The mobile computing cycle and the future of your business

In January, KPCB (Kleiner Perkins Caufield Byers) released their end of the year numbers of internet trends. In the report, it is stated that in the fourth quarter of 2012, more smart phones and tablets were shipped globally than personal computers. 

This the beginning of a mobile computing cycle that personal computers are becoming obsolete and may soon be left to the working class.

Think of your needs as a regular consumer. Say that you don’t do any work from home on your personal computer. What are you using internet-connected devices for? Most likely your list includes: music, movies, pictures, gaming, messaging and basic internet browsing. Do any of those needs require a heavy-duty PC or laptop? Probably not.

I’m not saying that the PC or laptop has no use. The workforce will need these to complete typical work-related functions such as typing reports, graphic design, etc. Some tasks are just better with a mouse and keyboard. But even some industries, such as education, healthcare, marketing, sales forces, etc. are switching over their main work device to tablets and smartphones.

KPCB actually projects that the installed user base of smartphones and tablets will exceed personal computers globally in quarter two of 2013. This is incredible growth because in 2009, smartphones and tablets did not even have a quarter of the user base of desktop and notebook PCs. KPCB predicts that by 2015, the mobile user base will actually double the PC user base.

This data is backed up by the fact that a typical lifecycle of a smartphone isabout two years (thus, why your cell phone company gives you a “free” upgrade every two years on contract), a tablet’s lifecycle is about 2.5 years, a notebook PC’s life cycle is four years and a  desktop’s lifecycle is about five years.  

So what does this mean for your business? Unless your business is focused on B2B, your biggest chance for growth in the technology world is through mobile and tablet platforms. As stated before, businesses will always have a need for desktop and notebook PCs. This market will continue to stay here for the foreseeable future. However, you will not see the growth that was seen throughout the 1990’s and 2000’s.

KPCB also states in their report that 85% of the world’s population is covered by commercial wireless signals (compared to just 80% on the world’s power grid). This shows that your global reach is extended because of mobile devices compared to PCs.

Last week, Brian Solis gave his input on this subject. Back in May 2012, for the first time, Facebook users spent more time on the mobile app than they did logged in on the desktop experience. But this presents a problem. Facebook has made a killing on the ability to have a seven advertisements at once on their desktop version of Facebook. On the mobile version of Facebook, only a few ads per day in the news feed.  So Solis poses the thought that if a super innovative company such as Facebook is suffering from monetizing mobile, chances are you are, too.

Which is why the discussion needs to be focused on the future of mobile and how your business can make money off of it, without irritating their user base.

“In a mobile economy, apps become the currency of a new information exchange. One of the most fascinating and least understood aspects of apps is that they create a contained experience that essentially is its own Internet. Everything your customer needs or could possibly need should be included in the app. And those mobile browsers that need to hit the traditional web, visitors will expect to see a page optimized for the smaller screen. Think about it for a moment. How many times have you tried to hit a site from your phone or tablet only to quit in frustration when the site would not load correctly on your screen? You may or may not choose or remember to visit that site later and that’s just one example of how designing for experiences is as much a part of form and function as it is about platform-centricity.”

Your business needs to figure out how it fits into the evolution of the super-connected mobile world of the near future. Do you know what your business needs to accomplish?

We would like to discuss your business’ future and how we can help you get ahead of the curve. The time is now. Are you ready to join in on the mobile computing cycle? Contact us today to see how your business can take advantage of this mobile market now.

Born mobile: how mobile has infiltrated our everyday lives

The keynote for the International Consumer Electronics Show last week focused on the idea that we are all a part of Generation M, where M stands for mobile. Children are handed smartphones before they learn how to talk. Grandparents Skype with their children and grandchildren. If you are alive and use mobile technology, you are a part of Generation M. 

The keynote, which we should mention was incredibly awkward, had an important and true statement: 

We are all Born Mobile.

Qualcomm’s chief executive Paul Jacobs, who presented the keynote, stated that 84% of people worldwide said that they could not go a day without their mobile device.

Back in October, Qualcomm had this to say about being born mobile: “Thanks to anywhere, anytime communication, mobile technology brings people together and is enabling a powerfully connected future, a future that is now. Mobile has become an integral part of consumers daily lives, and it will continue to transform the way individuals and communities interact with one another and the world around them.” 

