I’m desperate to write a follow up to my Job Cloud post and I also have the next in the Social Recruiting around the world series ready to go. However I couldn’t bring myself to publish either until I’d written something about the Recruitment Unconference held in London last week. For those that don’t know “TRULondon” was an unconference organised by serial tweeter, and occasional recruitment trainer Bill Boorman. Here are my thoughts -
The Good
This was without doubt the best networking event I’ve ever been to and yes Bill you can quote me on that! I also don’t think I have ever attended an event with so many smart people at it before and with eight or nine countries represented it certain was an international affair. The informal unconference style made conversation easy and everyone was taking full advantage of the opportunity by meeting new people or strengthening previous online only connections with real life face to face meetings. There was also a strong sense of mutual respect and a great deal of humour running through the two days which made for an amazing overall atmosphere.
Getting to host two very different tracks was a highlight for me and it was a privilege to work with fellow track leaders Jim Stroud, Paul Harrison, Jessica Miller-Merrell and Craig Fisher. There was some great debate over the two days and I think that everyone (track leaders included) left with some new ideas about what the future of recruitment and HR might hold
The social events are also worthy of a mention. Firstly some amusing debate at the end of day one “pub track” followed by much tomfoolery at the TRUCurry Tweetup and then a fantastic end of day two “pub track” to round things off.
The Bad
As ever it was very disappointing not to see any new UK social recruiting case studies being talked about. I know for a fact that a number of UK employers are getting great results from their social media activity but are unwilling to talk about what they are doing as they feel they will lose “competitive advantage”. Everyone needs to start thinking differently about this. Whatever you do with social media I can absolutely guarantee someone else has already done it and lots of other people are thinking about doing it. I’m sure things will change soon though and companies will gradually become more open about their success. I look forward to debating more real life UK examples as the year goes on.
As a footnote to prove the “someone will have always thought of it first” concept, I met four people who are writing books about social recruiting at the unconference and all of them were convinced that they were the only person doing it!
Finally what also surprised me was the lack of representation from the recruitment marketing community. I think this is pretty shocking particularly when you consider how much the subjects which were discussed have the potential to change that industry. Just remember if you are not taking part in the debate, the debate isn’t going to stop it is just going to carry on without you and you won’t be able to influence it.
The Ugly
I really don’t want this to overshadow an otherwise very positive post but I do have to mention the event logistics. Well rather the lack of event logistics. It is always important to have a certain amount of chaos at an unconference but the lack of a proper agenda, name badges, coffee, food on the first day and rooms on the first morning did effect the event quite badly. I’m sure though that the organizers will have learnt lessons for the future and are rightly proud of their achievement in getting so many global thought leaders to the event
Overall then a very worthwhile couple of days and I think I’ll leave the last word to Jim Stroud who stole the show by writing and performing a poem!!
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:42 am
Matt- Nice summary. I agree with your points. The event was certainly an inspiration from a learning standpoint. I also agree that the global networking opportunity made the entire time worthwhile.
As someone who plans un-conferences and attends them as well, logistics are the one component that cannot be “un” done. If the TRU crew gets the logistics tight before TRU USA, they’ll knock that one out of the park.
So glad to meet you and get to hear your insights in several tracks.
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:52 am
Good summary. Glad that see an honest opinion on the event. In regards to four people writing the book, I believe you are right. I met many people working on a book, which is exciting, as we have multiple source of intelligence.
The interesting thing is everyone I spoke to had a different approach to recruitment and were trying to solve the problem differently.
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:13 am
Excellent post Matt.
I agree that, due to the calibre and range of the attendees, it was the best networking event I’ve attended.
It’s true that a bit more planning regarding the venue, and logistics would have helped, but it didn’t seriously affect the quality of the day.
For a while, I’ve been struggling with the logistics of blogging directly myself, and how it could be used practically to benefit the businesses and sites I’m involved in. I can now see clearly how to do this, and have a much better handle on how to differentiate myself and businesses from others. Knowing what not to do, is equally vital when trying to strike the right authentic note.
Very shortly, (probably this week) I’ll bring together my various indirect blogging strands to one central location http://www.AyeRight.com
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Matt – great post, and I agree there were some very interesting, intelligent and engaging people at the event.
It was indeed sad to see limited UK gems. I felt we were all there learning something from some fantastic people with successes in the US and Canada. Where were the UK social media & recruitment gurus?? – other than the obvious in track leaders. Maybe advice for the future for organisers – less track leaders, i.e. 2 rather 4 – and have the other two as less namechecked discussion initiators and contributors.
Great event though, and I learnt a lot for my business.
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:34 pm
Matt
I know the feeling re having to write about this before anything else.
I think you’ll find there were about 40 people planning on writing a book……
I think the behind the scenes logistics were as expected and maybe something to be wary of should there be a larger “corporate” attendance.
Good to see you again – I think I must owe you a beer as I still had money in my wallet!!
Peter
February 22nd, 2010 at 4:25 pm
[...] have to flog off with Matt Alder's "TRULondon – the really good, the somewhat bad as well as the little bit ugly". Totally determine with all his points. Superb networking*, really un-superb organization [...]
February 22nd, 2010 at 5:24 pm
Hi Matt
Nice analysis and thanks for getting it out. Seems to me that there are plenty of people posting their analysis which, in and of itself, shows the success of the event for Bill, Fran, Geoff and Maha.
Organisation will get better – one of the brilliant moves is to have companies/sponsors ‘host’ the event – and some companies have better and more conference oriented facilities than others.
My highpoint, naturally, was the UnPub wrap up radio show on Friday night, going out on RCEURO tonight. And, of course, our personal wrap up of the day together after i finished the show.
See you soon.
Alan Whitford
February 24th, 2010 at 2:52 am
[...] My Thoughts on TRULondon What was the ROI? You’ll Never Be Rich (Its TRU) [...]
February 24th, 2010 at 8:04 am
Matt, great summary – crazy event with ad-hoc organisation.
I agree the foundations (food, drink) could have been better and the venue was not really suitable for such a noisy event. But the UN spirit was very strong and as such I enjoyed a many private” un-official tracks”.
I very much enjoyed the event, I only managed to get involved in a couple of official tracks. Most of the time new and interesting people wanted to chat about what we do at Allthetopbananas.
I really enjoyed the chance to learn more about the experiences in the US there were some great minds there. I was very suprised by the mobile Internet progress from the US compared to the UK and noticably the Netherlands.
Big thanks to everyone I chatted with – you guys made the event shine for me.
March 4th, 2010 at 11:46 pm
[...] Matt Alder’s blog – takes you through the very good, the slightly bad and the tiny bit ugly [...]