Entrepreneur-focused events can boost your company

Arizona has truly become a blossoming support system for businesses of all sizes and stages. Here are Sidnee Peck's three suggestions to help you find the right event for your needs.

By Sidnee Peck  |  Director, Center for Entrepreneurship

It seems like more and more entrepreneur-targeted events have started popping up in Arizona in the past year or so. Which are the best to spend time attending?

Arizona has truly become a blossoming support system for businesses of all sizes and stages. Here are my three suggestions to help you find the right event for your needs:

1. Reference your goals.

I think this piece of advice comes up in my columns regularly, and that's because it's so important in helping you make good choices as a business owner. What needs do you have right now, and what are you trying to accomplish? You may need to attend educational events to learn how to manage your books or process payroll.

The Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation at GateWay Community College in Phoenix has frequent events that are highly educational and don't take much time away from the office. (Visit ceigateway.com.) Perhaps you need to explore growing your business. The CoFoundersLab hosts matchup events, which provide a chance to recruit individuals who can help you with growth. (Check out cofounderslab.com.)

TiE Arizona holds various networking events, including regular mixers that can get you connected with peers and other resources. (Go to tieaz.org.)

2. Allocate time per month and track your return on investment, or ROI.

We are all busy and can certainly find excuses to avoid adding more commitments to our calendars. Once you identify what your goals are and the types of events you should attend, then decide how much time you will allocate every month or quarter to such enrichment activities.

As soon as possible after the event, jot down some notes about how valuable it was: Did you learn something that will improve your operational efficiency? Did you meet someone who will open new doors for you? Once you allocate this time and start seeing value, you won't need to feel guilty when you leave the office for lunch or early for an event.

3. Try something new.

While I will always encourage attention to your business goals, it can also be valuable to attend an event that simply offers exposure to new things. Have you ever traveled somewhere new and felt that mind-opening sensation that triggered new ideas and new energy?

Events can provide some of that same feeling by exposing your brain to something new and unexpected. Meeting and chatting with people outside your industry may be just what you need to spur creativity around a problem you're trying to solve. Need ideas?

Ask a friend who works in a different field for some suggestions or check out some online event calendars. For example, I really like the AZ Tech Beat calendar at aztechbeat.com/events.

One event happening soon is the Arizona Technology Council's StartupConnect AZ 2014, which is planned Wednesday at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort and Villas. Ultimately, know why you're attending something and make sure you get the most out of it to achieve your goals.

Trying to learn something new? Be there on time and ready to take notes. Exploring something for fun? Go in with that attitude and introduce yourself to three new people. Grow your circle and, in turn, grow your brand.

First published in The Arizona Republic, December 15, 2014.