Children understand mobile

Qualcomm also provided a YouTube video of an 18-month sending a text message, then drawing a picture of an orange on a tablet and then taking a duck-face picture on a cellphone. The child is able to navigate the devices with ease. It is quite obvious that the video is fake but it does prove a point: technology is quickly picked up by children, sometimes even quicker than millennials and certainly faster than Generation X. 

Mobile technology is everywhere. So naturally it has become a big part of our lives, especially with children. Parents are handing over their smartphones to children and are noticing that they are able to enjoy games just as much as they do. Children are able to use tablets for learning and the results have been impressive. Illiterate Ethiopian children were able to teach themselves, without the help of teachers, by using tablets. Apps and devices are constantly being developed for people with disabilities, whether mental (to learn) or physical (to navigate the world).  

Mobile around the home

Beyond tablets and smartphones, the Android operating system is being integrated into just about every device in your life: watches, ovens, televisions, and automobiles. On top of that, you can use apps to control thermostats, lightbulbs and DVRs and even track the food you eat and how much you exercise. The smartphone is now the remote control for your life. 

What does this mean for the mobile market?

The short-term and long-term mobile market shows that mobile is not going anywhere. If anything, the tablet and mobile market will continue to rise. There were a reported 5.5 billion mobile devices active at the end of 2012, with some people having multiple devices (the world's population exceeded 7 billion in 2012). 

Take into consideration that the average lifespan of a mobile device is 18 to 24 months for the average mobile user in the United States, while techies will usually upgrade their device in a year or less.

Look for mobile technology to become less expensive in 2013 as companies try to capture the market of people who do not own a smartphone. We still believe that 2013 is the year of the second screen and tablets will become even more integrated into your everyday life. 

In addition, you should see more and more mobile technology integrated into your everyday life and purchases. 

Where do you see mobile technology taking businesses in 2013? Contact us today to discuss how businesses can take advantage of the emerging mobile market and how to integrate the technology for profit.

You can check out Qualcomm's keynote below:

Apple targets new area of tablet market with iPad Mini

After months of speculation, Apple announced the iPad Mini on Tuesday. 

Just in time for the holiday shopping season, Apple decided to release a low-priced iPad to help compete with the smaller-sized tablet market. But make no mistake about it, the iPad Mini packs a punch. Apple's tagline for the iPad is that is "Every Inch an iPad" and that the "iPad Mini is an iPad in every way, shape, and slightly smaller form."

Last week, we blogged about the Microsoft Surface and what that means for the tablet market. The Kindle Fire took a big chunk out of Apple's tablet market share mainly because it was a quality product at a low price-point. The Google Nexus 7, which was not included in the research, is also another tablet that has challenged the iPad.

You know Apple was not going to let that fly. Therefore, they developed a 7.9" iPad for $170 less than the iPad with Retina Display.

The two main differences between the iPad Mini and iPad with Retina Display are:

1) The Display - If you're used to the Retina Display, going back to the regular screen may not be ideal. But first-time buyers of the iPad will not know the difference. 

The iPad Mini has a 7.9-inch screen with a 1024-by-768 resolution compared to the iPad with Retina Display which rocks a 9.7-inch screen with a 2048-by-1536 resolution. 

While the Retina Display iPads have the best resolution for a tablet, the iPad Mini screen is on par with the rest of the tablet market. In fact, if you have an iPad 2 (which Apple is still selling for $399), the iPad Mini has the same resolution as the iPad 2 but the Mini has a better pixels per inch (163 vs. 132). 

I guarantee the next generation of the iPad Mini will have a Retina Display. Apple probably did not go with it for the first generation because of how quickly they have changed from the second generation iPad to the fourth. Remember, the third generation iPad was released in March of 2012. If you bought the iPad 3 within the last 30 days, you may be able to return it to the Apple store. 

2) Processor Chip - Apple also announced an upgrade to the iPad with Retina Display on Tuesday, too. The fourth generation iPad has a Dual-Core A6X with quad-core graphics chip. The third generation iPad (which is now discontinued in production) and the new iPad Mini have a Dual-Core A5 chip.  

To further compare all the available iPads, go to the Apple website. Check out MacRumors.com to see their first impressions of the iPad Mini. 

What does this mean for businesses with iOS apps? Not much as every App that was optimized for the first three generations of the iPad will work on the new iPad Mini. If you have not optimized your iOS app for the iPad or if you only have an Android version of your app, you need to contact us right away as the iPad is not going anywhere anytime soon.

Mobile Strategy News: Apple Is Sorry For iOS 6 Maps

Friday morning, Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, apologized for the quality of their new Maps app on Apple.com (which was released on September 19th).

