5 Tips for Better Networking at the ASAE Annual Meeting & Expo

Many of my friends in the Association Industry will be in Atlanta this week for the ASAE Annual Meeting & Expo.  As a member of ASAE I had hoped to attend the event this year, but my speaking schedule did not permit this to happen.  

If you are going to be at the ASAE conference, here are my top 5 tips for maximizing your networking experience at the event:

1.  Say good-bye to your co-worker once you arrive.  A major mistake made at large conferences is that people cling to those they already know.  They sit with their friends at every meal, and attend all the sessions together.  Better to split up and then come together on occasion to share details of individual experiences. 

This does not mean no contact with your buddies... but do not fall into the trap of being together all the time or you will miss the opportunity to meet new people.

2.  Put your SmartPhone and tablets away during meal, breaks and happy hours.  Most large conferences these days are overrun by the "Phone Zombies".  People who spend every break trying to connect outside the even fail to have any meaningful conversations with those present.  If you must check in with your office, walk outside.  To take your phone out in the networking areas sends a message to those close by that you find your electronics more fascinating than they are (and that is rude).

This does not mean you cannot have your phone out during the speakers presentations.  Take out your phone and tweet or post to Facebook any information you find interesting.  Those of us not at the conference will enjoy sharing in your learning experience. 

ALSO... if the speaker is boring... go ahead and check email or surf the internet.  If the speaker is not engaging enough to keep your attention, they do not deserve your attention!

3.  Be the person to initiate conversations.  People attend these events to meet others, but most are waiting for someone to talk to them.  Some are a bit shy at big events (both introverts and extroverts can clam up in big crowds), and when you say "hello" you can melt their shyness away and kick-start their whole meeting experience.  Once you have a short conversation with someone you will be surprised how often you will cross paths with them again and again at the event.

4.  Bring lots of business cards.  Do not assume anyone will remember your name.  While there are lots of people who want to push us all to use technology in place of a business card, it is often the easiest for everyone to trade the traditional paper cards.  It does not require anyone to have the same apps, and since most people are visual, your will card has a unique look were the new links all look the same. 

Telling someone to look you up on Google or LinkedIn puts the burden on them.  Make it easy for people to connect with you.

5.  Have fun.  When you are having fun people will be drawn to be around you.  This event will have a great mix of learning and social activities... so do not miss out on the festive side of the conference.  Too often people can get so caught up in the business and education that they forget to make the most from talking with other people.  Some of the best learning comes from the impromptu "hallway conversations" you have with other attendees and vendors... and sharing with people is always fun!!!

While there is a lot of "new" ways to connect.... the good old-fashioned face-to-face conversations that take place at meetings is still paramount to business success.  So get out there and talk to each other while in Atlanta.

I wish I was there with you - See you next year in Nashville.

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections.  http://www.conferencecatalyst.com 

Cool Things My Friends Do: Hayley Foster - The Short Talk Expert

Each Friday on this blog I enjoy highlighting some of the cool things my friends do in their personal and professional lives.

My friend Hayley Foster is known as "The Short Talk Expert". She has been speaking, training and consulting for over 30 years, and now trains speakers (both professional speakers and others) in how to properly craft shorter format presentations.  She has been working with the TEDx speakers and program organizers since the early days, as she was one of the organizers of the first TEDxNASA in November 2009 (which was one of the first ever TEDx Events).

Hayley has a particular expertise in the art of the TED Style Talk. Her unique background together with her TEDx experience resulted in the creation of a proprietary process for crafting original, passionate core messages with a wide variety of presenters, from teen novices to world-renowned experts. Hayley has been the designated Speaker Coach for all six TEDxNASA events, as well as having worked with speakers for many other presentations. She has coached over 250 TEDx speakers to date (including over 100 professional speakers).

This week Hayley is releasing a new mini-book (Minibuk) called "Don't Tank Your TED Talk: 12 Mistakes Professional Speakers Make".  The book is written for the experienced speaker who may mistakenly think their TED presentation is just a shorter version of their regular "shtick".  However, that can be a big mistake, as a TED Talk is more than an 18 minute (or shorter) presentation, and a speaker trying to get all their material into that format can easily flop.

Her book is ready for sneak preview premier at the 2013 National Speakers Association Annual Conference (which kicks off TODAY). If you are attending, you can find Hayley and talk to her about her new book (she might even have a copy or two with her!).  Or you can send her an email minibuk1@shorttalkexpert.com  for more information.

The book will soon be available for purchase on her website at http://www.shorttalkexpert.com/minibuk1 on August 1, 2013.

