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Listen, Debrief, Take Notes and Let It Be: Taking Full Advantage of Your In-Person Events

by Uncategorized

It felt so good to be networking on Sunday at an industry event. There are still certain discussions that just work best face-to-face, without our precious Zoom windows and lovely pets at our side.

If you haven’t been to an event in a while, it will be like riding a bike—once you start engaging, it will feel comfortable again—but there’s so much more that we can get out of these events if we come with a little preparation.

The perfect time to test out your learning and networking skills will be June 27-28 as our AMPLIFY 2023 Content & Marketing Summit takes over Washington, D.C. (See the awesome agenda here.) To get you ready for that event and others you might be attending, here’s a primer on how to get the most out of your events.

Another purpose is for you to borrow these tips for your own event audience. The fall will be jam-packed with in-person events, so this can be a great refresher course for your attendees. To make it even more interesting—and to celebrate a new Beatles song in the works with an AI-aided John Lennon—we’ve given the list a Beatles twist with Fab Four song title subjects. Enjoy.

Listen. Do You Want to Know a Secret? “It’s easy to get distracted and think about what you’re going to say after the person you’re talking to finishes their point,” wrote blogger Nathalie Lussier. “Don’t let your mind take over! Instead, focus on what the people you’re with are saying and chime in without pre-rehearsing what you’re going to say in your head. I promise it will come out just as smart, but you’ll have the added benefit of knowing exactly what people are saying and giving them your full undivided attention.”

I’ve Just Seen a Face. Jot down notes and information. Yes, I mean in longhand. When you get a business card, write down what made you ask for the card on the back. I can recall times when I empty my pockets after a long day at a conference, see a bunch of business cards, and don’t quite remember what I was going to follow up about. Many designers now leave business cards blank on one side just for that reason. Of course, writing notes on your phone also works.

The Long and Winding Road. Focus your attention on possible outcomes. “Many people think of networking as showing up, randomly interacting, and hoping something good will happen,” wrote Jeff Korhan, author of Built-In Social: Essential Social Marketing Practices for Every Small Business. “You have to be crystal clear about what you want so you can communicate it to others and recognize it when you see or hear it.”

Please Please Me. Increase the probability of favorable outcomes. Korhan scripts his daily schedule for meetings, breakfast, exercise and all. For in-person events, he likes to show up a bit early; “it’s a great time to make invaluable connections,” he writes. “Simply put: Smart networkers always plan for serendipity at live events.” I love this having written a column once titled, ‘You Want to Leave Room for Magic’; How to Plan for Serendipitous Outcomes.

With a Little Help From My Friends. Articulate what your company and colleagues have had success with. One of my favorite interview questions these days is, tell me something you’ve done recently that’s been successful. Everyone is looking for ways to grow their organization. If you can clearly articulate what you are doing well, others will do the same for you. And that will facilitate a better discussion.

We Can Work It Out. Do research about those you may want to connect with. Knowing something specific about other organizations always makes for interesting conversation. The best opportunities are often squandered because someone is not ready. Here is the link for the organizations coming to AMPLIFY 2023. You can also look at the EXCEL finalists in a specific category—maybe podcasts, website design—so that when you see a person from there you can ask questions.

Come Together. Saying hi to old friends is certainly more important now—we’re all concerned about our mental and physical health after the last few years. And that’s part of what makes a conference great. But you want new connections too—so much has changed. Perhaps it’s a younger person who looks a little isolated. These days, we can learn as much from them as they can from us. Or it’s someone who may not have a clique or posse to turn to.

Act Naturally. We share so many more commonalities now about our home offices, kids, pets, Zoom backgrounds, etc. “Have you really read all those books behind you, won all those awards, have that beautiful garden?”

Getting Better. Debrief throughout the event. This is important. You will experience information overload at AMPLIFY 2023 (and other events) so take a few minutes each evening to digest what you have learned and the people you have met. Call it doing your homework before going home.

 

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SIIA Opposes Advancement of Journalism Competition and Preservation Act, Expresses First Amendment Concerns

by Policy

The following statement from the Software & Information Industry Association can be attributed to Paul Lekas, Senior Vice President, Global Public Policy.

“SIIA is disappointed that the Senate Judiciary Committee voted this morning to advance the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act (JCPA).  Our First Amendment concerns with the bill remain. In addition, the bill could be read to prejudge a whole series of legal and policy issues around training data, generative AI and content creation.  SIIA continues to oppose floor consideration of the bill in its current form.”

