Top 10 Reasons Why a BarCamp is Better than Your Company Meeting

Yesterday I attended BarCamp Philadelphia and was truly impressed by the organization at the event - kudos go to the organizers - JP Toto and Roz Duffy - and all the awesome volunteers for the day. The day and conversations were productive and filled with passionate people doing and learning.

I was glad Beth Harte prodded me to attend, and thrilled to see again and hear Whitney Hoffman talk. I also had some synchronized tweeting with Kim Wood. I truly look forward to continuing the conversation with many of the people I met, including Frank Eliason from Comcast.

One day, one team from many unstructured opportunities to think together in conversation in a system defined by many as unconference. Here are top 10 reasons why a BarCamp is better than your company meeting:

1. All the people in the room came here voluntarily

2. If anyone feels they cannot contribute further, they can apply the law of two feet and get up and leave

3. People join meetings on the basis of their interest and ability to contribute

4. Whoever is talking is doing so to share, teach, and ask/learn, not to look smart

5. Even in a crowded room, the conversation is facilitated in such a way that all those who wish to participate actively can

6. No judgment

7. No rank pulling

8. Content is king

9. Questions are welcome

10. PowerPoint is accidental

In the age of user generated content, crowdsourcing and social media marketing, collaboration is a must.

Comments

[Lisha Sterling]

So, the next logical question is, "When will companies learn from this model and find ways to use the kind of freedom you get in unconfernces to create unmeetings?"

[chris faron]

Here in Italy some companies are using the barcamp events to get feedback & open discussion on their product offering rather than using it too sell their sales pitch.

[Beth Harte]

Valeria, it was great to spend the day with you. I was a bit skeptical of the unconference (while wearing my corporate "cap," of course) at first. But after attending my first back in August and a bunch more since, I can't understand why anyone would want to use any other format. While at the Marketing Profs Digital Marketing Mixer a lot of the speakers handled their sessions like an unconference. So, the concept is spreading. Your discussions on Engaging Detractors and Social Media ROI were were enlightening. Why? Because you and so many people contributed their experiences, suggestions and insights. The power of that is amazing!

[Robert Rowe]

I really enjoyed my first BarCamp Philly. I tried not to compare it to teacher staff development days, but I honestly did...and you're absolutely right! If teachers (or corporations) held meetings closer to BarCamp style, I think people would enjoy and learn more from *gasps* "meetings".

[Matt Kelly]

I've been to three bar camps and what you said above is very true. Nice blog post!

[Ricardo Bueno]

It's a great model (at least in my opinion). And for a free conference, it's amazing to see the type of results that people gather to produce.

We're thinking of bringing REBarcamp (Real Estate Barcamp) to Los Angeles in early 2009. It's going to be a challenge, but it's also going to be fun. And hopefully, we'll move the conversation forward and better one another.

[Nicoletta]

I'm really excited waiting for my first barcamp in Rome (November 22nd). I'll let you know about it!
Valeria, if you're planning any meeting or conference in Italy, please let me know!

[Valeria Maltoni]

@Lisa - will they ever? Being a change agent inside an organization is still such an uphill battle that I think even the folks who get this model would e hard pressed to implement it at the moment.

@Chris - now that is an interesting idea I had not heard about. I will need to inquire with the Italian blogging community. Thank you for the tip.

@Beth - twice in a week I got to learn from you - and from the people in the room - now that is what I call time well spent! I remember Fast Company's "Company at Work" summit in the summer of 2000. Granted, I had attended great meetings and events before, but that was when I clicked with the concept of unconference. It was also great to extend the conversation over your sessions with a refresh of ideas from other attendees.

[Valeria Maltoni]

@Robert - I did have the benefit of a primary education that used collaboration and crowdsourcing as its basis back in Italy. It was tremendous learning - it especially taught me how to harness the power of conversation as vehicle for negotiation, thinking together, and energizing towards action. That is probably why I get such enrichment out of giving growth and resources to others - on my team, anywhere.

@Matt - you are very kind. BarCamp is a good format to ignite discussions from nuggets and to see what generates interest.

@Nicoletta - I hope my friend Gianandrea will be in attendance at the BarCamp Rome, do seek him out (Facchini). Also, keep an eye out for Gianluca Arnesano of Frozen Frogs. I was in Rome last Christmas visiting with both. Let me know if you'd like introductions.

[Chris Herdt]

I have to disagree with #5--I attended some sessions where there were a lot of active participants, and others where The Many were drowned out by the Talkative Few.

I think the session I attended that worked the best in this regard opened with everyone briefly introducing themselves (and giving themselves each three "tags"). This broke each individual's silence barrier.

In addition, the speaker/moderator in that session used the whiteboard to good effect and jotted down related subtopics from the attendees to use as a road-map for discussion, which I feel kept the discussion from veering too far off-topic.

But 9.5 out of 10--that's not bad!

[Valeria Maltoni]

Chris:

And I will fight for your right to disagree on the basis of your experience. We all process information differently. The (two) sessions I led and facilitated, for example, were just conversations - people shared stories, asked questions, helped each other make points. There was a very good balance/ratio of listening and talking underscored by respect and taking turns.

[Kim Wood]

Valeria - It was such a pleasure to meet you - and we shared lots of giggles amongst our synchronized Twittering :) That was fun!

PhillyBarCamp was my first "outside Real Estate circle" Bar Camp and I certainly hope it won't be my last.

One of my favorite parts was meeting you !!! Your sessions were informative - thank you!