Professional Workshops 101

Consider these tips when attending professional workshops and seminars this fall

If you’re a professional woman looking to start or expand a business, there’s no shortage of ways to get information. The Internet makes it easy. Why, then, do so many busy women opt to take time to attend a seminar or workshop? It’s more than just a learning experience, according to seasoned “seminar junkies.”

Kelly Tanaka, president of Cybertary, a company offering virtual assistant services, attends workshops and seminars throughout the year. She likes the ability inherent in workshops to set aside a specific period of time when she can improve her skill set.

In addition, Ms. Tanaka, who attended the six-week JumpStart series presented by the Women’s Business Development Center, believes the new connections one makes can be extremely beneficial short-term and long-term. “I’ve met women at workshops who’ve become my mentors,” she notes. “The rewards in those instances extended well beyond the learning aspect.”

So if your education plans for the fall include increasing your know-how, consider these tips.

DECIDE in advance what you expect to get out of this seminar. For some, it’s making connections that lead to new business. For others, it could be referral partners or actually developing a new strategy. “There are so many seminars I’d like to take,” Ms. Tanaka says. “I finally realized I can’t be an expert in everything.”

ARRIVE early and stay late. Getting there early will give you a chance to find parking, sign in at registration, read through any handouts and get a good seat. Ms. Tanaka advises turning your cell phone off and your email’s auto-responder on, so you’re 100 percent present. Have an open mind and try to stay focused on the presentation, not what’s happening back at the office. “It’s essential to emotionally disengage with whatever is going on back at the office,” she says. “Having a strong back-up person is key.”

USE the opportunity to expand your network of contacts. Meet as many new people as possible. Introduce yourself to the people on each side of you, and make other contacts at breaks or at the end of the event. Your contacts may also include the speaker or panelists.

BRING ample business cards to exchange. Your business card should include all the ways that people can reach you, including the names of your social media channels. Some people are now including a QR code on their business cards with a link to their website.

PARTICIPATE fully and push past your comfort zone. Ask questions. Offer your viewpoint on questions that other participants ask. Sarah Ware, principal and a broker at Carter Ware Realty Group, especially likes seminars designed for women because she believes women “don’t hold back. They’re more comfortable opening up and sharing information,” she says. “There’s no such thing as a dumb question.”

GATHER useful information. Take notes, underline important concepts and think about how what you’re learning can apply to your business.

CONSIDER sharing what you’re learning – in real time! Tweet or post Facebook status updates. Later, write a blog post to share the highlights of what you learned.

POST SEMINAR, consider how you’ll leverage what you learned and during what time frame. Prepare a realistic list of action items that you hope to accomplish. Follow up with new people through email or connect with them on social media channels like LinkedIn.

Hopefully, you’ll come away from the seminar with a renewed sense of enthusiasm about your business as well as greater knowledge about the subject matter and new business contacts. Then it’s safe to say you’ll get your money’s worth!
 

Tagged as: continuing education, business women, seminar, career advice and small business