Building effective proof of concepts (POCs) requires flexibility, a willingness to experiment, and the ability to learn quickly. Based on 20 years of experience, the key to successful POCs lies in taking the path of least resistance, avoiding unnecessary complexity, and being open to discarding your best work. It’s important to focus on rapid learning rather than production-ready code, remain unattached to initial solutions, and welcome feedback from others. Ultimately, a successful POC isn't just about solving technical problems but also about refining your ability to pitch and present your ideas effectively.
Staying in one place for 20 years is a long time. I've been at Rocket Mortgage for 20 years as of January 15th, 2024. During this time I've had the opportunity to work on some amazing projects, with some amazing people. I've also had the opportunity to grow and learn. I'm grateful for the opportunities I've been given and the people I've worked with. I'm looking forward to the next 20 years.
While most have likely adjusted to a new daily routine, one thing that can be hard to adjust to is the lack of office socializing. Hallway conversations, smiling faces, laughter and other social interactions bring us together and make us feel more connected as a team. But just because we’re apart, it doesn’t mean we can’t be together.
It’s fun speculating about quantum computing, but in reality, it’s many years away from becoming mainstream – much further away than the hype might suggest.
Getting selected for any conference requires skill and patience. This is a guide on how to give yourself a better chance at getting selected for Tech Con (and other conferences too).
When you're applying to speak at an event, you'll need to submit two items; A picture of yourself, referred to as a headshot, and a bio. Those new to speaking may be tempted to reach for a photo they have on social media or another existing photo they can crop down. I'll admit I've done that in a pinch. However, nothing can take the place of a professional headshot.
There are two different options when it comes to your title. You can create the title first and write the talk to support it or you can wait to create the title after your outline and abstract are complete. This article describes how to create a title for your presentation.
When you're applying to speak at an event, you'll need to submit two items; A picture of yourself, referred to as a headshot, and a bio. When new speakers start writing their bio, they often find it difficult to get started. While they know the subject matter – themselves – very well, many find distilling their career down to a paragraph to be a challenging and daunting task. The longer and more prosperous your career, the more difficult. The art of a great bio hinges on including just the right amount of information. Less is more.
Of the four artifacts required to submit a presentation to a conference, none of them is more scrutinized and discussed than the abstract. The acceptance of your presentation and the attendance of the session ride on the shoulders of your abstract. Event committees have a hard job, sifting through countless abstracts to pick the right mix for their conference, and the abstract provides them the only details they have to make a decision. It either makes or breaks your chance of getting selected.
Have you ever been in a play, musical or played an instrument? Maybe you've never graced the stage to perform in any capacity, but you've probably seen others perform live. No matter the performance, they all have something in common - practice, practice, practice!
You've been selected and created an impactful presentation and now it's time to focus on delivering this story. There are many components that go into delivering a powerful presentation.
BNow that you've chosen a timeless, relevant topic, you're ready to start adding some structure. This doesn't mean you're ready to start creating slides. That's actually one of the last things you'll do. To build out the structure that will make your talk successful, start with an outline. This will include the key points that you'll use to tell your story. Once your outline's done, you'll be able to create a title and an abstract for your talk.
Before you can speak at a conference, you need something to say. Everyone has something valuable to say that can impact others, but sometimes it takes time to find your voice. Below, you'll find an easy-to-follow seven-step process for crafting your presentation topic.
As our company's Technology evangelist for almost a year now, I have spent a good amount of my time spreading the word about the Quicken Loans Family of Companies. This role has taken me on some great adventures, from speaking at conferences of all shapes and sizes to holding a stranger's baby on a plane. It has been a challenge and a joy to share with so many what makes this company that I love so special.
Portfolio of Keith Elder