[pbronez]

If it's stuff you'd do anyway, then it benefits you by broadcasting that work to your management chain. Suddenly it becomes clear that you ARE doing that work... and perhaps other people aren't. Documenting that is good for you (because it advances your career) and good for your managers (because it helps them recognize your superior performance)

It also provides an opportunity for management to discuss the overall direction of these things. Maybe there's another book that would be more useful given how the business is expected to change that year. Maybe there's other people going to the same conference and you can get a bulk discount on tickets, etc.