Yesterday and the day before, I interpreted at a conference in the software industry. Of course, I’ll get a check at the end of the day, or rather at the end of a few weeks, but there’s another priceless advantage that one can derive from this job, where we are, basically, observers.
Forget about insider knowledge. This was a public conference, so no confidential data was exchanged. And anyway, we work on a contract.
The interesting point is that at conferences, you don’t see the lame ducks of an industry. (Or if you do, you see how they are going to fix that). The companies that get showcased are those that are putting all their energy into building successful businesses, and those that have indeed succeeded and are striving to stay on top.
So you get to see the best. It’s not a seminar, but you get lessons live on how to succeed, how to market yourself, you get a view from the perspective of some of the most influencial players in a market. Of course we don’t see what goes on behind the scenes, so I’m not talking about taking everything at face value. But success doesn’t just happen. You have to put a lot of work and energy into achieving it.
So although using insider knowledge is forbidden, there’s no law to stop you from feeling energized, even as a tiny business, after an event like that, and lessons to be drawn.
And just think that I’m paid to get that education…
