PCT: An ideal template for submissions

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If you want to make a real impact with your submission or idea, I recommend adopting the PCT framework as your template. What you write should be compelling enough that we can put it in the program. Put yourself in the shoes of an attendee. Your job is to convince them to come to YOUR session!

1. Philosophy

Your world view. This is timeless. It's the 'right' view from your perspective (POV) & unique experience. This is the basis of your work. Although it can be somewhat 'esoteric,' this is your hypothesis and the problem you set out to solve or questions you sought to answer.

Sample: The Philosophy that I'm focusing on is the title of my book It's a Game, Not a Formula. While the book is targeted at scientists working in industry, the message is applicable to anyone in their business careers, and frankly to everyone in their personal lives as well.

2. Conceptual Tools

Mental models & framework: Ways of seeing the world that translate your philosophy (as shared in item 1 above) into tangible and relatable terms others will understand. This is where we often use analogies and real-life stories. People remember stories.

These can be likened to reflections you've made in 'your lab' after you've reflected on your research, ideas and concepts. It's your opportunity to prove your hypothesis (philosophy). Ideally, you share both successful and unsuccessful examples where your hypothesis was tested in the real world.

Sample: Many of us, scientists or not, can easily get caught up in wanting to understand all the details and be very certain before we move forward, rather than focusing on the value of fast results. I interviewed over 50 successful scientists who have succeeded in industry identified common threads they share.

3. Tactics

Specific actions that attendees can take to implement the ideas you share.

Sample: The 'Playbook' Tactics that I teach, these three are helpful to anyone in any capacity:

1. Figure out what matters and what doesn't (Don't waste your time on things that seem important but won't matter in the end)
2. Be effective, not 'smart' (If you feel a need to show you are smart or right, this often degrades your effectiveness)
3. Decide quickly with limited data (Most of what impacts your success is what you do after you make the decision, not whether you pick the best starting point)