If only they had read this post before going
This post is influenced by the fact I am currently participating at a conference, and it reminded me of the many similar events I attended during the course of my career.
These events comprise academic symposia, internal company meetings, commercial exhibitions and industry conferences. So I would say my experience is quite varied, plus I had the fortune of attending conferences across four continents, thereby observing patterns of cross-cultural effective behaviour.
Although I have not researched the subject, I presume there are several sources of information which will help you maximise the effectiveness of your participation to an event in terms of contributing, networking, memorising, speaking.
Conferencing can indeed be a good opportunity to learn and exchange ideas, to meet new people or reinforce existing relationships.
However, this post is not about this. I’d rather write about how to make the best in a conference for yourself, a few tips that will make the experience more enjoyable. Here is the top 8 JCBits list.
1. Always sit as close as possible to an exit
As much as one would hope to the contrary, some sessions are incredibly boring, or bad.
A rapid escape plan might be needed, and – if that is the case – it needs to be executed smoothly, without attracting too much attention. If you leave the room, it needs to be done discreetly, but always look like something has come up and you are quite preoccupied.
2. Bring along fake business cards
Those of your colleagues who you do not like that much are clearly to be coming helpful with annoying suppliers. You own old and expired business cards would also be good.
3. Seek the Japanese
Especially with an internal company meeting with several international divisions, the Japanese office if often one more difficult to establish relationships with. Conferences are a great way to get to know your Japanese (and to a certain extent, Chinese) colleagues better. Language barriers are a bit more easy to overcome. Few people talk to the Japanese, also because they tend to stick by themselves. They will actually be pleased by the attention. And, most important of all, they are fun! Japanese have a sophisticated sense of humour and might give you a different take on the content of the event
4. If you party, party with the Italians
Italians are less likely to get beastly drunk, and can actually have fun without going to extreme behaviours. Great sense of humour if you are politically incorrect. If you are a bit stiff, the lack of political correctness might not please you. In this case, avoid the Italians
5. Actually listen and take notes
It seems a bit contradictory to put this item in this list. However I do find that a lot of gems of content are often lost because of laziness, tiredness or unwillingness to take good notes. Maybe hidden in a vast ocean of nothingness, but I found that I have learned something important in any conference I attended
6. Truly connect with one or two people
Whether for work or personal reasons, there is always someone “really” worth knowing at a conference. An attractive lady, a retired university professor, a crazy inventor. It might seem unlikely, but this person is there
7. Turn your head towards the speaker
I am still amazed by how many events are organised with circular tables in a hall, with chairs facing away from the podium. This might encourage intra tables discussions, but I find it silly to then be sitting turning your back to whomever is speaking. Quite rude in a way, but above all silly. If you are confined to such situation, I suggest to turn the chair towards the speaker. It is more polite and you will follow the presentation better. Otherwise, it is like going to the stadium and watching the crowd instead of the players
8. The most important tip of all
Many conferences offer lunch or dinner in the form of a buffet. It is essential, and I cannot stress this enough, to go first. As soon as the buffet is open for consumption.
A lot of people will hover around in a very educated way, hesitating. I recommend you don’t. Position yourself closer to the food so you have a natural advantage when the buffet opens up. Or push your way so you cut the queue.
Arriving first is the only guarantee to eat quickly, have a generous portion of whatever you like and first choice of those ingredients which are on top of the salad (like the big king prawns) and nowhere to be found in the sea of lettuce underneath.
Going first at a buffet is also a sure way to meet the Italians and the South Americans, who will ignore the queue altogether, thereby increasing your chances of a good party later.
Should you instead with to meet the German and the British, you will find them waiting politely (the Germans grunting a bit) towards the end of line.