Apologizing goes against the grain of Apple's strategy from the Steve Jobs era. Back when the iPhone 4 was being criticized for antenna issues, Jobs told Ars Technica via email that "all phones have sensitive areas" and to solve it by "just avoid holding it that way."

Now compare and contrast that to Cook's message: "We are extremely sorry for the frustration this has caused our customers and we are doing everything we can to make Maps better."

Cook then suggested their customers to download their competitor's map apps or even using Google's web map app.

Full letter is below:

Apple's iOS App Store and iTunes App Store also featured (highly visisble) sections that offered the alternative apps:

A discussion on Mobile Strategy:

While some people may come out and critisize Apple for admitting their mistake, making the apology isn't their biggest issue. Their apology reflects a two-fold problem at Apple - Strategic and Tactical.

Strategically, this apology reflects a shift in their customer satisfaction strategy. Historically, their narrative has been that when you are designing the future, sometimes you get things wrong.  The customers are left to deal with it and, to a certain extent, they are considered pioneers along with Apple in exploring new, and sometimes painful, territory.

This is bad for one main reason - Now Apple must bear the cost of monitoring and satisfying their customers in real time.  Previously, customers bore the cost of either using Apple's products or checking out other alternatives.  With this apology, Apple is bearing the cost for producing their product in a way their customers expect instead of the way Apple expects.  We must continue to observe whether or not this shift hurts their ability to be innovative and set the standard in the marketplace for personal handheld devices.

Secondly, their tactical mistake was allowing it to happen in the first place. Apple has consistently pushed out phones that people feel like they need to upgrade to every year. Before the original iPhone came out, people usually stuck with their phone for two years until their contract allowed them to get a free or discounted phone.

Apple did not need to release their Maps update in September of 2012. It has been widely reported that Apple still had a contract with Google to use their maps for at least another year. 

The new Maps app has left a sour taste in some user's mouths. Personally, I've struggled in my transition from Google to Apple's maps as it has a very different look and feel. I was using Google maps for directions when many people were still using Mapquest so the new interface has been hard to get used to.

I have also had some issues with certain locations. Some restaraunts with duplicate Yelp listings have led to glitches when displaying reviews. Also, unless you have the iPhone 4S or iPhone 5, you don't get turn-by-turn navigation from Siri.

In the end, Apple needed to realize that their product was subpar compared to what they already had on contract for another year.

Would Steve Jobs had made that mistake? Probably not.

Apple's stock has directly reflected Wallstreet's confidence in Tim Cook:

• September 19th (the day iOS 6 was released) - 702.10 (highest it has ever been)
• September 27th (the day before Apple's apology) - 681.32
• September 28th (Apple's apology) - 667.10

This isn't the end of Apple by any means. While this will give Android fans a few reasons to laugh at Apple's products, Apple loyalists will still continue to buy their products. At this point, it might even help Apple's image to admit that they do make mistakes and they are just like the rest of us. 

Social IRL: Tech, Mobile and Social Innovation in Kansas City

Part of our committment of being an innovative company is to read the world. Reading the world is a way of observing what's going on and using it to anticipate the future.  

Yesterday, we went to Ben Smith's Social IRL event at Union Station to observe some of the most exciting and innovative products, services and ideas in Kansas City. Here's just a few highlights from yesterday's Tech, Mobile and Social Innovation event:

Barkley's innovation lab, Moonshot, has created a lot of innovative ideas Mark Logan talked about some of the projects his team is working on: 

Hot Light Online - a way to tell Kristy Kreme customers (via an Internet connection) when their nearest Krispy Kreme turned on their "hot light" meaning fresh donuts were ready to be consumed.

Wine Tap - an NFC-enabled label that gives wine drinkers an in-depth look at what wine they are looking at purchasing. 

Mind Race - electric car steered around a race track by concentrating with your mind.

Air Paint - Create your own work of art with your hands and a Microsoft Kinect.

Moonshot uses different technologies such as augmented reality, natural interfaces, visual input, close range, and location-based services to merge the digital and visual world.  

Some other presentations that impressed included Google's update on their Google Fiber project. I'm extremely jealous of Hanover Heights, the first Fiberhood to get Google's gigabit Internet and TV service.  

Justin Goldsborough of Fleishman-Hillard discussed their innovative approach of talking to teens about sex without making it awkward and therefore, they are properly educated to make the right decisions. The solution was using the channel that all teens use: mobile texting. The discreteness provided teens the privacy they needed to ask real questions that they wanted real answers to. 

