(Hi everrybody!)

In the past five or so years, “conferences” have become the plat du jour for half-dodgy businesspeople (and yes – they do exist!) to create and own credibility among people who like to be told what they already think. In general, the people behind them NEVER pay those who present – don’t you know it’s all about the glory of telling your peers what the truth is, Nick?

Conferences (and to a lesser extent, workshops/seminars) have become just another medium through which people with no particular skills other than fast-talking generate credibility for their business operations. You’re completely right in requesting a fee. But they don’t work that way – it’s all about contra-deals (ie, we don’t want to spend money, but we’d like you to attend. You don’t mind if we charge people $1000 to attend and listen, do you? No, you don’t get a cut.)

Take a look at who’s behind any given conference you’re invited to attend or present at. London to a brick the company is a “professional” *splutter* conference organiser that has hooked up with a publishing company to which “exclusive” coverage rights have been promised.

It’s a lurk. Avoid it.

Dear Dr Nicholas Gruen,

Thank you for your call yesterday. I have discussed the matter of the Leadership Masterclass and your asking fees with my Director and we have decided to go in another direction.

Thank you,

Jessica

Aaaah, but these are the days of &quit;Masters by coursework" rather than thesis (I think a more accurate term would be post-graduate diploma!), so what can you expect?