What do you do if you're a consultant trying to keep up with the latest technology advancements?

In my experience , Step 1: read atleast a new tech article ( medium posts) every other day Step 2 : Download white papers about the technology you are trying to grasp Step 3 : Try to remember glossary ( new terms ) about the new technology Step 4 : look for YouTube videos on the topic and watch it on 1.5 speed Step 5: if you get an opportunity to work on the new technology , go deeper and drench yourself Step 6: after 3 to 6 months of working try to do some cert to solidify your understanding Step 7: Subscribe to news letters related to the topic and join communities on linked in ( follow) related to the technology Step8 :if possible to get more exposure and discuss with like minded friends. Repeat and rinse for every new tech

Stop - before you do that. Stop and think what you are trying to achieve. Subscribing to podcasts and newsletters is super easy no effort but how do you know you are not wasting your time? Time is the most scared resource in consulting if you are wasting it - it’s gone. When it’s gone you just spend engaging with constant that wasn’t relevant. So be very selective what you subscribe to.

1. Continuous Learning: Dedicate time to self-education through online courses, webinars, and workshops focused on emerging technologies. 2. Industry Publications: Follow reputable tech blogs, journals, and publications to stay informed about new developments, trends, and case studies. 3. Networking: Engage with professionals in your field through industry events, conferences, and online forums to exchange knowledge and stay updated on technological innovations. 4. Hands-on Experience: Experiment with new technologies through personal projects or by volunteering for relevant assignments within your organization. 5. Work closely with tech-savvy colleagues or teams within your consultancy to learn from their expertise and share insights.

One thing I've found insightful from my project and management consulting experiences across 19+ countries is that: Our "TEAMS" can use various platforms and channels, such as blogs, podcasts, newsletters, webinars, online courses, books, magazines, forums, social media, and events, to stay updated and informed about the latest developments, best practices, and insights in technology consulting.

Just keep on learning and keep your eyes and ears open for anything new to add to repertoire. Spend time listening to MVPs on what they think about the technology and its space complexity and how it can be used for enterprise wide scalable aapplications.

In the fast-paced landscape of technology, staying abreast of the latest advancements is not just desirable—it's imperative for consultants striving for relevance and efficacy. By immersing yourself in online communities and forums, you not only stay informed about the latest technological advancements but also foster a sense of belonging within a global community of technophiles and innovators. Embrace the collaborative spirit of these platforms, and let them propel you towards sustained growth and success in your consulting journey.

For latest technology advancements, prioritize continuous learning through online courses and webinars. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and edX offer a wealth of resources, enabling you to acquire new skills, tools, and frameworks conveniently. Engage with courses led by reputable instructors and institutions to ensure high-quality learning experiences. Leverage the certificates earned from these courses to enhance your professional profile and showcase your dedication to ongoing skill development. By actively pursuing online learning opportunities, you'll remain equipped to offer cutting-edge solutions and insights to your clients, ensuring your consultancy remains relevant in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

In my experience, this approach has worked good for me. A consultant typically gets engaged in variety of projects that may demand for new technology skills at varying levels. Being conscious about the new technology’s overlap with once expertise & its periphery and accordingly taking 100 or 200 or 300 level course would be beneficial. It is also crucial to keep in mind for a consultant to earn trust by being transparent about one’s level of expertise in a new technology, but also the ability to learn and expand and the ability to bring specialists as needed by the situation.

In the highly dynamic world of technology, "experimentation" is a secret weapon that can be effectively used to keep pace and stay ahead. - Platforms such as GitHub are gold mines for uncovering innovative solutions. Go through new ventures, commodities and gains realized by the smartest people on earth. - Try out these technologies yourself to evaluate their potential relevance to your client’s problems. This onsite strategy will provide invaluable insights into clients’ needs and offer opportunities for you to develop your expertise so that you can become a trustworthy advisor in the eyes of your clients.

Tech consultant here! I stay ahead of the curve by experimenting with hot new tech (GitHub, Product Hunt) & building quick prototypes to test them. I then assess their value for clients and share learnings (blogs, communities) to stay sharp.

Yes, this is the way. Why? Because only on LinkedIn you actually can be connected or follow the real person (yes for some top executives and billionaires LinkedIn can be managed by the team) but still you are close to information flow. Then all you need to do is to follow other people that person you are interested is following. You even can find you can connect to some and if you start publish relevant content what can happen executives and other influencers will send connection requests to you. Then it’s all about curation of content for your target audience, learn from statistic what works what not, experiment but be persistent what you seek. It’s like law of attraction you seek what is seeking you, all you do is connect to the flow.

To stay abreast of the latest technology advancements as a consultant, prioritize continuous learning, attend industry conferences, and participate in training programs. Engage with online resources, join professional networks, and seek mentorship from tech-savvy colleagues. Experiment with new tools and methodologies, and apply them to real-world projects to gain practical experience. Embrace a growth mindset, adapt quickly to emerging trends, and leverage technology to drive innovation and deliver value to clients effectively.

I recommend to have an eye on trends by technology leaders, usually these are published during last quarter of the calendar year. Alongside, my favourite is Gartner’s hype cycle as it maps technology on scale of maturity.

Allocate regular time in your schedule specifically for staying updated on technology advancements. Treat it as a priority and incorporate it into your professional development plan. Also, cultivate a mindset of curiosity and openness to new ideas and perspectives. Be willing to explore emerging technologies outside of your comfort zone and embrace experimentation and innovation in your approach to problem-solving.

Tech consultant here! To stay sharp, I'll constantly learn (publications, conferences, certs), collaborate with peers (networks, vendors), experiment with new tech (personal projects, lab), share knowledge (publications, speaking), and embrace change (lifelong learning, adapt to clients). This keeps me on top of the game for innovative client solutions.

Be a lifelong learner. Curiosity will help you connect the dots between new technologies and their true utility. Using technologies just for the sake of it doesn't solve anything; you need to know first what problem you're trying to solve.