Originally Published as: The Value of Getting Out of the Shop
I know how easy it is to get caught up in the day-to-day of running a business. There are customers to take care of, orders to get out the door, employees to manage and a seemingly endless list of things that need your attention. Taking a couple of days away can feel almost impossible.
But I’ve seen time and again why it’s worth doing.
Trade shows such as the Construction Rollforming Show, which just wrapped, and METALCON, which is just days away, give you an opportunity to step away from the daily routine and look at your business—and the industry—from a different perspective.
You can walk the show floor and see equipment you may have only read about. You can talk with manufacturers about a problem you’re trying to solve, discover a product or technology you didn’t know was available, and compare options before you’re ready to make an investment. And sometimes, the most useful conversation is one you never planned to have.
That’s one of my favorite things about trade shows. You never really know what you’re going to learn or who you’re going to meet.
The educational sessions are valuable, too. Whether the topic is production, equipment, technology, safety or the business side of the industry, hearing how other people approach the same challenges can give you ideas to take home and try.
And don’t overlook the relationships. The people you meet at a trade show can become valuable contacts, resources, customers or friends. I’ve had conversations at industry events that have continued long after the show ended—and some have even turned into stories for Rollforming Magazine.
You don’t have to come home with a new machine or a major business deal for a trade show to be worthwhile. Maybe you come home with one good idea, one helpful contact or a better understanding of where the industry is headed.
Sometimes, that one idea is enough to make the trip worthwhile.
If you attended the Construction Rollforming Show, I’d love to learn why it was worthwhile to you. Feel free to call or email. I look forward to hearing from you.
— Karen Knapstein
