This is Steveer Robbins. Welcome to the Get It Done Guys, quick and dirty tips to work less and do more.

There's never a dull moment at Grandma Cuddle's Daycare Center. Chief Financial Officer Chip is attending a conference of controllers in Boston.

He's hoping to learn something about how to keep expenses at the center within budget.

It turns out, for example, that aluminum chain is lighter and cheaper than chain made out of

galvanized steel. Who knew? As dedicated as he is, Chip wants to get the most out of the conference.

Sure, getting high-quality information is important, but any website on the internet can give

you great information about how

to treat children. At a conference, you get information and you get to meet like-minded people.

But in order to get the most out of a conference, preparation is important. In addition to having a

content agenda, you'll get the most by having a participant agenda as well. You can't know who you want to meet without knowing what you want to accomplish.

What do you want to get out of the conference?

Are you there for personal development?

To keep up with industry trends, to find possible new job opportunities?

Chip is very, very happy at Grandma Cuttle's,

so he's looking for daycare tips and tricks

and ideas for improving the Cuddles infrastructure and he's looking for daycare tips and tricks and ideas for improving

the Cuddles infrastructure and ways that he can improve at his job.

Know who's going to be there. If you're going to a conference, presumably other movers and

shakers in your industry will also be there. Find out whatever you can about who is attending.

Find out about the other guests. Some events share a list of attendees available

before things kick off, but even if you don't have a readily accessible list, check out the

social media accounts of people in your industry. People often mention things they've been to or

...