KA Connect - a new kind of Tribe

Just back from an enjoyable trip to Chicago, where we sponsored and presented at the inaugural KA Connect, knowledge management conference.

Thanks to Chris P and the team at Knowledge Architecture for hosting what was the most enjoyable and useful conference I've been to in a long time.

What set KA Connect apart from most events was the format. Taking Seth Godin's theme of creating a Tribe (http://www.sethgodin.com/) and combining it with Derek Sivers' 'Shirtless Dancing Guy' discussion on TED.com about how to start a movement;(http://www.ted.com/talks/derek_sivers_how_to_start_a_movement.html?awesm=on.ted.com_8EPn).

The event, over 2 days, zipped along at a fair old pace. With 36 presenters, covering a range of KM angles, there was a smorgasbord of good ideas.

Particular highlights for me were;

- John Moebes from Crate & Barrel, discussing a new process for design-bid-build. This is the future of construction clients.

- Justin Quimby from Quimby Heavy Industries, with insights on how the AEC industry can learn lessons from the gaming sector.

- Michael Kilkelly from Gehry Partners, showcasing the way model-making impacts on their high-end designs (plus a bit of AutoCAD :) )

- Darren Rizza from Satellier, on why it's OK to whack a sacred cow with a stick once in a while!

- Pete Walsham from Axomic, comparing most architects to peasants (from a digital asset management pov).

- John Soter from ZweigWhite, with some parables about monkeys.

- Laurie Dreyer from Anshen + Allen, who brought the house down with her 'dinosaur lessons' and hilarious take on life from a HR & Learning professional's perspective.

Chicago was a perfect venue for this event. The Architecture is breathtaking, the weather was surprisingly temperate and the evenings were a blast (thanks in part to some rather stunning Russion Imperial stout!).

Next year's KA Connect event is already being lined up to take place in San Francisco. Keep an eye out on http://www.ka-connect.com/ for news of what's happening next. This is the beginning of a Tribe which is going to bring tremendous value to the AEC sector..

R

And the winner is...

I'd like to thank my parents, my wife, my kids, my agent, my fans...

KnowledgeSmart has been nominated for an award at this year's SWBE Awards, organised in partnership with Constructing Excellence. Here's a bit more background: http://www.buildsw.org.uk/awards.

There are 9 categories. We've been shortlisted down to the final 3 in the 'Leadership and People Development' category. They're looking for a company that 'clearly defines improvements resulting from leadership and training interventions... entries should show respect and win respect from the workforce and the community through workforce development, skills and training, benchmarking, equality and diversity... and improvements to the working environment.'

The awards dinner is in Bristol in June. We're shortlisted alongside two much larger organisations, in Bath & North East Somerset Council and Wilmott Dixon Construction. However, it's not the winning, darlings, it's being recognised for ones art, right? :)

Will keep you posted of the outcome...now where did I put my dress shoes...?

R