More features from Kim:
Phobia List
(You've GOT to check this out!)
Music CDs
Gift books from fathers to their children ...
To contact Kim:
866.KIM.RATZ(toll free)
952.938.4472
3665 Woody Lane
Minnetonka, MN 55305 USA
kimratz@aol.com
Kim is listed in the
Who's Who in Professional Speaking
and aspires to the highest ethics and standards as a professional speaker.
Privacy Policy:
Out of respect for you, I don't distribute your address or other information about you to ANYONE. Ever. Period. My web server does NOT recognize information regarding your domain or e-mail address, and I don't set cookies. (And even if my computer does, I would not know what to do to get the info or how to use it! :) I collect only the e-mail addresses of those with whom I communicate with directly.
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Travel Arrangements & AV Needs
I try to follow the "KISS" principle (keep it simple sweetie) - for both our sakes ...
Getting There - Travel Arrangements
- When flights and overnight travel are involved, I prefer to arrange my own travel, unless your policies prohibit this. Understanding your need to keep reimbursable costs like this as low as possible, I always book coach class and try to reserve at least 30 days if not 60 days in advance to secure the best fares for you. I also use travel search engines to get the best rates on car rentals if necessary, and am fine with using hotel shuttles and cabs, or even mass transit when it's conducive.
- I'll ask you to reimburse my for all travel expenses including airfare, ground transportation, parking and meals; receipts will be furnished to substantiate all amounts listed.
- I'll appreciate your help with the hotel arrangements as in many cases a hotel is your meeting venue and you may be able to secure tax exempt or even complimentary lodging as the meeting planner; I'll also be happy to make my own hotel arrangements if necessary, assuring you again that I would do so at an affordable location and request reimbursement along with the other travel expenses.
- If I drive to your event, I will request reimbursement at your established mileage rate.
Audio-Visual Euipment Needs
My needs in this area are relatively simple too, although I do need a little more than if I were just lecturing from behind a podium ...
Cordless Lavalier Microphone
- My strong first preference. I clip this to my sportcoat and it picks up both vocal and guitar when I'm sharing a song, and also allows me to be hands free and move around while I present - I don't use a lecturn or podium.
- It's important to let your contact at the event site know that I will be singing and playing guitar, so that in case their sound system has any "issues" we have time to talk about options.
- If a cordless lavalier is not available, I need two microphones and two boom mic stands so that when I do sing the audience can hear the guitar too.
- In every case, I always arrive early to do a "sound check" to ensure balance and volume levels and find the "feedback zones" to avoid during the program.
- If the program is in a small room for up to 50-75 people, I probably do NOT need a microphone.
LCD Projector
- And screen. I use powerpoint slides to help reinforce the main points with visual learners and those whose eyes will wander from me during the program.
- A handout is also provided that corresponds with the Powerpoint presentation so they can take away the main points. (I will e-mail this to you ahead of time for duplication)
- I provide my ibook G4, with adapter cord, and hookup to the projector. This is another reason I arrive early - to test this important system to ensure it will work.
- Rarely - the LCD projector is not compatible with my Mac ibook. I also request that another PC laptop with Powerpoint is available in case mine doesn't work - I transfer the Powerpoint presentation to the loaned PC via a Memory stick or CD - which ever works best. Again - my computer works with a different LCD each time in 9.9 out of 10 times. As a professional, I also prepare for that "0.1."
Room Setup - The only things I request are
- Access to my computer and LCD so I can run the Powerpoint presentation, on a small table - not a tall AV Rack.
- A small table up front for water, notes, etc.
- An area to display books and CDs (see next item)
Permission to sell CDs with songs I use in the program to reinforce key parts of the message afterwards, as well as for listening pleasure, and also the books I wrote to help fathers connect more with their children, if this is appropriate to the audience or event. In some cases I am willing to discuss donating a portion of sales back to the organization.
Info on CDs and books
Pretty simple and straight-forward. As a professional who's been doing this for many years, I've learned to do keep it simple and don't sweat the small stuff too much, while making sure I keep your expenses as low as possible! I know my many satisfied customers appreciate that - you've got a LOT of other more important details on your mind ...
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