bwagy, the blog of Ben Young

The past weekend I attending my third unconference.

It was a real blast, instead of the normal conference where you are there to listen, at an unconference you are there to engage.

And it’s through the engagement that REAL learning can evolve, it’s that experience, discussion back and forth.  In contrast at a normal conference you go to listen then apply.

So what is an unconference? Simple there is no agenda, you turn up and the attendees just add their own topics.

A session is more a discussion than a speech, the topic is set, a discussion point is created and you go from there.

Hang on does it actually work? Yes.  Amazingly it does.  Topics are self selected, so by definition only something someone really wants to talk about and you get to pick which sessions you attend (versus sit through a boring session awaiting the next good one).

What I suggest is that you set up your own unconference, for your industry, company or network.  Invite internal/external people from right across the board and let them go.  The less agenda the better 😉

Have you thought about giving users what they want?

Have you asked them what they want? Why not.  Give it a try.

During the weekend I attended Barcamp Auckland.  Barcamp is essentially a conference that evolves to what it’s attendee’s want.  Sessions are put forward by attendee’s on the day.  You go to the sessions you want.

I put forward three ideas, hoping to present one.  I presented three!

1) Tech Productivity

I was first up.  No planning.  Had to go off the cuff (which went well).  I talked over various methods of being productive but mainly focused on getting a discussion going (giving the users what they want).  I quickly got to the core of their problems and let them help each other.  (a metaphor for marketing that I constantly use, help me help you)

2) Creating a compelling experience online

No planning here either.  I simply outlaid the framework discussed here.  Then applied it and got a discussion going.  The 45 minutes flew by!

3) SEO Strategy

This was a much smaller session but was of good quality.  I talked through about SEO Strategy and gave away a few trade secrets (to some attendees annoyance).

Overall great day, great end result.  Everyone appeared happy.  As above give people what they want.  If they don’t know what they want show them some options, they will pick.

For photo’s visit the Flickr group.  Twitter Discussion (via summize).

Great to meet those that read my blog.  I will also be attending ‘Demystifying Angel Investment‘ run by the IceHouse on the 23rd July, Auckland.  You can read more here.

Great chance to get free food / beer.  Find out more about angel investment, the angel network and networking. (I know you were sold on free food / beer).