Training Incentives For Employees

A lot of the value of attending or speaking at a conference doesn’t come from being there. It comes from what you do afterwards. How many times have you come back from a conference or event and thought, “I should’ve done more to maximize that experience”? Not just attending the sessions or showing up at the networking receptions, but turning it into something meaningful for your visibility, your relationships and your business development efforts. Me too 🙋🏼♀️ It’s easy to get caught up in our busy lives, especially after returning from a conference and then move on to the next thing without following up. What you proactively do after the event is what can turn conversations into relationships and visibility into opportunity. Here are some ways to make the most of attending your next conference: ✔️ Prioritize the people you met and follow up with context on LinkedIn or by email, referencing your conversation and suggesting a clear next step ✔️ Follow up with organizers to share feedback and express interest in speaking or getting involved in future programming ✔️ Turn your conference notes into key takeaways and share them as content (LinkedIn post, blog post or short video) connected to your work, your clients or what you’re seeing in the market ✔️ Host your own webinar to recap key themes and extend the conversation ✔️ Interview speakers or attendees whose perspectives stood out and use that content in a webinar, blog post or on social media ✔️ Host an internal recap to share key insights and connect them to your team’s work ✔️ Turn questions or conversations from the event into content or targeted outreach ✔️ Share insights from the event in an email newsletter ✔️ Add relevant new contacts to your email list so you can stay visible with them ✔️ Create a simple system to stay in touch with the people who matter most ✔️ Review the attendee list and reach out to people you didn’t meet ✔️ Follow up with speakers you admired, even if you didn’t connect in person ✔️ Identify one trend or theme you kept hearing across conversations and proactively share that perspective with clients or colleagues You already put in the time and energy to be there. This is how you carry that momentum forward. Which of these ideas resonated most with you? #LegalMarketing #ClientDevelopment #LinkedInTips #BusinessDevelopment #PersonalBrandingTips

Career progression : Yes, but without the manage people part There is a growing group of young professionals who do not aspire to be a people manager. There are good reasons for this with for instance research from McKinsey indicating that 53% of middle managers say they’re overwhelmed in work, and 51% say it’s impossible to give all of their direct reports the one-on-one time they need. Suzie Coen published an interesting article in The Hill on how companies are creating dual career paths to respond to the growing trend of people that dont aspire to be people managers. 1. Shopify split its career ladder into two tracks, “crafter” for individual contributors and “manager” for aspiring leaders. This allows individuals to advance in their areas of expertise and passion, rather than forcing them into roles that may not suit their skills or interests. Under Shopify’s dual-track framework, individual contributors or crafters can ascend in their careers without the implicit necessity to manage people, but they’re regarded as leaders and are compensated accordingly. Offering a distinct managerial track has helped to empower individuals who have a genuine interest and skill in leadership and people management to pursue those roles. 2. Walmart Global Tech launched a Fellow program which fosters growth in individual expertise, without mandating a shift to managerial roles. 3. Google’s engineering teams have created an “individual contributor” career path that is more prestigious than the manager path, and sidesteps management entirely. 4.Mastercard, employees can either progress as consultants (functional) or leaders (managerial). The company already has these defined paths in project management and sales, and plans to implement them in product development, marketing and communications. 5. BP has triple tracks: functional specialists, functional leaders and business leaders 6. Rolls Royce also has three tracks for promotion in the form of specialist roles, technical manager and project manager. Not all completely new but an interesting approach to enable a different career progression path for single contributors who just dont like the people manager part of the next level jobs. Source: https://lnkd.in/eGrr-Ud3

𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴. Unlocking opportunities for people to squiggle & stay is a big part of our work at Amazing If. When we first started back in 2013, we thought that helping individuals with career skills was enough. In reality, individual skills, managers being able to have squiggly career conversations and companies creating progression possibilities all play an important role in retention. There isn't a quick fix, but there are some very practical things that can be done to address attrition due to a lack of career opportunity: 1. 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 - specifically, people need to have an understanding of their values and strengths to use them as a filter for future career possibilities. They need to build out their career community and stop confidence gremlins from holding them back. These are learnable skills that should be made available to everyone. ➡️ 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘃𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 https://lnkd.in/er3gGGfg 2. 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 - up is not the only way to help people squiggle & stay. Managers need to help people think differently about their development and get curious about where their talents can take them. Managers benefit from simple tools and coaching questions they can use in conversation. ➡️ 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 (our COACH model is in this document and it's one of my favourite tools to use) https://lnkd.in/dJ2GFdPC 3. 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - if we only present promotions to people, we limit their opportunities to learn and grow. Creating ways for people to stretch their strengths, try before they apply and complete a job-secondment-swap are all creative ways to increase progression. ➡️ 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗲 & 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 to see case studies of companies who have activated progression experiments and evidence of their impact https://lnkd.in/eUDkjJjF This is one of the areas of our work that I'm most passionate about, if you have any questions please let me know!

