Deys.ca - Latest Comments in How to Solve the Cliques at conferences.

Re: How to Solve the Cliques at conferences.

vivian vasquez — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:48:36 -0000

Bill, I actually like putting the word 'clique' out there because it names (with all the connotations that come with the word) an important issue that has come up time and time again.

I think lots of different things need to happen simultaneously, the first being, those who have known each other for longer and who therefore tend to 'clique' together need to make more of a conscious effort to now and again welcome those newer to podcasting etc. It can't be just about getting the newer, less outgoing folks 'to do' something.

Something like what Daniele's travel destination idea would be a great topic for having people come together over the period of the weekend to for instance create pecha kuchas that could either be shared during the conference or...

So simultaneous efforts I think is key...

Great conversation...thanks.
vivian

Re: How to Solve the Cliques at conferences.

Valerie — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:24:19 -0000

I understand the idea, but I would opt out, and that solves nothing. I've been in those "break up into random groups and *do* something" but have been VERY uncomfortable in them - not "gee, just outside my comfort zone" but "shutting down". Sometimes it's okay when everyone in the group is an introvert like me and there's no choice, but when there are extroverts in the mix, they take over (not their fault - it's what they do) and things split up as they often do.

So what about it makes me bristle? Probably the added pressure of a task. I'm going "why do we have to DO something?" I do much better with something passive, like assigning seats so people don't sit in the same places. (Yes, I know that's more work for organizers - there must be another way like a random draw for seats as you enter.) I like Daniele's idea too. It's not about getting stuff done, but being around different people. Just the point of view of the less-social.

Re: How to Solve the Cliques at conferences.

billdeys — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:40:04 -0000

Bob
I was thinking something at the end where you can participate if you want or not. Like "Stick around if you want to be apart of the PAB media creation competition." Then who ever wants to leave can and split the rest up into groups with their instructions.

Daniele
Thats not a bad idea, not for the PAB badges but on the boat cruise or something.

Re: How to Solve the Cliques at conferences.

Daniele Rossi — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:02:04 -0000

I'm not sure if this is along with what you're asking but at a social event I went to a few years ago, everyone was given a blank name tag, asked to write a travel destination they have been to or would like to go and wear that name tag. It made breaking the ice really easy.

Re: How to Solve the Cliques at conferences.

BobGoyetche — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:01:36 -0000

There have been some great ideas about this the last few days. I appreciate the discussion and hope we can incorporate a few in future events.

It's human nature I guess, we tend to hang around those we already know. I agree that there must be ways to "force" people to interact without really "forcing" them... the random idea is very interesting..

You mention an "opt-in" approach.. Well, socializing is already "opt-in", so I don't know if the reach would do it. What I like about the random approach is that everyone's in whether they opt or not...

great thoughts..

Re: How to Solve the Cliques at conferences.

billdeys — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:29:08 -0000

"break up the cliques" is probably a bad way to say it, I mean more make people interact and engage more with different people. I think It'll help people, myself included, break their social barrier and create some amazing in depth discussion.

Re: How to Solve the Cliques at conferences.

Eden Spodek — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:23:10 -0000

Great idea Bill! Actually, Connie Crosby, Jay Moonah and I had a similar discussion about doing something with small groups on the drive home from PAB. It wasn't as much about breaking up cliques as it was about creating team projects in smaller groups.

Re: How to Solve the Cliques at conferences.

Connie Crosby — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:21:45 -0000

On the way back from PAB Jay and I were having similar thoughts. Not so much to break up cliques but to get people even more engaged. I personally felt very challenged by the last minute Pecha Kucha that we organized and wondered how we might bring that sort of immediate involvement to others using the tools we had on hand. I would be all for shuffling people up as well. I do that in the one-day workshop I teach when I split people into groups, figure a way to shuffle them up to meet new people.