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

Washington DC Tour Guide

The family vacation this summer was to Washington DC.  I love our nation's capital, and have been here several times (include my 8th grade class trip in 1980).  This summer my wife and I decided to bring our kids to tour the wonderful monuments, museums and memorials.  There are few places in America that encompass as much history and a day rarely goes by that one does not see some reference to Washington DC in the media.

Nobody can see everything in this amazing city, so we had to create a plan and make important choices on what we would do on our trip.  Additionally, the city can be hot and crowded in the summer... and the walking distance between monuments can be considerable.

We received some advice from a friend, Brian Smith, that hiring a driver and tour guide to hit all the major memorials was a great way to maximize time (and save on walking).  Parking in DC can be challenging (and taxis are expensive) thus hopping to each of the major monuments can be difficult.  A driver can drop you while the tour guide would educate you on all the history and trivia.  Then you can jump back in the limo and go to next venue.

While I am often reluctant to spend additional money on vacation, this idea stood out as a great way to knock out many of the "must see" buildings, freeing up the rest of our time to tour museums and other important locations.

We hired David Elliot (A licensed professional DC tour guide), and he was FANTASTIC.  We scheduled a three hours tour at sunset that brought us to the Jefferson Memorial, MLK Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, World War II Memorial and the White House.  In addition to the deep level of information at each stop, David also pointed out several buildings and other points of interest as we drove around town.

If you are coming to Washington DC I cannot stress enough what a great idea it is to hire a guide.  I give David Elliott "Five Stars".  Both our kids (ages 11 and 16) loved the experience, dubbing it "THE BEST TOUR EVER".  Part of that might have been the tour guide, and part of it might be the fact that they loved jumping in and out of a limousine at each location!!!

We also appreciate President Obama for returning to the White House during our tour, as it was fun to see the Marine One helicopter fly past.

You can find more information about David Elliot at www.DavidElliotLeadership.com. 

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

***PS - One more tip.... months before visiting Washington DC reach out to the office of your Congressional Representative or Senator to have their office help you schedule tour times for the Bureau of Engraving and the Capitol Building.  It saves you in having to wait in line, and guarantees you times for your tours!!!

Bust The Cliques At Association Conferences

Association conferences can be cliquey.  

I know, people claim their meeting is different.  Ice breakers, first-time receptions, and other efforts are made to help people connect.... but human nature being what it is, we end up with cliques.

It is like high school.  There was always a "cool kids table", and those who sat there may have had no idea they were exclusive. This happens at annual gatherings too, as people build friendships over the years and they are so happy to get together that their whole purpose for attending is a mini-reunion with their clique.  This is not bad, as these peer-to-peer friendships help drive attendance, but it can also leave others feeling as if they are on the outside looking inward.

Now, there is also the problem that not everyone will hit it off and be friends.  You cannot force relationships to grow, and sometimes there are just people who are misfits to a group.  But everyone should be able to find their own peeps at an association conference, and those who are long-time members can benefit from seeking out new people to add to their circles.

So what can be done to make the attendees at your event become more inclusive?  Talk about the elephant in the room.  Make connecting it part of your opening ceremonies.  

I belong to an organization that makes a point each year to stress how welcoming their members are to those they do not know.  They praise the big tent / family atmosphere... but is it real?  At the convention two years ago I stood alone for two hours at a reception waiting to see how many people would come talk to me.  Aside from a few friends (who were not aware of my intentional experiment) not one person said hello (and I was trying to look around, make eye contact, and not look creepy).  Then the president stood up and raved about how there are no cliques in this organization.  Ummm, wrong... this group is no different from other associations.

Pretending your members are all seeking and inviting strangers into conversations does not make it real. 

It is better to create a networking culture at a conference, but this does not happen by accident.  You must create an atmosphere that gives people permission to engage.  They want to do it, but it does not happen organically.  Most people cite "networking opportunities" as a main reason for coming to a conference, but their time is spent with co-workers, old friends, and on their phones.

Your speakers are key to getting people to engage.  This does not necessarily mean they must use ice breakers (most ice breakers are lame anyway), but instead they have to be conversational and interactive style that encourages attendees to share with each other.  It is often the "Hallway Conversations" (those serendipitous chats between people) that bring the greatest ROI to the "Conference Attendee Experience".  And yet in the planning stages of an event we often fail to allow for those moments to occur (as in the planning we are focused on content and food!! - both important, by the way).

If you think your event has issues with cliques or simply not enough engagement, there are many things you can do to put a new spark in how people interact.  People are hoping your meeting will be a "happening", as nobody comes seeking "blah".  However, amazing human engagement will not happen by accident.  

If you make networking a second tier priority you will have second tier results.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections.  http://www.conferencecatalyst.com 

www.ConferenceCatalyst.com

Fake It?