Conference fatigue is real! Attending conferences can be rewarding and energizing, but the packed schedules, travel, information overload, and constant networking can quickly lead to fatigue or even burnout. Here’s a few ways to stay refreshed, focused, and make the most of your conference experience: ➡️ PLAN AND PRIORITIZE YOUR SCHEDULE: -- Review the agenda in advance. Highlight the sessions, speakers, and events that align with your goals. Focus on quality over quantity and don’t feel pressured to attend everything. -- If you’re traveling across time zones, use jet lag apps like Timeshifter or StopJetLag to help your body adjust. These apps provide personalized plans to optimize sleep, light exposure, and meals, which can significantly reduce. -- Schedule intentional downtime. Block out periods for solo walks, quiet meals, or short breaks in your room to recharge. Over-scheduling is a major contributor to event fatigue. -- Build in transition time between sessions. Even five to ten minutes can help you reset and prepare for the next event. ➡️ PREPARE FOR NETWORKING AND MEETINGS: -- Carry old-school business cards and a pen. -- Have your LinkedIn QR code or a digital business card ready for quick sharing. Digital cards (using apps like HiHello, Inc. or Popl) are increasingly popular. -- Download the conference app if one is available. They often include networking features, schedules, and ways to connect with other attendees efficiently. ➡️ DURING THE CONFERENCE: -- Limit distractions and avoid multitasking during sessions, meetings, or conversations. -- Be intentional and selective with your #networking: Focus on meaningful connections rather than collecting as many business cards as possible. -- Take notes during or immediately after key conversations and sessions. This helps you remember details and makes follow-up easier. -- Listen actively and ask thoughtful questions-engaged participation is more valuable than passive attendance. -- Designate some “no-conference” time: Block out periods where you don’t attend any sessions or meetings to decompress. -- Skip non-essential social events (like early breakfasts or late-night mixers) if you need rest. Prioritize your well-being over FOMO. -- Pay attention to your body and mind. If you feel overwhelmed or exhausted, take a break, even a short one can help you reset. ➡️ SCHEDULE TIME FOR FOLLOW-UP: -- Review your notes and contacts as soon as possible after the event to combat the “forgetting curve”. -- Set calendar reminders to follow up with new connections-ideally within a month, and then periodically (such as quarterly) to maintain relationships. -- Send personalized LinkedIn connection requests to everyone you met, referencing your conversation to reinforce the connection. -- Use #technology to your advantage: AI-powered apps can help summarize sessions, organize notes, and remind you of action items. What’s your best tip to avoid conference fatigue❓

Many high performers are not overlooked. They’re simply too valuable where they are. You keep the system running. You deliver consistently. You solve problems others can’t. So the organization does the logical thing. It protects the system. And sometimes that means keeping you exactly where you are. Not because you’re not promotable. Because moving you would create a gap they don’t want to deal with. That’s why many high performers misread certain signals as support when they’re actually signs of career containment. If you recognize some of the signals in the infographic, here are practical moves that change the dynamic. Actionable moves high performers should start making: ➡️ Ask for promotion criteria in writing If someone says “you’re not ready yet,” ask: “What specific milestones would demonstrate readiness for the next level?” ➡️ Convert praise into progression conversations When you hear “you’re doing great,” respond with: “Great to hear. What capabilities should I demonstrate to be considered for the next level?” ➡️ Tie extra work to authority If your scope expands, ask whether the title, ownership, or decision rights will expand too. ➡️ Create promotion checkpoints Instead of waiting for “next cycle,” align on a 90-day review based on specific outcomes. ➡️ Increase strategic visibility Your work should be visible beyond your manager. Share insights in leadership discussions and cross-team initiatives. ➡️ Look for a sponsor, not only a mentor Mentors advise. Sponsors advocate for your promotion in the rooms you’re not in. ➡️ Document measurable impact Promotion discussions should be supported by clear evidence of results, leadership, and influence. ➡️ Test your market value occasionally If your organization repeatedly says you’re “valuable” but never advances you, the market may value you differently. High performers rarely struggle with effort. They struggle with turning value into advancement. The infographic breaks down the signals many people misread. If this resonates, repost it so more high performers stop mistaking polite signals for real support. And if you want deeper strategies on leadership growth, career positioning, and executive visibility, subscribe to my newsletter (link in the comments).

