Dana Leeson ‏@danaleeson  13h

A3 To learn. #commschat

Kate Dawson ‏@searchforwords  13h

A3: to share ideas with sparky people going through similar successes/challenges #commschat

The IC Crowd ‏@theICcrowd  13h

Hi @commsbird there are various unconferences that take place. We read info from @commscamp last yr & spoke to the organisers #commschat

Sam Thomas ‏@samontheweb  13h

@CommsChat to get inspiration for innovation #commschat – last IC event I went to I met @DigitalJonathan & I went to see him last week 🙂

The IC Crowd ‏@theICcrowd  13h

True @amandacomms. Often completely different orgs to your own can provide fresh approaches to ideas @CommsChat #commschat

Tim Elliott ‏@TimElliottUK  13h

@commsbird @theICcrowd ….I’d be interested in that to #commschat

The IC Crowd ‏@theICcrowd  13h

A3) Reasons for attending IC events: To meet with other IC pros face-to-face, hear fresh ideas, network and keep up-to-date #commschat

Ashley ‏@Scripti_Ashley  13h

A3: To expand my knowledge and to hear advice from those who have already been through the same struggles I have. #CommsChat

jenniwheller ‏@jenniwheller  13h

A3) to benchmark what i’m doing against the industry and learn new ideas #commschat

Comms Bird ‏@commsbird  13h

@theICcrowd So is there an unconference handbook anywhere? or any useful guides/resources anyone can recommend? #commschat

The IC Crowd ‏@theICcrowd  13h

A3) To hear that you’re not alone. Even if you are a team of one – there are always IC pros facing same/similar issues #commschat

Kate Jones ‏@how_IC_it  13h

@theICcrowd Mix of unconference and planned sessions a good compromise between crowd-nominated content and placating stakeholders #commschat

Amanda Coleman ‏@amandacomms  13h

@CommsChat not just events but visiting other organisations helps to problem solve #commschat

CommsChat ‏@CommsChat  13h

T3: Why do you attend IC events? What do you want to get from #thebigyak? #commschat

The IC Crowd ‏@theICcrowd  13h

Hi Kate @how_IC_it. Any top unconference tips you can share with the crowd? #commschat

Kate Dawson ‏@searchforwords  13h

@danaleeson @CommsChat absolutely! Takes a bit of convincing though sometimes. Very worthwhile though #commschat

Kate Jones ‏@how_IC_it  13h

@theICcrowd I did! We weren’t quite brave enough to do full day so did some #unconference sessions between planned agenda items #commschat

Dana Leeson ‏@danaleeson  13h

@CommsChat A2: Nobody liking or using my idea/launch/change programme/initiative. That’s the major thing that keeps me up #commschat

The IC Crowd ‏@theICcrowd  13h

Hi @MontseCano true – wifi always a key consideration. It draws conversations from outside the room in for ppl who can’t come #commschat

Montse Cano ‏@MontseCano  13h

@samontheweb I’ve attended some unconferences. We coped really well with the format. Wifi was very helpful too. #commschat

Dana Leeson ‏@danaleeson  13h

@searchforwords @CommsChat I always find you get the enthusiasm when they see it as a benefit to their work #commschat

jenniwheller ‏@jenniwheller  13h

Getting some great ideas for the unconference I’m co-hosting at #ioiclive14 on Thursday eve – thanks #commschat

Ashley ‏@Scripti_Ashley  13h

@jenniwheller Wow, thank you so much for the advice! Looks like I am going shopping for new tools 😉 #CommsChat

Kate Dawson ‏@searchforwords  13h

@CommsChat A2: encouraging enthusiasm for comms & rather than box-ticking #commschat

jenniwheller ‏@jenniwheller  13h

@Scripti_Ashley carrying the pencil case to meetings is a bit odd at first but it works! I take notes in black & actions in red #commschat

The IC Crowd ‏@theICcrowd  13h

.@samontheweb @amandacomms @CommsChat That’s interesting, how do you encourage non-clique behaviour or encourage introverts? #commschat