"Fake It Til You Make It" - we have all heard this advice to act like as if have achieved the level which you pursue.  But should we fake it?  Is pretending the right way to chase a goal?

I understand the concept of this saying, and believe in the power of visualization for attaining goals, but too many people only "Fake It".... and never seem to move toward their targets.  They make public claims of their success that are misleading.  They tell lies in the effort to put on airs.

The person who pretends he or she is on the top of his field (when they are not) is not really who they claim to be.  I agree with the importance of looking the part, but there is a fine line between putting out an aura of success and being a liar.  As one climbs the ladder of success I think it is okay to be honest about where you are on your path.

The saying goes, "It aint bragging if its true"... but if it is not true, then what is it?

I have tried to be honest with myself and others as my career has progressed.  Clients need to know what they are getting and your real experience matters.  There are plenty of people who are willing to take a risk on someone who is starting out, so there is no need to fake your position.  

People make assumptions about others all the time.  You will be judged on the realities and the parts that people make up in their own heads.  Confuse the two by being fake and you will cloud the realities of your journey. 

Have A Great Day

thom singer

"The Meeting Professional" - MPI's Member Magazine

Meeting Professionals International (MPI) has recently re-designed their monthly membership magazine. 

The first issue of the new "The Meeting Professional" (Formerly known as "One +", which was before that was known as "The Meeting Professional")  has just been released, and I am honored to have an article in this re-inaugural issue (you can find my article on page 44 of the August 2013 edition:  "Speak Easy:  The right speaker should help build up your mini-society before, during and after the conference").

I will be writing for them semi-regularly, and look forward to creating my next piece for this exciting industry publication.

If you are in the "Meeting Industry" (or even if you are not!) you should check out all the new things they have done with the publication.  It is very impressive.  As an MPI member, I am proud of this magazine!!!

Have A Great Day

thom singer

5 Tips To Maximize The Networking at MPI's WEC 2013

Many of my friends in the Meetings Industry will be in Las Vegas this week for the MPI World Education Conference 2013(WEC).  As a member of MPI (Texas Hill Country Chapter) I had hoped to attend the WEC this year, but my schedule did not permit this to happen.  

WEC is a major event in the Meetings Industry that will be attended by organizers, vendors, speakers, hoteliers, and others who work so hard to make event happen.

While I will not at this conference, I am excited about the theme of the WEC.  "When We Meet, We Change The World" is a powerful theme.... as bringing people together creates opportunities.  Meetings are not just about a ballroom with some interesting speakers, as the purpose of the gathering is the experience of people who attend.  Too often we forget that it is not the content provided to attendees, but the serendipity of what they do when they come together.

If you are going to be at the WEC, here are my top 5 tips for maximizing your networking experience at the event:

1.  Say good-bye to your co-worker once you arrive.  A major mistake made at large conferences is that people cling to those they already know.  They sit with their friends at every meal, and attend all the sessions together.  Better to split up and then come together on occasion to share details of individual experiences. 

This does not mean no contact with your buddies... but do not fall into the trap of being together all the time or you will miss the opportunity to meet new people.

2.  Put your SmartPhone and tablets away during meal, breaks and happy hours.  Most large conferences these days are overrun by the "Phone Zombies".  People who spend every break trying to connect outside the even fail to have any meaningful conversations with those present.  If you must check in with your office, walk outside.  To take your phone out in the networking areas sends a message to those close by that you find your electronics more fascinating than they are (and that is rude).

This does not mean you cannot have your phone out during the speakers presentations.  Take out your phone and tweet or post to Facebook any information you find interesting.  Those of us not at the conference will enjoy sharing in your learning experience. 

ALSO... if the speaker is boring... go ahead and check email or surf the internet.  If the speaker is not engaging enough to keep your attention, they do not deserve your attention!

3.  Be the person to initiate conversations.  People attend these events to meet others, but most are waiting for someone to talk to them.  Some are a bit shy at big events (both introverts and extroverts can clam up in big crowds), and when you say "hello" you can melt their shyness away and kick-start their whole meeting experience.  Once you have a short conversation with someone you will be surprised how often you will cross paths with them again and again at the event.

4.  Bring lots of business cards.  Do not assume anyone will remember your name.  While there are lots of people who want to push us all to use technology in place of a business card, it is often the easiest for everyone to trade the traditional paper cards.  It does not require anyone to have the same apps, and since most people are visual, your will card has a unique look were the new links all look the same. 

Telling someone to look you up on Google or LinkedIn puts the burden on them.  Make it easy for people to connect with you.

