The importance of ongoing continuing education for dog pros can’t be overstated. Gaining access to the latest thinking and innovations in the field, and networking and socializing with old and new colleagues, can lead to inspiration for new or improved services and revenue streams, and keep burnout at bay. And in addition to the professional responsibility of keeping ourselves at the top of our game, every workshop is a marketing opportunity for you and your business.
It’s easier than ever to pursue professional development in our field. The number of events and event locations have expanded tremendously over the last 10 years and you can attend many seminars by telecourse or web seminar from the comfort of your living room.
Some tips for getting yourself out there and taking full advantage when you do:
Plan ahead.
Each year set aside a budget and plan your seminar attendance. This gives you time to save up for chosen events and to clear your schedule well ahead of time so you can get away in the first place, and then focus once you’re there. Avoid having to multitask, whether you’re watching a web seminar in your jammies or sitting in a conference hall.
If it’s an in-person event, build in time afterward, too. Part of successful travel, whether for work or fun, is anticipating the time you need to catch up once you’re home, and to implement the new ideas you’ve brought back with you.
Participate.
Actively network while you’re there. Sit next to people you don’t know. You can learn a lot from other attendees and you never know when a business or marketing opportunity presents itself—or a new friend is waiting to be made.
Review and implement.
Take careful notes and review them once you get home. What will you do with what you’ve learned? Do you want to make any changes to your services, your interactions with dogs, how you work with clients or organize your space? If you don’t sit down right away to make and carry out decisions you’ll likely lose much of what you stood to gain from the effort and cost of your attendance.
Share what you learn.
As part of implementing your learning, share your new expertise with staff or partners. Plan meetings or staff training around the ideas you bring home and the decisions you make about incorporating them.
Market your professionalism.
Your pursuit of ongoing professional development is a marketing commodity. Add the seminar name and content to your website’s about/bio page and if you have a news and notes section on your homepage, do a full write up there, sharing where you went, the topic of the seminar, and how it relates to your work and business. Include a picture of yourself at the event if you can. And tell your current and past clients the same through your newsletter or a quarterly email or letter, and about how you’ll be using what you learned. Include a picture of yourself at the event if you can. If you use social media marketing, tweet and blog from the workshops, too.