Ashley ‏@Scripti_Ashley  13h

@jenniwheller I love that idea!! #CommsChat

Tim Elliott ‏@TimElliottUK  13h

@danaleeson thanks …. I’m lucky to have an event it would fit right in on to #commschat 🙂

The IC Crowd ‏@theICcrowd  13h

A2) Topics crowd members talk about a lot are IC measurement, planning and providing evidence of effectiveness #commschat cc #ioiclive14

Comms Bird ‏@commsbird  13h

@KellyQHicks @amandacomms @theICcrowd Hear hear! #commschat

Sam Thomas ‏@samontheweb  13h

I agree, can be clique as result RT @amandacomms @CommsChat unconference can be dominated by individuals if not carefully handled #commschat

jenniwheller ‏@jenniwheller  13h

@Scripti_Ashley i took to colour categorising my emails and mirroring that with coloured pens in my noteboook! #commschat

Comms Bird ‏@commsbird  13h

@theICcrowd. Fair point. I do like the sound of it. V bored of helping deliver formulaic predictable events in my own org #commschat

Ashley ‏@Scripti_Ashley  13h

A2: I have a hard time keeping track of the small details. I need a better way to organize (like always) #CommsChat

Kelly Quigley-Hicks ‏@KellyQHicks  13h

.@amandacomms @CommsChat Yy, that can be true. Format can be daunting for the less extrovert or first time attendee #commschat

The IC Crowd ‏@theICcrowd  13h

A2) All 3 @theICcrowd co-founders are going to #ioiclive14 1/2 May. It’s starting Thurs night with an unconference format #commschat

Dana Leeson ‏@danaleeson  13h

@CommsChat A2: Lack of planning. In #internalcomms we need to be more prepared then ever before #commschat

jenniwheller ‏@jenniwheller  13h

@CommsChat A2: getting the basics right! #commschat #ioiclive14

The IC Crowd ‏@theICcrowd  13h

We know that @how_IC_it used unconference format internally at her previous org too. Is starting to spring up more #commschat.

Tim Elliott ‏@TimElliottUK  13h

@theICcrowd thanks …it sounds amazing …I might try get down to #thebigyak to 🙂 #commschat

CommsChat ‏@CommsChat  13h

T2: What issues are keeping you awake at night? Are you participating in IoIC Live 14 on Thursday? #commschat

Dana Leeson ‏@danaleeson  13h

@TimElliottUK That’s amazing. Love the enthusiasm. #commschat

Kelly Quigley-Hicks ‏@KellyQHicks  13h

. @amandacomms @commsbird @theICcrowd Would say a mix of #unconference & keynotes hits the spot for me. Adds structure #commschat

The IC Crowd ‏@theICcrowd  13h

Good luck Tim RT @TimElliottUK: Ive got an event I’ve just decided to #unconference at thanks to #commschat 🙂

Dana Leeson ‏@danaleeson  13h

@commsbird @theICcrowd Definitely a view some may hold, but u have the control to make it a great event. You get what u put in. #commschat

The IC Crowd ‏@theICcrowd  13h

Hi @fairybex. We ran #thebigyak with apprx 130 IC pros last year. Bigger the group, more breakout sessions you can offer #commschat

Amanda Coleman ‏@amandacomms  13h

@CommsChat also unconference can be dominated by individuals if not carefully handled – who shouts loudest #commschat

Tim Elliott ‏@TimElliottUK  13h

Ive got an event I’ve just decided to #unconference at thanks to #commschat 🙂

Kelly Quigley-Hicks ‏@KellyQHicks  13h

.@amandacomms @commsbird @theICcrowd Depends on the organisers I suppose to channel energies & focus. Plus good delegate mix #commschat

Becky Greer ‏@fairybex  13h

Its sounds like a great format. Do you think there are any limits to how many people it would work with? #commschat

jenniwheller ‏@jenniwheller  13h

@amandacomms @commsbird @theICcrowd and there is some sturcture around timings #commschat

Bridget Aherne ‏@BridgetAherne  13h

@CommsChat flexible as issues for the blue lights change so quickly a fixed agenda can be irrelevant easily. + audience driven #commschat

