What about you?

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The other day I was sitting in an airport waiting to board my flight and I overheard a business man on his cell say "we are well aware that there are many things we don't know."  That was refreshing to hear. 

I was on my way home from a conference and I had just had that same conversation with another attendee. We spoke about the fact that it's important to get out and attend industry events. It gives us the opportunity to learn, meet new people, and to look at things from a different perspective. Truth be told, all of us fit into the bucket of "we don't know what we don't know". But so many of us (me included) think we know it all; and, we don't want anyone else telling us anything different. 

The other day I was sitting in an airport waiting to board my flight and I overheard a business man on his cell say "we are well aware that there are many things we don't know."  That was refreshing to hear. 

I was on my way home from a conference and I had just had that same conversation with another attendee. We spoke about the fact that it's important to get out and attend industry events. It gives us the opportunity to learn, meet new people, and to look at things from a different perspective. Truth be told, all of us fit into the bucket of "we don't know what we don't know". But so many of us (me included) think we know it all; and, we don't want anyone else telling us anything different. 

We've been there done that. 

Really?

We think we've seen it all and there is little information that we don't know; but, that is simply not the case.  Regardless of what school we went to, the circles we travel in or the position we may hold there is always something new to learn. 

Whether you are at the beginning, in the middle or heading towards retirement age continuing to learn is important. Having and/or making time to do it is the challenge. 

I believe in face-to-face events for many reasons that contribute to building strong business relationships. I have talked about it a lot in previous blogs and articles.  

In 2016, I founded an event that focuses on ecommerce and gaining intelligence, and sharing insights specifically created for the $350.5 billion dollar home improvement industry. The concept was developed directly from customer feedback along the entire distribution channel. Each wanting to learn how to optimized the internet as a distribution channel by identifying the right channel partners and making the right connections all while gaining relevant intelligence and insights from the leaders in the e-trenches. 

My vision (based on customer insights) is that the Home Improvement eRetailer Summit is where you go when you don't know what you don't know about ecommerce and the home improvement marketplace. It's about connecting, learning and collaborating in an intimate gathering. 

The Summit (now in its 2nd year) is happening right now at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, FL. If you are interested in up-to-date information and speakers' viewpoints please follow us now on twitter @eRetailersummit. 

Please make sure that you make the time to attend industry events that are relevant to your interests and career growth.  Like the businessman, I confess that I don't know what I don't know but I'm willing and interested in continuing to learn. What about you?

 

Sonya Ruff Jarvis, is the Managing Member of Jarvis Consultants and Founder of the eRetailer Summit. Sonya has extensive experience in creating original innovative solutions to overcome major business challenges.  Sonya has spent most of her career visiting headquarters across global industries and has built strong business relationships across diverse brands. 

Sonya has a M.B.A. in Marketing. She is married and has a daughter and they live in Fairfield County Connecticut.  

Follow Sonya on twitter at @jarvisconsult or @eretailersummit.