After returning from a learning experience back to "the grind" it is easy to let whatever we learned slip away into our past. When we get back to our desk we focus on the business at hand and we prioritize what needs to be done to carry out the "day to day".

How many of us have been to conferences, seminars, and other learning events and although we enjoyed them, the enthusiasm and epiphanies fade over time?

What can we do to prevent this?

What many people do is to have a place to track the things you learn and take away from networking. Have a file where you keep your notes, and keep it close by so it is visual to you (on an open shelf, clearly labeled). Visual cues are important to integrate learning.

Another important tool is bringing these items to your Continuous Improvement team for sharing and vetting (if you don't have a CI team, create one!). Get other people 'in the loop" with what you are exposed to, as it may stimulate other opportunities in your business that you cannot see from your vantage point.

In my last post I referred to germination...I have witnessed many examples where initial learning does not really "sink in", and you have to allow yourself time to absorb what you are exposed to.

Lastly: Create time in your schedule to review networking/benchmarking activity. To achieve world class and stay there, this activity must be part of your everyday business and your cultural mindset.

Yours in networking,

Mike Baker, EMC