In this issue...

•Failing to plan—a frightening prospect

• Tips for Attending Conferences and Conventions

•How to Leave a Job Gracefully

Failing to plan—a frightening prospect

There’s nothing scarier than failing to plan for success. (Well, there might be, but not for those people who want to reach their full potential.) And it doesn’t matter if you’re an employer or an employee—failing to plan can lead to a nightmarish situation. In this special Halloween issue of The ASM, we look at two instances where proper planning is more than just important; it’s a necessity. Because the last thing you want is for people to be telling horror stories about something that happened to you. Happy reading (and make sure you keep the lights on)!

—Dan and Don

Tips for Attending Conferences and Conventions
(By Dan Simmons)

In the last issue of The ASM, we looked at a host of reasons why attending industry-related conferences and conventions are a good idea for those people seeking to advance their career. In this issue, I’d like to discuss how you should approach one of these events and what you should do once you get there.

As with most endeavors, planning and preparation are crucial to maximizing your experience at a conference. And this includes all aspects of the event—the venue involved, the hotel, your travel, the various activities and sessions that are available, the people you’d like to meet, etc. The more preparation you can do in advance, the more you’ll be able to enjoy the conference and the less time and energy you’ll waste because of other, less productive issues.

Prioritizing and the importance of networking
The first step is to conduct a small self-inventory of your motivations for attending. What’s the number-one thing you hope to achieve or gain? Do you wish to expand your professional network of contacts and acquaintances? Is there some specific knowledge you’re hoping to pick up while you’re there? Or is it something else? Write down that top reason on a notepad. Chances are you’re planning to attend for a number of different reasons, so after you’ve listed your number-one reason, write down these others, as well. Then rearrange them in order of importance, from greatest to least.

Next you should plan which specific sessions you want to attend. Consult the conference agenda and select those that interest you. However, also pick back-up sessions in case some of your primary choices are full or are cancelled for one reason or another. In addition to the agenda, a list of those people attending the conference might be made available to you. If so, take advantage of it. This list may also include the areas in which the attendees specialize. Circle those people you wish to speak with, should the opportunity arise. This includes those who are making presentations at the event.

You can take this idea one step further. If there are one or two people attending the conference who you would like to meet, contact them in advance and invite them to lunch, dinner, or a cup of coffee at a particular time. This one-on-one interaction will allow you to learn from them, network with them, and share or exchange ideas with them. This might be out of your comfort zone, but you’d be surprised at how receptive people are to it. Not only will the person you’ve contacted be flattered, but it will also serve to boost your confidence before you’ve even arrived on site.

Networking is one of the most valuable benefits associated with conferences and conventions. It’s an excellent way to expand the possibilities that exist within your chosen field of work and to become more familiar with the movers and shakers in the industry. Look at your list again, and make certain that networking is somewhere near the top.

It’s all in the details
When it comes to conferences and conventions, there are numerous details that must be planned. Your attention to these details will help to free up your time once you arrive at the event. Below is a list of the most pressing ones you should consider.

• Travel—Make your flight plans early and be as thorough as possible. You don’t want any last-second surprises. And book your hotel room as soon as you can, especially if the event is being held on a weekend.
• The hotel—Research the facility, including maps and floor plans, in order to familiarize yourself with it beforehand. This will help to ensure that you arrive at your sessions promptly. That way, you won’t run the risk of the sessions filling up before you get there.
• Business cards—These are imperative. The last thing you want to do is run out at some point. Bring so many cards that you’re sure you’ll still have some at the end of the conference.
• Comfortable shoes—You’ll be walking, walking, and then after that, you’ll do some more walking.
• The venue—More than likely, the conference will be held in a city that offers an array of attractive entertainment options. These options provide excellent opportunities for you to further network with individuals during “down time” (i.e., during hours when the conference is not being conducted.) More information might be provided in your conference packet, if one is supplied.

An investment in your future
If you haven’t yet attended an industry-related conference or convention, I urge you to do so. And when you do, be sure to implement the guidelines I’ve provided above. Perhaps you’ve already been to your fair share of conferences. That doesn’t mean, however, that you don’t have anything to learn.

Continuous training is a must in any field and any profession. Think of it as an investment—an investment in the future of your career. And if done properly, that investment can yield a rather large return down the road.

By the way, we practice what we preach here at The ASM. Even as this issue is being published, I’m attending the Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Conference to network with industry professionals just like you. If you have any questions regarding this topic, don’t hesitate to contact me at dan@consearch.com .

How to Leave a Job Gracefully
(By Don Hunter)

Imagine a co-worker who trashes his cubicle, plays practical jokes on his replacement, and slinks off with the copier on his last day of work. Is this a person you’d recommend to a prospective employer? Or expect your company to rehire? Or want to work with again? Probably not.

We can only hope that the reported antics surrounding the Clintons’ White House exodus are untrue, because bad behavior—from a chief executive, no less—degrades the employment experience for the rest of us.

When faced with leaving a job, it’s best to exercise decorum, whether the move is voluntary or forced. To make the best of an awkward situation, here are some tips to remember:

• Keep your mouth shut. Leaving a job (like ending a personal relationship) is strictly a private matter, and waving your dirty laundry serves no purpose. Stay cool. Even in the context of a “confidential” exit interview, there’s nothing to gain from scorching the earth.
• Keep your distance. Soliciting support (or fomenting dissent) from your co-workers might create the impression of a conspiracy or coup d’etat—and unwittingly implicate innocent people.
• Burn bridges at your own peril. The company you left yesterday may need your services tomorrow. If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it.

Sure, it’s easy to be gracious when everything’s rosy. But it takes an extra dose of character to act like an adult when the going gets tough. If you’re ever caught in a sudden employment shift, try to maintain your composure and consider the consequences of your actions.

Workplace trends like flexible schedules and casual Fridays may come and go—but good manners are forever.

Otherwise, Shakespeare wouldn’t have written, “A person is remembered for his entrances and exits.” If you have any questions regarding this issue, please contact me at brg@charterinternet.com.