Advisors attend conferences for various reasons. Some go to conferences for networking while others do so to get new ideas on business development. No matter what the agenda is, advisors should make sure that it is a productive investment of their time.
Here are a few tips on how to make the most of the conference you are attending next.
Network, network and network
Meet new people, but also build on the relationships you already have. Connect with other advisors before the start of the conference and during.
- Chat about business ideas and strategies they are using for growth
- Go outside the conference hall during breaks and share notes and ideas with fellow advisors
- Come prepared with a list of topics to explore with fellow advisors
- Do not forget to collect their business cards and ensure that you share your card with them
Gajendra Kothari of Etica Wealth Management feels that conferences are the best place to network. He says, “Your fellow advisors are far more accessible and you do not need to take a formal appointment to meet them; instead, you can simply just walk to them and start your conversation. Also, you can meet many people in just a day.”
Khyati Mashru of Plantrich Consultancy believes networking in conferences help advisors grow business. “In conferences, I interact with fellow advisors to understand what practices they are following to grow their business and implement those practices in my business,” she says.
Schedule the stalls you want to visit
Make a list of the stalls you want to visit at the conference based on the scheduled event. Do not stroll through the conference, instead, target the things you want to know.
Prioritize you tasks
Fix your priority before attending the conference. If you are there to network, make a list of people with whom you want to connect. If you are going for educational reasons, then pick out 2-3 sessions you do not want to miss and research about the speakers and the topics. Later, you can ask questions if you have any doubt.
Take notes
There is a lot to learn during a conference. So to make sure that you do not forget the learnings – take notes. At the end of each session, write down the key takeaways and any follow-up you want to do on the topic or with the speakers. This will give you specifics on what to do when you get back to work.
Suresh Sadagopan of Ladder 7 Financial Advisories believes advisors should take home new insights. “In conferences, you listen to people with new thoughts and insights. It is important to take notes, maybe not exactly on what the speaker is saying but of the insights, which relate to your business, so that you remember to implement them.”
Follow the conference on social media
Often the hosts of the conference, and many of its sponsors, will provide additional on-site benefits to advisors who make the effort to like and follow them online. You can even find free passes and win prizes at times if you follow them on social media. Avail these benefits.
Implement what you have learnt
You must have learned a lot from the conference and came home with a thousand ideas to grow your business. Start putting your ideas in motion. If possible, write down on paper so that you do not forget. Start implementing your ideas from the very next day.
