There’s no shortage of business masterminds offering their expertise, and there are plenty of business events heralded as “must-attend” functions. However, no leader has time to look at them all and, depending on your goals, many of them aren’t even worth your time. But if you’re a high-performing professional eager to learn and grow in your role or advance your business, how do you determine which events are right for you?
The members of Council for Young Entrepreneurs have a few suggestions. Below, they each share a factor they look at to determine if a business mastermind or particular networking event is worth their time, and how you can do the same.
Contents
- 1 1. Whether you can define a clear goal for participation
- 2 2. Whether it’s going to challenge you
- 3 3. Whether there are people present that you can connect with
- 4 4. Whether the event can help you improve on your weaknesses
- 5 5. Whether your colleagues found value in the event
- 6 6. Whether the host or organizer has a credible reputation
- 7 7. Whether the content is relevant to your goals
- 8 8. Whether the speaker has something new to offer
1. Whether you can define a clear goal for participation
I once went to an industry event and a fellow CEO asked me very directly, “Why are you here?” I think I gave him a long winded answer about understanding the industry and staying on top of the latest trends. I asked him the same question and he answered me very directly in probably 10 words. I’ve remembered that exchange ever since, and I only attend industry events where I can define a clear primary goal – and perhaps a secondary goal that is “nice to have.” If I can’t, I usually skip the event because it’s just not worth the time. – JT Allen, myFootpath LLC
2. Whether it’s going to challenge you
Is it going to make you uncomfortable? Embrace the unknown. It’s easy to attend events with people you know and topics you’ve heard a million times before. Real change and learning comes when you challenge yourself to participate in something unfamiliar. If it’s going to challenge you, it’s worth it. – Pursue Williams, Market My Market
3. Whether there are people present that you can connect with
I look at the connections – or super connections – and what common ground they share with me. The best and most meaningful events are those where participants connect on some level through unique shared experiences. To find this common ground for an event I’m invited to, I always look to the host or person making the invitation. Even though I don’t know them personally, I can still find who connected us (a super connector). In addition to exploring similarities between myself and an event host, it also helps to research potential speakers, panelists, or mentors so I can better understand what kind of knowledge and experience each brings to decide if their expertise aligns with my goals and would result in a more productive use of time. – Tonya Bruce, Lead Beautiful, Inc.
4. Whether the event can help you improve on your weaknesses
We are constantly striving to improve our business, and some of these events can be hugely helpful if the right people are there and the right topic is on the agenda. Many of the events I have attended in the past have had a direct impact on the growth of our business. This is thanks to the individuals I have learned from at these events. But I knew I should only be there if I knew there were people there who could help me on a weak point. – Jeff Cayley, Worldwide Cyclery
5. Whether your colleagues found value in the event
We always ask ourselves, “What are our colleagues saying about this event or opportunity?” We want entrepreneurs like us to get real value out of it, more than just networking (although that’s important too). In fact, we recommend skipping the first draft of each event unless it’s a direct outgrowth of a similar event with a proven track record. If someone you know and trust attends afterwards, ask them for their honest opinion on whether it was worth it and tips on how to get the most out of it if and when you attend next time. – Andrew Schrage, Money Crashers personal finance
6. Whether the host or organizer has a credible reputation
When evaluating whether a business mastermind or networking event is worth my time, I look at the reputation of the host or organizer. I look at their background, credentials and experience hosting events relevant to my interests and browse previous event records. A reputable host or organizer with a history of successful events and satisfied attendees is a good sign that the event will be well organized, of high quality and will add value to me and my business. In addition, I consider the format, content and goals of the event to see if they align with my own goals and expectations, as well as the cost and any other resources required for participation. – Kazi Mamun, CANSOFT
7. Whether the content is relevant to your goals
The most important factor to look at when deciding whether or not you should attend a networking event is its relevance to your respective goals. See if the event offers you the chance to learn from the expertise and experience of the speakers or other like-minded professionals who will help you maximize your efficiency and take you one step closer to achieving your goals. Attending such events is definitely worth it. – Stephanie Wells, Formidable shapes
8. Whether the speaker has something new to offer
I look up something the speaker has done before, such as books he has written or studies he has published. I can look up other speeches to get the gist of what they will be talking about. I can do all that in about 15 minutes to figure out if the event is worth my time. What I look for in making that decision is whether this speaker has anything new to offer. I find it especially important that they can offer practical solutions that benefit me, my employees or my company. I want to leave such meetings with an idea of how to implement ideas that will make improvements. A speaker who can’t give me that isn’t worth my time. – Baruch Labunski, Rank safe
Janice has been with businesskinda for 5 years, writing copy for client websites, blog posts, EDMs and other mediums to engage readers and encourage action. By collaborating with clients, our SEO manager and the wider businesskinda team, Janice seeks to understand an audience before creating memorable, persuasive copy.