What to Expect at an Unconference

As we get closer and closer to Leads2007 it is time for the participants to get prepared. That’s right if you are coming you need to put in a little prep work. Remember, there are no “expert speakers.” You are the experts, you are the speakers.

So, here are a few important things to remember about an unconference that will help in getting prepared (note: much of this I will be sourcing from what I regard as the definitive guide to unconferences):

Fundamental Laws

You have to first start with the two fundamental laws of an unconference:

Law of Experts: The sum of the expertise of the people in the audience is greater than the sum of expertise of the people on stage.

and

Law of Two Feet: Any person neither learning from nor contributing to a group discussion must walk to another one.

Participation

The two fundamental premise to the unconference very clearly sets the expectation that this is an open, free flowing, dynamic conversation. Consequently, it is important that each participant is prepared. This preparation should include some fundamental thought about each session, which hopefully includes provocative questions and opinions.

Most of our discussion leaders and participants have already begun the discussion in various blogs, comments, and forums. In addition, many of the discussion leaders will begin the conversation about their sessions over the next few weeks in these online venues. I suggest you take a look and even engage before the event. Here are some of the links:

Better Closer Blog
BigMortgageLeads Blog
The Complex System
DoublePositive Blog
Ideas Everywhere
LeadCritic Blog
LeadCritic Forum
Lead Marketwatch Blog
LeadPoint Blog
Leads360 Blog
Mercury451
Paul Knag
ZipSearch Blog

Structure

Don’t confuse the open and dynamic nature of the unconference as a lack of structure. The unconference has a unique format and very specific “rules of engagement,” if you will. Therefore, the structure is specific, but the content is you–open, dynamic, and personalized.

This is the way Leads2007 is structured:

• The venue is a University–by design–think big and share openly
• Sessions were discussed, proposed, and requested by the participants
• Discussion leaders volunteered to champion the conversations and moderate
• Discussion leaders will be given specific instructions and guidelines
• Sales pitches are not allowed and will be quickly truncated from the discussion (save it for the hallway, breaks, and evening)
• If you don’t like the session or the discussion change it with your dialogue and debate

Immortalizing the Event

If, for whatever unfortunate reason, you are unable to attend don’t fear you will have lots of opportunity to experience much of the value of the conference.

It will be video and audio recorded. We have a court reporter scheduled for our hearing impaired, so we anticipate a full transcript. We have podcasters scheduled and ready to broadcast. There is wi-fi so I expect a lot of blogging and twittering. We might even be able to pull off some live interaction with webcasting and IRC. There will be lots of links to all of these resources as they become available.

Typically, there is almost as much discussion after the unconference as before.

Opportunity

So, we have turned the tables on the traditional; sit in a dark room, watch another powerpoint presentation, with a not so subtle product pitch, check your blackberry, and hope they have chocolate chip cookies at the next break, conference. Now, it is your turn to capitalize on the experience. I have attended other unconferences and here are a few things I can guarantee will come from this event:

• Smarter, tighter networked current and future leadership in the space
• Changes in the way we work together in the Lead “Ecosystem”
• New customers, partners, and friends
• New products and services
• New businesses
• The inspiration to do it again

Don’t forget to register if you haven’t already. I look forward to seeing all of you in Tampa, FL!

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