Back to school, part II

New Classmates & Professors

The networking and relationship-building I took home from YCC was one of the most valuable pieces. It made me stop and wonder: how many other seminars have I attended where I flock to the people in the audience I know and go home with very few (if any) new contacts? Since YCC, I have reached out to at least one classmate or presenter – who I never knew prior to the conference – at least once a week. It’s been a great way to build mentors and have industry peers for idea sharing.

My challenge: The next seminar you go to, seek out at least one new face. Find out what they do and try to find a way that you can learn from them and make your business better. Listen to a session with a speaker you’ve never heard (or heard of), and approach them afterwards with questions. You might want to reach out to that person in the future and they are more likely to remember the person that came up to talk to them afterwards.

Make Time

I know it’s easy for cattlemen to neglect off-site learning opportunities because you just don’t have time. Make time. It’s as simple as that. I am certain the workload I left behind for my 10 days at YCC was very light compared to many of my classmates and it’s easy to worry about what’s going on back home, but the long-term benefits for your business are counting on your professional development.

My challenge: Keep your eyes peeled for opportunities to make yourself better. Each summer the American Angus Association hosts their Beef Leaders’ Institute, which is a great week-long opportunity to broaden your horizons on high-quality beef production. Heading to San Antonio for the annual Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show next February? Check in a day early and take in the Cattlemen’s College sessions. Find a new educational opportunity and take hold of it! For some, it may be as simple as formally completely a BQA certification that you never finished. Set a goal – maybe you think in semesters and choose two a year, but identify your opportunities and start today.

~Kara

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