The Best Conference Hack
medium.com
The Best Conference Hack
1–10 of 21 posts
Re: The Best Conference Hack
#2I think this is very good advice, and I will remember that in the future, even as I wish that in classes I had sat near the front.
Regardless, I think we need to admit that Adria Richards has one of the best conference hacks of all time! One of the best conference hacks of all time!
Re: The Best Conference Hack
#3I usually try to sit near the back:
- I can see the audience, and who I want to network with
- I can leave if the talk isn't appropriate for me
- you're last to be "called on" and can choose your answer wisely
- if you do want to participate, you can usually move closer-- but once you're close, it's hard to move back.
- there are other, more powerful ways to indicate that you're hungry, smart, aggressive, etc.
Sitting in the back directly contributed to my first $MM: I said something pithy and then networked with the perfect two people, who I then brought into a deal that later IPO'd.
Pretty much, the only time I want to be in front, is the line to leave a burning building (or failing company).
Re: The Best Conference Hack
#4It's interesting observing behavior at math conferences. Typically the bigshots sit either in the very front or the very back.
I also recommend Keith Johnstone's book Impro ("Impro" being the British word for what is called "improv" in the US), especially the section on status. You can learn to deliberately play low or high status, i.e. act like you're important or not, and see how people treat you differently. Really the same hack in a broader context.
Re: The Best Conference Hack
#5Between this and the "productivity hack" post today, are we now calling simple suggestions "hacks"? This is a good suggestion, sure, but nothing is being manipulated in any original manner.
Re: The Best Conference Hack
#6Between this and the "productivity hack" post today, are we now calling simple suggestions "hacks"? This is a good suggestion, sure, but nothing is being manipulated in any original manner.
I've already gone on this rant, maybe more than once. I'm almost at the point of thinking of "hack" as a standalone word to be a negative indicator of signal.
Re: The Best Conference Hack
#7Between this and the "productivity hack" post today, are we now calling simple suggestions "hacks"? This is a good suggestion, sure, but nothing is being manipulated in any original manner.
This is essentially stats from classroom etiquette. Those who sit in the front tend to do better, and therefore those who you meet at the front of the class tend to be better students. Although not really a 'hack,' it is cool to see the application.
Re: The Best Conference Hack
#8Between this and the "productivity hack" post today, are we now calling simple suggestions "hacks"? This is a good suggestion, sure, but nothing is being manipulated in any original manner.
I agree that it's not complex. It's a pretty simple thing that I've done that has given me good results. Maybe what it lacks in complexity or difficulty it makes up for in cost / benefit?
Re: The Best Conference Hack
#9Keep your hands off your cell phone, stop tweeting/chatting/browsing and pay attention. That's another wolderful 'hack'...
Re: The Best Conference Hack
#10It's interesting observing behavior at math conferences. Typically the bigshots sit either in the very front or the very back. I also recommend Keith Johnstone's book Impro ("Impro" being the British word for what is called "improv" in the US), especially the section on status. You can learn to deliberately play low or high status, i.e. act like you're important or not, and see how people treat you differently. Reall…
Interesting. I'll check that book out. Thanks.