation and enjoyment; from serving great coffee to start the day to evening meals that will surely be talked about.

\n

\"\"

\n

IHG started to introduce the brand in Europe, Middle East, Asia, and Africa, while America and China are earmarked for deployment over time. More than 200 vocoTM hotels are expected to open in interesting and urban locations over the next ten years.

\n

JO&JOE

\n

AccorHotels kick-started a revolution in the hotel industry when it introduced a new brand called JO&JOE. These hotels are designed as playful spaces intended to meet the expectations of all those who value spontaneity, love new experiences, and search for them \u2013 Townsters (those who live nearby), as well as Tripsters (those who come to explore the destination). They are focused on design, food, and creating the guest\u2019s experience. The concept is designed to promote interaction and encourage positive community living thanks to the shared spaces that are open to both hotel guests and those who are not. Something is always happening at these hotels \u2013 performances, yoga classes, or DIY workshops.

\n
\"\"
Chambres
\n

The Happy House is a private space where Tripsters can relax, work, cook, or wash their clothes, just like at home. The essence of the brand is Together \u2013 a shared modular sleeping area shared between the guests. In addition to spacious beds, cabinets, reading lamps, and USB ports, the guests have access to common areas for recreation and bathrooms. Yours is made up of rooms and apartments for two to five people with private bathrooms and, depending on the format, kitchen areas. Ideal for small groups and families, the rooms feature a look that is entirely different from the traditional hotel rooms thanks to the originally shaped and extremely comfortable beds. Finally, OOO! (Out Of the Ordinary) offers unusual accommodation for people traveling alone or in groups of up to six people. These original formats include yurts, hammocks, and caravans and provide the guests with an unforgettable experience.

\n

Meanwhile, in the region….

\n

For an unforgettable experience in Belgrade, visit Mama Shelter, situated at the very heart of the city. This place is more than a place where you sleep and eat. \u201cMama is like motherly love. It\u2019s like being in her arms: a comfortable, safe haven where you feel good. Mama feeds you generous, unique dishes made by great chefs. Like a real mom, Mama just wants to take care of you!\u201d is the message of this hotel brand.

\n

Canopy by Hilton opened its branch office in Zagreb last year. These hotels spotlight the following: respect for the local through design, food, drinks, art, and\u00a0 local know-how; comfort and design \u2013 open, large lobby and comfortable rooms; more value \u2013 including Wi-Fi and breakfast, as well as a local welcome gift and an evening tasting of local drinks.

\n

P.S. Don\u2019t forget that the Verde in Podgorica signed a franchise agreement with vocoTM in April! \"\ud83d\ude42\"

\n

In conclusion, the hotel industry\u2019s efforts should be largely redirected towards creating the guest\u2019s experience because this is becoming one of the strongest ways of making a connection with the brand. And this is achieved by carefully listening to the customers\u2019 needs, their expectations, and their wishes.

\n

The post Hotels That Put UX Design on First Place appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.

\n", "content_text": "Hotels are no longer selling place where you can spend the night in. They are now selling an experience that the customer perceives as a service.\nGuests remember their stay at specific hotels, they remember everything that was entertaining, different, and interesting \u2013 which is why it is in hotels\u2019 best interest to offer them exactly this. Experience. And this experience should be exceptional. They need to offer something that their guests have never seen, felt, tried, or heard before. They need to create a sort of an inextricable relationship with us\u00a0 as their customers who will always come back. In that sense, new standard levels are reached. Innovation and creativity are now part of any seri ous hotel or hotel chain, which started to compete in offering outstanding amenities. That\u2019s why today\u2019s hotel portfolios also include a well-developed hotel brand that puts experience first, perhaps even with a bit of a hipster touch.\nRadisson RED\nThe Radisson RED hotels, operating under the Radisson Hotel Group, started a true revolution in the hotel industry. They are inspired by art, music, and fashion, and their philosophy and concept are rooted in the millennial way of thinking. In this regard, some of the essentials include a free of charge high-speed Wi-Fi connection. The hotel brand centers on providing the guest with as many experiences as possible during the stay, and here\u2019s how. The space named OUIBar + KTCHN is designed as a place that is synonymous with drinking, food, and socializing, while the menu is made up of local, seasonal produce. You can even place your order through a mobile app and come pick it up whenever it suits you.\n\nThis is what they say: \u201cWe have no time for beige. We\u2019re RED to the core. We\u2019ve designed our places\u00a0 and spaces to be bold and eclectic. Bringing art to life in our architecture and throughout the hotel, it\u2019s almost like a sleepover in a gallery. The rooms are designed for you to have fun in them. It\u2019s your space, after all.\u201d On top of it, you can also connect your smart devices to the TV and watch your favorite programs. Events & Games Studios, located within the hotel, additionally shakes up and ups the fun in your business meeting or helps you de-stress after a long day. Last but not least is staying connected at all times. The hotel\u2019s RED app offers plenty of options, from opening your door without the key to scheduling a group ride to the airport or telling you, for example, what other guests say are the best restaurants in the city. In Europe you can find them in Brussels and Glasgow, while other parts of the world where these hotels are present include Cape Town, Portland, Miami, Minneapolis, and Campinas (Brazil).\nHilton\nControlling your hotel room using your cellphone? Yes, this is another reality now. A year and a half ago, the Hilton launched Connected Room, which serves exactly this purpose and which is currently available at the brand\u2019s hotels in the United States. This technology allows guests to control nearly everything in their room straight from the Hilton Honors app on their mobile device \u2013 from flipping through TV channels and setting up the room temperature (even when you\u2019re not actually in the room!) to opening and closing the curtains and controlling the lighting in the room. Furthermore, you can also use the app to check-in at the hotel.\nHilton Innovation Gallery\nThe app is set to be enabled for voice commands. No more tapping on your phone! Another extremely interesting thing about this hotel brand and designing guest experience is one step further in personalization. If you have the Hilton Honors app installed on your phone, as a guest you can upload your photos and have them appear on all digital screens in your room. You\u2019ve been on a lengthy business trip and you\u2019re\u00a0 missing your family? Not a problem. Every time you enter your Hilton room and turn on, for example, the TV, you\u2019ll see your loved ones.\nvocoTM\nLast year, hotel group IHG launched a new brand named vocoTM. The name itself takes inspiration from the Latin term, meaning call or convene, combining the informality and charm of a boutique hotel with the quality and security of a global and renowned brand that is IHG.\u00a0 vocoTM promises an experience that is different, brought to life through a bold, well-known identity, an informal service style, and well-thought-out details. The three key moments in the guest\u2019s stay are identified as the following philosophies:\nCome on in! \u2013 A welcoming experience, quick and easy check-in with a local delicacy to kick off your stay as a surprise for the guest.\nMe time \u2013 The brand encourages guests to take a moment for themselves: extra comfortable beds and bedding, quality amenities, various shows on smart TVs, and excellent Wi-Fi in every room.\nvoco life \u2013 The lively setting in the bar and other public areas of the hotel makes sure that the guests always have room for relaxation and enjoyment; from serving great coffee to start the day to evening meals that will surely be talked about.\n\nIHG started to introduce the brand in Europe, Middle East, Asia, and Africa, while America and China are earmarked for deployment over time. More than 200 vocoTM hotels are expected to open in interesting and urban locations over the next ten years.\nJO&JOE\nAccorHotels kick-started a revolution in the hotel industry when it introduced a new brand called JO&JOE. These hotels are designed as playful spaces intended to meet the expectations of all those who value spontaneity, love new experiences, and search for them \u2013 Townsters (those who live nearby), as well as Tripsters (those who come to explore the destination). They are focused on design, food, and creating the guest\u2019s experience. The concept is designed to promote interaction and encourage positive community living thanks to the shared spaces that are open to both hotel guests and those who are not. Something is always happening at these hotels \u2013 performances, yoga classes, or DIY workshops.\nChambres\nThe Happy House is a private space where Tripsters can relax, work, cook, or wash their clothes, just like at home. The essence of the brand is Together \u2013 a shared modular sleeping area shared between the guests. In addition to spacious beds, cabinets, reading lamps, and USB ports, the guests have access to common areas for recreation and bathrooms. Yours is made up of rooms and apartments for two to five people with private bathrooms and, depending on the format, kitchen areas. Ideal for small groups and families, the rooms feature a look that is entirely different from the traditional hotel rooms thanks to the originally shaped and extremely comfortable beds. Finally, OOO! (Out Of the Ordinary) offers unusual accommodation for people traveling alone or in groups of up to six people. These original formats include yurts, hammocks, and caravans and provide the guests with an unforgettable experience.\nMeanwhile, in the region….\nFor an unforgettable experience in Belgrade, visit Mama Shelter, situated at the very heart of the city. This place is more than a place where you sleep and eat. \u201cMama is like motherly love. It\u2019s like being in her arms: a comfortable, safe haven where you feel good. Mama feeds you generous, unique dishes made by great chefs. Like a real mom, Mama just wants to take care of you!\u201d is the message of this hotel brand.\nCanopy by Hilton opened its branch office in Zagreb last year. These hotels spotlight the following: respect for the local through design, food, drinks, art, and\u00a0 local know-how; comfort and design \u2013 open, large lobby and comfortable rooms; more value \u2013 including Wi-Fi and breakfast, as well as a local welcome gift and an evening tasting of local drinks.\nP.S. Don\u2019t forget that the Verde in Podgorica signed a franchise agreement with vocoTM in April! \nIn conclusion, the hotel industry\u2019s efforts should be largely redirected towards creating the guest\u2019s experience because this is becoming one of the strongest ways of making a connection with the brand. And this is achieved by carefully listening to the customers\u2019 needs, their expectations, and their wishes.\nThe post Hotels That Put UX Design on First Place appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2019-08-12T12:27:26+02:00", "date_modified": "2019-08-12T12:27:26+02:00", "author": { "name": "Milica Novak", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/milicanovak/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Milica-Novak.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/naslovna-110.jpg", "tags": [ "experience", "hotels", "ux design", "Experts opinions", "Hot topics", "Hotels and venues", "MUST READ", "Trends", "WHERE AND WHY" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/how-did-the-awards-for-the-mice-industry-come-about/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/how-did-the-awards-for-the-mice-industry-come-about/", "title": "How Did the Awards for the MICE Industry Come About?", "content_html": "

