10 Innovative (and Slightly Crazy) Ways to Actually Use What You Learned After the Conference
You made it to CHART 108 at Redondo Beach.
You soaked in the sun, the strategy, the sessions, and maybe a little sand.
You heard from powerhouse mainstage speakers. You tackled interactive breakouts. You swapped stories over networking meals and made connections that sparked ideas.
Now you’re back. Inbox overflowing. Calendar stacked. Team waiting. And the big question is:
How do you actually apply what you learned?
Let’s be honest: “Just do it” isn’t a strategy, it’s a vague hope wrapped in a motivational slogan. You deserve better. Your team deserves better. And the investment your company made in sending you to CHART? That deserves some ROI with a little swagger.
So, here’s a list of wild, unexpected, and actually doable ways to turn what you learned at CHART into visible, valuable change, both for your personal growth and your organization.
1. The “60-Second Session Drop”
Summarize your biggest CHART takeaways as short-form videos. Share them in a weekly Slack post, internal newsletter, or even as a recurring Instagram story on your company account. Make it fast. Make it fun. Bonus: record in different office spots to keep it fresh.
2. Host a ‘Reverse Breakout’ Happy Hour
Flip the script: set up stations where you rotate to different groups in your office, sharing key learnings from the sessions you attended. Add drinks, snacks, and themed decor. Call it “CHART After Dark” or “Learning on the Rocks.”
3. The “Make Me Prove It” Memo
Send your leader a quick update titled:
“5 Ways CHART Will Show Up in My Work This Month”
Bullet it out. Tie it to actual team or business goals. This shows you’re not just inspired—you’re intentional.
4. Build a CHARTopoly Board
Design a visual gameboard where each “space” is a learning you want to apply. Each time your team uses a concept (from trust-building to creative onboarding), you move forward. Celebrate milestones with coffee, recognition, or bragging rights.
5. Send a Thank You Note (Yes, Really)
Write a personal note to whoever supported your attendance, your boss, your L&D leader, the CFO who approved the spend. Include two specific takeaways and how they’ll impact your work. Gratitude + action = next year’s trip approved. This one is a must do!
6. Start a Micro-Coaching Pod (my personal favorite)
Find 2–3 fellow CHART attendees (even across companies) and set up a 20-minute monthly Zoom. Each person brings one idea they’re trying to implement and gets input. Simple. Practical. Keeps the fire lit long after the lanyard comes off.
7. Create a CHART Walk in Your Office
Think art walk meets learning lab. Print visuals or quotes from your favorite sessions. Post them in the hallway with QR codes to videos of your team talking about the concepts. Turn the breakroom into a buzz zone for fresh ideas.
8. Host a “Failed It Forward” Mini-Session
Not everything you try will stick, and that’s okay. Share something you tried from CHART that didn’t go as planned (yet). Invite others to do the same. Normalize risk. Celebrate growth. Build a culture of learning without perfection.
9. Build a 6-Week “CHART Inspire” Series
Turn your learning into a six-week internal challenge. Each week, introduce one CHART takeaway with a micro-action. Make it visual, interactive, and linked to your culture. Example: “Week 2: Build Trust—Try a 5-minute check-in with your team.”
10. Nominate a CHART-Inspired MVP
Make up a fun award at your next team meeting:
“Most Likely to Actually Use What They Learned at a Conference”
Whether it’s you or a teammate, celebrate it. Tie learning to action, and sprinkle in a little ridiculousness while you’re at it.
The Bottom Line:
You didn’t just attend a conference. You invested in your growth, your team’s potential, and your company’s future. Don’t let that energy fade.
Be bold. Be weird. Be the reason your company says,
“We need to send more people to CHART next year.”
The real work starts now, so choose one idea and make it happen.
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