Event Planning Guide

What is a Wireless Response System?

A Wireless response system is a radio frequency, electronic network of hand held terminals which allows audience members to anonymously communicate their thoughts on questions asked of them by a moderator/speaker. The system is used to turn passive audience members into active participants and to receive immediate feedback on issues for the purpose of promoting discussion within the meeting.

How does it work?

Attendees use the response terminals to answer questions by pushing a button on the keypad that represents their choice to a question being asked. Choices can be Yes/No, True/False, Multiple Choice (2-10), Range/Scale, Vote (Y/N/A), or Top Poll, depending on how the questions are formulated.

Instantaneously, a computer tabulates and displays a distribution of responses in a graphic format on a monitor or a projection screen. This display is communication between the speaker and audience. The speaker should address the responses. The moderator should also elicit audience member reactions to the results.

How do I utilize the response system in my meeting?

To maximize use of the response system, the meeting objectives must first be determined.

• Who are the attendees?
• Why are they attending?
• How many will participate?
• How long is the meeting?
• What are the major points you want the audience to remember?

Once these questions are answered, then an application can be developed which will meet all of the objectives in a creative, informative and exciting way.

Due to the flexibility of our software, and our experienced staff of programmers who are able to customize the program to meet your specific needs, the system may be used in a variety of meeting formats. For example: presentation aid, survey, game show, test, case study, simulator, or videodisc training program. Contact us with details of your meeting, and we'll help you develop the program which is the most effective for you.

Do I need to plan questions before the meeting begins, or can we actually formulate questions during the meeting?

There are two types of questions... pre-planned and impromptu questions...

Pre-planned questions are developed prior to the meeting. In most instances the moderator/speaker has primary input in question development. Pre-planned questions have two advantages. They assure the user that all issues which need to be addressed are covered and well thought out, and that nothing gets asked or answered which the moderator does not want discussed at the meeting. Questions should be reviewed and edited carefully. Have someone else check them for clarity, relevance and freedom from ambiguity.

The questions may be displayed utilizing slides, videographic screens, overheads, or generated by the computer. Choosing the method used usually requires a consideration of question length, other media used within the same session, stage and mood setting. In most cases, questions are displayed by the computer.

Impromptu questions are developed by the moderator/speaker or an audience member immediately, on demand. The major advantage to these questions is that they often open up areas of discussion which were not addressed in pre-planning the meeting, but are important to the issue. It rewards everyone in the room with the sharing of ideas and new information.

This format must be carefully considered before it is used. It should only be used with a moderator who is comfortable with the idea.

Impromptu questions may be asked of the group verbally, jotted down on an overhead, or computer generated. In any case, the operator needs to know the number of choices (Scale of 1-5, Yes/No, You'll choose one of three choices, etc.) before activating the system, or beginning to input a question to be displayed for discussion and saved for later analysis.

Generic impromptu screens may also be pre-built in order for the operator to quickly display a set of responses in answer to a verbal question. (For example: Yes/No, Set of Procedures, or Issues, to choose from.)

How is the response summary displayed?

The most frequently used display is the bar graph. It is easy to understand and can be graphically interesting, both in color and design. There are several graph options available for display, including:

• Bar - Full or partial screen, horizontal or vertical format, 2D or 3D.
• Cylinder - Full or partial screen, horizontal or vertical format.
• Pie - Full or partial screen, thickness and angle can be adjusted.
• Dual - Full screen dual or comparative bar graph in 3D format, allows you to compare, side by side results of the currently polled question with results of a previously polled question. Pre-Survey data can also be used for comparison display

Additionally, our latest software allows you to choose from a variety of other graph types. Some examples include: line graphs, plane graphs, step graphs, etc. It also provides the ability to pick from 16 million colors for the graphs, text and background.

Other graphics available on a custom basis include maps to show geographic differences to answers, held up hands which dynamically grow as the responses come in, incorporation of company logo, or other special graphics. Remember we will work with you to meet your specific needs. Please allow additional budget and thirty days in advance of the meeting for the completion and testing of any custom program.

How are the responses saved? Can I obtain printed reports on site?

The wInquiry software stores responses by individual keypad. It is capable of collecting, storing and cross tabulating all of the responses. Standard reports available include:

• Raw Data Summary by Keypad
• Response Summary by Question Number
• Printout Combining Question Text with Response Summary
• Cross Tabulation of any Two Questions
• Test or Score Printout by Individual
• Test or Score Printout by Class or Team
• Filtered Subgroup Report

When planning use of the system, this feature should be kept in mind and explored. Very valuable information can be shared with attendees, as well as analyzed by different criteria. It is helpful to ask a few demographic questions to outline the composition of the session participants. They can also serve as questions to help get the audience 'warmed-up'.

Reports are generally printed on-site and on return from the meeting. Results may be exported to an ASCII format of your choosing for import into your own spreadsheet or database. Custom reports may be requested. Additional charges may apply.