How-To Optimize Your Time
at #IHRIM2013
With the 2013
IHRIM Conference less than two weeks away, I find myself getting excited – so
many friends to catch up with … so many great presentations to take in … so many
new technologies to ‘discover’ on the expo floor!
I am also
thinking of you, the attendees, and how it will be an important
opportunity to share the value of this conference with your manager(s) and peers
once you return to work.
So, with all of this in mind, I offer you the following tips that will help optimize your time and value at #IHRIM2013:
1. Be Prepared: Show up to the first big HR-Tech event of the year with a plan! Create checklists for yourself:
- Have a list of names ready – if possible, of those you would like to meet at #IHRIM2013 (other attendees, speakers, vendors, thought leaders, etc...)
- What sessions do you want to attend at the conference?
- What are your goals for attending #IHRIM2013?
- How can you create the most value for yourself and your organization during this event?
- personalize your schedule of events; note exhibitors you want to visit; earmark speakers you want to meet; and add your own contact information under the ‘Attendees’ section to further connect with fellow attendees.
2. Seek Out the Content From HR Stars: How often is it that you get to see this many of the industry’s leaders in one event?
- Intelligent speakers will be giving presentations on important, relevant topics and trends – make it a point to garner 3-5 highlights from each presentation.
- Tweet during each session you attend (using #IHRIM2013 as you tweet can serve as a great way to share/store your own notes & insights) – you can generate a lot of content for future blogs from attending these sessions.
- You will most likely come out of a session with interesting and valuable information. Be sure to ask questions and get feedback from other attendees from the sessions you attend to get additional perspective and insight.
3. Develop a Stronger Network:
- Connect with the IHRIM Conference on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn – Spread the word.
- Create a post (text or video) that highlights your plans for and during the conference. Generate buzz for yourself and your organization.
- Initiate new connections with qualified prospects and meet with your old connections to stay connected & current.
- Make the connections count. The value of ‘engaging in conversation’ can’t be stressed enough – how often do we get someone on the phone, much less face-to-face time?
- Assess what issues the people you are talking to are facing and try to help – even if the answer lies with someone else. Making that kind connection will round back to you (directly or indirectly) – you might also be talking to a future business partner!
- At the end of each day during the conference, go through your new connections and make a plan for how you are going to follow up.
- Attend events in the evening to continue networking and to make new friends.
- Check out and gather competitor intelligence.
Remember Casablanca: “…I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!” Just because the IHRIM Conference ends on June 5, it doesn’t mean that the event should end for you. Pour over your notes and make sure that you can really put a face with that conversation … index your contacts by date & location during #IHRIM2013 … follow up with your new connections to keep your conversations alive – extend the event to make the most of the conference!
Are
there any ‘tips’ you would like to share? Please add your thoughts below! We
look forward to seeing you at #IHRIM2013!
Please share your plans
#IHRIM2013!
-- Lynne E. Mealy, HRIP, President & CEO, IHRIM
-- Lynne E. Mealy, HRIP, President & CEO, IHRIM
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