The previous post discussed the part industry conferences can play in business success.

But one topic left undiscussed was cost. Typically, there are only 1-2 major events for a given business sector, and it’s all pay to play.

Mac fantatics have Mac World…

Aftermarket auto parts people have Special Equipment Manufacturer Assocation (SEMA)…

There’s even the National Association of Catering Executives (NACE)!

But one thing they all have in common: even when registration is free, unless the event is coming to your town, expect to take a hit of at least several hundred dollars for travel expenses.

So when you can’t afford the outlay of cash, or when work and family commitments turn event attendance into Mission Impossible, try something revolutionary: read a book!

Turns out there is no shortage of business reads, and occasionally a particularly interesting one even comes along.

For example, one of the most popular is Mavericks at Work, a business-focused work entrenched in the notion of going one’s own way when it comes to acheiving success.

It’s inspired by the very instructive case studies of businesses that forged success out of that rarest of elements: originality.

Companies like ING Direct, Cranium and Southwest Airlines, to name a few.

Can’t make a conference this year? Check out the library or the bookstore and get yourself some business inspiration the old fashioned way.

Word by written word.

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Your regular dose of entreprenurial inspiration, served up fresh right here at Grow My Business. And for all your small and home business software needs, check out Blue Squad and Avanquest, the company that brings you the biggest software bang for your hard-earned business buck.