Collateral benefit of events

Attention span is decreasing: A recent media report from GWI stated 91% of category respondents used a mobile while watching TV. This is indicative of what we know to be true. We skim read, we jump between media channels, we do everything at speed. This leaves little time for deep thought. But deep thought is where the magic happens. Deep thought is where ideas are formed, where innovation takes place, where strategies are formulated that can change the fortunes of your business.

When we talk events and attention span we normally talk about the audience. The fact you can get everyone's attention for such a long period of time. In this overtly stimulated world that is gold. But also consider the presenters and the attention they have to apply to pull the presentation together.

Deep thought

I was recently invited to PCMA to take part in their tech playground. I had to do a presentation. I knew my content and thought I could articulate the subject matter succinctly. Then I started preparing. I probably spent 8 hours crafting the message and sequencing. The result was I hope insightful for the audience, but here's the superpower bit, it was insightful for me. I came out of the process better able to articulate my own business. There was a level of deep thought that I would never have found the time for without the focus of a presentation. 

I am sure there are many executives that are aware of the value of focus provided by an event. If you have not considered it before, consider it now. The event can be of enormous value to focus and align internal thinking and strategies because it forces deep thought.