I went to a conference on shared services last week. Some good speakers and the workshops (even though they were essentially advertorials) were useful also. But I left with the usual feeling of a huge loss of opportunity. There was so much expertise and insight in the room that was left untapped, more or less. Whilst I had a couple of interesting chats with some other delegates - these were mostly random.
I blogged about this (http://jonharveyassociates.blogspot.com/2010/03/conferences-bah-humbug.html) and then a did a bit of research... and it seems that there is a growing movement to have what might be termed 'Conference 2.0' events.
From what I can glean and indeed what I would add - the hallmarks of such events are (and could be) this:
- You create a social networking site before the event and allow people to post questions and invitations on it before hand.
- During the event itself - people may tweet and comment on the speakers and organise a wave of ideas to be presented.
- The social networking happens further in real life at the event - so that people can connect with each other perhaps in an Open Space type way (see http://jonharveyassociates.blogspot.com/2009/06/open-space.html) - I envisage a wall somewhere in the event where people can post suggestions for discussions at certain times and then meet up (a kind of organised transparent coffee break if you like - where people can design to meet someone - perhaps someone they connected with in the run up to the event...)
- And the social networking happens post the event also - with threads of discussions continuing to happen in virtual space.
- Suppliers and exhibitors could be involved in all of this too of course
And what is great - is that we are seeing these kinds of events happen here in this space. All we have to do now is make all conferences as interactive as these.
(Just google 'conference 2.0' and you will see lots of thinking and practice like this.
Such events could be so much more efficient and effective.
Thanks, Jon,You always perk me up. I look forward to your information and ideas.Keep 'em coming!Linda
ReplyDeleteJon,My wife is a lead practitioner modern foreign languages teacher working for the SSAT (as well as being in the classroom) and sehe uses some of th principles you run through. She and her cohort of twitterati share what is going on at the events they are at, even if not all can make it. The ones present can then channel the ideas into the event forum, maximising everyones time. I like your idea to use a 'wall' to capture thoughts, again I have seen my wife put this into action using www.wallwisher.com.One tool I use to enable me to jeep abreast of all updates from twitter, linkedin, facebook and so on is Tweetdeck that displays updates in a series of columns.Michael
ReplyDeleteThanks for your ideas Michael. Wallwisher is great! I have come across it before.
ReplyDeleteHi JohnThis activity is already making inroads into government and the public sector, where unconferences are making events much more informal and putting control in the hands of delegates rather than organisers. Tight integration with online networking tools also feature highly.There have been events like this in Birmingham, and recently London for local government. Further events will happen in Cheltenham in April and York in June.More nationally focused, UKGovCamp happens on a Saturday towards the end of June. Apologies for the blatent self promotion, but here's a video of me talking about it:
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