It's LGA week and you're hoping to kill a few days out of the office. But beware: Let your guard down, and you could kill more than time. So, remember... Don't hang around key stands Conference stands are strange. They can be a great place to network, but be careful. If you don't have a clear idea about why you're dropping in, you can look very much out of place. If you're minded to do some serious business, then you'll find some serious people there. So, by all means go to theIDeA, SOLACE and CLG conference stands – don't forget The MJ's stand. There's often a healthy crowd of heavy-hitters in attendance, so if all you've got to offer is small talk, go for a walk instead. Keep your counsel in the coffee queue The universal rule is that you never know who you're talking to. It's easy to let your guard down when you're reflecting on the session you've just walked out of. We've all heard those career-killer comments: ‘I'd be fine if it wasn't for my members', or ‘What did you make of that stupid question in the hall?' The person you're sharing your unadulterated views with could well turn out to be your leader's best mate – and the questioner his cousin. Ask questions if you must, but don't make a speech We've all heard those questions that go on for three pages – and that's just the footnotes. Often, they can be statements with one single, powerful, underpinning message: Forget everything you've heard from the platform, my council is where the real action is. You might be lucky and be so boring that people forget your contribution before you've finished the question. On the other hand, you might stick in people's mind and severely limit your career. Passing remarks are dangerous We tend to believe things people say to us in passing. That's maybe because we don't always concentrate before we open our mouths to utter a comment. And therein lies the danger. You might be on your way back from lunch, bump into a colleague and tell her what you really think. Adopt the approach often followed by top footballers – a great session, could have gone either way, the boys done good. Crowded restaurants have ears Somehow, when people are away from home, their ability to speak at normal volume can disappear. We become bigger, louder and more flamboyant. All of which is fine in the privacy of your hotel room, where you can admire your grand gestures in front of the wardrobe mirror. Crowded restaurants are not the place to express strong, memorable views. People-watchers abound. Save it until you get back to the room. Don't stay up late at the bar But, if you do, switch to mineral water early. There is no question that hogging the late-night bar can be good for business. Much can be struck between drinks. The trouble is that our judgment is often impaired by the lethal combination of fatigue, alcohol and the need to feel that you fit in with people you may just have met. Remember, if you see a crowd, they may already know each other and see you as the entertainment. Get up early to get ready for breakfast Or better still, have it in your room. You really shouldn't look as if you've drunk too much, not slept well or not been in bed at all. Get up, have a refreshing shower and prepare your remarks. Stick to general commentary. Comments which focus on the draining impact of excessive drinking will earn you few brownie points, and are likely to turn into comments such as, ‘You should see Bill – still drunk from the night before, what a mess'. That kind of comment will do the rounds all day. Don't spend the week on your mobile Time was when being on a mobile phone showed you were driving business, even though you were away from base. Not any more. Everyone has one. If you're on the phone all week, you'll either look as if you're fixing up an illicit rendezvous – and draw comments – or that things are out of control in the office. Equally, there's no reason to keep checking the Blackberry. Unless you're directing a triple heart by-pass operation over the Internet, you should be focusing on the conference. Don't wander around with stuffed carrier bags There will be freebies at most of the stands. Many of these will make little or no difference to your life. You don't need another memory stick. You've probably got more than your fair share of mugs. If you're at the conference at all, then you probably earn enough money to buy most of what could be thrust into your hands by over-zealous exhibitors, so, resist. Think about how you will look armed with two over-full carrier bags and little more than a mumbled comment about taking ‘something back for the kids' to protect your reputation. Don't pester your office Luckily, most of this will be invisible to your conference colleagues, but if you spend your week checking up on everything, you'll merely cause people to think you shouldn't have gone in the first place. If you've delegated well, then you won't need to call at all – although, in practice, most people will find that hard to resist. Think about who you are seen with Conferences are hunting grounds. People use them to find new jobs, check on new ways of working, find examples of best practice, and get advice for free. If you're really on the hunt for a way out of your current job – but you don't want to give the story away – be circumspect. Everyone knows who the head-hunters are. Even passing the time of day with one of them can set hares running. On the other hand, if you want to say, ‘I'm really in demand – you should hang on to me', then arrange dinner.