Back in 2009, founders of Kongresniturizam.com, Miona and Ivan Milic, were sitting in one Montenegrin hotel and enjoying an informal business conversation with the hotel\u2019s Sales and Marketing Manager, Leonarda (then) Djinovic, whom they had known for several years through working together.

\n

Different topics came up, and Leonarda said that, given their experience and in the absence of appropriate literature in this area, they should launch a magazine. A magazine that would primarily connect the region\u2019s MICE industry and hotels, agencies, companies, and event planners. A magazine that would provide useful information, ideas, and insights into trends in event management. Considering that they had already received requests from the industry to launch this type of magazine, although she might not know, Leonarda\u2019s suggestion that day was the make-or-break point.

\n

Although she had no journalistic knowledge or experience, thanks to her organizational and managerial skills and her belief in success, Miona took on the editor role for the future
\nmagazine. Expectations of both the company and the industry were high. With work, effort,
\nexperience in the MICE industry, and creativity, SEE business travel & meetings \u2013 or SEEbtm \u2013 was born. A magazine that met and perhaps exceeded the expectations.

\n

\"\"

\n

Six years on, there was a need to acknowledge those hotels that are the leaders in organizing events, those that are the first choice for corporate clients and organized business
\ngroups. Both for personal and business satisfaction, and as a guideline for future events and companies that need venues and hotels. But also as a good business practice model for other hotels for MICE tourism. The already established SEEbtm magazine and regional
\nportal Kongresniturizam have turned out as the logical initiators and founders of MICE tourism awards \u2013 SEEbtm Awards. In 2016, the most important awards in MICE tourism were launched. Not only because they are organized and awarded by the leading regional event planning portal Kongresniturizam and the specialized magazine SEEbtm, but because the best are voted by the audience, those who organize the events. Those whose voice is actually the most valued.

\n

In Belgrade on November 15th, 2018, the region\u2019s MICE industry traditionally gathered for the seventh time at the SEEbtm Party, which became very important for everybody in the MICE industry and event management. At this event, for the second time, prestigious
\nawards were given \u2013 SEEbtm Awards \u2013 to the best hotels and venues in the region\u2019s MICE tourism and meetings industry. Wanting to give the awards even greater credibility and weight, Miona and Ivan decided to form a special jury. A jury of people who are involved in event organization or decide about it on behalf of their companies. That\u2019s how the SEEbtm Awards became the only awards in the region, and beyond, related to MICE tourism that are awarded by the industry itself! There is no greater recognition for a hotel than when a guest, in this case corporate guests who are some of the most demanding and biggest spenders, acknowledges and chooses it as the best in a particular category.

\n

\"\"All of the above gave results, and the competition for the SEEbtm Awards 2018 was fierce. More so because the nominated hotels and venues included the very best in their categories. The importance of this award for hotels is illustrated by a fact that this year, as many as 8,700 people voted!

\n

Check out what the winners say about SEEbtm Awards and SEEbtm Party!

\n

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\n

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\"\"\"\"

\n

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\"\"\"\"

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The post How Did the Awards for the MICE Industry Come About? appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.

