Jillian Lorenz

In a world where every executive has a firm handshake and a stack of business cards, how do you become the person everyone remembers after a conference? After attending dozens in the past decade, I've developed a strategy that transforms conferences from transactional meetups into relationship goldmines. ♟️Pre-Conference LinkedIn Strategy The real networking begins weeks before the event. Review the speaker and attendee lists, then connect with key individuals on LinkedIn with a personalized message: "I noticed we’re both attending the Stand & Deliver event. I'd love to connect. See you soon." This pre-conference connection creates a warm introduction and significantly increases your chances of meaningful engagement. 👗👔The Memorable Wardrobe Element In my early career, I blended in at conferences. Now? I'm known for wearing a little more color (often D&S Executive Career Management teal) or patterns that are professional yet distinctive. When someone says, "Oh, you're the one with the great dress," you've already won half the networking battle. 🤝Contribute Before You Collect** Instead of collecting business cards, focus on providing immediate value in conversations. Can you connect someone to a resource? Share relevant research? Offer a solution to a challenge they mentioned? The executives who stand out aren't those who take the most cards—they're the ones who solve problems on the spot. What networking approach has worked for you at recent conferences? Share in the comments below! #ExecutiveLeadership #NetworkingStrategy #ConferenceSuccess #ProfessionalDevelopment

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Evidence Over Anecdote: Holding the Line at Professional Conferences By Bruce Pitt-Payne As professionals, we attend conferences to learn, grow, and sharpen our practice. But increasingly, we’re seeing a blurring of lines between evidence-based practice and personal anecdote. Let’s be clear: a compelling story is not the same as scientific evidence. And a speaker’s conviction does not equal credibility. In investigative interviewing and adjacent fields (whether you work in policing, healthcare, legal advocacy, or workplace investigations) the use of reliable, validated methods isn’t optional. It’s essential. Presenting opinions or personal experiences as “best practice” can lead to real-world harm: wrongful convictions, re-traumatized victims, or flawed decisions. 🧠 Why this matters: When conference stages become platforms for unvetted personal theories, we risk normalizing poor practices. Anecdotes can add depth, but they should support, not replace, a foundation of peer-reviewed research and tested methodology. 📢 We must set a clear standard: “Conference speakers are expected to reflect best practices grounded in scientifically supported methods and contemporary research. This is not a platform for content based solely on anecdote or personal opinion.” If we want our professions to evolve responsibly, we must demand more than good storytelling. We must demand evidence. Let’s hold the line. #InvestigativeInterviewing #EvidenceBasedPractice #ProfessionalStandards #TraumaInformed #WorkplaceInvestigations #ContinuingEducation #Ethics #Conferences #Leadership #BrucePittPayne

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Thrilled to have joined Marcia Ramirez and Stacey Wynn, MDIV, PCC, on the Fresh Start Podcast for a great conversation! 🎙️ I truly admire how they create a space for honest talk about fresh starts and career transitions. In this episode, we dove into key strategies to help women unlock their leadership potential and advance their careers. I shared my mission to help eradicate the gender gap and the importance of hiring an expert for tasks like resume writing. We also explored: • The Promotion Readiness Roadmap, a proven pathway to career transformation. • The power of a Story Vault, a bank of accomplishments that helps build confidence. • My Unlock the Leader Within Membership, an affordable entry point for building a supportive community of women. 💪 Negotiation tips, including how to do your research and ask for your dream salary without fear. It was a pleasure to connect with Marcia and Stacey, who both shared their own experiences with career transitions and the power of coaching. Listen to the full episode for more insights and inspiration! 💡 The link is in the comment section. #FreshStartPodcast #CareerCoaching #WomenInLeadership #NoWomanLeftBehind #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #Negotiation #PodcastGuest

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"As MBS.works put it in The Advice Trap...we think our advice is way more valuable than it is, and we think other people want it way more than they do." The topic of this month's Coaching Q&A with Jessica Wise is a deep dive into the seven Partnership Principles: https://ow.ly/5Jkx50UCRpX -ICG

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Discover how peer advisory boards give small business owners a powerful advantage: honest feedback, real-world insights, and a circle of trusted allies. If you're ready to grow with purpose and clarity, this is your next move. 👉 Read now: The Hidden Power of Peer Advisory Boards https://lnkd.in/etVZxVA2 #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #PeerBoard #SMBsuccess #BusinessGrowth #VCTO

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