Entries Tagged 'Planning' ↓

There was a general consensus (I think?) that we as an industry would work on a standard for real-time lead feedback data exchange.

Who wants to be on the lead standardization task force? Comment below.

Technorati Tags:
lead generation, lead management, leads2007

I hope everyone is arriving safely, getting settled into your rooms, and getting excited for the pre-event mixer at the Big City Tavern. If you haven’t already sign-up to Bill Rice’s Twitter account–I will be using that to broadcast any last minute details to the group and updates throughout the next couple of days.

If you need a ride tonight, be down in the lobby around 6:30 pm. There should be plenty of extra seats in various cars.

Technorati Tags:
leads2007, twitter

We are only days away and I am ecstatic about seeing all of my old and soon to be new friends in the Lead Market!

As I am checking off my TODO list, I thought it might be helpful if I gave the participants a handy TODO list of their own:

• Register!
• Book Flight
• Book Hotel: Embassy Suites
• Review Leads2007.com, Leads2007 Wiki, LeadCritic
• Grab some cool Leads2007 Gear
• Start the discussion (tag with “Leads2007″): Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIN, LeadCritic Forum, Lead Buyer Network, Slideshare
• Wear your favorite t-shirt (see Grab some cool Leads2007 Gear). The appropriate dress is back to college casual!
• Bring your camera for the Flickr stream
• Bring your laptop for lots of blogging, twittering, and podcasting
• Bring your open mind, creativity, and innovation
• Bring business cards for all your new friends and network
• Write down your top 10 objectives, ideas, and questions–bring them, share them!

See you in Tampa!

Technorati Tags:
Internet leads, leads2007

Just to let you know our Leads2007 preferred rate at the Embassy Suites is only good if you reserve directly and do so prior to Aug 6. So, get registered and your rooms booked this week!

This thing is really gathering steam. We are exceeding our projections for the small, intimate, informal discussion on the Internet Lead Market. I want to make sure that everyone that wants to come can and everyone gets the opportunity to have a great participating experience. So, here are a couple of things we need your help in doing:

First, if you are waiting until the last minute to register, don’t. We need a good count to prepare a great experience. In order to do that, we are going to have to raise “day of the event” registration to $150. So, register now for only $99.

Second, if we go over 50 participants we will need to open another track of sessions. So, I will need more discussion leaders. So, if you are interested email me [bill dot rice at kaleidico].

Technorati Tags:
leads2007

On Facebook: Mortgage Lead Buyers, Leads2007 Event
On LinkedIn: Groups is currently down on LinkedIN so if you want to connect put your profile link (Bill Rice) (and email [bill dot rice at kaleidico] if inclined) in a comment to this post
On Twitter: Leads2007
On LeadCritic: LeadCritic Forum
On the Wiki: Leads2007 Wiki
On the Blog: Leads2007 Blog

Technorati Tags:
leads2007, social media, social networks

As Leads2007 quickly approaches it is time to begin preparing. The unconference format is very different and these differences can make it a very valuable experience for all participants. Much of this valuable experience delivery sits in the hands of the session leader.

It is critical that each leader understands the ground-rules and their very important role in providing a quality experience.

What it isn’t?

• No sales pitches
• No 45 min PowerPoint decks
• No expert panels
• No spoon fed top 10 silver bullets
• No Q&A sessions
• No ties

What it is?

• A discussion. Think a blog or online forum
• Discussion leaders are like reporters researching a story
• Discussion leaders are also the editors–they can cut a conversation if the point has been made or if someone begins a commercial
• Everyone participates, and may be asked direct questions (better pay attention)
• Time is limited, so make your point and keep it moving
• Prepare. Read the Leads2007 blog and others that are writing about these topics
• An opportunity to get exactly what you want–you’re the conference
• On the record. There will be bloggers, podcasters, and media
• Informal. Wear your favorite t-shirt–my Dogs Playing Poker shirt is neatly pressed and ready
• The University venue was chosen by design–think big, be provocative!
• Lot’s of fun!

Now specifically for the session leaders:

• Start the discussion now. If you have a blog, start blogging. If not find one to comment on or engage in a forum or use slideshare.net
• Think of the session as a blog
• Use a couple of slides or a few introductory comments (5 min or less) to get the discussion rolling
• Pepper the audience with questions
• Call on specific people
• Introduce people in the audience that you think have experience on a topic
• Be provocative!
• Take a contrarian view
• Have fun!

We are getting a lot of questions about travel arrangements and accommodations. Here are the pertinent details:

When:
Aug 12 (Evening Pre-Mixer), Aug 13-14

Where:
University of South Florida
College of Business
Ferguson Hall
Tampa, FL [map]

Nearest Airport:
Tampa International Airport (TPA) [map]

Accomodations:
Embassy Suites (on USF campus with a convenience shuttle to College of Business) [map]
Mention Leads2007 and get preferred rate ($119 King/$129 Double) only until Aug 6!

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!

Technorati Tags:
kaleidico, lead buying, lead generation, lead providers, leadpoint, lead management, doublepositive, marketing, sales, zipsearch, leads2007, mortgage lenders, mortgage lead buying, Internet leads, lead critic, atul patel, paul knag, leads360

This is what Leads2007 and an unconference is all about–audience participation. Leads360 has just posted out another (other Leads2007 logo) awesome logo for Leads2007!

I hope it turns into a t-shirt too!