Posted by Tony Kontzer, Guest Blogger

Attendees Confer at SuiteWorld 2014

Ansen Hatch comes to SuiteWorld with a decidedly biased viewpoint. Hatch, controller for fashion handbag maker Miche, has seen the company evolve from a direct wholesaler with 450 distributors to a direct selling company with more than 9,000 representatives, and its NetSuite environment hasn't missed a beat managing all the additional data.

"We have been able to adapt it to our changing business," said Hatch, who will be attending his 4th SuiteWorld this year.

Hatch is also quick to credit Miche's attendance at past SuiteWorlds with helping spur the success the company has achieved using NetSuite's software. He said he and his team have come back from previous SuiteWorlds and implemented new capabilities that have helped the day-to-day business, and they've also formed valuable partnerships with new technology partners.

Like so many SuiteWorld veterans, Hatch believes that it's the opportunity to connect with people, both new and familiar, which makes the conference so valuable. Without those connections, he said, none of those new capabilities or relationships would be possible. For instance, Hatch said getting to know NetSuite employees better has led to him being asked to do webinars, which in turn has resulted in additional new relationships.

Maybe even more important, Hatch said, is getting to meet and talk with other NetSuite customers which has enabled him to build a diverse network of expert resources that he can turn to for help in tackling a variety of challenges.

If it sounds like SuiteWorld can be a barrage, that's because it can be.

"Be ready to learn," said Hatch. "It is an intense couple of days and you feel like you are drinking from a fire hose."

No matter how overwhelming that may sound, Hatch advises attendees against trying to limit the amount of perspectives they seek.

"Be willing to talk to anyone and everyone," he said.

It's an approach that's certainly worked out well for Hatch — and Miche.

Be sure to register for SuiteWorld and get best practices for your business from the event.