mikelally.net

I have been chewing on a few ideas for awhile now. Earlier this week I attended a Meetup for readers of Seth Godin’s “Linchpin”. The event helped me solidify some ideas.

I liked the event. There were less than 20 people there. There was opportunities for “networking”. Welcome networking. Not 100 people in a room all looking for a job. That has gotten frustrating. Even when I was the one looking for a job. The event needed a better plan. Which is what has gotten me thinking…

Idea 1: Mastermind/Greenlight Group.
Keith Ferazzi updated the Mastermind group concpet in “Who’s Got Your Back”. Mastermind is like a personal Board of Directors. You assemble a small group and hold each other accountable across your personal key performance indicators. I continue to try to put a group like this together. Harder than it would seem.

Idea 2: UN-Networking Event.
I want to put 20 people in a room and see what happens. After attending the Linchpin Meetup, it became clear that I need a better plan. An agenda. A GOAL. I think this even would be supported by a website. My plan right now is:
a) pick 20 people
b) have them name a movie/book/fictional character they think represents them well. That name becomes their name tag.
c) the goal of the evening is to meet 5 people. You would be “attracted” by the movie character.
d) Meet the person. Figure out who they are, what they do, what they are working on, what they need help with.
e) ensure that EVERYONE gets met with.
f) compile results on the website and see if we can find some synergies.

Actually, I just formulated that plan as I typed. But I think it may actually work. I want to do it in the coffee shop of the building I work in. I think they would stay open after hours.

Idea3: Open Source TEC
I used to belong to an organization called TEC (now Vistage). I LOVED my time with the group. TEC took small company CEOs and business owners, got them together once a month for a full day. 6 times a year they had a speaker for half the day. They would also go around the room and put forth business issues/problems they were working on. Then the group would work the problems together.

I want to do something similar. But not have to pay $1000+ a month for it.

Take the Mastermind concept a step further. 6-12 high performers. Holding each other accountable. I do think there needs to be a facilitator. But they get expensive. As do speakers. I don’t know. I open to ideas.

I am open to your thoughts on ALL of the above.

Share in the comments.