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A quick list of what I think about being creative and why it is something we should all do, pursue and be.

Here it is: My Big-Time Event Survival Tips:

1. Start networking before the event.

Are you excited to connect with one of the speakers? You’re not alone, hence the long lines that form after any popular session. The best way to make contact with one of the speakers is before the event. Send a quick email a few weeks ahead of time explaining how excited you are to hear his or her talk. Then, arrive at the session 15 to 20 minutes early in hopes of catching the speaker before the session starts.



If it’s a fellow attendee you’re looking to reach out to, take advantage of the networking features in the event’s app. Most event apps today allow you to see who’s attending and who’s in your direct vicinity and send them a message to connect.

2. Prioritize.

Don’t be crippled by FOMO (fear of missing out). Before arriving, research who will be there and make a list of your top goals to ensure you attend the right activities that fulfill your reason for being there. Are you there to build customer relationships or network with industry peers? If a team is involved, make sure that everyone understands his or her priorities for the duration of the show in advance.



3. Visit your must-see vendors during the first days.

The last day is notoriously bad at tradeshows and expos: exhibitors are exhausted and most senior reps have already caught an early flight home. That’s why you should hit your top targets as early into the show as possible. People will be enthusiastic and eager to speak with you, and it leaves plenty of time left should you need to follow up with them or someone else on their team.

4. Remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Unless you are flying in for the day, you can expect to be on the go from 8 am to 2 am for days on end. If you don’t take care of yourself, you will hit a wall pretty fast. Enjoy the bacon-covered donuts and local IPA, but in moderation. Eat properly, stay well hydrated, get a good night’s sleep as much as possible, and refresh with conference group activities like yoga or jogging.

5. You don’t always have to follow the herd.

At any major event, attendees work themselves into a frenzy trying to get into the hottest party or the biggest keynote. However, some of my most memorable and meaningful experiences have taken place at the smaller venues and less popular sessions. Choose events based on your personal interests and business goals, not necessarily what’s trending on Twitter or has the longest line out front.

6. Stop trying to multi-task.

In the rush to prep for an event, you probably pushed other work to the backburner. But the world doesn’t stop turning just because you are at an event. Rather than dividing your attention between the event and the office, find a quiet space and dedicate 1-2 hours per day to address any pressing work needs. Then leave those distractions behind and focus on getting the most out of your time there.

7. Link up your dream team.

If your company is sending a large group, you’ll want everyone synced and in contact throughout the event. There’s nothing worse than trying to track down someone’s mobile number or wondering if Joe from sales actually checks his texts when it’s crunch time. Before anyone leaves to attend the event, get everyone onboard a group messaging service like GroupMe, Facebook Messenger, a Slack channel or WhatsApp Group Chat.

8. Maximize your session time.

Most people sign up for a session to learn about a particular topic or trend. However, there is much more you can do in the moment, such as making important connections with fellow attendees or gaining exposure with a carefully crafted tweet. Prepare for these moments by familiarizing yourself with the session topics ahead of time, reviewing the speaker’s blog posts, other writings and...

The interview process is the most commonly used gateway to a new hire, but it’s often highly scripted, insincere and as useful as a coin toss.

With only a couple of hours to meet and greet a potential candidate, you have to get past the canned responses to a more authentic discussion. The best way to do that? Ask better questions.

I like odd-ball questions that don’t have "right" answers. Not only do they elicit genuine responses, they also reveal personality traits and provide insight into how a candidate thinks.

Here are some questions I ask before making a hiring decision in search of the following qualities:



1. Suitability.

The question: What were the best six months you have spent working in your career?

You want to determine what makes a person tick at work. Does the individual like a collaborative or autonomous environment? Or does he or she prefer thinking, managing or doing?

Rarely is anyone good at all three. You need to make sure what the person is happiest doing in his or her career and see if the job description and the work environment aligns with this. Otherwise, there's a problem from Day 1.

2. Grit.

The question: Would you be willing to tell a joke or sing a song?

Some people think it’s a manager’s job to motivate employees, but I find that self-determination is hardwired into a person. Managers can fuel that motivation -- or strip it away over time.

I hope managers can nurture an employee's potential, but I want someone who commits wholeheartedly from the get-go and is willing to take risks to get what he or she wants.

