On Conferences and Value: A Reflection on the Days of Knowledge Hattrick

When you scour through the posts about conferences here on LinkedIn, you might notice a recurring trend. Almost every post could be categorized under 'how terrific the experience was,' 'it's wonderful to be present' or 'a hearty thanks for an impeccable execution' — and that includes my posts as well. Ooops. It got me thinking, though. What's the core message of these posts? What's their value? I decided to make this post a little different, adding my unique perspective and detailing what I've gained from the recent experience.

You see, I've just returned from the 'Days of Knowledge' hattrick — a trio of captivating conferences. The venues varied, from DOK UK in Birmingham to DOK Central in Düsseldorf, and finally, DOK Nordic in Odense. Indeed, it was an exhilarating experience and a pleasure to encounter a host of wonderful people.

Are We Learning, Growing, and Applying from Our Conference Experiences?

But more than just the fun and socializing, there was a lot to take away from the conference. For starters, I'm inspired to push my development team to allocate more time to the new BC telemetry features. They seem promising and could potentially enhance our productivity and efficiency in many ways.

The Power of Exchange and Inspiration

I had the opportunity to deliver five sessions centered around constructing a repeatable software business. The discussions that followed were as enlightening as they were inspiring, giving me invaluable insights into the Anveo product family.

It was also a great time with the Anveo Group team. The exchange of ideas, the camaraderie, the brainstorming - all were invaluable. Moreover, I had the pleasure of meeting Sonja Klimke and discussing the prospects of additional team training.

The Value of Personal Interactions

You can read and hear about people, but meeting them in person provides a whole new perspective. I got to meet the inspiring Shannon Mullins and have an insightful chat about the Dynamics GP to BC transformation. Martin Karlowitsch gave me a great book recommendation that I can't wait to delve into.

After a considerable gap, I also had a chance to catch up with AJ Ansari . We even recorded a second Dynamics Super Heroes interview - a rewarding experience indeed!

Creativity and Team Pride

The conference also turned out to be a creative hub, as I found myself making several social media videos for my team and myself. And the icing on the cake was seeing my team take the stage — two of them for the first time in a keynote situation. They did an incredible job, and I couldn't have been prouder!

Thank you to Kayleen Hannigan , Kai Gettert and Helmut Schuster !

What's Your Conference Experience?

Conferences like these are not just a place to network, but also a platform where you meet remarkable people and get a treasure trove of ideas to enhance your business. I love attending conferences — the knowledge, experience, and networking make it more than worth the time.

I'd love to hear your experiences too. What were your main takeaways? What do you look forward to in a conference?

Summary

To sum it up, conferences offer a unique amalgamation of learning, networking, and brainstorming opportunities. The recent ' Days of Knowledge ' by Directions for Partners hattrick was a great example of this. From inspiring discussions and fruitful interactions to team building and creative explorations, the conferences were a breeding ground for ideas and inspiration. But the experience is not just about taking; it's about giving, sharing, and learning. So, I pose the question again, "What were your main takeaways from your latest conference?" Let's continue to make the most out of these opportunities and work towards building a better professional environment.

I am looking forward to BC TechDays in Antwerp! See you there?