\n", "content_text": "Back in 2009, founders of Kongresniturizam.com, Miona and Ivan Milic, were sitting in one Montenegrin hotel and enjoying an informal business conversation with the hotel\u2019s Sales and Marketing Manager, Leonarda (then) Djinovic, whom they had known for several years through working together.\nDifferent topics came up, and Leonarda said that, given their experience and in the absence of appropriate literature in this area, they should launch a magazine. A magazine that would primarily connect the region\u2019s MICE industry and hotels, agencies, companies, and event planners. A magazine that would provide useful information, ideas, and insights into trends in event management. Considering that they had already received requests from the industry to launch this type of magazine, although she might not know, Leonarda\u2019s suggestion that day was the make-or-break point.\nAlthough she had no journalistic knowledge or experience, thanks to her organizational and managerial skills and her belief in success, Miona took on the editor role for the future\nmagazine. Expectations of both the company and the industry were high. With work, effort,\nexperience in the MICE industry, and creativity, SEE business travel & meetings \u2013 or SEEbtm \u2013 was born. A magazine that met and perhaps exceeded the expectations.\n\nSix years on, there was a need to acknowledge those hotels that are the leaders in organizing events, those that are the first choice for corporate clients and organized business\ngroups. Both for personal and business satisfaction, and as a guideline for future events and companies that need venues and hotels. But also as a good business practice model for other hotels for MICE tourism. The already established SEEbtm magazine and regional\nportal Kongresniturizam have turned out as the logical initiators and founders of MICE tourism awards \u2013 SEEbtm Awards. In 2016, the most important awards in MICE tourism were launched. Not only because they are organized and awarded by the leading regional event planning portal Kongresniturizam and the specialized magazine SEEbtm, but because the best are voted by the audience, those who organize the events. Those whose voice is actually the most valued.\nIn Belgrade on November 15th, 2018, the region\u2019s MICE industry traditionally gathered for the seventh time at the SEEbtm Party, which became very important for everybody in the MICE industry and event management. At this event, for the second time, prestigious\nawards were given \u2013 SEEbtm Awards \u2013 to the best hotels and venues in the region\u2019s MICE tourism and meetings industry. Wanting to give the awards even greater credibility and weight, Miona and Ivan decided to form a special jury. A jury of people who are involved in event organization or decide about it on behalf of their companies. That\u2019s how the SEEbtm Awards became the only awards in the region, and beyond, related to MICE tourism that are awarded by the industry itself! There is no greater recognition for a hotel than when a guest, in this case corporate guests who are some of the most demanding and biggest spenders, acknowledges and chooses it as the best in a particular category.\nAll of the above gave results, and the competition for the SEEbtm Awards 2018 was fierce. More so because the nominated hotels and venues included the very best in their categories. The importance of this award for hotels is illustrated by a fact that this year, as many as 8,700 people voted!\nCheck out what the winners say about SEEbtm Awards and SEEbtm Party!\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe post How Did the Awards for the MICE Industry Come About? appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2019-04-18T15:52:17+02:00", "date_modified": "2019-04-18T15:54:29+02:00", "author": { "name": "Milica Novak", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/milicanovak/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Milica-Novak.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/naslovna-78.jpg", "tags": [ "mice industry", "SEEbtm Party", "Experts opinions", "Hot topics", "MUST READ" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/by-helping-others-we-actually-help-ourselves/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/by-helping-others-we-actually-help-ourselves/", "title": "By Helping Others, We Actually Help Ourselves", "content_html": "

The term corporate social responsibility itself is becoming increasingly relevant, although still evolving.

\n

The trend among today\u2019s smaller and larger companies \u2013 as well as other institutions \u2013 of building the corporate social responsibility segment continues to grow, becoming a principle that speaks to the principles of solidarity, morals, ethical business, growth, and impacts on the corporate and wider communities \u2013 those that reflect general business success.

\n
\n

The awareness of overall responsibility at different levels of business is becoming a professional imperative of action even in small systems, as well as the biggest ones such as government institutions, and the state itself. However, at the core of any awareness and responsibility \u2013 the foundation dwells in the individual. Today, this individual is called a responsible person, but every individual recognizes the common and personal value
\nframeworks that shape actions towards others. The psychological perspective recognizes, among others, the aspects of self-esteem, self-efficacy, and the need for respect by others as particularly important. These factors further significantly influence confidence and of course creating one\u2019s image in one\u2019s own eyes, as well as those of others. Although we often hear people say that they don\u2019t care what others think about them, these statements are not rooted in truth. In essence, everyone cares very much about the opinions of others, and everyone \u2013 in their own unique way \u2013 tries to project as best image as possible to the world, even (at times) when they\u2019re not happy with themselves.

\n
\n

\"\"

\n

Staying within the psychological standpoint, let\u2019s take a quick look at growing up and remember the youngest members of our society \u2013 children. One of the developmental stages of earliest childhood entails the child\u2019s negative response to anything that is off\u00adered. Although this stage is often irritating to parents, it is part of development and as such is entirely appropriate. After some time, in place of \u201cNO!\u201d comes acceptance, responding with \u201cYES\u201d to the parents and environment\u2019s suggestions, but the reasoning behind the spoken yes is yes, because that makes me good! It makes others accept me, love me, reward me…

\n

Only after this stage, according to research, usually around the third year, the child starts responding with the so called \u201cwilful YES.\u201d Even very young children feel the need to be good
\nin order to be accepted. Growing up and especially active adult age place this segment at the very top of socially desirable traits, often making them decisive, both for
\nsocial contacts and for professional development and career. This does not imply obedience, but instead the category of nobility, cooperativeness, and empathy \u2013 sensitivity to the needs of others, willingness to help, forgoing prejudices, stereotypes, and all forms of discrimination, as well as active participation in humanitarian activities.
\n

\n

\"\"

\n

Whether every man is born with the capacity to do good is a question that provokes conflicting answers. It\u2019s widely known that no generalization leads to truth, which means that we can\u2019t classify people into noble ones or those who are not. It is certain that every average person holds personal resources for accountability and for good deeds. And the fact is that doing for others is doing for ourselves. In this instance, the stimulus is not (most often) need for others to recognize us as good, thoughtful beings, but rather the good and sometimes empowering feeling that comes from doing something positive. By helping others, we actually help ourselves, whether we recognize it as the driving motive or not. Noble acts boost self-esteem and trigger the \u201cmechanism\u201d of nobility that every \u2013 again, average \u2013 person has. Although in every act we can identify the instrumental motive (\u201cI am doing something with the specific aim to (in)directly benefit from it\u201d), the willingness to do something for others itself in fact makes us better people. In other words, our life gets a very specific meaning!

\n

The question of meaning

\n

\u201cUltimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather he must recognize that he is who is being asked. And the truth comes forward on its own and does not need an intermediary.\u201d

\n

Victor Frankl

\n

A question that many philosophers existentialists have raised throughout history is the question of meaning. A person, in order to feel good in their own skin, necessarily wonders, at least sometimes, about the question of being, doing, thinking… Sometimes the answer is
\nfound, and sometimes it remains in the hazy future that seeks structures in the principles of faith and religion, self-awareness, confirmation of significant personal or other insights. There is no guarantee that any response or insight we obtain would ever satiate our curiosity and
\nbasic search for meaning, especially when a person is facing life\u2019s struggles \u2013 whether psychological, social, or existential. Value systems, especially in the modern age, are increasingly diverging both individually and globally.

\n

\"\"

\n

On the other hand, precisely when we are in the most difficult situations, the circumstance that, even then, we are able to help someone strengthens our potentials and resources for personal struggles. The famous sentence \u201cWhen you can\u2019t help yourself \u2013 help those you can\u201d brings us back to Frankl\u2019s school of psychology/psychotherapy (logotherapy), which is identified through the principle reflection of will to meaning, with a special focus on (self) accountability, as Frankl notes: \u201cWhat man actually needs is not a tension-less state but rather a striving and struggling for a worthwhile goal.\u201d We are the ones who define a goal\u2019s worthiness. The system of high and desirable values is recognized and sufficiently transparent, starting from individual principles to large systems. It is recognized in religion, in everyday life, in art. Think of the excellent Pay It Forward, with Kevin Spacey, and the boy with a simple noble idea for every person to do three good deeds, spreading cyclical kindness.

\n

\"\"

\n

A call to humanity can have different names assigned by the modern age. All these names, or meanings, essentially represent paths towards the same goal, which is to stay human in every situation. Taking care of loved ones, as well as others, when we have the opportunity, because willingness should exist in all of us. Being and remaining a noble and worthy person means far more than mere success or survival, far more than philosophical questions. Staying to the principles of what is today called social and personal responsibility towards oneself, to others, and to life is more than ever becoming the ultimatum of existence and even survival of mankind.

\n

Dragana Deh, M.Sc., psychology, systemic therapist and life coach, together with her fellow experts designs and holds themed educational workshops and team building workshops tailored to the specific needs of both smaller and larger companies.

\n

For additional information, please contact us at: dragana.deh@gmail.com or visitwww.psihooaza.com

\n

The post By Helping Others, We Actually Help Ourselves appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.