5.  Have fun.  When you are having fun people will be drawn to be around you.  This event will have a great mix of learning and social activities... so do not miss out on the festive side of WEC.  Too often people can get so caught up in the business and education that they forget to make the most from talking with other people.  Some of the best learning comes from the impromptu "hallway conversations" you have with other attendees and vendors... and sharing with people is always fun!!!

While there is a lot of "new" ways to connect.... the good old-fashioned face-to-face conversations that take place at meetings is still paramount to business success.  So get out there and talk to each other while in Las Vegas.

I wish I was there with you - See you next year in Minneapolis.

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections.  http://www.conferencecatalyst.com 

www.ConferenceCatalyst.com

Cool Things My Friends Do - Kate Celebrates National Ice Cream Month

Each Friday on this blog I enjoy highlighting some of the cool things my friends do in their personal and professional lives.

(Last week I highlighted my eldest daughter in the "Cool Things My Friends Do" post, and so this week the younger kid is the star of the show!)

Today is National Ice Cream Day.  Yes, there is a day for everything.  Some of these honored topics are lame, but... National Ice Cream Day is a great idea.  This is a reason to celebrate in our family (we like us some ice cream, frozen yogurt, or gelato).

My friend Leslie recently blogged a challenge to her readers to try a new flavor of ice cream each day in July to celebrate the month long celebration for this cold delicious treat.  Her blog post was addressed directly to my youngest daughter (true... her post beings "Dear Kate"), who from the age of three has had the odd habit of always trying new flavors when ordering ice cream.  

(I was not a fan of the kids having dessert every day for a month, so my family pledged an every-other day commitment to sample new flavors in July).

When Kate was a toddler it was fascinating to see her look past the chocolate or vanilla and seek out the most bizarre choices.  Sometimes she liked them, others not so much, but Kate has always wanted to try something different and has a brave side to her that is willing to experiment.  Never the same ice cream twice was her early motto.

Some kids always choose Cookies and Cream... but this kid seeks out variety.  She is even willing to try the taster spoon of flavors other 11-year-olds would never sample.  Yes, this included a recent sample of "Roasted Beet and Fresh Mint Ice Cream" (although not what she selected for her cone!).

Nowadays she does have some favorites, but she still interested in what else is out there.

So far this month she has sampled ten (taster spoons, but some get selected for the full serving):

• Amaretto
• Roasted Beet and Fresh Mint
• Rainbow Cream
• Caramel Corn
• Dill Pickle (this was actually a snow cone, not ice cream)
• Goat Cheese Thyme and Honey
• Fried Chicken with Waffles
• Butter Beer
• Peanut Butter
• Double Dark Chocolate

And there are still 12 days to go in July.  I am surprised by the concoctions that ice cream parlors dream up, but it has been fun to seek out the weird ones.  

I admire the adventurous spirit that is present in Kate.  I hope that her willingness to try new things stays with her throughout her life, as there are so many cool things out there that she can experience.  I see great success ahead for a kid who will try "beet" flavored ice cream.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Goal Setting Presentations

New Trend:  "Goal Setting" for business professionals is regaining popularity.

People are getting serious about setting goals, and they want guidance. More and more articles are cropping up on the topic, and business leaders are once again planning goal setting retreats for their teams.  Those who have never formally created these types of success targets are lining up to learn how to achieve more than before.  

This is not something that is shiny or new to Generation Y.  Professionals of all ages, across industry lines, are taking a look at how to set and achieve goals.

However, goal setting is not really trendy.  It is something done formally or informally as part of regular planning for many in the business world.  For those who use goal setting as a success tool, the process achieving is part of their soul, not something that is coming into fashion.

My own experience with setting goals and actively working to achieve them has been productive.  I doubt I could have had a growth oriented career in business or run my own business for several years without a goal centered focus.  While I do not always reach all the goals I set, I have advanced my career step by step.  Credit for my success is linked to the pursuit of my clear and written goals.

Throughout my career I have read a lot about goals.  Sometime I encountered good advice, other times it was not as powerful.  When I set a goal, it makes it easier for me to make the hard choices that always seem to crop up.  If I have to decide on an action, it is simple to ask myself if the decision moves me closer to my goal, or farther from the target.

This is not about riches or fame, but instead a way of getting focused in a noisy and crazy world.  My goals are the bumpers in the gutters that keep the ball moving toward the pins without falling off the side (think of taking a kid bowling and using the bumpers to keep their ball from falling off the side).

Anyone who attended goal setting workshops in the 1980s or 1990s has probably heard the the famous (and fake) story about the 1953 graduating class at Yale University, and how the 3% who had clear written goals were more successful than the other 97% of their class.... combined!!!  While the story was told by many famous speakers (Tony Robbins, Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, etc...) it has no factual basis.

