Many people go to meetings to learn, and many event agendas are heavy on expert-led lectures. It’s a tried-and-true learning format, sure, but speakers talking at guests doesn’t allow attendees to engage with your meeting content.

“Lectures are a seductive meeting format because they provide an efficient way of sharing information,” says Adrian Segar, a meetings designer and facilitator, in a post on Conferences That Work. “However, lectures are perhaps the least effective way of learning anything. Why? Over time, we rapidly forget most everything we’ve been told. But when we engage with content, we remember more of it, remember it more accurately, and remember it longer. Every measure of learning increases drastically when attendees actively participate in sessions.”

Moreover, Segar says, most professionals learn better socially, rather than in a traditional classroom setup. “Instead of limiting content to a few ‘experts,’ peer conferences uncover and tap the thousands of years of expertise and experience in the room,” he says.

Don’t limit interaction to mealtime breaks or hallway conversations, either. Segar suggests adapting your meeting agenda to create more networking opportunities for maximum learning.

The Four Emails That Build Relationships

Forget new years resolutions. Do this instead. @robbieab https://t.co/MkvaOgYu0Q

— Inc. (@Inc) January 2, 2019

As you settle back into work after the holidays, think about how you can cultivate new and old relationships in 2019. Robbie Abed writes on Inc. that sending these four types of emails is a great place to start:

The “thank-you” email. “Think of someone that helped you or went out of their way to help you in 2018 and send them a simple thank-you email. It could be a friend, a coworker, a manager or even a client,” Abed says.

The “let’s grab coffee” email. The coffee shop setting keeps meetings casual, whether you’re catching up with or getting to know someone.

The “I think I know how to help” email. Personalization is critical when reaching out to new people. “The key to this email is to tell them what success you’ve had that’s specific to their business,” Abed says.

The “I’ll connect you two” email. Forging new connections is important for you and your colleagues. Play facilitator and help them build new relationships, too.

Other Links of Note

Looking for event inspiration? The BizBash editors share their most memorable meetings of 2018.

Optimizing your content to answer potential questions from your audience will create more engagement. Moz explains.

Find out the six types of people who should start a membership website, from The Membership Guys’ latest podcast.

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