\n", "content_text": "The term corporate social responsibility itself is becoming increasingly relevant, although still evolving.\nThe trend among today\u2019s smaller and larger companies \u2013 as well as other institutions \u2013 of building the corporate social responsibility segment continues to grow, becoming a principle that speaks to the principles of solidarity, morals, ethical business, growth, and impacts on the corporate and wider communities \u2013 those that reflect general business success.\n\nThe awareness of overall responsibility at different levels of business is becoming a professional imperative of action even in small systems, as well as the biggest ones such as government institutions, and the state itself. However, at the core of any awareness and responsibility \u2013 the foundation dwells in the individual. Today, this individual is called a responsible person, but every individual recognizes the common and personal value\nframeworks that shape actions towards others. The psychological perspective recognizes, among others, the aspects of self-esteem, self-efficacy, and the need for respect by others as particularly important. These factors further significantly influence confidence and of course creating one\u2019s image in one\u2019s own eyes, as well as those of others. Although we often hear people say that they don\u2019t care what others think about them, these statements are not rooted in truth. In essence, everyone cares very much about the opinions of others, and everyone \u2013 in their own unique way \u2013 tries to project as best image as possible to the world, even (at times) when they\u2019re not happy with themselves.\n\n\nStaying within the psychological standpoint, let\u2019s take a quick look at growing up and remember the youngest members of our society \u2013 children. One of the developmental stages of earliest childhood entails the child\u2019s negative response to anything that is off\u00adered. Although this stage is often irritating to parents, it is part of development and as such is entirely appropriate. After some time, in place of \u201cNO!\u201d comes acceptance, responding with \u201cYES\u201d to the parents and environment\u2019s suggestions, but the reasoning behind the spoken yes is yes, because that makes me good! It makes others accept me, love me, reward me…\nOnly after this stage, according to research, usually around the third year, the child starts responding with the so called \u201cwilful YES.\u201d Even very young children feel the need to be good\nin order to be accepted. Growing up and especially active adult age place this segment at the very top of socially desirable traits, often making them decisive, both for\nsocial contacts and for professional development and career. This does not imply obedience, but instead the category of nobility, cooperativeness, and empathy \u2013 sensitivity to the needs of others, willingness to help, forgoing prejudices, stereotypes, and all forms of discrimination, as well as active participation in humanitarian activities.\n\n\nWhether every man is born with the capacity to do good is a question that provokes conflicting answers. It\u2019s widely known that no generalization leads to truth, which means that we can\u2019t classify people into noble ones or those who are not. It is certain that every average person holds personal resources for accountability and for good deeds. And the fact is that doing for others is doing for ourselves. In this instance, the stimulus is not (most often) need for others to recognize us as good, thoughtful beings, but rather the good and sometimes empowering feeling that comes from doing something positive. By helping others, we actually help ourselves, whether we recognize it as the driving motive or not. Noble acts boost self-esteem and trigger the \u201cmechanism\u201d of nobility that every \u2013 again, average \u2013 person has. Although in every act we can identify the instrumental motive (\u201cI am doing something with the specific aim to (in)directly benefit from it\u201d), the willingness to do something for others itself in fact makes us better people. In other words, our life gets a very specific meaning!\nThe question of meaning\n\u201cUltimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather he must recognize that he is who is being asked. And the truth comes forward on its own and does not need an intermediary.\u201d\nVictor Frankl\nA question that many philosophers existentialists have raised throughout history is the question of meaning. A person, in order to feel good in their own skin, necessarily wonders, at least sometimes, about the question of being, doing, thinking… Sometimes the answer is\nfound, and sometimes it remains in the hazy future that seeks structures in the principles of faith and religion, self-awareness, confirmation of significant personal or other insights. There is no guarantee that any response or insight we obtain would ever satiate our curiosity and\nbasic search for meaning, especially when a person is facing life\u2019s struggles \u2013 whether psychological, social, or existential. Value systems, especially in the modern age, are increasingly diverging both individually and globally.\n\nOn the other hand, precisely when we are in the most difficult situations, the circumstance that, even then, we are able to help someone strengthens our potentials and resources for personal struggles. The famous sentence \u201cWhen you can\u2019t help yourself \u2013 help those you can\u201d brings us back to Frankl\u2019s school of psychology/psychotherapy (logotherapy), which is identified through the principle reflection of will to meaning, with a special focus on (self) accountability, as Frankl notes: \u201cWhat man actually needs is not a tension-less state but rather a striving and struggling for a worthwhile goal.\u201d We are the ones who define a goal\u2019s worthiness. The system of high and desirable values is recognized and sufficiently transparent, starting from individual principles to large systems. It is recognized in religion, in everyday life, in art. Think of the excellent Pay It Forward, with Kevin Spacey, and the boy with a simple noble idea for every person to do three good deeds, spreading cyclical kindness.\n\nA call to humanity can have different names assigned by the modern age. All these names, or meanings, essentially represent paths towards the same goal, which is to stay human in every situation. Taking care of loved ones, as well as others, when we have the opportunity, because willingness should exist in all of us. Being and remaining a noble and worthy person means far more than mere success or survival, far more than philosophical questions. Staying to the principles of what is today called social and personal responsibility towards oneself, to others, and to life is more than ever becoming the ultimatum of existence and even survival of mankind.\nDragana Deh, M.Sc., psychology, systemic therapist and life coach, together with her fellow experts designs and holds themed educational workshops and team building workshops tailored to the specific needs of both smaller and larger companies.\nFor additional information, please contact us at: dragana.deh@gmail.com or visitwww.psihooaza.com\nThe post By Helping Others, We Actually Help Ourselves appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2018-11-29T13:47:08+01:00", "date_modified": "2018-11-29T13:47:08+01:00", "author": { "name": "Milica Novak", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/milicanovak/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Milica-Novak.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/naslovna-63.jpg", "tags": [ "Corporate Social Responsibility", "CSR", "good deed", "helping others", "Experts opinions", "MUST READ", "NEWS" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/helping-others-is-a-team-building-at-a-global-level/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/helping-others-is-a-team-building-at-a-global-level/", "title": "Helping Others Is a Team Building at a Global Level", "content_html": "

It is quite clear why the increasing number of companies decide on socially responsible
\nactivities lately. Those help people to strengthen the relations, get to know each other, strengthen the communication, improve it, drive it to perfection. They learn about each other something they did not know until then. But, also, they help those to whom the help is most needed.

\n

Donations are always an option and probably the most common form of corporate social responsibility (CSR) due to the lack of time. Everything else requires an organization.
\nHowever, although you already know this, please, consider also the organizing of a team building for humanitarian purposes, and we will make the efforts to assist you with the suggestions given in the text that follows.

\n

\"\"Childhood, as the people say, is the most enjoyable period of life. We remember it, mostly, with a smile \"\ud83d\ude42\" We should also provide the same childhood, if not the better than the one we had, to the present children. To our children and the children of the others. And, unfortunately, a lot of them need our help. But there are countless ways in which we can help
\nthem. One of those is providing and giving toys. But, those handmade! You can even organize this team building in cooperation with some of the shelters for children. How is this imagined? Count the people who will take part in this challenge, which includes a task of making toys, divide them into teams that count the same, or approximately the same, number of participants. They need to have a few days to explore what kind of toys they can make.

\n

They can use for help the various video clips on YouTube. Each group shall communicate to the organizer the materials they will need to make a certain toy and take it with them on the
\nday that this team activity will be organized. They can have an hour at their disposal. And the children whom you will donate the toys will be the judges and shall decide on the winner, i.e. choose the most beautiful toy. You can make the arrangement with them so the kids make you diplomas for the first three places. There is no more beautiful thing in the world than a child\u2019s smile, we all agree on that!

