Go beyond the numbers and leave a lasting impression

How do you introduce yourself in a way that creates a meaningful impression on the people you interact with? This is the question Haskayne accounting students tackled in Canadian Centre for Advanced Leadership in Business’s (CCAL) event in partnership with the Centre for Public Interest Accounting (CPIA) titled “Go Beyond the Numbers and Leave a Lasting Impression.” This event occurred mid-February with keynote presenter Patrick Lor, Managing Partner at Panache Ventures and alumnus of the Haskayne School of Business.  

During Patrick’s presentation, he highlighted the importance of creating a strong introduction for yourself. Introductions help set the stage for your interactions and relationships moving forward. Additionally, creating a strong introduction can help students be memorable and allows them to create common ground with others. Patrick encouraged students to think about creative ways to talk about their interests, experiences and future goals. He also emphasized the significance of creating meaningful connections in order for a student to grow their network and increase their leadership potential. First-year student, Emily Chen, learned that to truly stand out, “business students need valuable interpersonal skills that can help them create meaningful connections and build a strong network. Even though the development of these skills may seem daunting, this event has inspired me to practice using them even more in the future.”  

After Patrick’s keynote presentation, students participated in interactive activities where they were able to engage with other students and put the introduction skills they learned to the test. One activity the students participated in was called “similarity and difference” where students divided into groups to share what aspects of their life they had in common, as well as aspects that were unique to only one individual. The purpose of this activity is to show students that we often do not realize the experiences, hobbies and activities that make us unique or interesting. Second-year student, Kareena Makhija, learned that “being well-rounded is important. The ability to public speak and get people interested in you and your story is an art that each individual must learn.” Students can fall into the idea that people may not be interested in their personal stories. However, it can be those very things that can create meaningful connection and leave a lasting impression.