Lisa Qualls of Summit Marketing discussed their unique strategies for figuring out why people make decisions. For example, Salvation Army gets donations because people feel better about their lives when they give things away because it means their life is not as bad as those they are giving to. That's deep.

Ramsey Mohsen of Digital Evolution Group discussed their social strategy with a client (Silpada). They used their knowledge of their target audience (women) and how they used social media to make purchasing decisions. Women love sharing purchasing decisions and they love it even more if it is visual. Just look at what Pinterest has done in that demographic. Digital Evolution Group's solution: a style board called "Style Yourself Fabulous" on Facebook. How to make it even more appealing to women? Give away a jewelery collection worth over $7,000. Great quote from Ramsey: "Social is sharing, not shopping." 

It was a great event and it was really interesting to see what some of the local businesses are doing in Kansas City and beyond. I could really go on all day about the great strategies and ideas discussed. The future of the world is secrure in Kansas City's innovative hands. 

The new iPhone is here: what you need to know

The iPhone 5 was officially released to the public today. Some people got their pre-orders in the mail as early as Tuesday but for the most part, people got them delivered or they waited in lines to purchase the mobile device at retail stores today.

If you're still debating on whether you want to upgrade from your old iPhone or other device, here is some information released today on the iPhone 5. 

Everyone likes to make comparisons between products before buying them. This blog post compares the iPhone to the Droid RAZR HD, the Nokia Lumia 920 and the Samsung Galaxy S III (largedy considered to be the best Android device on the market). 

And here's a video comparison between the iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S III 

Want a durable phone? Want to make a guess on which phone wins in the drop test?

This test (which was done by Android Authority, by the way) proved that the iPhone 5 is a much more durable device than the Samsung Galaxy S III. Dropping your phone is inevitable, which is why so many companies are dedicated to phone cases. It is nice to know the limits of your phone so you aren't deathly afraid of dropping it. This device showed that it was safe to drop the phone from about five and a half feet in the air standing still (at least twice). On the flip side, the Galaxy S III cracked under the pressure (literally). If cracking your screen is a recurring problem, keep that in mind. 

Have an iPhone 4S and you don't know if you should upgrade? Here's a video comparison between the two:

Want to see the iPhone 5 unboxed? 

Now here are some reviews:

This is a review on the new Camera (which has an upgrade from the iPhone 4S).

And here is an old-fashioned review from the Huffington Post.

Another thing to consider about the iPhone 5 is the ability for LTE speed (On AT&T, Verizon and Sprint). I did a review of LTE last year (on a Motorola Droid). If this is something you'd like to research, check out my tests on it (and also check your 4G LTE coverage maps with your carrier before expecting it work in your area). 

Of course, the new iPhone 5 also has the newly released iOS 6. Make sure you check out my early impressions of the newest operating system for the iPhone.

If you've got an iPhone 5: enjoy it and let us know what you think of it. If you don't have an iPhone, let us know in the comments why you don't have it yet or don't want it at all!

Is the new iPhone OS the next biggest thing for mobile?

iOS 6 was released to the public yesterday. With over 200 new features, Apple's newest mobile operating system update is not reinventing the wheel, just tweaking it to make it better. After all, why fix something that isn't broken?

I decided to install the new update as soon as it came out. Here are some of my favorite new features, biggest misses and what I still don't know enough about.

Favorite Features:

• Speed - From my standpoint, I feel like my iPhone 4 (Verizon) is much faster and responsive with the new update.
• Facebook integration and improved Twitter integration - The addition of Facebook integration is one of my favorite features as the Facebook app for iOS is way too slow. Now I can share photos, videos and statuses from the Notification Center. Apple has focused on efficiency and speed, so this makes a lot of sense. Twitter was already introduced into many of the different apps with the last update but it was not available in Notification Center previously. 

• YouTube - One big addition to iOS 6 is actually a subtraction. The YouTube app that was impossible to delete from your iPhone is now gone. Instead, YouTube created their own app and it is a huge improvement. The addition of AirPlay makes the YouTube app useful again. 
• Safari - I recently switched from Safari to Chrome on my iPhone as my go-to browser. The ability to transfer open tabs from one device to the other is great, especially when I have a laptop, tablet and a phone. Safari added this feature in and it also integrated more sharing options with the new social integration. This is a huge improvement and I will be switching back to Safari on my iPhone, ASAP. 

