Qualitatively Speaking.

Shaili  //  Hi, I'm Shaili, and I love the online environment. Like some of you, I live, work and play a significant part of my life on the Internet, and I am always on the lookout to learn new ideas. Market research is my passion, and the uncharted terrain of online research methodologies seemed like a very natural transition back in 2004. Thankfully, it has been a time-tested good choice.

I am best known for conducting studies with leading edge methodologies including online research, mobile research and digital ethnography. I also conduct traditional in-person interviews, either in focus groups or one-on-one, and I should also mention that I am always on the lookout for new projective techniques and creative ways to ask questions.

Nov 9 / 5:43pm

Five Tips for Your Next Conference

Have a conference coming up? Are you at a conference right now? You might enjoy the stuff that you can collect from sponsors' booths for free, but are a handful of pens and magnets the real reason you attended a conference?

As a consultant since 2004, conferences have inspired my passion for qualitative research. Some of you might be more experienced at conference-going, which is great, and I would love to hear if you have any tips from your experiences.

Five Tips to make the most of a conference experience:

1.) Why are you Going?

Before you zip up your bags and pack your laptop, sit down for at least a few minutes and think about why you are going to the conference in the first place. Take out a sheet of paper and write down at least THREE THINGS you hope to learn or do at the conference. These are your key objectives. These don't have to be very detailed points, but depending on the conference speakers and content, this renewed focus on why you're going will help you highlight the educational sessions that might give you the most value.

If you can't come up with at least three reasons why you are going... Re-evaluate your priorities! Why are you spending your time and money on a conference? It's not a good enough reason "just to be there." For advanced conference attendees, why don't you get involved? Ask the conference team if there is anything you can do to volunteer and help out with the events.

2.) Who else is Going?

Do you know anyone else who will be there? If not, no worries! Check Twitter to see if there is anyone twittering about the event. There are usually a few professionals that tweet about most of their trips and conferences, and you can meet someone that way. There may also be a tweet-up for attendees; if not, set up your own tweet-up for conference attendees at a local bar and see who shows up.

Read the attendee list when you arrive at the event, including the list of sponsors & suppliers. Is there anyone you would love to meet? Also, don't forget to read people's name tags when you're at the event. You might meet people who signed up at the last minute, after the attendee list was already printed. Sometimes these are the most interesting people!

3.) Socialize

For those of us who work in small teams or are self-employed, conferences are a great chance to socialize in a professional atmosphere. At a refreshment break or have the educational sessions ended for the day? This is not the time to hide in your hotel room. Get to know other people who do what you do.

It is not about the quantity of people you meet. It is about the quality of people you meet. We probably won't meet this quality of colleagues by randomly wandering local coffee shops or airports, just hoping to bump into them. I enjoy making friends at conferences and it fits my style. When I have attended a conference of value and taken time to socialize, I often end my conference time with more hugs than handshakes.

If you find yourself clicking with someone at a conference, your conversation should be more detailed and warmer than just swapping business cards! If anything, I have found interesting people who will share appetizers or a meal with me after hours. Take efforts to remember the people you meet, and as time permits, follow up with them when you get home.

4.) Talk to Vendors

Set aside time in your day to speak with vendors. Vendors at conferences help me learn about products, and in turn, that helps me advance my methods and recommendations to my clients.

Vendors usually send leaders to conferences. It's a fantastic chance to go straight to the source! If you find yourself speaking with the product developer, this is the time to ask tough questions and share your professional needs.

Who provides products and technologies that could fit your clients' needs? See it as a partnership of sorts. I like being on the leading edge of qualitative research and regularly present new innovative methodologies at conferences... These methodologies almost always employ the support of software providers, facilities and hard-working recruiters. Other researchers ask me for product referrals almost every week, and I give them a fair assessment of the services I've encountered. What if you could do that for your clients?

5.) What to Bring?

In the haste of packing, do not forget to bring these key items:

  • Business cards
  • Shoes that are comfortable, business-like and well-maintained
  • Granola bar or other snack to keep yourself going in a long day when drinks aren't enough
  • Mobile device to stay connected, such as a laptop and cell phone
  • Power cords for electronic devices
  • Scarf, sweater or blazer/jacket for rooms that get chilly after 5:00pm

Nice to have you here, and I hope you picked up a tip or two for your next conference.

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