Week 2...

Week 2, We were split into groups and given our first project of pitching an online business idea to a panel of investors.

The first half of the week was all about getting an idea together, a part of the process that has a tendency to really piss me off. Luckily, the week before had prepared me for working effectively in a group, so my concerns were happily aired and the team rallied round to keep me from exploding. We ploughed through 3 days of intense concept creation, 13 ideas, multiple reflection/feedback sessions and just as my patience was reaching tipping point we FINALLY reached an idea (one that we were all happy to go along with).

Then came the hard part... how would it make money? In order to guide all the teams in producing a viable revenue model we were given supporting talks from Mikael Ahlstrom on how to make money from online ideas. It was interesting to realise that the likes of Spotify, Twitter and Skype were making a ton of cash from seemingly free services. As the group identified over 30 revenue models I couldn't help but feel a bit like 'shhhiiiittttttt, we've got a lot of work to do'. Although I was allotted the role of 'revenue optimiser' a team member stepped up to solidify the revenue model that we would be using and I fannied about with the numbers.

Earlier in the week, I told the group that my weaknesses lie in research, but I found that it was actually an area that I really enjoyed. Getting the meat behind the idea is where I find the greatest satisfaction, probably has a lot to do with how anal I am with my organisation. Understanding the workings behind the idea also helped me to have faith in it, I knew what we had produced was viable and proven and then I let my creative mind takeover. I set my mind to producing the concept book that was meant to "tell our story" without any of the team being there in a creative way- because, I knew the facts and figures behind the story I found it easy to let myself go. And, to be honest, I am pretty happy with it, our presentation is pretty shit hot too.

Aside from the project work, we also had a toolbox session with the big dogs from Facebook, Twitter and Google + which ended in Matt Bush from Google talking about tweeting on Google +, and Bruce Daisley having some bants with two lads from squared who "looked like they were from LMFAO". This led onto considering my social footprint and how I could best listen to the socialsphere to understand my impact. I didn't realise there were so many free tools to listen into the social arena and I formulated a plan in order to achieve my objectives of listening to media industry professionals while creating my own conversations.

So, all in all, a great and hectic week. I don't think I have ever been so tired in my life but I am still really enjoying myself and looking forward to the pitch come Monday afternoon. Virtual luck is much appreciated! Follow me on Twitter @kerrydatlen for the results and daily updates!

Is now, then?

 After meeting everyone on the Friday before, I thought I was going into some happy clappy tree hugging cult, where I would be brain washed and spat out the other end being suitably "Googlefied". *Note: It's not Google squared, Just Squared :)

So, come Monday morning, I was pretty apprehensive and nervous about what the week was going to bring. I assembled sheepishly with the rest of my group (Team ABBA- don't ask!) after a quick introductory session and soon found myself presenting "Me"- this included my strengths, weaknesses, an anecdote and a pretty shit stick man drawing. It all got pretty deep and I found myself confessing my deepest darkest worries (something I rarely do with my friends let alone a bunch of randomers), the funny thing was... everyone else was doing exactly the same and we were all happy to share. I dished out and received feedback and finished the first day feeling pretty positive but still a little bit sceptical. 

Tuesday, I learnt the importance of reflection in altering future behaviour. This involved drilling into my well of knowledge and driving past just reviewing previous behaviours and trying to understand the why behind them. Don't worry, I know you're probably thinking "WTF?! she really is in a happy clappy tree hugging cult", and I suppose before starting this course I would have thought taking 10 minutes to 'understand yourself' was complete bullshit as well, so I don't blame you! What I will say is try it... 

Tuesday brought an interesting talk from Mark Comerford (a self-confessed arsehole apparently) who basically after dropping the 'C' bomb, a few 'MF's and a whole heap of other profanities got to his point that "Change will fuck you up". He was right, change is disruptive and if you are prepared for it, it will reduce the disruption and basically reduce the fuckage. If you don't disrupt yourself, someone will come along and disrupt you and it has always been the most adaptable of the species that has survived this.

 One thing I took away from Mark's speech was that we as an industry see the digital world as some airy fairy non-tangible phenomenon, but need to realise that there is now no difference between the real world  and the digital world. We need to look at the trajectory of these developments we are seeing and understand that now is then and make strategic decisions about where it's going to go (all very hardcore I know).

Tuesday also brought a talk from Ade Oshineye (part of the Google + project team) who although being clearly very intelligent and charming, delivered a speech that advocated the brilliance of Google which I found difficult to push past. He made some interesting points and reiterated the need for flexibility and adaptiveness in today's world, especially with the metrics on which we measure success.

The following days were spent learning theories and models about group dynamics and the stages that groups go through in order to reach performance and productivity. When I say we spent these days learning this, it wasn't through loads of notes and being talked at by a teacher... it was all through experience based learning where we were encouraged to live the different stages of group development. This involved a task where we were asked to potentially compromise our values which in turn created conflict within the group. There were a few tense moments to say the least, followed by a lot of reflection and feedback.

We ended the week after an intense 4 hour reflection session and a talk from Micke Ahlstrom (serial entrepreneur). The main point I took from his talk is the shift from story telling to story building, and that inviting people into your story will produce a higher level of engagement. He also encouraged us to think of potential mash-up companies using existing platforms. Of course, my little team's was the best... blobshop.com- combining Ocado, a menstrual calculator and a women to have tampons and chocolate delivered at her time of the month (true visionaries).

All in all, it has been a fantastic week that has completely changed my way of thinking along with my understanding of people and groups. I have met some lovely people and can whole heartedly say that I feel truly privileged to be taking part in the squared programme. 

Follow me: @kerrydatlen - for daily updates!

Keep your eyes peeled for next week's- the group tasks will be starting so no doubt the claws will be out!!

Meet Team Abba...