Some have tried to cite this false story as a reason to pooh-pooh the use of goals.  But a fake story, even one that was over-told, does not undermine the power that many find in working toward a defined destination.

I started my speaking career teaching goal setting sessions.  I was not yet seasoned as a speaker, but people seemed to like the classes and it encouraged my career as a professional speaker, although I had branched out to other topics.  

My business coaching clients have always been exposed to my encouragement to embrace the practice of goal setting and I am again starting to teach this topic to audiences. I have re-tooled my most popular talk, "Your Goals and Your Soul" for 2013 and beyond.

Pay attention to blogs, periodicals, keynotes, seminar sessions, training classes, etc.... as the topic of goal setting is coming on strong for the next few years.  Invest your time to listen to what business writers and speakers are saying about ways to work toward goals, and achieve more in your career and life.  Do not shy away from the idea of having goals.  

Few things are as satisfying in your career as crossing off an attained goal that you have been pursuing over time.  Reaching a goal takes time, but the success is sweet!

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Networking at the AASCIF Conference

I am very excited to be the opening keynote speaker and "The Conference Catalyst" for the AASCIF 2013 Conference. This event will be a lot of fun, and the three-day line up of of speakers and activities looks amazing!

I am hoping that everyone in attendance will find this year's event spectacular and that they maximize the ROI for their trip to Austin, Texas. 

The key to success at any conference is in the connections that are made with people, thus the networking matters.  How you engage with people is not something for the parties, but all throughout the conference. Fortunately the conference organizers have done a great job of building in the proper amount of breaks, downtime, and experiential events in conjunction with the learning. 

But event the best event networking takes a commitment from the participants.Here are my tips for maximizing the conference:

Ten Tips For Networking At A Multi-Day Conference 

1. Have a plan. Know in advance whom you want to meet (directly or the type of people), and which speakers you want to hear. Do not leave your schedule to chance or you may miss out on things that are your true priority.  Set up appointments in advance if you know people will be present with whom you want to connect.

2. Bring plenty of business cards. In today’s digital world some argue against the importance of business cards. But having a card is not for you, it is for the other person. Some people forget names quickly and asking for a card helps them recall you later. Telling someone “Google Me” is making them work to keep in touch. Additionally we don’t all use the same technologies, so using BUMP (or another digital tool) assumes we all adopt the same technologies. Not carrying business cards can be selfish, and selfish is so last year!

3. Focus on meeting the other attendees, not just the "Stars". While meeting the speakers and industry gurus is cool, you are one of the many who may come up to them and shove a card in their hands. Instead, place your focus on meeting other people in attendance at the event. Find your peers and make them your "stars", as they are the ones you will grow up with in the business.

4. Talk to the people sitting next to you. This should go without saying, but very often people get side-tracked and do not make the effort. When you walk into a session, take the time before the presentation begins to say hello to the people seated around you. I call this the "power of hello". Once you have said something as simple as "hello", it will be easier to talk with them later in the conference when see them again.

5. Ask questions of people you meet. Never lead with your "elevator pitch". People are more interested in themselves than they are in you, so ask them questions to help them get to talking first. There is plenty of time to tell them about your business.

6. Put your technology away. Do not run to your iPhone, Droid, Blackberry, tablet, or laptop at every break. When you are working on electronics you send the message that you are unapproachable because you are busy. Utilize the time on breaks to converse with others. Look around and smile rather than texting like crazy. The hallway conversations are legendary for providing the best value of all at conferences. Do not miss out because you are tweeting!

7. Do not automatically send a LinkedIn or Facebook request. Too often people immediately send social networking link requests to people they just met. However, different people have different policies about whom they link with. If they believe in only connecting with those whom they have established relationships, you make it awkward if you send them a link too early (which they then ignore). Best is to ask people if they would welcome such a link at this time. Be respectful of the fact that they might use social networking differently than you do. Immediately following them on Twitter is okay, as Twitter does not require a mutual connection acceptance.

8. Introduce others. When you meet cool people, be the conduit that connects them with others who might be beneficial to them. This includes others at the conference, as well as people you might know back home. If you ask the right types of questions, you will easily spot connections that can help others. Don't ever worry about "what's in it for me", but instead just be the person who helps others at every turn. You will, over time, develop the reputation as one who assists others .... and then you will find more people will help you, too.

9. Be true to yourself. If you are a bit more on the introverted side of things, be honest that a whole three days of socializing will drain your energy. Take some time for yourself to recharge. Do not skip out on major parts of the events, but find the time you need to get focused. 

If you are more outgoing, do not overdo it. Sometimes the late nights and free drinks can seem fun at the time, but can also leave you wiped out the next day. Enjoy yourself, but realize that few of us can stay out until 3 AM and be wide-eyed for the 7:30 breakfast.

