I attended my first UnConference at office today. Actually it was a series of UnConferences held at various locations. An initiative taken by the CKO and other Senior Management at the company - the event was a roaring success among employees at Kolkata in particular and all over in general.
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What is an Un-Conference?
“An unconference is a conference where the content of the sessions is created and managed by the participants (generally day-by-day during the course of the event) rather than by one or more organizers in advance of the event. Those coming to the event can post on a wiki ahead of time topics they want to present about or hope others will present about. The wiki can also be used as an attendee list.”
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Registration for the event was in “true unconference style” by updating a Wiki on a Shared Workspace. People spoke on a variety of topics… from Formula 1 to Business and Web 2.0 … from Software Testing to the Sub-Prime Mortgage crisis.. from Tagore & the Arts to Bollywood! This was obviously as part of the PassionSpeak event where one could speak on ANYTHING under the sun that he / she wanted to speak about! There was also a MovieMaker competition and a Debate to conclude the event!
Personally, there were 3 positives from the event:
- I was a part of the team that won the debate: the topic was “Instant Messaging as a collaborative tool in the workplace reduces employee productivity” — and our team was asked to defend the topic! — We had a tough time preparing for it.. ‘coz we knew that the opponents were good.
- The Event concluded with a Presentation by the CKO on Knowledge Management (KM), Collaborative Technologies and Blogging! - Our CKO himself is an avid blogger and Blogging Evangelist!
- I met some amazing people.. made a couple of friends (and one enemy! - you know who you are!)
EDIT: Although this has nothing to do with the post, I want to mention this purely for my own “records” - [I started my speech by mocking the MOTO YUVA commercial - "IM aaya.. aur aapka employee gaya"... which was received rather well by the audience - much to my surprise given that I have a low opinion about my sense of humor - thanks to my friends! - and ended with how the "Bunty's and Babli's" in the office would say - "Isko laga dala toh life Jinga-lala!" 
]
To read about Unconferences in India, read this story which appeared in The Hindu.
Good Learning for the day.. Unconference !!!!!!!!
thanks a lot
@ Dinsan
It was good learning for me too!
..
Short write - up. You could have described how you were the chosen one to lead the team and you summed it up very beatifully. Overall nice.
Dude, i really liked the way you guys defended the argument, i don’t know whether you’d actually support banning Im’s or not, but the other team seemed really short of points. I did like the guy who saunak called ‘passionate and intense’ in the other team who had apparently set the place on fire
cuz of the smoke..but i thought that the debate’s winners should have been adjudged by the audience, wud’ve been an Unconventional way considering the UnConference. Watcha think? 
@ RaWMaN
Haha.. No we were totally in SUPPORT of IM’s in the workplace.. I think it is a BIG Stress-buster!
And you’re BANG ON about the way you wanted tht edebate to be Judged. I hope our CKO Mr. Sukumar Rajagopal is reading this post… That would have been the “UnConference Way”.. or rather the “Indian Idol” way of judging a debate!
@ Debashish
Thanks Debashish. Your points were SOLID - RAW facts .. especially the Prelims.. I think you saw us through that!
.. And of course, Finals we all rocked! 
Never heard of this concept. Thanks for the insight. And I would definitely like to read the debate which won.
@ Amit
I dont have the trans-scipts… but the company should have the video somewhere.. I doubt if they’ll let me use it here though!
..
short and crisply summarized. We definitely chose the right leader who helped us wade our way through to success with all Banti, Babli and Moto Rockr stuff. Was a wonderful experience working with a great team/ friends - Aparna, Debashish who can help turn even a dull and boring topic into fiery debate. Cheers
Hey Amyth,
It was kind of a knowledge session for me.Congrats again!Post some details about the debate too….
Jio
Debs
@ Sunita
YOU made it happen! … The “Senior Pro” of the team! .. I am actually glad I didnt screw up.. and did justice to the “expectations” you people had of me!
.. hehehe! .. But it was a wonderful experience.. and I think i’ve made some terrific friends!
@ Debs,
That’s nice!
… Your first comment on my blog… (Or is it?) … Good Good!
Debate details - i don’t remember much… will have to see if i can get hold of some transcripts.. if at all things were recorded!