Hosted by Chandra Wobschall and Paul Houtkooper

Hey JDE Connection listeners, welcome back to another episode with your hosts, Chandra Wobschall, Senior Business Analyst at Brightview Landscapes, and Paul Houtkooper, Vice President of JD Edwards Product Development at Oracle. This week we wrap up our insightful conversation with special guest, Shannon Allred, ERP Special Project Manager at Brown and Root.

Embracing Conference Opportunities

We kicked off the conversation by exploring the incredible value of attending conferences. Shannon shared her journey and the transformative impact these events have had on her professional growth. She emphasized the importance of engaging in extracurricular activities at conferences—yes, that includes those fun evening parties! These informal settings are where real connections are made, and valuable networking happens.

Learning and Networking at Conferences

One of the standout points Shannon made was about the invaluable learning and networking opportunities conferences provide. By attending sessions and participating actively, she has been able to connect with Oracle representatives and other industry experts. This has allowed her to address business-critical issues more effectively and stay ahead of the curve with upcoming JD Edwards features.

Personal Growth Through Public Speaking

Shannon’s story of personal growth through public speaking was inspiring. Initially nervous about presenting, she found the conference community welcoming and supportive. Encouraged by industry leaders like AJ Schifano, she stepped up to present at BLUEPRINT4D and even submitted a presentation for InFocus. Her involvement in Quest SIG groups and taking on leadership roles has further boosted her confidence and professional development.

Tips for First-Time Conference Attendees

For those attending a conference for the first time, Shannon offered the following advice:

1. Attend Extracurricular Activities: These are prime opportunities for networking and building relationships.
2. Engage and Ask Questions: Don’t be afraid to speak up during sessions. If you have a question, chances are someone else does too.
3. Be Proactive: If you see someone sitting alone, join them and start a conversation. Everyone is there to connect and learn.
4. Use Business Cards: Bring business cards to avoid hand cramps from filling out forms and increase your chances of winning those fun conference prizes!

The Power of Community

Shannon’s journey underscores the power of community within the JD Edwards ecosystem. By leveraging the collective knowledge and support of peers, vendors, and Oracle representatives, she has been able to drive significant improvements and innovations at Brown and Root.

As we wrap up this episode, we’re reminded of the immense value conferences bring, not just in terms of technical knowledge but in fostering a supportive and collaborative professional community. If you have not registered for INFOCUS 2024 in Denver, Colorado yet, there is still time!

Thank you, Shannon, for sharing your experiences and insights with us.

Midwesternism of the Day

This week we continue on our theme of Midwestern Cuisine, introducing a Minneapolis legacy that comes with its own controversary.
Until next time, let’s keep learning, sharing, and most importantly, laughing together.

Toodles!

For any questions, concerns, or feedback on this episode, or if you have ideas for future episodes, please reach out to us at [email protected].

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Learn More

Quest Oracle Community is where you learn. Ask questions, find answers, swap stories and connect to other JD Edwards customers and product experts in the JD Edwards Community, where you can also check out what’s happening in the Business Analyst SIG.