Convergence: It is that time of year again! #conv14
Convergence isn't just about great sessions and learning, but it is also about
1) Networking
2) Meeting the Third Party Providers and ISVs who partner with Microsoft on
Dynamics CRM and add value add
3) Meeting the Microsoft CRM Support Team and technical resources (bring your questions)
4) Meeting the Microsoft CRM Developers and development team (there are new faces to watch for)
5) Meeting other Microsoft team members
6) Communicating with other CRM users (Look for CRMUG)
7) Listening and learning from Authors, Field Experts and great consultants
Tips
1) Know which sessions you want to go to before you go and have a backup option (sometimes sessions are sold out)
2) Know who the speakers are: Ask or search the net or read their blogs, being great at what you know doesn't mean you are a great speaker. Look for both!
3) Use Twitter during the conference to keep up with the live session buzz and to connect with other CRM tweeters. Tweet tags #conv14 and product tags like #msdyncrm
4) Know the level of the session: They can range from 100 to 400 and have a lot to do with presenter and audience. Convergence has both sales sessions to show what is new and deep technical sessions to get you up to speed fast so you have to know how to pick them.
5) Go to the parties and don’t stay at one. Roam from one party to the next and check out the culture, the mood, the tone, the side talks, the buzz
6) Talk to Strangers , they are not that strange they are all loving Dynamics.
7) Eat with people you don’t know and when you sit down, talk to them
8) Make time to visit the bookstore (even if to just see what CRM books are available)
9) Make time to visit the booths (I have had more great technical talks with CEOs at trade shows than anywhere else)
10) Go to some non-CRM Sessions such as Office, SharePoint and BI – products that work great together with CRM
11) Go to some business sessions – they have some incredible leaders presenting on leadership, change management, etc. Many are well recognized business book writers. (loved hearing Malcolm Gladwell a few years back)
12) Setup a Meet the Expert Connect session and have a one on one with a developer, business leader, or other resource. A few years back I met with the development team working on a key feature in the newest version of CRM. What a blast to get their perspective.
13) Attend the Pre-Convergence CRMUG Day, the sessions are smaller and the content incredible.
14) Bring business cards, share your business cards, collect business cards AND schedule time when you get home to follow up. Not just the week after, but again two weeks after and a again after 2 months, etc. Networking is about meeting and then building relationships that offer win/win value to both people.
15) Share what you know! Evaluations make a HUGE Difference in the world of Microsoft. Peer to Peer sharing makes a HUGE difference in the success of Dynamics CRM.
16) Attend the last session of the day and the event. Those speakers are sometimes the best, because they draw out the day.
Social Tips
1) It is Atlanta! Plan to eat incredible food.
2) Don't plan on sleeping too much, but don't burn up all the brain cells so you don't have time to learn
3) Take notes and share with your team members! At least the writing can help you remember.