Blog about Sourcing... and Stuff

I know I haven’t posted here in forever, but I decided to post something short to explain something concerning my SourceCon10 Presentation.

I wanted to let everyone know who reads this that I didn’t put the materials together in the way I did simply to be the “Guy with the most take-away material” or “A showoff”…  The reason I showed the site I built and gave away pieces, was to demonstrate of how it works/helps myself and my team is for the pure and simple reason that is “Progression”.

I was honestly tired of hearing the same old story with a different spin and decided to provoke a little thought.  I took a bunch of ideas, grouped them together, learned a little javascript, and built a website, great….  but what else can be done with these ideas?  TONS…  I just haven’t thought of any other way to present them yet… and figured with a room full of talented people, other solutions would be certain to surface.

I’m really more than anything looking to see how other people use the items I setup and put on display for example in their own environments.

It’s unfortunate, that the plain I exist in isn’t truly defined by any company I’ve ever come across.  As someone who can program a little, source a little, and come up with a lot of great ideas, there is no title for me and as a result I spend a lot of my free time developing these things.

As such, I can’t expect many others are willing or able to dedicate their time to messing with the internet all weekend long, but if you take just a few moments and think about your processes in a logical top to bottom structure, the ideas will come.  One key point I wanted to highlight during the presentation was how so many services provide their own samples and templates so if you’re looking for something, someone has probably already written it.

So, in short, keep plugging away, look at problems in a logical fashion, and when all else fails, use the internet to find your solution or a similar one.

That being said, I wanted to thank all everyone for all of the warm tweets, emails, calls, texts, etc…  It really meant a lot knowing that the things I talked about may have an impact on your own situations and I certainly hope that to be the case.

I also wanted to extend a huge thank you to Dave Manaster, Amybeth Hale, Kate Bruener, Amy Berry, Scott Baxter, and Brendan Shields for their outstanding aid and delivery of what I consider to be one of the best SourceCon’s to date.  Thanks everyone for all your hard work, and I’m looking very much forward to seeing you all again in New York come February!

Cheers^^

Mike

More “un”… more “fun”? For having never been to an “un-conference” before it was quite a unique experience, and certainly one I’d advise everyone attend at least once in their career. For me, the laid back atmosphere, lack of structure, and overall flow was really very nice and extremely refreshing. There was/is one problem however and it’s kind of a subject which I’ve been meaning to voice my opinion on for quite a while but I’ll get to that in a moment.

Before I get into everything, I want to thank everyone who put TruUSA together…  Great Job Guys! Looking forward to the next one I can make it to!  Big thanks to Bill Boorman who got me a spot leading a track which was AWESOME!   Although he couldn’t make it… #ashcloud…  he was missed.  Extra big thanks to Geoff Webb, Marie Journey, Julia Stone, Maha Akiki, and although he couldn’t make it either, Jim Stroud (PS:  I brought comics and everything… you were totally missed)  I had my doubts and lots of questions, but I think I get it now.  And I like it… a LOT.  Ok, where was I…

To be brutally honest, I kind of got caught up in a work project during the first 2 days #TruUSA and didn’t really spend a whole lot of time socializing. I heard the things going on around me, but I anchored into wherever I sat down in the morning and didn’t move around much. Even when the room was empty during sessions which took place in other areas of the lounge, I stayed and continued doing my thing. I’m really glad I did however because it gave me the opportunity to think, but more importantly connect one on one with several people as they passed through. This is what I came to the event for and why I was excited to attend.

On day two, I had the chance to just sit and chat with Marie Journey for close to two hours just going back and fourth mixing and matching ideas. I’ve been Marie’s #1 fan since SourceCon10’, and while I’ve listened to her talk about video, sat in on her tracks at both SC10 and TruUSA, and even watched of her videos, it was never something I’d considered using myself. She wound up giving me more insight on video while I talked up my automation ideas and before we knew it, we’d each learned something valuable and had an understanding of the application of each to our daily lives. My eyes opened quite a bit to idea of using video once I understood how to leverage it for myself. Concepts are great, but it’s the application that counts, and combining ideas, sharing, removing our defensive filters, and being True… no bullshit… yeah, that’s how to advance and progress as quickly as possible.

While the first two days I didn’t really have much interaction with the event itself other than being essentially a “fly on the wall”, I did take hear a lot of things that I’m sick of hearing. I’m not speaking specifically to anyone, I gripe probably as much as anyone if you let me, but the number one overall issue most of us have problems with is…

Flash forward to day three for a moment. Twelve people in room; sharing their “secret sauce”; nothing but pure true learning taking place. This made my two days of being a fly on the wall totally worth it. What I got out of #TruSource was something way beyond anything you’ll find at any presentation at any conference or at any large scale webinar. A collective group of people who “get it”, and are willing to “trade” ideas. Keyword in that sentence “willing”, not forced, not there to socialize, but want to learn, implement, and utilize immediately. We all need to retain our value and we all have our specialties, but combining them is where the money is at.

People talk about this all of the time in our industry but seldom address it publicly, and it’s the idea of “idea” theft. Yes, it exists, yes it sucks, and yes, it’s got lots of people, including myself scared to share ideas. Honestly, I think it’s only natural seeing as how sourcing is now even finding itself progressively more outsourced and it’s these “tips and tricks” that give us as individuals brand value. The last thing I want is something that I came up with to be re-packaged and branded under someone else. Giving credit where it’s due is critically important because now more than ever personal branding isn’t an option. What’s more important though is talking to the people who came up with the idea and collectively expanding upon it. Willingness to collaborate, learn, adapt, and really see the application and value in something speaks volumes… Hard to be willing when we’re all afraid to be sharked, and that’s why #TruSource was awesome. A small group of talented, bright, and trustworthy people all in it for progression and advancement; doesn’t get any better. For everyone who cut out early and missed it… I was let to ramble for close to 2 hours spilling my guts about some of my newer favorite toys… something which seldom happens.

