I’ve been an IT skilled for over 30 years. I’ve been talking publicly and presenting at conferences for in all probability 25 years. I’ve introduced to all forms of teams, from small person teams to massive conferences, actually all over the world. As I enter the final a part of my IT profession, I’m re-assessing what position conferences will play, and the place I wish to commit my vitality and monetary assets. The reality is, that as a lot as I get pleasure from presenting and assembly folks, there’s at all times a trade-off between the money and time spent on conferences and the worth I get from them.
Starting in 2024, I’ve determined to make some arduous selections. If you’re concerned in a convention or occasion the place I’ve spoken prior to now, this can be of curiosity to you. The underside line is that I’m now very selective about what occasions and conferences I’ll current at. Let’s dive into some particulars, and naturally there might be exceptions, which I am going to cowl in a bit.
Necessities
First, I’ll now not submit convention session proposals. I’m not going to submit ten session proposals within the hope you may choose one or two. At this level in my profession, and with my expertise, if you want me to current at your occasion, invite me. You realize my areas of experience, and the kind of content material I can current. Invite me and inform me what you would like me to speak about, and for the way lengthy. It’s that straightforward. Make my look particular to your occasion. At this level in my profession, the variety of future public appearances is a finite quantity in a quickly closing window. I’m open to keynotes, workshops, panel discussions, and normal classes.
Occasion Expectations
As a lot as you could have expectations from me, I even have expectations of your occasion.
- I anticipate your occasion to be well-organized and well-promoted.
- I anticipate variety in audio system and attendees.
- I anticipate your occasion to have a code of conduct and to implement it.
- I anticipate you to supply a protected and safe atmosphere for audio system and attendees.
I anticipate to be compensated for my time and journey. This not solely consists of full entry to the occasion, but in addition a business-class lodge room in the course of the occasion. I’m a agency believer that convention audio system needs to be compensated for his or her shows. The time they’re devoting to your occasion goes past the variety of minutes of the presentation. In case your occasion costs admission or has sponsors, compensating audio system needs to be a part of your price range. Lastly, whereas not a tough requirement, I imagine an occasion must also supply some type of reimbursement for journey bills.
Exceptions
I’m keen to make exceptions to those necessities. I’ll nonetheless attend and current at occasions which can be essential to me, just like the PowerShell + DevOps World Summit. I’m additionally open to invites to smaller community-run occasions, though I’d hope the occasion might nonetheless meet as lots of the expectations above as attainable. You possibly can at all times ask, and I’ll contemplate the occasion on a case-by-case foundation.
What About Coaching?
A few of chances are you’ll be questioning about coaching. First, let me say that I do not contemplate myself a coach. I’m a trainer. Coaching implies a selected set of expertise and a selected set steps to realize a selected finish objective. My topic is PowerShell and automation. There is not one set approach to make use of it. I’ve to educate you the PowerShell paradigm, educate you methods to apply it, and present you methods to educate your self.
I’m at all times obtainable for onsite and personal lessons. Sometimes, you will have a minimal of 5-7 college students to make it price your whereas. My lessons are personalized to my consumer’s necessities and really hands-on. Count on a category size of 3-5 days, relying on the content material. The course payment is all-inclusive for the size of the engagement so there are not any surprises.
The character of my lessons don’t lend themselves to digital lessons.
Name to Motion
In case you run an occasion the place you prefer to me to current, be happy to succeed in out to me on social media. You’ll find all of my social media hyperlinks at https://jdhitsolutions.github.io. Or you possibly can e-mail me at [email protected]
I notice this can most probably cut back the variety of public appearances I make this 12 months and sooner or later. However I’m at a degree in my profession the place I should be extra selective about the place I spend my time, vitality, and monetary assets. I hope you perceive and I hope to see you at an occasion close to you.
