Seminars on every possible subject in every possible field are going on all the time. If you want to attend one that has to do with your own job, just Google your field. Companies invest considerable capital to send their employees to seminars in hopes of improving employees' productivity and making the company more profitable; unfortunately, much of that is wasted. Employees go to the seminar with the best intentions but miss much more than they bring back with them to their workplaces. A plan for maximizing a seminar experience can help you multiply the value of your seminar. Following are some tips to help you develop your own plan.
- Prepare First of all, go with the right frame of mind. This is not a vacation or an opportunity to get away from work for a few days. This is your work. You will not benefit from the seminar unless you make up your mind about why you're attending. Workers who grow on their jobs are the ones who get ahead, and this is an opportunity to build your own skills. Second, read all materials carefully. Who are the leaders and directors? If you don't have that information in the literature you receive, get online and Google them so you know who they are ahead of time. Do you have questions about your work that they might be able to answer? This is an excellent opportunity to get some expert advice that could help you be more productive when you come back home. Look at what the seminar will cover. Would some reading ahead of time prepare you to understand the training better?
- Network Some of the most useful benefits come in the form of the people you meet and get to know. Setting up a network of people who work in your field can provide invaluable help and insights into your own job. Besides, you may need those contacts in case your job should end and you need to find another one.
- Use Your Time Wisely It's easy to get caught up in the social activities connected with seminar attendance and miss important opportunities that will make the seminar a worthwhile and valuable use of your time. Have a plan about where you are going to be spending your time and stick to it. This is not to say that socializing is bad; it just needs to be kept in check.
- Collect Contact Information If you've made useful contacts, be sure to collect contact information before you leave the seminar. Take business cards with you and distribute them to the people you want to continue to stay in contact with. It's frustrating to arrive home only to find that you don't know how to follow up on the contacts you've made.
- Take Advantage of Displays and Demonstrations by Vendors This is an excellent opportunity to see what's new in your field-new equipment, new marketing tools, even new office enhancements. Rarely do you have a chance to see such a concentration of vendors that serve your own field, so take advantage of the opportunity.
A seminar is a rare opportunity to build your own career. Take advantage of it!
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Note: To learn more about how to maximize your event experience, visit Pharma IQ - IQPC or Lean Six Sigma Summit - IQPC.
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