#socialrecruiting - a glimpse of conferences to come

Back from NYC, where we attended the ERE Social Recruiting Summit. I was there as a vendor (Tweetajob sponsored lunch), a speaker (I had 10 minutes to Keep It Real, and moderated an unconference session) and as an attendee. I am still buzzing from the energy that emanated from the participants. Sure, the topic was social media, so a certain amount of excitement was a given. The conference framework, however, was the catalyst for a different level of engagement.

Leanne Chase, who runs the Career Life Connection Community, blogged about a contrasting experience at the Kennedy/Onrec conference in Chicago, just two weeks earlier. I was also at the Kennedy conference, and there was a remarkable difference in the energy, the content and the engagement. My observations of how social media fueled deeper discussions and connections in New York:

• I made many new friends. There was less awkwardness and more hugs because I'd met many of the participants on Twitter. Some were Facebook friends. Our existing online relationship made it easier to connect in person.
• I was lucky enough to sit near an outlet, so I had juice all day. I fired up Tweetgrid to follow the Twitter discussions, as well as stay connected to other important topics (such as tracking the buzz about my startup). The tweets provided foundation for richer discussion, more interesting questions, a platform for challenging ideas, and links to presos and related material.
• Tweetups, impromptu and planned dinners and coffees, and general merriment was made possible through the use of Twitter, Facebook, text messaging and other social media outlets. Everyone was in the know. This was the case at both conferences. (At the Summit, there was even an underground bake-off.)
• ERE livestreamed much of the Summit, making it possible for viewers to observe and participate from afar. Did this cannibalize conference attendance? No way! ERE shared excellent content with more than 300 viewers, many of whom expressed desire to attend the next summit. Web 2.0 openess at its best.
• In New York, there was less separation between vendors and attendees. Vendors participated fully in the discussions. Old schoolers like me mixed freely with the up-and-comers like Jessica Lee and Afton Funk (who can definitely hold their own and teach us a few things!). Most of the speakers stayed for the entire program to participate in the discussion.
• The informal structure made room for experimentation and spontaneity. John Sumser used Prezi to wow the crowd. The unconference sessions generated lively discussions. If I missed something, I just checked the Twitter stream.
• The conversation continues, long after the conference. The Twitter hashtag #socialrecruiting is a source of fresh material - blog posts, observations, connections and shout-outs, as well as a way to remember the highlights of the actual events.

I'm not saying that the Kennedy Conference didn't offer some of these elements. It was a well-run event, and I'll participate next year, for sure. I believe, however, that conferences will get much better as a result of rethinking the format, the participation, and the communication channels. Just like everything, social media will change the way we do it.

Lastly, I met a jobseeker at the Monster Social Tweetup. She was fabulous. She works in HR/benefits now, but is really interested in recruiting. She's in NYC. Get at me if you'd like to see her resume.

Employee Referrals in the Age of Social Media

Blowing through the Windy City.

I am heading to the Windy City for the combined Onrec (Online Recruiting) and Kennedy Conferences. I have several agendas for this trip:

• Present at the Sourcing Summit. Topic: Employee Referrals in the Age of Social Media.
• Sit on a panel with a bunch of smart folks to discuss mobile recruiting.
• Mingle in the Tweetajob booth, shouting to everyone who will listen that we are going change the world, I tell ya'! If the shouting doesn't entice you, we'll be giving away t-shirts and tweets and more.
• Catch up with old friends, hang out, have a drink or two, especially if they attend the Tweetajob late night Blogathon or the Fail Spectacularly Party hosted by Laurie Ruettimann and Jason Selden.
• Meet up with my Chicago friends and family, have a juicy Portillo's combo sandwich.
• Maybe head to Milwaukee to see friends and family there, too.
• Have a glass of champagne with the Tweetajob crew, to celebrate a job well done!

That's what I'll be up to. Best way to reach me this week? Send a tweet. It's come to that.

FLIP'D; T-24 to Tweetajob!

How's it Going?

I am having a good time. I am in the honeymoon phase of entrepreneurialism. We are just weeks away from launching our site/product. I can't wait to show it to you. But I have my orders from engineering: show the production site to anyone upon penalty of death.

I have had to give up some features to in order to meet our launch deadline. I have cleaned out my bank account. I am convinced we will make trillions of dollars and change the world.

This week I am working on marketing materials and conference appearances. This is stuff I love to do.

What keeps me up? The thought of building a business on a platform I don't entirely control (Twitter). We have a plan B. Hoping that my partners, who are putting in a Herculean effort for the big fat salary of $0, realize mega return on investment. I am humbled by their generosity and commitment.

I get emails and Facebooks and tweets every day with words of support and encouragement, as well as advice and resources. These little messages mean the world to me, and I am grateful to have such kind and supportive friends.

So that's how it's going. I'll share a sneak peak as soon as I can.

The Purplest of Them All

First, watch this video lifted from the Yahoo! Yodel Anecdotal blog:

Shewondia Mills, Yahoo! Security Guard Extraordinaire @ Yahoo! Video

Isn't she just terrific? I think it's only appropriate that we honor workers like Shewondia on labor day weekend. Every organization is (or could be) filled with employees who want to bring their best selves to work. Yahoo, for all of its strategic missteps and competitive troubles, creates a work environment that accommodates unique styles, out-of-the-box thinking and creative approaches.

When I worked there, I met many Shewondias. Engineers, lawyers, accountants who loved their work and took pride in doing great work. It was an exhilirating environment, and I did some of my best work there.

And I would venture to guess that Shewondia is a direct result of the Yahoo! employer brand, Think Big! Think Purple! Shewondia mentions that she joined Yahoo! about a year ago, probably at the height of the Think Big! Think Purple! promotional hype. Perhaps the branding played a role in her decision to join Yahoo! It's very likely that the employer brand provided her with clues that it was ok to paint your nails purple at Yahoo! and call everyone gorgeous. That is exactly how an employer brand should work. It should provide clues about the culture and environment, and encourage employees to live up to the company values.

I remember many conversations about the Think Big! Think Purple! tagline. When we were working on the concept, many had doubts. "It doesn't make sense," said some. "What is 'thinking purple'?" Our marketing folks advised us to forge ahead. "People will get it." And they did, and continue to. Rock on, Yahoo!

Oh and did you note, near the end of the video, when one of Shewondia's daughters said that her mother was much happier since getting the job at Yahoo? That's our mission, sharks, to match folks to jobs that make them happy who, in turn, will spread that happiness -- in the guard shack, the cafeteria, the data center, the cube farm, the conference room and the board room.

Happy Labor Day.

Love More Deeply, Be Fearless and Take Risks

Today's post honors Jeffrey Walker, who passed away yesterday, the result of complications from cancer. Jeffrey was an entrepreneur, musician, blogger, artist and at one time he was a colleague.

We traded emails a few times, and I read his blog from time-to-time. He was one of those people on the periphery of my life who was in my corner, supportive from afar. I always found something inspirational or funny in his blog posts. At odd moments, I would think of him and hope that he was conquering his health battles.

Anyway, he loved music, and this is truly beautiful. Enjoy.