Friday Insights from an Aviation Recruiter ✈️ Last week, I asked for your questions, and this one came up: “If I can’t attend conferences, does that put me at a disadvantage compared to those who do?” The short answer is no. Attending conferences is not required to be competitive. That said, conferences can be a great way to accelerate your progress. They offer opportunities to network, gain insight into the industry, and have meaningful face-to-face conversations that can leave a lasting impression. Attending conferences can be expensive and time-consuming, but there are often ways to make it more accessible through scholarships, organizational involvement, or networking. Even if attending isn’t always possible, building connections over time still matters. Networking does not only happen at conferences. It can happen at your flight school, at a local fly-in, through someone you meet in the industry, or even in everyday moments. You never know who you might be sitting next to or where a conversation might lead. Conferences are valuable because they bring so many of these opportunities into one place, but they are not the only path. Focus on what you can control: staying engaged, keeping your application updated, and continuing to build quality experience. At the end of the day, there are many paths in this industry. It comes down to how you use the opportunities in front of you. Take a breath. Monday’s another departure.

"Hi Liz, Last year, my conference survey results overwhelmingly showed that attendees wanted more time to network. So this year, we expanded the coffee breaks to 30 minutes, swapped out the open night for a dine-around with signup sheets, and made sure the app allowed for connections. But we STILL got feedback that they wanted more, and almost no one used the app. What are we doing wrong?" I LOVE that you are listening to attendee feedback and trying to adjust! It sounds like your attendees are looking for more *help* meeting people, rather than just more time. Here are a few ideas that might fit: 💡 Host a dedicated "Ask and Offer" time or message board where attendees can share challenges they're trying to solve and people they want to meet. 💡 Do some pre-event matchmaking by asking these questions in advance and helping attendees find the people they need to meet - like giving them a list of 10 people they should find while at the conference. 💡 Rather than just putting a member directory in the app, look into Braindate by e180 or other tools that let people connect on topics of interest, rather than job title. 💡 Turn some sessions into Think Tanks or Roundtable Discussions, either expert-led or peer-led. 💡 Run a crowdsourced Spontaneous Think Tank for true peer-to-peer conversations (we can teach you or you can bring us in for it!). 💡 Do more activities like excursions, field trips, learning tours, or even activity-based evening events like Top Golf for more interaction than just dinners. Hope that helps! ❤️ Got more ideas to share? Drop them in the comments! -------------------- Hi, I'm Liz. I help marketers connect. 🔔 To follow my content 💻 thecommunityfactory.com ✉ liz@thecommunityfactory.com 📆 Book a meeting https://lnkd.in/gjbiTs4M Communities I run: 🏯 www.weareichi.com 📣 www.teamcmo.com Nicole Osibodu, XOXO Kamryn Bryce #community #engagement #events #association #strategy 

It’s September, and conference season is upon us! As the founder and president of a professional services company, I’m gearing up for several events with a clear business development plan to maximize these opportunities. Sales wasn’t always part of my career plan, but as an engineer at heart, I’ve learned that having a process for everything—even sales—is essential. Attending these events comes at a significant cost, both financially and personally, so making the most of them is crucial. Here’s a glimpse into my process: 1. Target Identification: I start by reviewing the list of presenting companies and attendees on the conference app. This isn’t just a quick glance - I carefully downselect those companies where I believe we can add value. 2. Deep Research: I then dive into deep research using LinkedIn, company websites, and other specialized research tools like Zapyrus. I look for key indicators that reveal who these companies are, where they’re headed, and where they might need support. This allows me to understand their challenges and goals, ensuring I’m prepared to offer meaningful solutions. 3. Grading Prospects: With research in hand, I grade each prospect based on our ability to help or add value. This grading is a structured evaluation, considering factors like company stage, technology focus, team composition, geographic location, etc.. Focusing on prospects that align with our expertise increases the likelihood of long-term partnerships. All research is captured for quick reference during the conference on, yes, you guessed it, a spreadsheet. 4. Customized Outreach: I craft personalized outreach emails 3-4 weeks before the event. These aren’t generic messages—they’re tailored to address the specific needs and opportunities I’ve identified during my research. The goal is to add value from the first touchpoint, setting the tone for a meaningful conversation at the event. This process isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about building a foundation of trust and understanding with potential clients and partners. In my experience, success in sales is often more about how you show up than what you’re actually selling. And of course, follow-up is key! After the event, I continue the conversation on LinkedIn, reinforcing connections and exploring further collaboration opportunities. Sometimes, I even facilitate connections elsewhere based on our discussions. Whether you're looking to connect with startups or investors, a structured approach can turn your efforts into tangible results. The key to success lies in preparation—knowing your audience, understanding their needs, and reaching out in a way that resonates. Looking forward to seeing many of you at the upcoming events! Let’s make the most of these opportunities and turn ideas into impactful collaborations. #LSIEurope #RESIBoston #MEDeviceBoston #Medtechcon #BusinessDevelopment #SalesStrategy #StartupSuccess #InvestorRelations