Ok, now that I’ve covered Tru’s high points, let’s talk about “problem solving” and less about “our problems”. I like to solve problems, riddles, and puzzles. For me, just listening to the problems of the people who attend these events is my greatest inspiration and point of creativity. When solving any problem, you have to look at the situation objectively and start from the bottom. Here it is… the biggest problem I heard all event long… ready for it…

UPPER MANAGEMENT – COMPLIANCE – METRICS

As sourcers, it’s often been called into question whether we’re just lackeys to the recruiters we support, of if we stand on our own ground. Well, if we are truly at the bottom of the chain, then we’re the product problem higher up the ladder. The work we do is valuable.  The skills we have as individuals are VALUABLE, but what’s more VALUABLE than that is what we can achieve collectively. A lot of sourcers live contract to contract working with new people all of the time just trying to make ends meet. Wouldn’t it be nice to have the opportunity to stay with a company for longer than six months? Maybe make some real changes? Maybe see a big idea of yours implemented and learn from those results?

Yes! Oh wait… no… can’t do that as short term contractors. Top down management? What? Yeah, hot topic of #TruSource, I said it. If we’re on the low end when it comes to decision making, then who’s on the high side? Ask yourself this question if you work for any large corporation…

How many names up the food chain do you know and have you met?

Your boss obviously… maybe your bosses boss… but who do they answer to? Who are the people deciding what concepts work and what don’t? Have you met them face to face? Do they have any experience in first hand sourcing? Well, for me, I see that as the first critical piece of data to source in order to solve this problem.

I’m always delighted to see managers at these events because I always hope they take something of value away. Most conferences though, people don’t say what they’re really thinking because, they’re at these events to make good impressions. Can’t blame them, the market is rough, and making connections is a valid reason to bite your lip. So how/where/when can these issues be addressed? That’s right you should have guessed by now… the opposite of a conference is… “un-conference”! Problem is, management isn’t really at these events, and if they are, the person they answer to isn’t.

You hear “Sr. Executives” a lot in response to change… but who are these people, and why aren’t you shaking their hand at events? Fortunately for me, Accenture has been a beacon of hope and I’ve had the opportunity to meet and speak with Sr. Executive Management, and change is on its way. But I don’t know if I would have been so inclined to do so without the support of my co-workers.  Let your altruistic flag fly people!

The best ideas, the best chemistry, and the quickest way to a happy earnings report is to invest in people, invest in their ideas, and understand that great things take time. If you’re one of the “mystery managers” I’m referencing, and you actually do care about what’s going on, I don’t think there is any better venue in the world to pay attention to. Odds are, the people who you need to hear from don’t even know your name let alone what you look like. Attend; hear people remove their filter, be a little more off the record, and focus on the potential people hold and their ideas which are often shut down by cookie cutter policies that you play an instrumental role in moderating.

If you’re one of those people who feels trapped by this… and one of the people who feels the need to vent/complain… I completely sympathize, but how about instead of wasting your breath complaining to other people in the same spectrum about the same things at every event, try reaching out to someone within your organization, putting in some extra effort, learning the names of the people who can make changes, and showing them your value. Maybe… just maybe… some of your ideas will stick… and maybe you’ll see things you want to happen actually occur all the while building credibility and merit. Willingness goes a long way, and those who try may fail… but sooner or later they’ll get a win, and it will be all the more worth it.

To quote one of my favorite movies of all time said by one of my favorite actors…

“Worrying is like a rocking chair. It’ll give you something to do, but it won’t get you anywhere”

Ryan Reynolds – Van Wilder

Same goes for rhetorical arguments. Tru Change comes from Tru Sourcers.
You’re better than that. Run with your ideas. Focus on the now.
If you have problem, source for the solution.
Above all, make yourself a commodity and not a convenience.

See ya’ll in Amsterdam in June for #TruAmsterdam

#totallyworthit #truSource #secret #share #invent #change #progressive #tru #c4c #truUSA #coneofsilence

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Hanging out at “The Brink Lounge” @ #TruUSA! Kicking ass, taking names. Good times. Oh yeah, and “The Onion” is here… next door… ZOMG Need to get autographs! Stay tuned for updates… and maybe some videos… and some other fun stuff.

Ok… so I don’t know about you, but I wasn’t old enough at the time to understand any of this at the time… but I promise you this much… I would have won that fricken sword.   What a parallel to SourceCon.. Seriously.  4 challenges, 4 winners coming back for no holds barred sleuthing match for a wicked prize.  AWESOME.  Plus… The nerd rocks.  Oh… and the intro song is a little harsh, I know.  this belongs in my explicit stuff, but seriously… this is too cool not to wait and watch.  Forgive please.   Oh, and Happy Good Friday!

Cheers^^

Just booked my flight to Madison for the TruUSA event!  w00t!  I really wanted to go… wasn’t sure if I could…  *Throws Caution to the Wind*  !!  Can’t wait!!!!!!  Been in a lull since SourceCon, this should be just the pick me up I needed^^

Can’t wait to see everyone there!!

Cheers^^