Laura’s Winning Ideas

Last weekend I attended SOBCon’07.

It was a conference for personal publishers, folks experimenting with Blogs and figuring out how to make a difference.

The conference was like a family reunion with an agenda. I admire the instigator of this first conference, Liz Strauss. She is using Web 2.0 tools to knit folks together.

One idea I want to steal from Liz: using comments to have an “Open Mic” night. I could see this used to brainstorm a theme, capture intelligence for a proposal, or capture data for a strategic plan, such as a marketing plan.

Open Mic

Here’s how “Open Mic” works: On-line, folks jot down their notes, pushing them out to the group on a PHP platform (blogging software). Multiple conversations mingle in the comment column, and you can follow the threads mainly by the salutation. All the conversations are open and visible, making it easy to jump over to another conversation where you have something to add.

At the end, the entire transcript is ready for capture and re-purposing.

Imagine having a group of SMEs (subject matter experts) on-line together, jotting down their notes about “What are the issues of critical importance to this client?” in real time, and without waiting for someone else to finish speaking. Under the cloak of a computer connection, introverts can be quite chatty and forthcoming. As for any brainstorming activity, one rule is that no judgement of anyone’s post is allowed. Questions to reveal more details are encouraged.

Once it gets rolling, Open Mic has the atmosphere of an online game. Fast action, you are breathless keeping up with all the activity going on, lots to absorb, and the best players focus on one aspect while keeping an eye out for all the other things happening. Great stuff! Here’s an example of Open Mic Night

SOBCon’07 will become SOBCon’08 I’m sure

I got to meet folks I’ve read about, and hear tips that might improve my own work. And it was in a French Hotel (Sofitel) with great French cooking. Pretty good way to spend a weekend!

Congratulations on the first SOBCon Liz!