(ACC Docket — December)
I learn a lot about our members when I attend a gathering. I am writing this blog post on the heels of our 2010 Annual Meeting in San Antonio –– my fifth meeting since I’ve been with ACC. Here’s what the meetings have taught me, both onsite and on the plane ride home.
Many, many lawyers are tech savvy, carrying Smartphones, laptops and iPads. Numerous attendees even showed up for registration carrying nothing more than an iPad and a phone. I can’t do that and I consider myself a semi-early adapter.
In-house counsel act quickly. When many attendees found out that we launched the Mobile Docket for the iPad® and iPhone®, they immediately downloaded the app.
In-house counsel use social media. Your companies blog, tweet and often host Facebook and LinkedIn pages. Yes, I also know that it makes some of you nervous, but others of you help us engage members with social media at the meetings. And for those of us who embrace this communication tool, thank you. Many of you have your own accounts. Simply check out the 2010 Annual Meeting hashtag, #accam10 on Twitter to see how many legal professionals are tweeting. It’s really uber cool.
A few lawyers still show up carrying a four-inch binder containing all their session handouts, their schedule etc., perhaps branding themselves as slow to change. Is this the message that you want to send? You obviously care enough about your profession and career to attend the meeting, and you never know where that next job offer might come from. Therefore, your networking image is important, especially at the Annual Meeting –the largest gathering of in-house counsel. I know this can require baby steps, but maybe you can ease yourself into a “less-paper-is-more strategy” by leaving the binder in your hotel room and carrying a nice portfolio, laptop or iPad instead.
On the flip side, there are the in-house counsel who show up in lax dress, jeans or even shorts. Is this really how you want to present yourself to your peers? Wouldn’t you want to always dress the part? We all know that first impressions count for everything so make sure that the one you emit is nothing but positive. Again, you never know who you’re going to meet –– maybe your next boss.
Lawyers are funny. Maybe it’s the stress of the job. Maybe you were the class clown. Maybe you like to leave what you do back at the office. But, you are a funny, fun bunch, despite the serious and deliberate nature of your career choice. Don’t let anyone else tell you differently — I so enjoy talking with you whether it’s onsite, via the telephone, email or social media.
You move with purpose. While at the ACC Annual Meeting, I have a lot of time to observe: you get to your session, find a seat and gear up to take notes. You pay attention to the presenters and ask excellent questions. I learn a lot by sitting at the back of the room and for that, I thank you.
You are always connected to the office. I know it’s the nature of the beast, but the fact that you make yourself so readily available is worth mentioning. You realize that the office does not stop working simply because you are gone. I know this can be difficult to manage while trying to focus onsite. But you do it with flair and courtesy.
When you network with your peers, it’s all work and little play until after hours. The networking lunches on Monday and Tuesday present time for Annual Meeting attendees to talk with others around the table. Unless you know other attendees personally, you generally focus on work, your department, job, corporate issues, etc., when you are there.
You have the best ideas for ACC Docket articles and Annual Meeting session topics. You are the ones in the trenches. You know which challenges you face; what works for your department and what does not. So, as we end 2010, consider making a professional resolution: I will write a feature article for the ACC Docket or submit an idea for the 2011 Annual Meeting You won’t be disappointed with the experience. We promise.