I also believe a lot in Self-Improvement. Money spent for Self-Improvement is definitely a great investment. However, one must get the most out of every books, seminar or tools paid.

Best Wishes

hanneng: Thanks for the advice. I am working on something in that area right now =)

SJ has most of the valid points to note about attending a seminar… but just to reinforce his tips… here are a few more.

1. Prepare. Read up on the topics before attending. It gives you an edge over the others cause you are there to absorb and to raise up the questions you’ve encountered while researching at the seminar instead of finding yourself asking questions a week later and not to sure who can answer.

2. Check if the organizer is reputable and credentials for value. Some seminars aims to earn your money without imparting you anything of real realistic value. They can be great marketers and hyped you up during the seminar but all could amount to nothing but scams that push you to strategies that hurt more than help you.

3. In relation to SJ’s No. 1 tip of going for free seminars. One thing many of the top executives that come for seminars have is that they were eager to learn and were proactive. They bring up the seminars they want to attend to their bosses and ask for sponsorship or subsidy offering to pay half themselves. During and after the seminar some of them would even update their bosses on the things they have gained and learnt without prompt.

4. Share your knowledge after the seminar. Being Asians we tend to have this mindset that ” I paid 3k for attending. These info are mine so if you want any go pay 3k yourself.” But the truth is when you share you learn and you reinforced what you’ve learnt. It also makes others more open to sharing other information with you. Besides, like what SJ has mentioned… if its free they may not remember to capitalize on it.

5. In tuned with SJ’s network tip. Don’t be late. Go early to just socialize. Mix around with different groups sit at different places and always follow up after the seminar. If not you’ll forget them as fast as they forget you. A little trick one of the regular seminar attendee used to do was to bring around his camera. He’ll snap pictures and afterwards he’ll email the pictures to the contacts he made with a personalized message. It gave him a reason to follow up and gave others a reason to remember him.

6. Last tip. This one is for the gals. Being female myself I know how we always want to look our best especially if networking is involved. But the important thing is to look professional and confident. So no micro minis and don’t wear your new 3 inch heels or you’ll be hobbling around and being too self conscience to enjoy the seminar to the fullest.

Thanks SJ for letting me hijack your comment thread. =)

For example, you’re IT specialist, tell people that you’re good in providing IT services, give your namecard to others too.

Maybe will bring you some income in future.