In 2023, we are starting to see companies re-embrace live and in-person kickoff events. For those of us who have attended these events in the past, you know it's like a giant family reunion for the company designed to motivate and prepare the sales team for the year ahead.
The opportunity to make connections with stakeholders in person is arguably more valuable than ever given that most of us are operating (and thriving) in a hybrid or fully-remote environment, meaning you may not get the same amount of face-to-face time as before. DNA is here to help you hone your networking skills and make the most of your trip.
Below are our recommended best practices to make sure you achieve your goals and make meaningful connections at your next sales conference:
Review the agenda: Familiarize yourself with the topics that will be covered and the speakers who will be presenting. This will help you focus your attention on the most relevant sessions and allow you to plan your time effectively.
Set goals and targets: Consider what you want to achieve during the event and how you can contribute to the success of the team. Set clear goals and targets for yourself and share them with your manager or team leader.
Engage with your team: Take the opportunity to connect with your colleagues and learn from their experiences. Share best practices and ideas, and work together to develop strategies for success.
Engage with internal stakeholders: Networking isn't only useful outside of your organization. Chances are your company has also sent colleagues and decision-makers from marketing, revenue operations, sales enablement, or other relevant departments, so use this opportunity to strengthen those relationships as well. A helpful tip is to take notes on who you met and what you talked about. This will help you remember the conversations when you get back to your virtual environment and keep track of all your key points -- you will have a lot! There's a reason why the cringey adage, "team work makes the dream work," isn't going anywhere any time soon.
Connect with external speakers and consultants: After a great presentation or, better yet, if you are able to engage with an external speaker or consultant, quickly connect with that person and add a personal note to your invite. An example could be: “Loved hearing you speak at our Global Sales Kickoff today! I would love to stay connected.” This will help increase the likelihood that your invite is accepted, opening the door to join their larger network and giving you the opportunity to grow your online presence exponentially.
Follow up after the conference: Make sure to follow up on any action items or next steps that were identified during meetings at the event. Also, spend some time on LinkedIn connecting with people you met to grow your network, and don't forget those personal notes.
Overall, the key to preparing for your organization's sales conference is to be well-informed, well-prepared, and ready to contribute to the success of the team. By taking the time to properly prepare, you can make the most of the opportunity and set yourself up for a successful year.
Also, If you are looking for a fun ice-breaker for growing your network, check out our DNA QR Code Tee Shirts! Each t-shirt can be custom-ordered to have a QR code printed on the back that links to your social media profile of choice. Visit us below and include your profile URL to make a splash at the event's happy hour. This is an incredibly unique way to get the conversation started and make sure people remember you.
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