Power of the People

I recently read an aticle in the Business 2.0 June issue about Unconferences (The Do It Yourself Conference by Kathleen Craig.) These are conference that are free but limited in attendees; agendas are made up on the fly; and apparently there is only one rule - If you're neither learning from nor contributing to a group discussion you must walk to another one (Harrison Owen's Law of Two Feet.)

What an amazing idea! We've all been to conferences where we've either had minimal presentation choices or two we want to hear scheduled at the same time. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have input on the topics based on the expertise in the room? As the aritlce notes, " At traditional conferences, the most productive moments often occur in the corridor between meetings; at unconferences, attendess like to say, it's all corridor."

This is just one more example of the power of the people. We're controlling content more and more every day. Wikipedia. Tivo. Ipods. Blogs. Youtube. We no longer have choices, we have control. In general, I think it's a good thing with one caveat. We shouldn't assume the role of expert if we're not.

I can certainly control Tivo, an Ipod and this blog. I can do it without any formal training or expertise (don't tell anyone.) But I would never presume to make an entry in Wikipedia. If I attended an unconference would I suggest topics for discussion? If I had some expertise in the conference overall pupose, sure. But if I'm really there to learn I'm not going to suggest topics, I'm going to listen.

Power of the people is a wonderful concept until the bullys show up. Now in most cases the rest of the group can overcome a bully and correct a error in Wikipedia or uncover an alterior motive. But we all have responsibility to look out for each other in this brave new world of content control. I'm willing. Are you? Let me know your thoughts. catherine@cdscreative.com

On to the next
Catherine

Been Busy

Yes, I know I said I'd be writing often. But sometimes life just gets in the way. In the past month we have:
Managed an 800 person black tie event opening the new Joseph McDade terminal at the Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport www.flyavp.com complete with two bands, 14 food stations and a laser light show.
Volunteered our time at the Volunteers of America 3rd Annual Celebrity Benefit Dinner and Auction www.voapa.org
Volunteered our time at the Girls Scouts of Penn's Woods Council Women of Distinction Event www.gspwc.org
And are helping Wyoming Valley Motors promote their annual BMW Susan G. Komen Drive www.wyomingvalleymotors.com
We also recently sponsored a Forum put on by the Innovation Center@Wilkes-Barre www.icwb.biz where Barry Moltz's www.barrymoltz.com topic was You Need To Be A Little Crazy - The Truth about starting and growing your business. How appropriate!

On a personal note one son graduated from Johns Hopkins University (BS and MS Engineering with a degree in Computer Science - anybody hiring?) and our other son headed to Toronto to do a Syracuse University Newhouse School internship as a production assistant on the next American Pie movie.

Yes it's been a busy month.

So I guess I'm starting again. We tend to do that a lot in life don't we? Start the diet again. Start working out again. Start reading that novel again. Start writing those notes to friends again. Well I think we should at least get credit for starting....don't you? Let me know your thoughts - catherine@cdscreative.com

On to the next
Catherine