\n

\"\"As a carefree childhood shall be ensured for the youngest, the old people should be ensured the most carefree old age as well. If for no other reason, then for the reason that they allowed us to enjoy now in everything we have. As a sign of a small appreciation. Together, as a team, with the assistance of your colleagues, ask around about the old people who live alone and do not have the support with the everyday issues like going to shopping, for example, or planting flowers in front of buildings they live in. You will surely come to someone from your own neighborhood. Group yourselves and arrange to do these things for them on that particular day. Also, considering this topic, you can organize yourselves and tide up a park, plant a tree, or arrange a courtyard of someone who can not do it by himself.

\n
\n

Another example is that you can provide assistance for the local community when you decide on the location of your team building activities. Firstly, ask around well of its characteristics because it aims to engage local workforce and use local foodstuff and ingredients. You shall explore what people are doing there, what\u2019s specific for them, what they produce, in which manner, what is that region known for. Why not learn, for example, how to make cheese, how to knit, prepare fish dish in a particular way, manually make some items, and cook the chutney? You can be helped out with these by one of the local inhabitants. He could, at first, explain you the entire process of production or preparation, and the team that is the fastest in the accomplishment of the task or, at his opinion, is the best, shall be announced the winner. If you have prepared some food, you can donate packed remains and unused products to the locals, and if you have manufactured a particular item, you can offer the rest of the material to a local workshop that deals with such an activity and that could make use of it. Finally, you can always arrange to go to some of the schools that need painting, some minor renovations or repairs.

\n
\n

\"\"Especially when it comes to schools that are in the interior territory and do not have large number of classrooms and rooms. Depending on the number of classrooms, divide people into groups and prepare for each of those the painting materials, dye for painting the tables and chairs, and replacement bulbs. All the groups shall start working at the agreed time. The group that is the fastest in finishing the painting, dyeing and arranging shall be the winner in this competition. At a micro level, you as an individual can do a lot of things for your community. Start by giving everyone a smile. Shop for groceries from local retailers, help the elderly if you find that they need help, support a child\u2019s dream, surprise your colleague with some nice gesture, hold a door for someone at the entrance to the building.

\n

The most valuable things are the ones that can not be bought with money \u2013 someone\u2019s smile and a feeling of gratitude. Therefore, think about this topic for the next team building that you need to organize. Apply your team for running a marathon for charity. Help build someone\u2019s home. Donate clothes and food. Yes, the list can go on and on endlessly. So, let the time of \u201cgiving\u201d happen every day. Helping others is a global team building!

\n

The post Helping Others Is a Team Building at a Global Level appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.

\n", "content_text": "It is quite clear why the increasing number of companies decide on socially responsible\nactivities lately. Those help people to strengthen the relations, get to know each other, strengthen the communication, improve it, drive it to perfection. They learn about each other something they did not know until then. But, also, they help those to whom the help is most needed.\nDonations are always an option and probably the most common form of corporate social responsibility (CSR) due to the lack of time. Everything else requires an organization.\nHowever, although you already know this, please, consider also the organizing of a team building for humanitarian purposes, and we will make the efforts to assist you with the suggestions given in the text that follows.\nChildhood, as the people say, is the most enjoyable period of life. We remember it, mostly, with a smile We should also provide the same childhood, if not the better than the one we had, to the present children. To our children and the children of the others. And, unfortunately, a lot of them need our help. But there are countless ways in which we can help\nthem. One of those is providing and giving toys. But, those handmade! You can even organize this team building in cooperation with some of the shelters for children. How is this imagined? Count the people who will take part in this challenge, which includes a task of making toys, divide them into teams that count the same, or approximately the same, number of participants. They need to have a few days to explore what kind of toys they can make.\nThey can use for help the various video clips on YouTube. Each group shall communicate to the organizer the materials they will need to make a certain toy and take it with them on the\nday that this team activity will be organized. They can have an hour at their disposal. And the children whom you will donate the toys will be the judges and shall decide on the winner, i.e. choose the most beautiful toy. You can make the arrangement with them so the kids make you diplomas for the first three places. There is no more beautiful thing in the world than a child\u2019s smile, we all agree on that!\nAs a carefree childhood shall be ensured for the youngest, the old people should be ensured the most carefree old age as well. If for no other reason, then for the reason that they allowed us to enjoy now in everything we have. As a sign of a small appreciation. Together, as a team, with the assistance of your colleagues, ask around about the old people who live alone and do not have the support with the everyday issues like going to shopping, for example, or planting flowers in front of buildings they live in. You will surely come to someone from your own neighborhood. Group yourselves and arrange to do these things for them on that particular day. Also, considering this topic, you can organize yourselves and tide up a park, plant a tree, or arrange a courtyard of someone who can not do it by himself.\n\nAnother example is that you can provide assistance for the local community when you decide on the location of your team building activities. Firstly, ask around well of its characteristics because it aims to engage local workforce and use local foodstuff and ingredients. You shall explore what people are doing there, what\u2019s specific for them, what they produce, in which manner, what is that region known for. Why not learn, for example, how to make cheese, how to knit, prepare fish dish in a particular way, manually make some items, and cook the chutney? You can be helped out with these by one of the local inhabitants. He could, at first, explain you the entire process of production or preparation, and the team that is the fastest in the accomplishment of the task or, at his opinion, is the best, shall be announced the winner. If you have prepared some food, you can donate packed remains and unused products to the locals, and if you have manufactured a particular item, you can offer the rest of the material to a local workshop that deals with such an activity and that could make use of it. Finally, you can always arrange to go to some of the schools that need painting, some minor renovations or repairs.\n\nEspecially when it comes to schools that are in the interior territory and do not have large number of classrooms and rooms. Depending on the number of classrooms, divide people into groups and prepare for each of those the painting materials, dye for painting the tables and chairs, and replacement bulbs. All the groups shall start working at the agreed time. The group that is the fastest in finishing the painting, dyeing and arranging shall be the winner in this competition. At a micro level, you as an individual can do a lot of things for your community. Start by giving everyone a smile. Shop for groceries from local retailers, help the elderly if you find that they need help, support a child\u2019s dream, surprise your colleague with some nice gesture, hold a door for someone at the entrance to the building.\nThe most valuable things are the ones that can not be bought with money \u2013 someone\u2019s smile and a feeling of gratitude. Therefore, think about this topic for the next team building that you need to organize. Apply your team for running a marathon for charity. Help build someone\u2019s home. Donate clothes and food. Yes, the list can go on and on endlessly. So, let the time of \u201cgiving\u201d happen every day. Helping others is a global team building!\nThe post Helping Others Is a Team Building at a Global Level appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2018-10-30T14:47:21+01:00", "date_modified": "2018-10-30T14:47:21+01:00", "author": { "name": "Milica Novak", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/milicanovak/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Milica-Novak.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/naslovna-57.jpg", "tags": [ "company", "corporation", "CSR", "tem building", "Experts opinions", "MUST READ" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/paint-your-meeting-in-green/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/paint-your-meeting-in-green/", "title": "Paint Your Meeting in Green", "content_html": "

Corporate social responsibility does not mean just assistance to those who need it. As the latest ICCA statistic shows, in 2017, over 12,500 international congresses were held in the world.

