Summary: <a href="https://www.complianceandethics.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/turteltaub-adam-200x200.jpg"></a>By <a href="mailto:adam.turteltaub@corporatecompliance.org">Adam Turteltaub</a><br> <br> Some people have a gift for invisibly attending a conference, and no one knows that they were even there. That’s great for a conference of spies, but most people at compliance conferences like to meet at least some of the other attendees.<br> <br> For many, though, connecting with strangers is difficult, whether they know no one or they are shy about going beyond their usual circle of contacts.<br> <br> So what do you do if you are one of them?<br> <br> To find out we spoke with <a href="mailto:Richard%20T.%20Bistrong%20%3crichard@richardbistrong.com%3e">Richard Bistrong</a> (<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardbistrong/">LinkedIn</a>), <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6887748465800036352/">newsletter author</a> and CEO Of <a href="https://www.richardbistrong.com/">Frontline Antibribery</a>, who will be moderating a general session at the 2024 SCCE <a href="https://www.corporatecompliance.org/conferences/institutes/12th-annual-european-compliance-ethics-institute">European Compliance & Ethics Institute</a> in Amsterdam.<br> <br> If you spot someone standing alone and looking a bit lost, he recommends you think like a host and invite them to join you. Even if you’re already talking with friends, he advises being a croissant and not a bagel: be sure there is an opening for others. Make the effort to catch them up with the conversation – “we were just discussing helplines”—and ask them to share their thoughts.<br> <br> If you hesitate to join conversations because you don’t feel you are good at small talk, think of a few questions in advance to use as ice breakers. They don’t have to be traditional compliance-related questions. You could ask people about what excited them the most in the last year. Richard often uses <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mindfulness-meaningful-insightful-conversations-settings/dp/B075HQSLDF/ref=sr_1_37?crid=3QGJM4B0JUM8Z&keywords=vertellis+cards&qid=1707167254&sprefix=vertellis,aps,74&sr=8-37&th=1">Vertellis</a> cards to start or help conversations.<br> <br> For those at the conference with a friend or colleague, use the other person as your wingman or wingwoman. Tell them who you are interested in meeting and have them serve as a second set of eyes and ears.<br> <br> Also, don’t forget about the SCCE & HCCA staff as a source of connection. See if they know someone it would be good for you to talk with.<br> <br> Listen in to learn more, including how to follow up properly after the conference is over.<br> <br> Then, be sure to say hello to Richard (and offer him a croissant) in Amsterdam at the 2024 SCCE <a href="https://www.corporatecompliance.org/conferences/institutes/12th-annual-european-compliance-ethics-institute">European Compliance & Ethics Institute</a>, March 18-20.
