Having given over 200 seminars in various parts of the country, Asian Regions, the Middle East, and North America in the past 20 years, I have observed that people who attend seminars – particularly franchise seminars – need to learn how to get the most out of them. So how do you do it? Note the following:
o Check on the topics before signing up. Organizers often recommend which seminars are suitable for the particular needs of potential participants. If you feel the topics are vague, contact the organizers to clarify.
o Attend a seminar with an open mind. A seminar is meant to impart and share knowledge. However, you won’t learn much from it if you are not ready to process the ideas being shared; hence you would do well to avoid distractions, focus, and take notes.
o Don’t be shy about asking questions. Seminars are fruitful in and by themselves, but they impart even more to participants when lifted by probing questions. If you feel too shy about asking questions, at least write them down and make sure they reach the intended speakers or resource people.
o Get the handouts – but read them later. Every time I conduct a seminar, I advise the organizers to refrain from giving the handouts until they are needed, or the session has ended. Participants tend to read page after page rather than listen to the speaker – and often miss out on important details that the speaker has discussed. Remember that handouts are supplemental reading materials that reinforce the speaker has shared. But they must be read later.
o Take notes properly. The technique is to jot down keywords that remind you of shared ideas. But taking notes is less critical than listening well and understanding what the speaker is saying.
o Mind your mobile phone! Put it on silent mode if you can’t have someone mind your mobile phone while attending the seminar. It is the least you can do to avoid disturbing the other participants. Answer text messages later. If you expect an important call and your phone rings, stand up and leave the room to answer it. Most seminars remind participants to switch off their phones or put them on silent mode before starting.
o Socialize. One cardinal rule when attending seminars is to get to know the other participants. You join a seminar to gain knowledge and establish a business network. Also, you never know when you’ll meet a potential customer, supplier, or business partner when attending one. Participants rarely talk with each other before the start of my seminars, so I urge them to get to know at least two fellow joiners minutes before the meeting starts. This never fails to liven things up!
o Take stock of what you’ve learned. After the seminar, reflect on the ideas taken, debated, discussed, and explained. Then go over your notes and handouts to refresh yourself. You will know if you’ve gained something from the seminar and if you are ready to draft a business plan or understand what kind of business to start based on what you’ve learned.
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You may contact Armando “Butz” Bartolome for questions and more information.
By email: aob@gmb.ph
FB Page: Armando Bartolome
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franguru/
Website: https://www.gmb.ph
