We’ve all been there: stuck in a room for hours listening to
speaker after speaker. We say we are there for work, professional development
or networking, but we’re actually just horribly bored and unengaged. You
guessed it; we’re at a typical run-of-the-mill conference.
Sure, the concept of a conference is a great one. But too often, traditional conferences
are poorly executed. That is where the unconference concept comes into play.
What is an unconference, exactly? It’s a lot like a conference, but less
structured and more participatory. The attendees have just as much to do with
what the agenda looks like as the organizers. While one says he or she is at a
conference to network, the unconference is where it actually happens.
An unconference is still a fairly new concept, but it may just be
the future of professional development events. With that in mind, and with iKC: The
Unconference right around the corner, here are the 3 best ways for
you to prepare for your next unconference:
1. Keep an open mind
The unconference model doesn’t work if you walk in with
preconceived notions of what should or shouldn’t happen. A true unconference is
not a super structured event and therefore, those who attend shouldn’t be
either. In other words, keep an
open mind throughout the entire unconference--no matter what sessions you
attend, speaker you engage with or networking experience you have.
An unconference should also be a safe space where people should
feel comfortable to freely share their ideas and receive feedback from others. This
way, ideas keep flowing and innovation and connections are allowed to happen (after
all, that’s the point!).
2. Be prepared with ideas to share and
questions to ask
Now that you’re ready to meet and speak with anyone and everyone
at an unconference, you’ve got to have something to say! Don’t be afraid to
share your ideas or provide feedback...no idea is a bad idea at an
unconference.
For example, if another attendee presents a new product or idea
to you, let them know your honest opinion. If someone brings up a topic that
you don’t understand, ask him or her to clarify. An unconference is not an
event where you let the speaker’s words flow in one ear and out the other. This
is your chance to discover new ideas, get feedback and take
action on those ideas.
3. Practice your listening skills
We love industry disruptors and innovators, but please don’t be
an interrupter! An unconference is a great place for real collisions to happen
and relationships to form. Listen carefully to what the speaker or fellow
attendee is saying so you can provide thoughtful comments or feedback. An
unconference is anything but fluff or saying something just to say something. An
unconference is the ideal place of meaningful action – and listening to others
lets that occur.
Anyone who’s a quick thinker with an open mind, who also knows
when to shut up and when to speak up, is the best kind of unconference
attendee. Now that you know what it takes, why not get in on the unconference
action?
Don’t be shy; get your tickets for iKC 2013 today!
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