Conventioneering...

An important facet of my work is meeting up with clinic managers and doctors when they gather for educational conventions. It is nothing like the old Standard days, when we'd gather as a giant sales force and be wined and dined. These are a collection of people who don't see each other much, but like to learn from each other. Here's what I learn:

Far too many people change business cards and logo wear, thinking it will change the work they didn't like in the first place.

The older I get, the younger the newest sales people get, widening the divide between "should we invite them to dinner" and "I have kids that age" even more.

Once we've seen our old friends during the first break, as they come by to visit and escape their own boredom, there is little to be gained.

Oddly enough, in the most random moments, some actual sales opportunity will arise when we least expect it. Makes the entire effort worthwhile.

Our firm is very fortunate. We work with true professionals who are also caring people, both within and outside our organization. I can't imagine making myself work with some of the people I contact in these meetings, and thank our lucky stars for our market position. Is that something that one learns in a Masters' class, or are we just lucky?

Back to the office on Thursday. For now, it is a bit of rest, a bit of cocktail hour, and a bit of smiling small talk, awaiting those random moments when something really good may happen...