Yes it was fun to be part of that conference, but once you get home, it’s time to implement. Photo by Becky McCray.
As you plan out conferences you want to attend this year, here’s a new rule to consider for after the event:
The 2-to-1 rule: Schedule two days for implementation for every one day of the conference.
(I heard that from Marc Pitman, who said he heard it from Elizabeth McCormick. )
Your implementation days don’t have to be, and probably shouldn’t be, all right after the event. Spread them out so you have a chance to keep up with other demands.
They don’t even have to be full days. You can schedule half days, hours or even 20 minute blocks, as long as they add up to the same amount of working time.
What will you do in those implementation sessions? Well, the first session can be to go over your notes from the conference and pick out action items to work on.
Read our whole series on getting your money’s worth from a conference.
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During conferences I take notes that include prioritized action items that I determine I will follow up with once home. Making those decisions at the conference helps me to remember to get contact info from the speaker, permission to use slide decks and photos while I’m there and everything is at my fingertips. Then it is easier to get my follow up work started when I get back to cold, busy reality. One action item is often to share a brief summary of the top three or four best conference takeaways with the City Council and a mailing list of interested people who couldn’t attend. The interested people may jump in and become implementation partners, and the Council has a heads up that this is a best practice from other places so field tested, even if it is a new idea to them.
Great tips, Beth! Another benefit of your sharing with others is that it demonstrates the value of the events you attend. Great when you need others’ approvals to attend future events.