We’re going to have 2 types of sessions at InnovationCamp.
The first will be familiar to those of you who have attended BarCamp. It’s your basic Presentation/Conversation session. Each of these will last an hour. You’re welcome to do something individually or to get a few folks together for a panel.
For the second type of session, we’re trying something new. We’re calling them Problem/Solution sessions. We hope you’ll bring some kind of problem or challenge you’re currently experiencing. Some examples:
- We’re an existing company and we need to implement a new X system. Should we build or buy?
- We’re a new company relying on people making advance reservations for space. What’s a fair cancellation policy?
- We’re opening a cafe and need to design a rolling bus station that will accommodate trash, bottles/cans/plastic, linen napkins, food scraps, and a place to put used dishes.
What problems are you facing at work? You’ll have the opportunity to present your challenge in a 2-hour session. We’ll do some large group and small group brainstorming, and we’ll have a moderator to help guide the sessions.
We’ve got 4 rooms for all these sessions — we’ll decide which sessions go in which rooms after we hear all your ideas : )
6 responses so far ↓
Alex S. Jones // June 17, 2008 at 2:24 pm
I like the idea for the second type of sessions. Coincidentally, we plan to use the same concept for our July Refresh Austin meeting, so I’d love to see it in action at Innovation Camp.
juliegomoll // June 17, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Cool! What kind of structure are you having (if any)? We’re talking about having a moderator of sorts, so we start with someone outlining the problem/criteria, then some brainstorming, then small group stuff… we don’t want to get overly structured, but 2 hours of free-for-all isn’t necessarily the best option either…
Susan Price // June 17, 2008 at 3:35 pm
With this type of event, I always want to discuss “meaning of life” level issues. The smaller, specific stuff I feel I can solve on my own or with my team. It’s the BIG issues I want help with.
* Remote teaming and its related challenges – how to make managers feel comfortable that everyone’s working away, ensure everyone takes appropriate responsibility. Motivating people to communicate often, directly.
* Flattening an organization with the myriad communication and collaboration tools now available. Legal departments get uptight about the sharing, but innovation thrives on it. Specifically, how can you get the management/legal stakeholders comfy with that?
* Innovation requires failure. I watch my son following a “fail rapidly” methodology in gaming, and I see folks in business beginning to adopt this approach. Companies typically penalize failure pretty harshly, leading to lots of “safe” behavior. How do you kick-start innovation in that type of climate?
juliegomoll // June 17, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Awesome suggestions, Susan – thanks!
You’re right – these are very high level issues, and *so* worth discussing.
I love the idea that you see the “fail rapidly” methodology as it applies to child-rearing. What a cool analogy! And of course, we have so much to learn from kids and their fearless approach to life. I hope we can capture some of that energy at InnovationCamp!
RoundSparrow // June 25, 2008 at 6:47 am
Ok, I’m going to say that ‘1 hour’ and 4 rooms? This seems pretty restrictive and old school.
BarCamp is 30 minute sessions! Tips such as “it’s best to talk for 15-20 minutes and leave the rest as Q&A time”
The shorter session make the even more dynamic, adaptive to recent advances, allow more people to present, etc.
Carl Webb // August 3, 2008 at 10:54 pm
I had a good time.