\n

Now just imagine what a large number of people have attended these meetings. Millions of participants were involved there. How much paper, food, drinks, different packaging, bags and other materials have been spent on those? So-called green meetings imply increased energy efficiency, waste reduction whenever possible, as well as environmentally friendly arrival and departure of guests whenever and if there is an opportunity for it. Do you know how much food, drink, unspent and unused materials after the event remain? A lot. The inconvenient information is that it is mostly thrown away. We are sure you know what you can do with all of these remains, or in which way you can reduce them, but it is never too much saying it again \"\ud83d\ude42\" Let\u2019s start by order.

\n

A planning of each event starts, as its name suggests, by making proposals and \"\"plans. Instead of printing and taking printed papers to meetings, you can send those to your colleagues a few days earlier via e-mail and save on the spent paper. When you finalize the meeting, you can send your colleagues what\u2019s agreed or decided again in electronic form, as some kind of follow-up. When you prepare the agenda, you can send it via e-mail to event participants. And, as this is the era of digital communications and technological advancement, it is also an option to create an app for the event that guests will be able to use during the event you are organizing. You can put there all the necessary information that will be useful \u2013 agenda, hourly plan, schedule of lectures, workshops, meetings…

\n

When we talk about plates, glasses, cutlery and handkerchiefs, you can replace them with those that are biodegradable. And it does not have to be just a cardboard. There are also those made of bamboo and palm leaves. They look attractive, and are safe and
\neco-friendly. You can use local ingredients to prepare meals. In addition to helping your local economy, it is also kind and useful to know and become familiar with local specialties and specifics. Especially if you have representatives from other countries among the participants. Also, you can serve a drink, instead in small packs, in the larger ones. Upon completion of the event, food and drink remains can always be taken to some of the folk cuisines as a donation or, for example, to a shelter.

\n

\"\"

\n

The remains can also be recycled. You shall bring to the location of the event a few larger cans or containers (depending on how large a type of the event you are organizing is) and label each with a type of waste that should be put in there. For example: cardboard, plastics, other. And, for the duration of the event, do sorting out so that, at the end, everything could
\nbe recycled. Do not use plastic bags, turn to paper bags or canvas ones.

\n

As far as energy efficiency is concerned, it can be achieved through the use of appropriate lighting of the hall and the space you use. The fact that around 20% of the electricity is being consumed nowadays through inefficient lighting is really worrying. Unfortunately, there are still rare uses of solar energy in our region, but we can always use LED bulbs, for example. If there is an opportunity for it, you can come to the very event or meeting by car with some of your colleagues, or by bike, why not?

\n

\"\"

\n

Team building activities are always a challenge for event organizers. At start, their goal is always a noble one \u2013 all participants need to feel good and need to gain the impression that they are part of the same team. To get the best out of each one or to show who is the best in a particular field and in which one he will show the best results. But now we are talking about team building activities that need to bring prosperity at a global level. At the level of the community we belong to and the society we live in. Planting trees, flowers, cleaning and arranging parks are just some of the examples you can make use of and which you can
\ncontribute to the local community with.

\n

\"\"

\n

One thing that is for sure in common for all of us, regardless of the gender, age, the place we live and work in, is that we are all inhabitants of the same planet. That is why we need to do everything that is in our power to leave it in a better state than the one we found it in.

\n

I\u2019ve recently read someone\u2019s saying: \u201cImagine that trees give us free WiFi signals. We would all do planting. It is a pity that the trees provide us with the oxygen for breathing only.\u201d I have held my thoughts on this one. How about you?

\n

The post Paint Your Meeting in Green appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.

\n", "content_text": "Corporate social responsibility does not mean just assistance to those who need it. As the latest ICCA statistic shows, in 2017, over 12,500 international congresses were held in the world.\nNow just imagine what a large number of people have attended these meetings. Millions of participants were involved there. How much paper, food, drinks, different packaging, bags and other materials have been spent on those? So-called green meetings imply increased energy efficiency, waste reduction whenever possible, as well as environmentally friendly arrival and departure of guests whenever and if there is an opportunity for it. Do you know how much food, drink, unspent and unused materials after the event remain? A lot. The inconvenient information is that it is mostly thrown away. We are sure you know what you can do with all of these remains, or in which way you can reduce them, but it is never too much saying it again Let\u2019s start by order.\nA planning of each event starts, as its name suggests, by making proposals and plans. Instead of printing and taking printed papers to meetings, you can send those to your colleagues a few days earlier via e-mail and save on the spent paper. When you finalize the meeting, you can send your colleagues what\u2019s agreed or decided again in electronic form, as some kind of follow-up. When you prepare the agenda, you can send it via e-mail to event participants. And, as this is the era of digital communications and technological advancement, it is also an option to create an app for the event that guests will be able to use during the event you are organizing. You can put there all the necessary information that will be useful \u2013 agenda, hourly plan, schedule of lectures, workshops, meetings…\nWhen we talk about plates, glasses, cutlery and handkerchiefs, you can replace them with those that are biodegradable. And it does not have to be just a cardboard. There are also those made of bamboo and palm leaves. They look attractive, and are safe and\neco-friendly. You can use local ingredients to prepare meals. In addition to helping your local economy, it is also kind and useful to know and become familiar with local specialties and specifics. Especially if you have representatives from other countries among the participants. Also, you can serve a drink, instead in small packs, in the larger ones. Upon completion of the event, food and drink remains can always be taken to some of the folk cuisines as a donation or, for example, to a shelter.\n\nThe remains can also be recycled. You shall bring to the location of the event a few larger cans or containers (depending on how large a type of the event you are organizing is) and label each with a type of waste that should be put in there. For example: cardboard, plastics, other. And, for the duration of the event, do sorting out so that, at the end, everything could\nbe recycled. Do not use plastic bags, turn to paper bags or canvas ones.\nAs far as energy efficiency is concerned, it can be achieved through the use of appropriate lighting of the hall and the space you use. The fact that around 20% of the electricity is being consumed nowadays through inefficient lighting is really worrying. Unfortunately, there are still rare uses of solar energy in our region, but we can always use LED bulbs, for example. If there is an opportunity for it, you can come to the very event or meeting by car with some of your colleagues, or by bike, why not?\n\nTeam building activities are always a challenge for event organizers. At start, their goal is always a noble one \u2013 all participants need to feel good and need to gain the impression that they are part of the same team. To get the best out of each one or to show who is the best in a particular field and in which one he will show the best results. But now we are talking about team building activities that need to bring prosperity at a global level. At the level of the community we belong to and the society we live in. Planting trees, flowers, cleaning and arranging parks are just some of the examples you can make use of and which you can\ncontribute to the local community with.\n\nOne thing that is for sure in common for all of us, regardless of the gender, age, the place we live and work in, is that we are all inhabitants of the same planet. That is why we need to do everything that is in our power to leave it in a better state than the one we found it in.\nI\u2019ve recently read someone\u2019s saying: \u201cImagine that trees give us free WiFi signals. We would all do planting. It is a pity that the trees provide us with the oxygen for breathing only.\u201d I have held my thoughts on this one. How about you?\nThe post Paint Your Meeting in Green appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2018-10-22T13:11:55+02:00", "date_modified": "2018-10-22T13:11:55+02:00", "author": { "name": "Milica Novak", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/milicanovak/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Milica-Novak.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/bigstock-Business-People-Working-150471254.jpg", "tags": [ "CSR", "event organization", "green meetings", "EVENT ORGANIZATION", "Experts opinions", "Hot topics", "MUST READ" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/same-special-free-one-of-a-kind/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/same-special-free-one-of-a-kind/", "title": "\u201cSame, Special, Free, One of a Kind\u201d", "content_html": "

In the sea of media announcements \u2013 as well as messages that we personally exchange with the people we know \u2013 news about someone reigns supreme. About someone who is special in some way or about someone completely anonymous who is important only to those who love them \u2013 family and friends. Special and important circumstances do not happen to mere mortals, but instead only to important people, which is why it\u2019s good \u2013 and above all lucrative, according to modern (non-scientific) research \u2013 to be special!