Swing and a miss:

• Passbook - I was really excited about the Passbook app. I even blogged about how it could change the way your business makes money. After opening the newest built-in app, I was left confused and wondering what to do next. The first screen explains what the app can do but after going to the next screen, I was sent to the App Store and was greeted with a list of different Apps to download. It would have been helpful to explain how the App works. I'm sure Apple will have some documentation on their website eventually but this is a massive headscratcher.
• New Maps App - There are a lot of people complaining about the new Maps app. There is even a tumblr dedicated to how frustrating it is. It is no longer run on Google maps, but Apple's own product. However, I see a lot of potential in this app. Turn-by-turn navigation is going to be a game changer for me. I've always wanted turn-by-turn navigation but I have never wanted to pay for it and I never liked how some of the free apps integrated with my iPhone.  If you're looking for alternatives to the new Maps app, check these out. 

Still need more information:

• Siri - Everyone's favorite digital assistant, Siri, got a major upgrade with iOS 6. Siri 2.0 can now open applications, can tell you movie times and sports scores, and post Facebook and Twitter updates, and even make a reversation at a restaraunt. Unfortunately, my iPhone 4 does not support Siri. I cannot give an accurate opinion on this but if Siri is truly upgraded, I will love this feature when I get a new iPhone (I cannot wait until I can use my voice to find out a sports score)

What does this mean for mobile phones? Not much. iOS 6 isn't revolutionizing anything. But in my opinion, we are at a point where Apple doesn't need to revolutionize the phone more than it already has. It is about tweaking the phone to make it more efficient, user-friendly and fast. iOS 6 certainly accomplishes that.  

If Apple allows companies to integrate their apps into Siri and Passbook with ease, iOS 6 will be a big game-changer for the direction of the mobile market for years to come. This is obvioulsy the early stage of iOS 6's lifespan. It will be interesting to see how developers are able to tap into the vast possibilites of Siri and Passbook's abilities. 

I'll leave you with Samsung's newest video ad that mocks the Apple fans for waiting in line for a phone. You'll clearly see why that is the message of their advertisment:

The new iPhone will put you out of business

Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you know that the iPhone 5 was announced by Apple on Wednesday afternoon. The device is faster and lighter than the iPhone 4S, but the main question everyone is asking is does this revolutionize the market?

The iPhone 5 failed to introduce a technology that the market has requested: NFC (near-field communication), the wireless technology which facilitates payments and short-range data transmissions." 

If you're unfamiliar with NFC, it was sparked by the idea to allow your phone to replace your wallet. I personally use an iPhone case right now that lets me store my driver's license and debit card. It's the continuation of the idea that I want a phone that also plays my music because it is one less item to carry around. 

While the iPhone 5 won't have NFC, that does not mean the Apple will not be addressing this issue. AllThingsD.com interviewed Apple VP Phil Schiller and he explained why: Apple is offering a different solution and it is coming in their next iOS update, which is set for release on September 19th.

The new App is called "Passbook" and it allows you to access your boarding passes, movie and baseball tickets, retail coupons, loyalty cards and more.

It is also time and location based, so you can access your boarding pass as soon as you arrive to the airport without searching for it. It'll also tell you if you're in the wrong terminal.

So what does this mean for your business? Well iOS 6 can put you out of business unless you adapt.

Making your business Passbook-friendly can attract smart phone users to your store. Loyalty-cards can make or break a purchasing decision in this economy for a consumer. It also allows your business to contact the consumer in ways that will drive them to your store by analyzing customer trends. 

As Schiller said in his interview with AllThingsD.com: “Passbook does the kinds of things customers need today.” It also opens the door for businesses to revolutionize the market.

If you are not looking at Passbook, your competition surely is. Are your customers with iPhones more likely to use a small local coffee shop or Starbucks? Do you want to learn the hard way?

For more on the iPhone 5 announcement, check out the video below: 

 

Where Agile is Fragile

“The minute we use something in the way that everyone else is doing it, the indifference principle kicks in and all economic gains are competed away.” – Toby Hecht

I’m reminded of this quote every time I hear one of my clients talk about using something like Service Oriented Architecture or Agile and expect to create some competitive advantage.

The quote explains the Indifference Principle in action. The Indifference Principle is the corollary to the third Principle of Economics as written by Gregory Mankiw which states that “Rational People Think On the Margin.”  It’s not so difficult to understand when you think about “What is your differentiator?”  After all, it’s what makes you different that will trigger assessments of value (or not) with your potential customers. 

