Voice of the DBA

Tag: speaking

  • Rate a Session for GroupBy

    One of the things that I struggle with is understanding whether a session at a conference like a SQL Saturday is worth watching. I also struggle writing abstracts and attracting people to my own sessions, so I think the idea of GroupBy allowing rating and reviewing of abstracts in advance is fantastic.

    Group_By_Conference_Logo

    First, let me encourage many of you to go take a minute today and rate an abstract. If you see something that you like, leave a note. If you aren’t sure of something, or don’t like something, or even have a question about the content, leave that note as well.

    I’ve been fortunate to attend lots of events. I speak at many, but I try to view a session or two at each as well. I’ve seen some great ones, and some poor ones. I do try to provide constructive criticism, and I do so privately. If you’d like feedback from me at any event, please ask.

    One of the things I’ve seen is that the abstract often doesn’t quite match the talk, or the abstract doesn’t really help me understand what will be covered. It doesn’t matter if someone has tried to write a cute description or a plain boring one, the writing doesn’t always match the talk well.

    I know I make mistakes in my abstracts. I know sometimes I write something that I realize later isn’t quite what I think will work in the talk. I’d like the chance to edit and correct small items. More importantly, I’d like to be sure that if my abstract topic (and talk) could slightly be tweaked in a way that more people like, I want to do it.

    Take a minute and give some feedback. Be honest, rate what you want, don’t take up too much of your day, and help improve the conference schedule.

    I’d love to see PASS implement this as well for the Summit. I realize this can be hard, but I would prefer to see some give and take in advance to help build the best set of sessions that people want to attend.

  • Two Weeks to Live! 360 and VSLive Orlando

    A short break in speaking, as I haven’t been on stage since Oct 11.

    LSPK42

    Now it’s two weeks to Live! 360 in Orlando and VS Live, both happening in Orlando on Dec 5-9. You can still register, and save $500 with my link.

    This is my first time at this event, though I’ve been to other VS Live events. I really like these conferences because I get the chance to attend non-SQL sessions and broaden my excitement for other parts of the Microsoft platform.

    If you’ve got some training dollars left for 2016, consider coming down and joining me today.

    Register and use LSPK42 to save $500.

  • Growing Speakers for T-SQL Tuesday #84

    tsql2sday150x150It’s T-SQL Tuesday again, and for $#84, we have a non-technical topic. Hopefully this will then let us produce more technical content by growing new speakers. That’s the topic from Andy Yun, and it’s a good one.

    This is the monthly blog party, and you should feel to participate today, or any day in the future. Read Andy’s invitation for the rules.

    No Shortage of Speakers

    When we started SQL Saturday, Andy Warren and I worried about finding speakers for events. In the last 10 years, we’ve seen many, many people begin speaking and enjoy it. I don’t worry about finding speakers for SQL Saturdays anymore.

    However, I do think we could do more to encourage even more people to speak and share knowledge. One of the problems we have in this industry is that we don’t always get information spread out quickly to a wide audience and evolve our practices. Too many of us use our habitual practices long after there are better ways to build software. One of the ways we can work to improve the industry is with more speakers.

    I’ve given a talk on creating your first technical speaking opportunity. I can say that it worked since a couple of people that were in the audience have actually given presentations at the user group. One of the items that I suggest in there is picking something you’ve learned/solved, and then teach it to others in your company/department/group.

    This is often an easier way to get started, since it will be a smaller group, one you know, and it’s safer. It could even be more of a discussion you lead than a presentation.

    Certainly this can be hard as you need to be open to debate, accept you might get some things wrong, and that you might learn something. There is stress in trying to come across as an expert, but I’d rather you try to teach something, with the idea that this is your understanding of a topic, but you are open to admitting you might be wrong if someone else knows more.

    If that’s the case, then perhaps have that individual present next time.

    I’d really encourage more groups and departments to get a weekly presentation together from someone. This can be at lunch, or a standing meeting. This can be a group learning style like the SDTIG, or a quick 20 minute presentation on some topic.

    Just try it.

    Learn, speak, share.

    Get some buy in from your management to support this, and if you need a good reason, use this.

    Corporate Dilemma

  • Live 360–SQL in Orlando

    I’ll be at the last big SQL Server conference in the US for 2016 this December. VS Live is a part of Live 360, and on Dec 5-9, it’s in Orlando, FL. There are lots of sessions, pre and post cons learning to take advantage of.

    I’ll be part of the SQL area, and the Dev area, showcasing database development and security topics.

    If you have some budget left this year, and want to try a new conference where you can learn about lots of different technologies, and escape the winter weather, think about coming to Orlando.

    I’ve got a speaker code of that gives you a $500 savings. Use LSPK42 as your code to register.

    Sign up today with LSPK42.

    LSPK42