We (Reliability Team) are having trouble convincing Management on the Important in attending Conferences.
We have new management, one middle manager and one upper manager. They are presently developing a training programs and excluding all conference. I think the training is great and about time, however we have not been able to convince management how much more education and information a motivated individual can bring back to management thru attending conferences. I try a lot of different approaches, new products, networking, benchmarking thru breakout sessions, etc. and all they said is “Our company gets more out of training, than conferences. Managements also said “Conferences are were people go to play golf, tennis, swim, etc.. And, “What do we get out of it? Other than a bill?” I need help here. Got any ideas?

John

Terrence O'hanlon has a very good set of guidelines for getting the most out of conferences. Not only do these tips help you plan to get your moneys worth but it provides a platform for documenting and utilizing what you can gain from conference attendance. If you show management specific goals for attending a conference and that you can document attainment of the goals, you might have a better chance.
You should be able to find Mr. O'Hanlons "Maintenance Conference Tip" on the Reliabilityweb.com site.
Good Luck,
Charlie

Not wanting to sound negative toward your management but it sounds like they might have that attitude because that was their experience. My personnel experience is allot different. If anyone attending any of these conferences has the interest and fortitude to be there, pay attention and participate the learning experience is invaluable. To convince them of the value might be impossible because of their experiences at conferences.

I would suggest maybe to choose several problems to address at your plant and ask them to give you the chance to get the answers to those problems at the conference. That would give a purpose and just might help turn their impressions around.

Good Luck!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Don Jones,

Here is a checklist (attached in PDF format) for getting the most from a conference but I agree with Don that somewhere along the line a top dog decided that results were not flowing from conference attendance.

Whether that was accurate or not is a different story but somehow that is the impression he/she was left with.

Communication is key - share what you learned but not as a lecture or by coming from a "I know this and you don't" place.

Remember - you were the one in Daytona Beach in December when you co-workers and managers were freezing up in Buffalo. They did not get the same inspiration and knowledge you did. They are not quite as excited about change as you are. Take it slow and carefully pick your opportunities but in the meantime - create as much conversation as possible after your return.

Terry O

Conference_pre_flight_checklist.pdf (44 Kb, 15 downloads) Conference Checklist

By the way - a few more things:

1) Some conferences are great learning opportunities and some are not. It is very hard to tell which one is which before you actually go. I will say that I have attended as many conferences as anyone and I ALWAYs learn something of great value - even at what I would term as substandard events. You just cannot beat human networking for learning.

2) Some conferences are at better "leisure" locations than others. We take the approach that is OK to be in Vegas or Florida not only because they are nice destinations - they have cheaper flights - cheaper hotel rooms and the infrastructure in place to provide the services needed for a successful conference. We do understand that can add some difficulties for many companies that have a "No Vegas" or "NO Florida" policy even though it saves attendees money.

Johnny - I happen to know that the last event you attended was one of the best learning and sharing events ever staged (sorry to be so bold and seemingly self promotional - but I firmly believe that). It was especially appropriate for your team.

You can do all the classroom learning you want but I submit you can learn as much if not more sitting down to lunch at a conference with someone who has common challenges as you will ever learn in a structured course.

If life could be taught - we would all be model citizens but....

Terry O