Creativity and Corporate Events

This week I attended a big corporate event. I genuinely hate corporate events—whether they’re conferences, seminars, or exhibitions. ?

As a bit of an introvert, they are usually a day long pain-fest. So, as I got older and more senior, I tended to avoid them more and more.

At worst, we attend, we mingle, we sit through presentations, and then we go back to our day jobs both behind in our work and tired.

However, at best, they are a golden opportunity to boost our creativity, build valuable connections, and walk away with something new and special.

The difference is choice, attitude and approach.

With a little planning and some clear personal goals, you can turn that frown upside down and make any corporate event into an enjoyable investment that pays dividends.

Here’s how to make the most of your time at these gatherings, with some tips on what to avoid and a few creative challenges to help you think outside the box.

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1. Set Your Personal Success Goals

Before you even arrive, set clear success outcomes for yourself. Do this on the train or in the coffee house around the corner. Consider these as your personal challenges for the event:

• Expand Your Knowledge: Aim to leave the event with three new insights or ideas that can benefit your role.
• Make New Connections: Set a goal to meet at least three people outside of your usual circle.
• Make a Plan: Look at the agenda or attendees and then think about the sessions to attend and prepare some questions.
• Practice Active Listening: Commit to asking questions and really engaging with the speakers or presenters.
• Motivate yourself: Tell yourself to get out there, speak to people and engage. Chin up, head back, deep breath and go for it. (This is mandatory, not optional)…don’t just walk in off the street.

Doing this gives you a purpose and a plan and with them comes confidence and clear rewards. Instead of passively sitting through sessions or wondering aimlessly and lonely, you’re now on a mission.

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2. Break Out of Your Comfort Zone

Do not spend the whole day talking in a huddle to your friends or colleagues. Tempting as it maybe this is not maximising your return on investment. Staying in your comfort zone limits your growth. Branch out.

Now I struggle with this, so here are a few creative ways to approach networking:

• Find a Buddy for a Challenge: Partner with a colleague who’s up for a challenge. Challenge each other to meet people, swap takeaways, and encourage one another to stay engaged.
• Play a “Theme Game”: In your plan choose a theme for the day, like “collaboration” or “innovation.” Try to bring every conversation back to this theme and see where it leads you. It’s a fun way to keep yourself focused and thoughtful in every interaction.
• Have a conversation starter: Have two or three prepared questions to ask to get you off and going. If all else fails, look at people’s name tags and ask about their company and how things are going.

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3. Avoid the Distraction Trap

Spending time on your phone during sessions or networking breaks can be a major creativity killer. Sure, checking emails may feel productive, but in truth it’s a distraction. Your ideas and insights are unlikely to flow if you’re constantly looking down.

Turn it to a positive and consider the event as a mini-digital detox. Turn off notifications, put your phone on silent, and challenge yourself to be as phone-free as possible. You will definitely find it easier to stay focused, absorb more information, and even come up with creative ideas on the fly.

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4. Take Notes with a Twist

I find this really helpful. Instead of just jotting down what the speaker is saying or taking a photo of their slides, do this:

• Sketch Your Ideas: Use visuals to capture your thoughts. Doodles, flowcharts, or even simple stick figures can help you remember information in a more engaging way.
• Create a Mind Map: Organise your notes around key themes and connect them. This process can help you see patterns and come up with fresh ideas.
• Write Down Personal Reflections: After each session, take a minute to note any ideas or concepts that stood out to you. Then ask yourself, “How could this apply to my work?” or “How could I share this with my team?”

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5. Maximise Breaks for Connections

During breaks, resist the urge to retreat to a quiet corner or scroll through your phone. Use this time to reflect, jot down any fresh thoughts, or even better connect with someone new. The great thing about coming out of a session is that you have a perfect conversation starter based on what you have both just seen or heard. This is manna from heaven.

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6. Follow Up and Reflect

After the event, take time to reflect. Review your notes, consider what you learned, and identify how it could be applied in your role. If you made new connections, follow up with a quick email or LinkedIn message. Even just a “great to meet you” is all it takes.

Review your success goals and see if you achieved them. Did you make valuable connections? Learn something new? Feel inspired? Reviewing your experience hopefully reinforces the feeling it wasn’t so bad. ?It also sets you up for even better engagement at future events.

What to Avoid

Here are three things I regularly do! Here are some common pitfalls to avoid at corporate events:

• Standing with Work Colleagues: You already know these people! Use this time to expand your network and meet others. Try and stick to a 80/20 rule on time spent with colleagues.
• Spending Too Much Time on Your Phone: Checking out mentally is hopeless, it keeps you from fully experiencing the event. No one is going to approach you if you engrossed in your phone.
• Passive Listening: Avoid just “sitting and absorbing.” Active listening, note-taking, and engaging with the content is the only way to go. Challenge yourself to ask a question, that will keep you focused!

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Next time you attend a corporate event, take the opportunity to think bigger, meet new people, and leave inspired. You’ll be surprised at how much just adding little creativity to your approach can improve your experience.

??CTA – Sign up for an event today, make a plan and go for it!

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