Blogging is like a muscle. And I have to admit my blogging skills are a badly out of shape. I've been seriously slacking off this summer. So bear with me as I attempt to get back in the saddle and share four lessons learned (or re-learned) while attending AMP's wonderful AMPLIFY09 in Sydney on June 24-26th.
1. The world really and truly does not revolve around the United States. I am not sure why we are so self centered as Americans. Maybe like teenagers, it's just our age and we'll out-grow it. Seriously, if you live and work in the USA, have you given much thought to the Asian economy today? Or ask yourself this: when was the last time you went to a national conference in the states and had someone from the UK or India speak?
2. Never judge someone by their title or status. Or number of twitter followers. Or how many people work for them. In fact, it is best not to even know. I notice this one whenever I am surrounded by large numbers of business people. There are some people who will tell you who they are, how significant their work is, and what land their great grandfather owned before you can even take a good long breath. And some people will just simply inspire you with brilliant conversation.
3. If you can't state your case in 2.5 minutes, get off the stage. Okay. At first blush, this one might sound like it contradicts lesson number two, but it's not the same. If you are asked how what you do is going to change the world or why someone should trust you enough to do business with you - state your case quickly and with feeling. The first night Spike and I were with the AMP team they had 20+ PhD students do just that at a local pub. I had the good fortune of sitting on the panel to judge these super-smart students. Money was at stake, so they were trying hard to convince an audience why their research mattered and should be funded. We were grading many items on a 10-point scale, but the categories of "clarity" and "entertainment" struck a chord with me. Seriously. Rate yourself on just those two simple things the next time a potential client, investor or donor gives you the floor. Did your audience get it? Will they remember you? Could they turn around and repeat what you said? And did you leave them happier for having asked?
4. If you want your company to be innovative, treat your employees like innovators. I was in awe that AMPLIFY primarily exists to open the eyes and hearts of the folks who work at AMP. Thought leaders were brought in from all over the world and asked to present at various times over the course of this three-day event in an effort to ignite the thinking of AMP's own internal team. It was powerful to see in action.
Many heartfelt thanks to all the people we encountered in Sydney. And thanks to the remarkable people at AMP for hosting such a amazing experience.