10. Follow up. If you meet interesting people and you never follow up, it makes no difference. Own the follow-up after you meet people and send them an email (or better yet, a handwritten note) telling them how much you enjoyed talking with them, and plan for future discussions. Creating ongoing and meaningful connections with others in the industry will bring you more success.

11. Do more than others expect from you. Bring more to a new relationship than the other person expects and they will always remember you as someone who is a giver. As you get to know people make it a priority to understand what they need to succeed. Sometimes you or someone in your network is they key to the other person achieving their goals. Find ways to help. Those who give always get more down the line.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections.  http://www.conferencecatalyst.com 

www.ConferenceCatalyst.com

Cool Things My Friends Do - Jax at Stanford

Each Friday on this blog I enjoy highlighting some of the cool things my friends do in their personal and professional lives.

(Can my kid be the subject of "Cool Things My Friends Do"?  Ummmm, it is my blog, so I get to select anyone I want to write about for these Friday posts!!!  And I do think this is way cool...).

Today completes three weeks we have been without our 16-year-old kid in the house (she gets home in just a few hours).  Earlier this year Jackie applied for, and was accepted to, a summer program for high school students to study Topics in Business and Entrepreneurship at Stanford University in California (The Education Program for Gifted Youth, EPGY, Summer Institutes offers a variety of academic topics, but business is her subject of interest).

Wow, what a cool opportunity for her!!!  But were we ready to have her gone for that long?  Was it worth the money?  Could we make it all happen around other summer commitments for vacations, dance camps, etc...?  The answer was yes.

While she had never been away from home for any extended period of time, she was excited to go off to a college environment, if even for a short period of time.  I was nervous about it, but she was ready.  

I can tell from our conversations that this was a great experience, and she loved both the academic and social aspects of the program.  It was a good peek into the future to be living on a college campus (in a sorority house) and being taught by college professors .   And I know from having lived in Northern California that Stanford is amazing...and getting out of the Texas heat in July is always a good thing!

I was jealous of the all that she was learning (I want to take a class at Stanford) and the great fun she was having with the other kids in the program.  Everyday she seemed to be fully engaged in something.  

While in the Bay Area she also had a chance to visit with her grandparents (my dad is 98, so he cannot travel to visit us in Texas anymore - thus a visit with him was extra special), two of her uncles (my brothers), some of her cousins and her god-father (and his family). 

This was a "cool thing" for her and I can tell that she does not want to come home.  I am sure she wishes she was leaving for college this year, not having two more years of high school.  But I am confident that this program will have a positive impact on her future. 

I am proud of her for how hard she works in everything she does and I am excited to hear all the details of this adventure. 

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

NSA-XY - An Association Within An Association

Those who are familiar with me know I am a big proponent of all professionals participating in their industry associations and other trade groups. Peer engagement, up-to date learning, and giving back to a community are key components to success for any career. 

While I regularly serve as a keynote speaker and / or "Conference Catalyst" at association conferences, my support of engaging with associations goes way beyond working as a speaker. I have been part of industry groups since early in my career, and connect my participation to the success I have experienced.  

These days I am an active member of the National Speakers Association as well as other meetings industry groups (If I was a locksmith I would be part of the National Locksmiths Association!!!).  I serve on the board of the NSA's Austin Chapter and on the board of NSA-XY.  This engagement has exposed me to amazing experts who speak as part of their careers, and many of these people regularly inspire my business activities.

Some question if the membership trade association model still works in today's modern social media world.  I think yes, but associations have to be flexible and willing to try new things to get people excited and involved in ways that inspire them to participate.  I love it when I see things that are unique, and I am fortunate to participate in one "sub-group" in NSA that has been very beneficial. 

NSA-XY is sort of an un-official virtual chapter.  It is a "home" within the greater National Speakers Association community for speakers who are part of Generations X and Y.  It began several years before I joined NSA as a peer group for younger speakers (at the time the oldest Gen Xers were still only 40-years-old.  These days, however, some of us are closing in on 50... so it is not only about being young!). It is both an online discussion group and a live participation organization.

My experience with NSA-XY is that it has become an association within and association.  It is a warm nest of friends where speakers of all experience levels share and support each other.  While we fully support the cause and purpose of NSA (you must be an member of the National Speakers Association to be part of NSA-XY), we also have our own board, activities and a members-only Facebook page (130 members).  

This group has become an important part of the National Speakers Association experience for many who participate.   I have worked with several of my association clients to help them understand the value of autonomous sub-groups in helping get members involved, engaged, and connected.  This is not a rouge or competitive organization, as we require people to be affiliated with NSA (or other international affiliates in the Global Speakers Federation).  And while the group hosts its own events, it also contributes educational and social programming at the NSA Annual Convention.  

