We celebrated our 28th Annual Spring Summit a couple of weeks ago, and when it comes to game-changing ideas this four-day event was packed with them: We learned about new ways to network, online marketing, engaging with prospects, preparing for the next chapter of your business, and even how to develop core values and redefine inclusion and diversity in the workplace — but now that you have pages of notes and are brimming with inspiration, how do you begin implementing some of these changes at the office? Don’t let those ideas fade away, you didn’t spend days attending a conference to keep doing what you’ve always done (and getting the results you’ve always gotten)! Here are some ways to maximize your event attendance by bringing home the goods and making sure they stick.
First, take some time to sit down and review your notes along with any recordings, handouts, or materials you may have access to (the Academy posts materials and recordings of most sessions to their private Member pages). Organize these materials in a way that makes the ideas clear and easy to reference, retype notes if needed and take this time to prioritize what are the biggest changes you would like to implement. Next, take the top one or two of these big ideas and turn them into measurable goals to begin implementing right away and schedule any of the other changes or ideas for another quarter to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
Once you’ve determined the biggest takeaways you have from your conference or event, it’s time to be sure to get your team on board. Did they attend the event with you (always a good idea to plan for this ahead of time), if not, will you be sharing the ideas with them directly in a meeting/presentation format, have them review the materials/recordings on their own, or as a group? Cultivating your team’s buy-in is absolutely crucial to implementing change — you’ll want to be prepared to emphasize the benefits of the goals you have in mind (e.g., a better experience for our clients), why they should be enthusiastic about working towards them (e.g., it will make their jobs easier in the long run) and create incentives if desired.
Finally, be prepared for necessary adjustments or bumps along the road. Change isn’t easy, and by anticipating setbacks or difficulties you’ll be much more likely to overcome these challenges and continue towards success, as opposed to ditching your new ideas all-together. Use your network, are there other attendees you know who have successfully implemented the same changes you can confer with? Can you reach out to the panelists or collaborators of the sessions you were inspired by for advice, or additional resources (you’ll never know if you don’t ask!). Solicit constructive feedback from your team, you may need to experiment with a few different methods of going about something before finding the right fit, and that’s ok!
Events can be both inspiring and overwhelming, but if you set yourself up for success, the takeaways could be truly game-changing for your life and business.
Chloe Slovinsky
Event Manager
American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.
9444 Balboa Avenue, Suite 300
San Diego, California 92123
Phone: (858) 453-2128
www.aaepa.com
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