How can a Belarusian attend startup conferences for free? (Actually, even in profit) I often meet startup founders. During intros, I usually share about Govar – AI English speaking club, our achievements, and how I’ve attended several major startup conferences for free — Web Summit, Slush, Reflect Festival, Wolves Summit, TechChill, The Next Web. If the founders are from Belarus, I always add: Belarusians (not just founders) can attend conferences with full support from the MOST IV program by Goethe Institut. It’s not just a ticket discount — the program covers all expenses, and even more. This post in Russian: https://lnkd.in/ePEiWJaV What does it cover? ❗MOST IV pays for: • Travel from your place of residence to the conference • Conference ticket • Daily allowance (about €200/day per person, varies slightly by country) • Additional justified expenses • Insurance • Visa support ❗Important details: • Only for Belarusians • Only within the EU (Switzerland and the UK are excluded, but Cyprus and Ireland are included) • You must apply at least 3 months in advance (better more, to have time for revisions if rejected) • Up to 3 conferences can be included in one application • Up to 5 people per application — so you can go with your startup team • You can’t attend a conference in the country where you permanently live • If rejected, try to understand the reason, adjust, and reapply • Your application should clearly state why you need to attend (not “this is a cool conference,” but “these venture funds names will be there, they invest in your industry, and I’ll have an open round of X amount on date”) About 10 of my founder friends have attended different conferences through this program. Since you need to apply 3 months in advance, there’s still a chance to get to Web Summit in Lisbon (the largest startup conference in Europe) and Slush in Helsinki (which I personally liked even more than WS) this year. Why attend startup conferences at all? For me, it’s one of the best ways to expand your network, meet founders and investors (crucial for fundraising, even future rounds), and build partnerships. In B2B, you can even close deals right there. In B2C with a low price point (e.g., a mobile app), direct sales are less realistic. And in tough times, meeting people who are succeeding can be a huge energy boost. I’m not attaching a link — just search for the program name. If you know a Belarusian founder, send them this post — in most cases, they have no idea this amazing opportunity exists.

Like most women I continued to work during my pregnancy (2023). I presented at conferences in the UK & internationally. Here's my reflections on the experience with some tips for events organisers to consider. - In my first trimester I struggled with morning sickness & other common side effects. I was scheduled to speak at an event in Aberdeen. I told the organisers I was pregnant & unwell. They were very understanding & kind. I was able to present via Zoom & I attended in person the year after, as the keynote speaker! - At an international event, I was offered a separate room to rest which had a sofa. A driver was arranged to collect & drop me off from the event. There wasn't an expectation for me to stay all day. I presented on the ground floor to avoid any stairs (I was so relieved about this!). They asked what my preference was in terms of when I presented my session. I was provided with lunch shortly before everyone else so I didn't have to stand in line. - Later in my pregnancy I was scheduled to present in Italy. At this point I had been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. This meant strict diet, insulin injections x4 a day, medication & regular blood monitoring. Again, I couldn't be there in person but I was able to pre-record my presentation to be shown on the day, so I was still part of the event. -There was another conference I was invited to late in my pregnancy. I informed the organisers but my experience wasn't positive. They refused to save me a parking space. I was told they couldn't do me any special favors & that if the car park was full there was another car park a mile down the road they called it 'park & stride'. This worried me so my husband booked a day off work to drive me to the event, drop me off at the door & later pick me up (he's wonderful like that!). ❤️ So if you're planning an event, here are some ways to support pregnant women attending or presenting: - Be kind, considerate & understanding. - Be flexible. Helps to have a Plan B. - Provide on site car parking. - Ground floor location to present or lift access. - If possible keep walking distances as short as possible between parking, registration, speaking room & toilets. - Ensure there are regular comfort breaks. - Drinking water should be accessible. - Provide someone who can help with any tech or equipment assistance, again if possible. - The best thing to do is ask the individual if they have any specific preferences or requests. 👏🤰💕 Joeli Brearley WomenEd