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SIIA Submission to NTIA on AI Accountability

by Policy

SIIA joins many of our members in providing feedback to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA’s) Request for Comment on Artificial Intelligence and Accountability Policy. First and foremost, our response is focused on contemplating a workable definition and scope for AI accountability.

We believe the development of accountable AI requires a risk-based approach. Although existing frameworks already govern many of the concerns we share regarding AI, such a risk-based framework should be the starting point for developing those laws and regulations to fill the gaps in accordance with the risk of harm presented by AI development. This is naturally a different question for AI systems that, for example, determine consumer eligibility for financial or employment opportunities than it is for pedestrian AI features such as autocorrect.

Furthermore, we strongly support sector-based governance of AI systems. Government agencies that already possess deep expertise in consumer protection issues that may implicate AI need not be supplanted, but rather require additional funding to upskill their workforce to grapple with the challenges and opportunities posed by AI.

Finally, we believe federal legislation that clarifies and enhances oversight of AI systems could be beneficial. This is important to avoid the inefficient and costly “patchwork” of regulations we currently see proliferating in regulatory areas such as data privacy protection. It would also enable the US to lead the world in AI development along with sensible regulation developed with expert input.

Read Full Letter Here
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SIIA Joins Coalition Letter to OPPOSE California AB 1546 (Gabriel)

by Policy

SIIA joins multiple organizations in opposing California AB 1546 (Gabriel), a bill that aims to extend the statute of limitations for civil enforcement actions under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

We argue that businesses have already faced challenges in complying with the CCPA due to delays in implementing regulations, and extending the limitations period for the AG’s enforcement actions would further burden businesses. We emphasize the need to focus on achieving compliance rather than extended enforcement. The organizations question the need for the bill, as there have been no examples of time-barred claims since the CCPA was passed, and there is already vigorous enforcement in place. And argue that preserving the existing statute of limitations does not harm consumers and maintains the same penalties for violations. We highlight the benefits of shorter limitations periods, such as deterring future violations and preventing additional harm to consumers. The organizations contend that seeking parity between administrative and civil enforcement actions is unnecessary and unfair, considering the differences in experience and resources between the California Privacy Protection Agency and the AG. And criticize AB 1546 for overlooking important differences between administrative and civil enforcement and the potential impact on businesses, consumers, and the legal system.

Overall, we oppose CA AB 1546, stating that it is ill-timed, unwarranted, unfair, and undermines the positive effects of shorter limitations periods.

Read Full Letter Here
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SIIA Joins Multi-Org Letter to White House on Digital Identity in National Cyber Strategy

by Policy

SIIA joins multi-organization letter that addresses the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Cybersecurity Strategy, specifically focusing on the need to address digital identity challenges. The organizations commend the Administration for recognizing the importance of digital identity in combating identity-related cyber attacks. They emphasize that the current digital identity infrastructure has significant weaknesses that allow organized criminals and nation-states to exploit and steal billions of dollars. Identity theft is on the rise, with data breaches impacting millions of individuals and resulting in substantial financial losses. The letter highlights that neither the public nor private sector has been successful in solving this problem.

As digital identity challenges continue to grow, the need for comprehensive cybersecurity measures has never been more pressing. The rise of identity theft and the exploitation of weak identity infrastructures by organized criminals and nation-states underscores the vulnerabilities present in today’s systems. Organizations must prioritize robust solutions that protect their users’ data from these escalating threats. In this environment, Managed It Support plays a crucial role in implementing and maintaining secure digital identity systems that reduce the risk of fraud and unauthorized access. These expert services ensure that businesses can protect sensitive information while staying ahead of emerging cyber risks.

The organizations propose three priorities for the implementation plan of the Strategy.

  • Launch a White House Task Force to accelerate the availability of tools that can guard against identity-related cybercrime.
  • Prioritize work at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on identity and attribute validation services – with a focus on developing a Digital Identity Framework of standards and best practices to help agencies at all levels of government establish attribute validation and other digital identity services in a way that is standardized, and sets a high bar for security, privacy, and equity
  • Launch an effort to document the ways that investments in digital identity infrastructure can generate budget savings.

By implementing the proposed priorities, the government can enhance cybersecurity, protect individuals from identity-related cybercrime, and create a more secure and efficient digital environment.

Read Full Letter Here