After ASHP Midyear – It’s Not Just About You

I was talking to pharmacists who have come back from ASHP Midyear & we all agreed this was a common thing to procrastinate on when coming back from the meeting…so here are easy action steps you can take right away.

You’ve attended the ASHP Midyear Meeting and met other pharmacists & new contacts.  Some you were excited to meet & made strong connections with.  Others you met and it was just a gesture of courtesy that you accepted their business card– you did not see how they would be a match for you.  Now you’re back home with a huge stack of business cards, flyers, and notes.

If you’re like most busy pharmacists & pharmacy directors, you come back and stash them in a desk drawer with the intention of using them in the future when you have a need to connect with that person.  Or maybe you are well-intentioned to connect now, but keep procrastinating until that connection is not as memorable.

Unfortunately, many people only follow-up after networking events if they can see a direct, immediate benefit to themselves.  Using that approach will cause you to miss out on opportunities that you can mutually support each other with.

Networking is not about meeting people and taking what you can from them at this moment and time. It is about relationship building and creating long-lasting, mutually beneficial connections that can follow you throughout your pharmacy career.  It is also about reaching out to others to see what you can help them with.  By doing this, you will actually be amazed with the support you receive from others relating what you need.

This year, make a plan for getting to know your new pharmacist and other contacts.

• During ASHP Midyear (you can do this next year, or at future pharmacy conferences) – Write short phrases and memorable things about each person so you will be able to remember them later on.  Add project or networking ideas while they are still fresh in your mind.  Write down one thing you can help them with, whether it’s an introduction you can make for them, something they need help with, or just to develop a friendship with.

Include on the business card what someone looked like or was wearing.  You think you may remember what they look like now—but you may scratch your head later.

• Immediately after the conference (click below to read more):

–Prioritize the new pharmacy contacts you want to make connections with.  You can do this on a plane ride home or within a few days of coming home.  Number them in order of priority.  Give the highest priority to those meetings for which it seemed like the stars aligned perfectly and that this is an immediate match for both of you.  Also, if you had a strong connection & something which you can support someone else with.  Or, if you interviewed with a pharmacy director or residency program director, they will definitely be of highest priority!

–Add all your contacts to Outlook (or use another way to keep track of them).  You can even scan business cards so you don’t have to maintain a stack of unorganized cards.  For example, NeatReceipts Scanner & Digital Filing System can scan your business cards (and receipts too) while you’re traveling. You can also set electronic task reminders for yourself to make sure that you follow-up as planned. Also, start a networking log and begin to track your emails, letters, calls, and meetings.  Include dates, times, new information, and thoughts for working with that person in the future.  Do this right away, because it is a easy to forget these details down the road.

• Week One – Send a email to those people you connected with personally at the meeting, starting in the order of priority. The sooner you do this the better.  By connecting with everyone immediately after meeting them, you will reinforce the connection and make yourself more memorable.

Here are some ideas for creating emails that leave a lasting impression:

o Acknowledge what you learned about them.  Acknowledge what was impressionable about them or what you like about what they do.  Click below to read more.

o Ask open-ended questions in your email to spark further conversation.  Ask them more about what you had discussed when you met.  Let your new contact tell you more about themselves to get to know to know them.

o Offer any introductions you can make to other pharmacists or people whom they may find interesting or helpful, based on your conversation with them.  Tell them who/what you have connections with, or can offer them. Let them know they can contact you when they may need help with anything.

o Give suggestions/ideas to help them solve a problem. Showing that you care more about the person then about how you can benefit from them is a great way to build relationships.

o Write a speaker from a session you attended who sparked ideas for you or motivated you. Thank them for the insights and express gratitude for sharing their knowledge and experience with you. Taking the time to express your gratitude will really make the other person’s day.

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Next week I will give you step-by-step tips to continue that connection.  For first access to next week’s tips and get accountability for getting the most out of attending ASHP Midyear, put your name & email below:

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Some of the most rewarding relationships I have developed have been those that started from this place of service to others. In the end, I have been given support from my new pharmacy contacts that came at the right place and right time. Try what I’ve shared with you above, and comment on your successes below.
Remember…do it NOW!  Don’t let procrastination lead you to missing out on what could benefit you down the road.