Attending Expo can be an experience that propels you and your business for the next six or so months. Not only are they informative—they’re incredibly motivating, and you have a chance to meet fellow success-minded contractors eager to pass along their own wisdom. To have the most successful Expo possible, here are 6 Simple Tips to Prepare You for an Exceptional Expo:
Tip 1: Don’t Waste a Moment
Each day at Expo is a full day—but there are plenty of breaks. Instead of just topping off your coffee and snacking at an afternoon break (for example), make a point to meet a new member or simply review the material shared and write out your action plan. Don’t forget to find a group of members to eat dinner with each evening! Great information comes from nights out with fellow contractors.
Tip 2: Be Prepared to Network
You’re going to have multiple chances to meet plenty of members. Be sure to make the most of these opportunities. This means: always ask for a business card—and bring a stack of your business cards and liberally pass them out!
Tip 3: Talk with Your Client Success Managers
The SGI CSMs will be running around quite a bit at Expo to ensure the week runs smoothly. But in between breaks or in the morning or afternoon, be sure to introduce yourself in person (if you haven’t yet met face-to-face). See if your CSM has 10 or 15 minutes to meet with you individually during the week. Use this time to discuss any issues in your business or to make plans for the remainder of the year.
Tip 4: Bring Any and All Important Information
If you have problems or questions regarding your P&Ls or your marketing or manpower plan (for example), bring these items and questions with you to Expo! Ask your CSM to sit down with you and review them. Your CSM can’t help you unless he or she has the information in front of them. Then, you can work on resolving any questions or problems you have.
Tip 5: Create an Action Plan
Before leaving Expo to return home, be certain to spend a couple of hours near the end of the week to write out an action plan. Using the information you received and the presentations you heard, create a list of tasks you want to tackle in your business—they can be big or small. Also, be sure to put a deadline on each task so that you have some urgency to accomplish them and remain accountable to yourself.
Tip 6: Follow Up
Within a week after Expo, reach out to your CSM and other members you met. Maybe schedule a time where you can regularly talk with one another. Or maybe even talk about a date where you can travel to another member’s business to see what he/she is doing successfully. You can get great ideas by doing that. Whatever you do, don’t make great connections at Expo and then not follow up. Take advantage of these networking opportunities to learn from and to help other members.