Our "XY Meet-Ups" (small group brainstorming and sharing days) involve around a dozen people who come together on an occasional basis to share best practices and inspire each other.  The participants vary based on geography and calendar issues, but the enthusiasm to serve each other is always present.  These min-conferences are free (we pass the hat to cover any costs) and are held in a hotel or someones home.  They are facilitated by volunteers and everyone gets the chance to learn and gain ideas for their businesses.  I attended my first "Meet-Up" this year and found it to be one of the most powerfully focused events I have ever been to in my career.

Description from the NSA-XY Facebook Page:

THE FIVE REASONS you’ll want to join NSA XY: 

1. COMMUNITY. Professional speaking can be a lonely profession. These people might be the closest thing you have to coworkers. (Your dog doesn't count.) Come here to get your fix of the energy, brilliance and brainstorming that will help keep your business growing 

2. CAMARADERIE. We’re friends. We’re colleagues. We’re associates. All wrapped up into one. The best part is, we speak each others' language. In short: We get it. (Insert huge sigh of relief.) 

3. CONTENT. We share. We divulge. We reveal. That’s the spirit of our profession. The pie is enormous, we all get a piece, and this website is the spork. Let’s break the bread of brilliance together. 

4. COOL PEOPLE. NSA XY is specifically designed to serve Generation X and Y speakers and their businesses. Membership in this group is only for professional and affiliates of the National Speakers Association and partner organizations of professional speakers from around the world (e.g. CAPS, IFFPS, etc.). We also respectfully request that anyone wishing to join this group have a birth year of 1964 or later so that we can serve Generation X and Y speakers. 

5. CALENDAR. The best part is, we’re big enough to have our own events. In January of 2010, our first non-convention group met in Chicago for a one-day retreat. Our souls, hearts, brains and notebooks overflowed with money-making and life-enriching practices. These events will be coordinated throughout the year. Once a summer isn’t enough. We need each other. 

REMEMBER: NSA XY is coordinated by a volunteer committee so that we can best meet the needs of the X & Y generations of professional speakers now and in the future. We're planning webinars and networking at NSA functions, so be sure to check the events page. We welcome your suggestions and ideas as NSA XY grows as a community.

Creating small focused sub-groups within a larger association can help people feel more connected, but it can also create issues.  Some who do not qualify for membership are not pleased that they cannot participate in the group.  I have talked to many who are in the target demographic who do not understand the purpose of the group, or feel it is "cliquey", and have thus stayed away. But the purpose of NSA-XY is to be a welcoming and safe place for members.  I found it gave me a "home" when I attended my first convention.  I was lost in a sea of 1000 attendees before finding this group. 

NSA-XY is not an "ageist" movement, but a peer group, much like other affinity groups that exist within corporations and associations.  We are not seeking to exclude others, as much as to be inclusive of those who are part of these generations.  As our we age, the focus of the group will change, but we think it has an indefinite longevity.  And, yes, we are aware that there will come a time when a younger group of speakers will want to form their own group (NSA-Z?).  I have often thought the Baby Boomers should also have a group!  

Associations should not be scared of independent and self-governed sub-groups, as when they are done right it can create closer connections for members to the organization.  There is a lot of talk about how to attract younger participants into membership organizations, and I think this model can work in any industry group. 

Kudos to The National Speakers Association board and staff, as they have done a great job of listening to the NSA-XY members, and assisting the group to flourish.  I am very proud to be part of this!

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Hackers Claim I Lost Weight. Liars.

My Twitter account was hacked.  I have seen it happen to others for years, but it had never before happened to me.

The account sent out some bogus Direct Message proclaiming my weight loss success.  First, anyone who knows me would instantly see that this was BS, as not only do I not spam out things like that on Twitter, I am currently having zero success with my weight loss (going the opposite direction).

I went ahead and turned on the "Two-Step Verification" for all my social media tools, as while having to get a code sent to my phone before logging on is a pain in the butt, it beats having my account used by Nigerian Princes and other bad people who want to send out ridiculous tweets.

The thing that surprised me was how many people thought it was real.  Have they not learned by now that messages touting weight loss, or funny pictures of you, or bad rumors being spread are always spam?  

I get these fake DM's and other social media hack spam on a daily basis from other people's accounts, and just know it is part of the dark side of social media.  These spammers are the dregs of the social media earth, but they are here to stay.

Of course I am sure that someone will soon find a way to hack past the "Two-Step Verification".  The next step will be to add a blood test or retina scan before every Tweet! 

Good luck out there in social media.  I hope you are never hacked.  But if you do know how I can lose 15 lbs, let me know!