\n

Science tells us that there no two fingers on one hand are the same, and in light of that, no two people in the world are either. On the one hand, people are aware of this deep inside and have no doubts about their uniqueness. But on the other hand, on the surface of the needs of many people emerges a strong desire to demonstrate and substan\u0004ate this authen\u0004city in various ways, and some\u0004mes they go overboard. Being unique, authen\u0004c, special, and singular \u2013 every human being feels this urge and as such belongs to different systems or groups of kindred others. These two needs \u2013 being with one\u2019s birds of a feather and staying special \u2013 are fundamental to human existence.

\n

Over the course of life, in every stage of development, the question arises as to how or \u2013 perhaps more importantly \u2013 in what order do these needs evolve and what prevails in terms of showing and posi\u0004oning oneself, regardless of the very certain presence of both dimensions. Since we know that people are very complex beings in both psychological and physiological terms, this too is an area where individuality holds sway. We won\u2019t be looking at childhood, a \u0004me when everyone has a pronounced need for belonging, safety, and acceptance, which \u2013 in addi\u0004tion to the emotional and family levels \u2013 is met also by belonging to groups in which we share similar interests and/or procliviti\u0004es. A\u0006fter finishing high school, getting into college, and integrati\u0004ng into society through employment, adolescence and adulthood steer us towards those that are like us, those that share with us a certain level of interests and proclivi\u0004ties, or similar social needs. However, most o\u0006ften simultaneously, they prompt \u2013 or more precisely make conscious \u2013 the need to be unique.\"\"

\n

Being unique definitely creates a feeling that the person can be privileged on various grounds. If it does not bring any concrete privileges when it comes to the so-called positi\u0004ve uniqueness \u2013 owing support, transparency of success \u2013 it certainly brings about the circumstance that the person gets no\u0004ticed. The most important end result of being noti\u0005ced is the annihila\u0005tion of one of the most common fears \u2013 fear of loneliness, although reality does not necessarily jus\u0005tify this.

\n

The psychological self-portrait of uniqueness or a portrait of someone\u2019s uniqueness, as always, has the other side of the coin, which is what is expected from us as unique people and being aware of how difficult it is to survive on the pedestal that others have put us on by labeling us as unique.

\n

Uniqueness can come in forms that we do not see as posi\u0004tive. Widely used terms such as \u201cwhite crow\u201d or \u201cblack sheep\u201d commonly refer to individuals who don\u2019t behave or comply with social norms, but who are indeed unique. Everyone knows about them, everyone hears about them, everyone is interested in them \u2013 even when they are afraid of them or they recoil from a type of uniqueness. Being unique to many means just that \u2013 being no\u0005ticed and abandoning the anonymity of life, which is often interpreted as undesirable. For these people we say that they are unique only because they maintain certain undesirable traits or behaviors. Some other people, unique in terms of virtue, seek a significant place in the lives of others in inadequate \u2013 or even unpleasant or perhaps aggressive \u2013 ways, emphasizing their uniqueness as an irrefutable argument for myriad demands. We might think that someone, despite being unique, has become also narcissisti\u0004c, and so the uniqueness loses its allure.

\n

And for those who are unique and who consider themselves unique for some specific reason, there\u2019s a hint of poten\u0004tial pushiness and the ques\u0004tion of to what extent is it comfortable and acceptable to the surroundings. Do people who are unique also have a right to unique behaviors that exceeds the capacities of friendship, collegiality, family or roman\u0005tic relationships? Who and why would or should tolerate that?! Do unique people have actually different, bigger rights than someone who is (with or without reason) considered ordinary? The answer seems easier than it looks at first glance because the experience of others\u2019 uniqueness is either created by ourselves or accepted as imposed by the environment.

\n

We choose whether we accept, support, or act accordingly \u2013 and no one else. Similarly, we are the ones who create the sense of our own uniqueness, wan\u0005ting few or many others around us to accept it. As the number of those who perceive us as unique grows, so do our demands, and our behavior changes in that we raise our criteria and expecta\u0004tions in our relati\u0004onships, in terms of how much those people who see us as unique are willing to do for us, to please us, or even to forgive us. A look in the mirror of our own uniqueness, which is precisely those other people, creates an oft\u0006en unrealis\u0004tic image of us or at least an insight into what is alright to ask for and expect, and at the same \u0004time not provide. The psychological self-portrait of uniqueness or a portrait of someone\u2019s uniqueness, as always, has the other side of the coin, which is what is expected from us as unique people and being aware of how difficult it is to survive on the pedestal that others have put us
\non by labeling us as unique.

\n

Yes, opposites do att\bract, but similarities stay together! Differences are much more likely to provoke interest than similari\u0005ties. The most common differences pertain to traits or acti\u0004ons that we aspire to but that we do not own or take. Many \u0004mes we might wish to be different, like those whom we perceive as unique, quite o\u0006ften only because they\u2019re living in a dimension that is unatt\bainable to us.\"\"

\n

We judge them as unique, although for others they are pretty ordinary. We flirt with our own aspects of uniqueness, experiment with possibili\u0004ties, tes\u0004ting the limits of our own percepti\u0004on of uniqueness and comparing ourselves with those who have made their authenti\u0004city transparent.

\n

It is true that we are unique, but the breadth of our insights into our own uniqueness and uniqueness of others stems from feeling love or recognizing likeness.

\n

When we shake hands with someone who is like us, we don\u2019t think about how our hands are always unique \u2013 star\u0004ting from fingerprints to impressions and feelings that we inspire in each other.

\n

We offer our hand of authen\u0004ticity to another unique hand, not thinking in advance whether we will be (or become) the one who is unique for that person or situati\u0004on. We remember that later, the moment when we recognize the importance of the relati\u0004onship or circumstance to ourselves. We take a look at our newborn and revel in the fact that it looks like us and at the same \u0004time wish the child from the bo\bttom of our hearts to be unique, to be be\btter, prett\fer, wiser and more authen\u0004tic than ourselves.

\n

And quite o\u0006ften we will raise the child in that direction. Be yourself, but stay mine. Be special, but always belong to me.

\n

To us, people who are unique and special are those who are close to our hearts.

\n

Those who play an important role in our lives, who have special importance and place.

\n

So, when we ask ourselves if there is someone who does not want to be unique, the answer will be \u201cno.\u201d We all want it and we all have at least a few people that we think are unique on a very personal level, and we are aware that it would hurt us if they too wouldn\u2019t keep a special place in their lives for us.

\n

It is true that we are unique, but the breadth of our insights into our own uniqueness and uniqueness of others stems from feeling love or recognizing likeness.

\n

When we realize this, uniqueness will become a mirror for recognizing those we love or aspects we love, and get from others \u2013 whether they be ar\u0004tists, athletes, bosses, or random passers-by.

\n

Dragana Deh, M.Sc., psychology, systemic therapist and life coach, together with her fellow experts designs and holds themed educa\u0004tional workshops and team building workshops tailored to the specific needs of both smaller and larger companies. If you need any information, please contact us at dragana.deh@gmail.com (www.psihooaza.com)

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The post \u201cSame, Special, Free, One of a Kind\u201d appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.