3. Integrity.

The question: What is something in your life that you deeply regret?

This question can catch someone off guard -- and elicit a raw opportunity to hear what matters deeply to the candidate and affects him or her. The answer tends to reveal a little bit about the person's soul.

People with integrity draw others to them because they’re trustworthy and dependable. In addition, they can be counted on to behave in an honorable way -- even when no one is watching them.

4. Curiosity.

The question: What are you reading right now?

Active readers have might have the tendency to learn and grow. Being inquisitive is a valuable trait in an employee within a small organization. Many innovations at my company, Vitals, have come from employees with deep-rooted interests.

One fitness-minded employee started the corporate wellness program. Another started a spin-off website that led to additional search-engine rankings.

In a young company, you can’t afford to invest in people who let themselves get stale. You want people who are inquisitive and who actively maintain their edge.



5. Self-awareness.

The question: What was your college major? Why did you choose it?

The chief financial officer at my company majored in accounting in college and became a CPA by age 25. Some people have their life all mapped out.

Of course, most people aren’t like that: They don’t end up pursuing what their 20-something self imagined they would do.

Find people who connect the dots from what they wanted to do then to what they're doing now. I look for candidates who see their career as a journey and who are deliberate about their decisions. People who wound up just doing something for the past 10 years that they had no interest in before are often bad hires.

6. Adaptability to change.

The question: Where did you spend your last three vacations?

The ability to embrace change is critical for an employee in an entrepreneurial work environment. Rarely do things go as originally planned, and often staffers must change course.

If a candidate has gone to the same place for the last...

Older Podcast Republished

1. Get over the company-name thing.

Many people agonize endlessly over dreaming up the perfect company name. Don't. If you're waiting until you come up with the perfect name, you're also waiting to start making money.

Instead, at least for now, forget branding and unique selling propositions and all the business-identity stuff. And don't worry about finding the perfect URL or website design or promotional literature. You're putting those carts way before your business horse, too.

Just pick a name so you can get the administrative ball rolling.

Remember, your business can operate under a different name than your company name. (A "doing business as" form takes minutes to complete.) And you can change your company name later, if you like.

2. Get your Employer Identification number (EIN).

An EIN is the federal tax number used to identify your business. You don't need an EIN unless you will have employees or plan to form a partnership, LLC, or corporation.

But even if you don't need an EIN, get one anyway: It's free, takes minutes, and you can keep your Social Security number private and reduce the chance of identity theft, because if you don't have an EIN, your SSN identifies your business for tax purposes.

Note: If you're using an online legal service to set up an LLC or corporation, don't use it to get your EIN. Instead, apply online at the IRS website. You'll have your EIN in minutes.

Now it's time to head to your locality's administrative offices.

3. Register your trade name.

If you won't operate under your own name, your locality may require you to register a trade name. In most cases, you'll get approved on the spot.

4. Get your business license.

Your county or city will require a business license. The form takes minutes to fill out. Use your EIN instead of your Social Security number to identify your business (for privacy reasons if nothing else).

You may be asked to estimate annual gross receipts. Do your best to estimate accurately, but don't agonize over it. You're just providing an estimate.

5. Complete a business personal-property tax form (if necessary).

Businesses are taxed on "personal" property, just like individuals. Where I live, no form is required for the year the business is established.

If you are required to file a business personal-property tax form and you plan to work from home using computers, tools, etc., that you already own, you won't need to list those items.

If you purchase tangible personal property during your first year in business, you will list those items when you file your business personal-property tax form the following year.

6. Ask your locality about other permits.

Every locality has different requirements. In my area, for example, a "home occupation permit" is required to verify that a business based in a home meets zoning requirements.

Your locality may require other permits. Ask. They'll tell you.

7. Get a certificate of resale (if necessary).

A certificate of resale, also known as a seller's permit, allows you to collect state sales tax on products sold. (There is no sales tax on services.)

If you will sell products, you need a seller's permit. Your state department of taxation's website has complete details, forms, etc., if you decide to apply online, but most localities have forms you can complete while you're at their administrative offices.

8. Get a business bank account.

One of the easiest ways to screw up your business accounting and possibly run afoul of the IRS is to commingle personal and business funds (and transactions). Using a business account for all business transactions eliminates that possibility.

Get a business account using your...