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Randy Pennington - Guest Blog Post

Today we have a "Guest Blog Post" from my friend and fellow speaker, Randy Pennington.

The Problem and Opportunity with Change

Randy G. Pennington

Another blog post about change? Really? The thousands of other books, blogs, and articles on the subject aren’t enough?

I am with you. I don’t need to hear another message that changes are coming and I need to get on board.

And yet, we are confronted with this reality: Most of our efforts to make change work don’t work as well as we had hoped … or even at all.

Need proof?

Research published by John Kotter in 1995 stated that 70 percent of change efforts fail to achieve their desired goal. Since that time, there has been an explosion in books, articles, training videos, seminars, and speeches about change.

So what impact did we achieve from all of our focus on change?

In 2013, eighteen years after Kotter’s study, every indication is that the vast majority of change efforts —as high as 70 percent by some reports—fail to achieve their desired goal.

That’s right. There has been basically a whopping 0 percent improvement in our collective ability to effectively initiate and implement change.

We can now conclude that all of our attention and focus on change hasn’t really changed our ability to successfully implement change in organizations.

But, you knew that already.

Think of all the changes you have experienced within the organizations for which you have worked. Don’t you think we would be better at it by now?

Relentless competition, advancing technology, and the struggle to remain relevant have made the ability to change a matter of survival for some industries and professions.

There is another story to be told, however. The ability to make change work is a strategic advantage.

Companies that can quickly identify, anticipate, and adapt to changing customer needs and wants are the winners in a world where the competitive landscape changes overnight. Leaders with the ability to build a nimble team that is engaged and focused on continually getting better will see their opportunities expand.

Ross Perot, founder of EDS and Perot Systems and former candidate for U.S. President, famously said:  “You manage data and things. You lead people.”

Too often, we have treated people like data and things to be managed rather than as human beings with dreams, aspirations, and choice. We won’t make change work until we embrace the difference as an opportunity to make our organizations, our communities, and our lives better.

You can’t do what you need to do and be what you need to be as a leader unless you can make change work. That begins when you acknowledge the problem and embrace the opportunity of change.

Randy Pennington is author of Make Change Work: Staying Nimble, Relevant, and Engaged in a World of Constant Change (Wiley, 2013) from which this article is adapted. For additional information or to schedule Randy for your organization: contact via telephone at 972.980.9857; e-mail at Mary@penningtongroup.com or on the Internet at http://www.penningtongroup.com/make-change-work/. 

Networking At A Conference Is More Than The Welcome Reception

The team at Velvet Chainsaw Consulting has released an informative e-book called "Conference Connexity" (Available free to the readers of their blog).  The book is a quick-read and highlights the importance of community and connection in the execution of a successful event.

Conference attendees always cite the "networking opportunities" as a reason for attending a live event, but once they get there, they often fail at making the type of meaningful connections they desire.  The planners try to give their audiences what they want, but are often perplexed on how to change up the same-old / same-old format.

The book covers a lot of ground in thirty pages, but it is full of ideas that can inspire new ways to plan your conference to weave the networking opportunities throughout the whole agenda.  We cannot force people to have great conversations, but when we show them how to engage with each other, and create a networking culture, then amazing things will happen.  

Here are my favorite five points in the book:

1. Embed networking throughout the conference program.  If we treat the human-to-human engagement as a second-tier activity, then we will get second-tier results.  Networking is not just something to do over cocktails, but can happen in the hallways and in the sessions.  Speakers need to be selected as partners in the success of the event, and trained in how to make their sessions engaging.

2. People value connections with leadership and experienced practitioners.  Make sure that your organization's board, senior staff, speakers, and other VIP's are participating in the event.  Often these people are either in committee meetings, at private gatherings, or hiding in their hotel rooms.  Too often speakers leave immediately after their talk, cheating the audience from their chance to connect.  

3.  Program enough "white space" (free time).  A 15 minute break does not give people enough time to pee, much less get coffee, have a conversation, and allow their brains time to process the information.  While cramming in content seems like a great idea in the planning stages, rushing your attendees from room to room cuts into their positive experience.

4.  Weave innovation "Thought Leaders" into your program.  The speakers set the tone for the whole event. Having only industry experts or celebrities as speakers can create a predictable and boring conference.  Sometimes the best speakers come from outside your business, and having keynoters who make people think and take actions will jump start more interesting conversations.

5.  Unleash planned serendipity.  Leverage your information about the attendees to create situations where they can make better connections.  Create areas where people can gather and talk.  Have special events for like-minded attendees.  Train your volunteers and help them engage with each other and the whole audience.

I suggest you read the Velvet Chainsaw e-book, and make connecting your community an up-front priority for all your events.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com