Kaiju Company Big Battle – The Scope of the Everything Wars

Bonnie and I have talked a lot about the Everything Wars – where companies are battling for share, market, and presence in a variety of markets, some that you wouldn't expect.  We've jokingly compared it to a giant monster movie, which is probably not too bad a metaphor,but I wanted to explore the issue a bit deeper.

The reason I explore it further is this is big for us progeeks, profans, and the rest of us – technology defines a lot of what we do in our lives, careers, and career interest.  Fantasy sports is played online, websites deliver anime, etc.  What happens in the Everything Wars happens to ALL of us.

So, let's take a look.

Read more

Used to a level of panic?

I deal with a lot of people working on getting their lives and careers in order – or back on track in this economy.  A lot of people I notice can't calm down even when they have nothing to worry about, or when it's of no use.

So ask yourself, are you actually used to a certain level of panic in your life and job search?

It may seem a simple – or ridiculous – question – but I witness a lot of people unable to slow down and deal with things calmly in the job search, almost as if they feel a certain level of panic is needed.  When people don't have reasons to panic, they can still remained "primed" to fly off the handle.

Mostly panic is crippling, as we all know (and rarely deal with).  But it can become an automated habit like anything else.  In fact if you're used to panic, you may panic over having nothing to panic over.

Take a look at yourself – are you used to panic?

– Steven Savage

Throw a Networking Event

The convention ideas roundup is here.

When conventions focus on career events, its usually panels, workshops and demos.  This is and should be the norm, since these are the things people want and need.  I'd suggest conventions consider one addition to all of this.

A professional networking event.

Take an hour for people interested in going pro and give them a place to talk, exchange cards, and find out more about careers from each other.  INvite people from the professional panels you do run.  Have handouts and documents from recruiters, local businesses, etc.  For that matter, see if a local – or national – job board or service would want to sponsor it (oh, I'd love to see LinkedIN.com sponsor a geek networking event).

I confess it would be challenging – you'd probably need some icebreakers, and it may take a year or two to really reach a good self-perpetuating pace – but I think it's a worthy experiment.  People network at conventions anyway, adding professional networking to the mix would be a good goal to have.

The benefits I see:

  • It's another social event.  In general, I'm all for those.
  • It would let fans connect on a different level than the usually do – one that benefits them professionally.
  • Gathering your "pro panel" speakers would let them network with each other and further talk to and inform attendees.
  • It's a way to involve recruiters and colleges if you invite them as I mentioned previously.
  • Done right, it could be an event that grows and helps promote the convention.
  • It acts as a foundation for future professional events.

Again, this is more a theory of mine – but if anyone wants to try it out I'd be happy to lend some suggestions . . .

– Steven Savage