\n", "content_text": "In the sea of media announcements \u2013 as well as messages that we personally exchange with the people we know \u2013 news about someone reigns supreme. About someone who is special in some way or about someone completely anonymous who is important only to those who love them \u2013 family and friends. Special and important circumstances do not happen to mere mortals, but instead only to important people, which is why it\u2019s good \u2013 and above all lucrative, according to modern (non-scientific) research \u2013 to be special!\nScience tells us that there no two fingers on one hand are the same, and in light of that, no two people in the world are either. On the one hand, people are aware of this deep inside and have no doubts about their uniqueness. But on the other hand, on the surface of the needs of many people emerges a strong desire to demonstrate and substan\u0004ate this authen\u0004city in various ways, and some\u0004mes they go overboard. Being unique, authen\u0004c, special, and singular \u2013 every human being feels this urge and as such belongs to different systems or groups of kindred others. These two needs \u2013 being with one\u2019s birds of a feather and staying special \u2013 are fundamental to human existence.\nOver the course of life, in every stage of development, the question arises as to how or \u2013 perhaps more importantly \u2013 in what order do these needs evolve and what prevails in terms of showing and posi\u0004oning oneself, regardless of the very certain presence of both dimensions. Since we know that people are very complex beings in both psychological and physiological terms, this too is an area where individuality holds sway. We won\u2019t be looking at childhood, a \u0004me when everyone has a pronounced need for belonging, safety, and acceptance, which \u2013 in addi\u0004tion to the emotional and family levels \u2013 is met also by belonging to groups in which we share similar interests and/or procliviti\u0004es. A\u0006fter finishing high school, getting into college, and integrati\u0004ng into society through employment, adolescence and adulthood steer us towards those that are like us, those that share with us a certain level of interests and proclivi\u0004ties, or similar social needs. However, most o\u0006ften simultaneously, they prompt \u2013 or more precisely make conscious \u2013 the need to be unique.\nBeing unique definitely creates a feeling that the person can be privileged on various grounds. If it does not bring any concrete privileges when it comes to the so-called positi\u0004ve uniqueness \u2013 owing support, transparency of success \u2013 it certainly brings about the circumstance that the person gets no\u0004ticed. The most important end result of being noti\u0005ced is the annihila\u0005tion of one of the most common fears \u2013 fear of loneliness, although reality does not necessarily jus\u0005tify this.\nThe psychological self-portrait of uniqueness or a portrait of someone\u2019s uniqueness, as always, has the other side of the coin, which is what is expected from us as unique people and being aware of how difficult it is to survive on the pedestal that others have put us on by labeling us as unique.\nUniqueness can come in forms that we do not see as posi\u0004tive. Widely used terms such as \u201cwhite crow\u201d or \u201cblack sheep\u201d commonly refer to individuals who don\u2019t behave or comply with social norms, but who are indeed unique. Everyone knows about them, everyone hears about them, everyone is interested in them \u2013 even when they are afraid of them or they recoil from a type of uniqueness. Being unique to many means just that \u2013 being no\u0005ticed and abandoning the anonymity of life, which is often interpreted as undesirable. For these people we say that they are unique only because they maintain certain undesirable traits or behaviors. Some other people, unique in terms of virtue, seek a significant place in the lives of others in inadequate \u2013 or even unpleasant or perhaps aggressive \u2013 ways, emphasizing their uniqueness as an irrefutable argument for myriad demands. We might think that someone, despite being unique, has become also narcissisti\u0004c, and so the uniqueness loses its allure.\nAnd for those who are unique and who consider themselves unique for some specific reason, there\u2019s a hint of poten\u0004tial pushiness and the ques\u0004tion of to what extent is it comfortable and acceptable to the surroundings. Do people who are unique also have a right to unique behaviors that exceeds the capacities of friendship, collegiality, family or roman\u0005tic relationships? Who and why would or should tolerate that?! Do unique people have actually different, bigger rights than someone who is (with or without reason) considered ordinary? The answer seems easier than it looks at first glance because the experience of others\u2019 uniqueness is either created by ourselves or accepted as imposed by the environment.\nWe choose whether we accept, support, or act accordingly \u2013 and no one else. Similarly, we are the ones who create the sense of our own uniqueness, wan\u0005ting few or many others around us to accept it. As the number of those who perceive us as unique grows, so do our demands, and our behavior changes in that we raise our criteria and expecta\u0004tions in our relati\u0004onships, in terms of how much those people who see us as unique are willing to do for us, to please us, or even to forgive us. A look in the mirror of our own uniqueness, which is precisely those other people, creates an oft\u0006en unrealis\u0004tic image of us or at least an insight into what is alright to ask for and expect, and at the same \u0004time not provide. The psychological self-portrait of uniqueness or a portrait of someone\u2019s uniqueness, as always, has the other side of the coin, which is what is expected from us as unique people and being aware of how difficult it is to survive on the pedestal that others have put us\non by labeling us as unique.\nYes, opposites do att\bract, but similarities stay together! Differences are much more likely to provoke interest than similari\u0005ties. The most common differences pertain to traits or acti\u0004ons that we aspire to but that we do not own or take. Many \u0004mes we might wish to be different, like those whom we perceive as unique, quite o\u0006ften only because they\u2019re living in a dimension that is unatt\bainable to us.\nWe judge them as unique, although for others they are pretty ordinary. We flirt with our own aspects of uniqueness, experiment with possibili\u0004ties, tes\u0004ting the limits of our own percepti\u0004on of uniqueness and comparing ourselves with those who have made their authenti\u0004city transparent.\nIt is true that we are unique, but the breadth of our insights into our own uniqueness and uniqueness of others stems from feeling love or recognizing likeness.\nWhen we shake hands with someone who is like us, we don\u2019t think about how our hands are always unique \u2013 star\u0004ting from fingerprints to impressions and feelings that we inspire in each other.\nWe offer our hand of authen\u0004ticity to another unique hand, not thinking in advance whether we will be (or become) the one who is unique for that person or situati\u0004on. We remember that later, the moment when we recognize the importance of the relati\u0004onship or circumstance to ourselves. We take a look at our newborn and revel in the fact that it looks like us and at the same \u0004time wish the child from the bo\bttom of our hearts to be unique, to be be\btter, prett\fer, wiser and more authen\u0004tic than ourselves.\nAnd quite o\u0006ften we will raise the child in that direction. Be yourself, but stay mine. Be special, but always belong to me.\nTo us, people who are unique and special are those who are close to our hearts.\nThose who play an important role in our lives, who have special importance and place.\nSo, when we ask ourselves if there is someone who does not want to be unique, the answer will be \u201cno.\u201d We all want it and we all have at least a few people that we think are unique on a very personal level, and we are aware that it would hurt us if they too wouldn\u2019t keep a special place in their lives for us.\nIt is true that we are unique, but the breadth of our insights into our own uniqueness and uniqueness of others stems from feeling love or recognizing likeness.\nWhen we realize this, uniqueness will become a mirror for recognizing those we love or aspects we love, and get from others \u2013 whether they be ar\u0004tists, athletes, bosses, or random passers-by.\nDragana Deh, M.Sc., psychology, systemic therapist and life coach, together with her fellow experts designs and holds themed educa\u0004tional workshops and team building workshops tailored to the specific needs of both smaller and larger companies. If you need any information, please contact us at dragana.deh@gmail.com (www.psihooaza.com)\n \nThe post \u201cSame, Special, Free, One of a Kind\u201d appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2018-08-01T13:07:16+02:00", "date_modified": "2018-08-01T13:07:16+02:00", "author": { "name": "Milica Novak", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/milicanovak/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Milica-Novak.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/bigstock-Young-Woman-Observing-Sculptur-205755328.jpg", "tags": [ "special", "Experts opinions" ] } ] }