Apparently the average citizen in the United States spends more than 10 hours in front of a screen. We are constantly glued to our laptops, smart phones, TVs and iPads. Why is that? These devices connect individuals to an endless source of entertainment and the ability for communities to come together on a global scale. Think about the significance of that concept for a moment. There’s the capability of exposure at any time of any day to any community or resource that you can imagine. If you’re really curious about it, a notification on your iPhone home screen (sorry Android users) can break down for you in a graph how much screen time you have spent on social media, entertainment and productivity – and that’s the key word right there, productivity.

So let’s put that into a business context: The capabilities of mobile technology to transform human resources and create new possibilities for business is paving the way improved workflow and optimized operations in the workforce. A recent article in Forbes highlighted the fact that many CEO’s were now able to run the majority of tasks from their smartphone. In fact, CEO’s felt that the best decisions were often made out of the office. Surely if C-Suite individuals working at the top of their game see the increased productivity and freedom coming from mobile technology, then we all can do the same, right? The correct answer may surprise you.

Sitting in the office has a certain comfort. Your desk, your co-workers (love them or hate them), the routine: it’s all there for your ability to be productive, including your 15 minute break to check up on your social media accounts for those vital updates and notifications (for those dedicated workers). But does all of this guarantee productivity? Is this you at your best? Not always. Could you be accomplishing more by stepping out of your comfort zone? With endless email and conferencing apps available, what is it that is really holding you back? 

Often there is a fear that stepping out of the office for business can end up being a waste of time. From executives to new hires, there lies the burning question, “Will leaving the office really be worth my effort?” The answer to that depends on how well you plan and research what you’re setting out to accomplish. There are amazing opportunities for businesses to make their productivity skyrocket, and with a little bit of homework, any professional can make incredible use of stepping out of the office to form new business relationships and discover new opportunities. So what kind of environment would a business need to make venturing outside the office worthwhile? 

Trade shows, the hidden gem of the professional world, are an excellent way of ensuring a day out of the office is productive for you and your business. One such example is The B2B Marketing Expo, where not only are there hundreds of seminars and masterclasses delivered by industry giants like Google, Microsoft, Forrester and IBM, but you can also find hundreds of exhibitors who are there to act as suppliers or agencies, looking for ambitious professionals to enhance their businesses and open up the door for better growth. The best thing about an event like this is your ability to plan ahead. When it comes to The B2B Marketing Expo, there is no obligation to arrive or leave at a certain time, and all features are accessible to every visitor. You are able to contact the organizers and exhibitors in advance if you want to arrange meetings and “cherry-pick” the best sessions for you and your team to attend using the online or printed agenda. 

Remember that some events do cost money to attend, and be sure that you do some research on a trade show to be sure it’s the right fit for your business. An automobile company wouldn’t want to attend a trade show on coffee, unless you’re looking to get some espresso on the way to the track. That is why an event like The B2B Marketing Expo can serve as a professional foot in the door. This event is free to attend, and nearly every business can make use of better marketing connections. There are plenty of networking areas with space to sit and catch up with vital emails or take calls, so don’t think for a minute that coming to a trade show like this would mean you can’t still manage the important tasks back at the office. For those who aren’t familiar with trade shows, attending a free event is an easy way to come and see how many benefits they offer businesses.

Taking a step out of the office can be challenging, but with the ability to manage daily tasks in the palm of your hand, the unmissable opportunities of trade shows make the perfect excuse step out of the office and prove that you really can be productive beyond your desk.