With so little time available and so much to do and learn, it is common to be frustrated with the barrage of seminar, training and workshop offerings that are available to us. Every day we receive e-mails, snail mail, phone calls, and advertisements telling us about the seminar, video, podcast, or webcast we absolutely MUST attend. So as I prepare my presentations at upcoming workshops for The Executive Committee, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and Florida International University, and to be on a panel for Spherion, I’m offering some advice to prospective attendees.
Recently, one of my clients asked me about a seminar offered by a competitor. His questions to me were, “Howard, take a look at this and let me know if you think I should go, and if you want to come with me?” Rather than answer the questions directly, I left him with these thoughts and some questions to ask himself.
Seminars are mainly given to sell books, other hard goods, courses, and consulting services. They are rarely deep enough for you to take away enough substance to solve your need. Also, research has suggested that you will only use 2% of what you learn. Consequently, one must perform a benefit-to-cost analysis to determine whether or not to attend any function or seminar.
Time is precious, yet development is just as important. We need to be strategic in how we use our time and select seminars and workshops with purpose so that they help us achieve our goals.
Review our website to understand how an executive coach or business coach can help you increase the success of your career and business or contact Howard Shore at [phone link=”true”] or shoreh@activategroupinc.com.