Comments on The Notes Apprentice: No Lotusphere!?! But? But? Why don't you like me??...

Everyone here has GREAT reasons; I especially like...

2008-09-19T08:21:00.000-05:00

Everyone here has GREAT reasons; I especially like Bill D.'s - great suggestions!

Yeah, of all the speakers in the "Lotus network", Newbs (and maybe Bob B.) are the only ones still around who may remember my first few speaking attempts. What memories ;)

Once again I cannot stress how much it does NOT matter that you're not an expert. Many, many speakers began as just average Joes (or Toms, or Scotts, or Pauls, or Gabs... you get the idea) and then speaking catapaulted them into Lotus Stardom.

Because of all of this, and given that you have said you don't fear speaking, I think it would be remiss of you to not submit an abstract or two. Now, you know I can't say you'll be picked; Mac and I are just starting to look at the abstracts we've received. But I think you should at least give it a shot.

There is nothing quite as impressive to a boss than knowing someone who has spoken on the world's largest stage for Lotus folks - and you could be one of them.

--Rock (LotusGeek)

Just be careful if you are picked to speak... i...

2008-09-18T22:06:00.000-05:00

Just be careful if you *are* picked to speak... it can become addicting! Rocky took a chance on me a few years ago, and my career hasn't been the same since... I remember Paul Mooney's first on-stage three years ago. He was terrified as Bill Buchan was going crazy (in a good way) on the pre-show stage. His exact quote when I called him down... "I'm screwed." We got him through that experience successfully, and now he speaks at ALL the conferences. :)

Do not let you feelings of being a novice hold you...

2008-09-18T16:32:00.000-05:00

Do not let you feelings of being a novice hold you back. All of the good speakers once were. I recall Rocky's, Scott's, Rob's and many of the now famous (and infamous) Lotusphere speakers first attempt at it. You gotta climb the mountain by taking the first step.

Besides, I am sure you have a new approach to solving something the rest of us have overlooked.

Newbs

Thanks for all the advice! I'm not scared of publi...

2008-09-18T16:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks for all the advice! I'm not scared of public speaking but speaking about Notes when I'm the "apprentice" sounds scary. If I was further in my deployment I might try something like "What not to do in a Notes upgrade deployment!".
However, I might try Gregg's approach. I can count numerous times that I used my lotusphere network to help me answer tough questions. Wish me luck!!

Check out my link in this post for "Why go to Lotu...

2008-09-18T15:16:00.000-05:00

Check out my link in this post for "Why go to Lotusphere."

http://www.ns-tech.com/blog/geldred.nsf/plinks/GELD-7JJNUS

There are some good talking points. Explain how much you got out of last year's conference, how you made some excellent connections, and that those same connections helped you in your job. And you, Mr. Company, benefited from my relationships with the best minds in the Lotus world (hopefully, you will have some examples).

Good luck.

Agree with Rock, submit an abstract. But if that d...

2008-09-18T14:37:00.000-05:00

Agree with Rock, submit an abstract. But if that doesn't work you might try an approach like this.

Unless you live next door to an IBM authorized training center, your going to have travel and expenses involved, so that could be a wash. In your class you will not have access to the guys and gals who write the code, where else can you walk up and ask a question of the developers. Let's say you have 4 or 5 burning questions you need answers to. If you would have to pay for the consulting time from IBM or a partner, you maybe be better off with the admittance fee for sphere.

You will never come back from a class as charged up as you do from Lotusphere. You will also never have access to as many Lotus professionals in one spot, there is millions of years of experience wandering around that week, and most people are willing to share that with you.

Lastly, if your company has bought into the IBM Education Pack for the training, you can use that to pay for admission, just check out the details on the registration page.

Hope to see you there.

Bill

You know, another way to help offset your costs fo...

2008-09-18T14:14:00.000-05:00

You know, another way to help offset your costs for Lotusphere is to submit a session abstract and see if you can get picked as a speaker.

Hint hint :)

We're always looking for new speakers in the Best Practices track, and we look for sessions of all types and levels of experience, so don't think "I have nothing to offer"

EVERYONE has something to offer!

So, think of a topic, write an abstract, and send it it - you never know what might happen!

--Rock, aka LotusGeek
Lotusphere Best Practices Track Consultant

If you can at all afford it on your own, go. That...

2008-09-18T12:59:00.000-05:00

If you can at all afford it on your own, go. That's what I'm doing this year for the first time, since work can't send me. I'm using it as a business tax writeoff against some side income I get with tech writing.

Yes, Lotusphere IS addicting, and it's FAR better (imo) than "formal training".