If you try to use Agile or anything else for that matter, in a way that everyone else is using it, you can’t gain any competitive advantage. 

How can I use Agile to ensure I WILL thwart my intentions or business missions?

I’ve included some examples:

When you try to manage resources instead of gaining commitments.  Managers must stop managing their people and their projects.  Instead they must begin managing the commitments employees make, hold them accountable and reward them when they fulfill them. 

When you make excuses for not fulfilling your commitments.  Excuses merely hide the underlying reasons why you aren’t successful.  If you want to be a high performing team producing competitive advantage, you must be intellectually honest with yourself.  Having integrity, whether you are trying to produce a business outcome or scoring a game of golf really does matter when you’re ultimate goal it to accumulate more power.

Continuing to do things the way you’ve always done them.  We tell our customers that outcomes are what really matter.  If you aren’t getting the results, look at the breakdowns you are producing along the way and adjust. How much time are you spending in reflection about what’s wrong with the way you produce an outcome?

What can I do to avoid this?

When I begin a new project to produce something new, I remember my ultimate purpose and I know the ultimate cost to me if I don’t achieve it.  This keeps me grounded.

You must be in action to stay grounded because without grounding you will lose your direction. Without direction your project will drift and you will lose sight of your objectives. 

Here is what I recommend:

Look at the results.  What metrics are are you capturing that bring meaning to your project?  For instance, if you are implementing a new technology, first what is the purpose for the new technology?  What is the return you expect on your investment?  How do you know you are being successful?  Are you capturing all the data you need? How well has your employees adapted and adopted to this new technology?

Get the commitments from your team, don’t give them their commitments.  Get commitment and hold people accountable for what they said they would deliver.  If they fail, look at the commitment they made and assess if they are competent to make the commitment in the first place.  Do they hold the sub-commitments necessary to make the ultimate commitment to you. 

Every organization is really an organization of commitments.  Without commitment there is no action.  If your organization can’t hold commitments, it may be time to re-evaluate the people making the commitments or the commitments themselves.  Are they realistic?

Allow your people to be honest in their own assessment of each other’s work.  This can be scary in a corporate environment but this is the engine for creating a high performing team.  When a team can hold the standard for what defines success, then you have the beginning of a high performing and competitive organization.

For further reading, check out

Gregory Mankiw’s Principle of Economics.  You can download the first chapter for free from Amazon’s Kindle Store. All ten of them are described and listed in that first chapter.

Understanding Computers and Cognition by Fernando Flores.  This is the penultimate example of what makes a conversation for action and serves as the foundation for Why Status Quo’s process for Agility.

I welcome comments and any new thinking in the section below.

5 Tips To Get The Most Out of OneWeekKC

Today is the beginning of One Week KC, a week for entrepreneurs.  This week is part of a strategy in which the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce commits to re-define entrepreneurship for the the midwest and beyond and make Kansas City the most entrepreneurial city in America.

In true entrepreneurial spirit, there are almost 30 different events led in a grass-roots effort to help people learn about topics they may be working on to take their business to the next level. Some events are organized to help you with tips and techniques to improve productivity, anticipate the future, and help you learn both fundamentally and specifically about mobile entrepreneurship in Kansas City.

Here are our recommendations for approaching OnWeekKC so that you and your networks can create the highest return.

1. Use your network - If there are multiple events you want to attend but can't for whatever reason, find people who are attending those events and find out if you can do an information share.  They might want notes and information on events that  you are scheduled to attend.  This is a great way to build trust as well as relationships.

2. Before you attend any event, create projects - Projects are a great way to focus your strategy on something specific, like improving marketing, creating more customers, and increasing operational efficiency.  Use your projets as a filter to prioritize the events you'll attend.

3. Talk to people - Don't just attend the event, talk to people and assess whether this is someone you might want to have further conversations with.  Use these conversations as a way to build your network.

4. Ask Questions - Don't just sit in the back of the room. Seek the speakers out and ask relevant questions.  In many cases the speakers have been in similar situations where you currently find yourself. Everyone is looking for help so when you ask a question, also listen to where they might be experiencing breakdowns.  If you like their answers and offer help in return, they might be inclined to answer more.

5.  Be Relevant and Valuable - When you do ask questions, ask yourself first, will anyone else find this answer valuable?  If not, you might save it until after the meeting is over and ask it in private.

I know you'll enjoy your week.  Also make it productive and create the greatest return on your learning experience.