How do you make the right impression at this year’s LGA conference. Nicola Bulbeck has some useful tips]For those of you who are good at talking a good game, here’s an opportunity to play for real. The LGA conference is potentially the longest job interview you’ve ever had. Managed well, you’ll confirm your members’ and others view of you as a big-hitter. A real player. Managed badly, and it’s time to update your CV. The conference is one of the best opportunities you’ll get to comment on and influence current thinking, and realise real value for your authority. The event is one huge recycling opportunity. Leaders, portfolio holders and chief executives all dash back to their authorities full of bright new ideas and solutions. Precision planning is paramount and you’ll need to know the ropes. If it’s your first conference, team up with a colleague with clout and credibility to act as mentor. Some suggestions – identify the stands, sessions, and watering holes where the people who you want to meet gather. One way to access this information is to keep an eye on top networkers and established public sector ‘darlings’, and go where they go – if they’ll let you in! The MJ’s Mike Burton is never far from the action. Government stands are often good places to meet people who matter. You’ll need to move away from your county comfort zones. Be confident. You need to look like you know what you are doing – all the time. Ignore the temptation to rush up to someone important you’ve never met and steamroller into their conversation or their contemplation. Their look could well say: ‘Oh dear. Another chief executive keen to impress.’ Better to set up the exchange off-line so they’ll say: ‘Great to meet you. Bob’s told me all about you.’ It’s the difference between looking inner circle and outer limits. Ditto looking like a conference packhorse – logoed and laden to the hilt. Think about how and where you are going to circulate. The ability to move on smoothly and without embarrassment when it’s time to, some ice-breaking techniques, and the ability to converse are all crucial. If you can’t do it, learn from and copy those who excel. Pack the right clothes. What you wear will fix an image of you and your council. This is not a time for experimentation. Your dress should confirm that you are who you say you are, not expose you as lacking judgement and presence. Remember, it’s the little things that matter. The non-essential essentials. You’ll be starting on the back foot with your members if you’re stuck in a hotel miles from the conference venue. So ensure your PA books the right sort of hotel room, close to the conference venue 12 months ahead. Ensure your members are well-briefed upfront and be clear about what they want from the event. That could be everything from lessons in corporate governance through to the location of the best restaurant in Bournemouth – see me afterwards. Throughout the event, look as though you are listening. Learning to nod helps. So do people watching and crafting any contribution you make. Take a lead from the body language and conversation of those you are chatting to. And know when to say ‘anyway’ and move on. Important work is done after the event, so make sure you follow through. If you say you’ll send information to someone, make sure it’s sent. And definitely follow-up on contacts established. Finally, a word of warning. Hospitality and alcohol are abundant. Don’t look the worse for wear the morning after – crumpled clothes, bad hair, and a lingering smell of spicy food and drink are not appealing. They’ll say they still respect you, but they won’t. n Nicola Bulbeck is chief executive of Teinbridge BC