The IC Crowd ‏@theICcrowd  13h

Hi @commsbird unplanned is the beauty of it – structure at start & end of the day, but crowd determine the conversation #commschat

jenniwheller ‏@jenniwheller  13h

@commsbird i think people like to get answers to their problems – hearing case studies isn’t always helpful given differences #commschat

Amanda Coleman ‏@amandacomms  13h

@commsbird @theICcrowd i struggle with unconference unless there is some structure somewhere! #commschat

Kelly Quigley-Hicks ‏@KellyQHicks  13h

@theICcrowd Great to have no hierarchy, everyone has something to learn/share whatever your job title #commschat #unconference

Comms Bird ‏@commsbird  13h

Hi @theICcrowd Unconference concept sounds refreshing and interesting. I’ve never been. But some may argue unplanned and lazy? #commschat

Sam Thomas ‏@samontheweb  13h

People can be nervous about unconference format to start with because it’s unfamiliar but it is great brainstorming opportunity #commschat

The IC Crowd ‏@theICcrowd  13h

@KellyQHicks That’s a great comment – "everyone’s equal" at an unconference #commschat

Kelly Quigley-Hicks ‏@KellyQHicks  13h

#CommsChat Loose format = tailored sessions depending on delegates, ability to ask people to pick over problems as well as hear new ideas.

PR Academy ‏@pracademy  13h

hi all #commschat underway now talking about #thebigyak – cant join unfortunately! #internalcomms

jenniwheller ‏@jenniwheller  13h

I have started to bring the principle inside our organisation but a step too far in reality! #commschat

Kelly Quigley-Hicks ‏@KellyQHicks  13h

#commschat I’ve been to a #govcamp #unconference – was inspiring, informing & amazing way to learn & meet people. Love that everyone’s equal

CommsChat ‏@CommsChat  13h

@BridgetAherne @Juangearista @DebsWhittingham Hi Bridget. Why do you think the format worked? #commschat

Bridget Aherne ‏@BridgetAherne  13h

@CommsChat yes & it’s fab. @Juangearista let me & @DebsWhittingham do an unconference at a fire #comms event & we learned loads #commschat

CommsChat ‏@CommsChat  13h

What do others think the benefits are to a loose programme? #commschat

The IC Crowd ‏@theICcrowd  13h

A1) The beauty of unconference means if you don’t like the topic, you simply swap rooms aka "the law of 2 feet" to maximise time #commschat

Dana Leeson ‏@danaleeson  13h

@CommsChat Sorry … learning my new keyboard 🙁 #commschat

CommsChat ‏@CommsChat  13h

@danaleeson Just a reminder to use the #commschat tag : )

CommsChat ‏@CommsChat  13h

MT @danaleeson: I attended tweetcamp which had an unconference stlye. Loads of flexibility & lets u learn lots quickly #commschat

Tim Elliott ‏@TimElliottUK  13h

@CommsChat I’ve not but just Checked it out and it seems awesome 🙂 #commschat

The IC Crowd ‏@theICcrowd  13h

A1) Unconference format means you get out what you put in – people in the room decide what’s important to them & what to discuss #commschat

CommsChat ‏@CommsChat  13h

Has anyone else out there attended an unconference, #thebigyak, or a similarly informal event? #commschat

CommsChat ‏@CommsChat  13h

.@theICcrowd Indeed. I was a bit skeptical when attending last year, but the programme (or lack thereof) worked beautifully #commschat

The IC Crowd ‏@theICcrowd  13h

#commschat It’s called #thebigyak because it’s a chance for IC pros to come and talk about comms & set the agenda (we did the same last yr)

Acupof Lee ‏@aCupOfLee  13h

Hi all, IC on 2nite’s agenda, I might learn something new! #commschat

CommsChat ‏@CommsChat  13h

But anyway, our first topic: Has anyone used the unconference format for events? What do you think of it? #commschat

CommsChat ‏@CommsChat  13h

Thanks! #thebigyak is also a lot of fun and really interesting. Highly recommended : ) #commschat

Sam Thomas ‏@samontheweb  13h

I’ve got my lemon meringue ready – am I in time for #commschat #gottahaveabitofcake

The IC Crowd ‏@theICcrowd  13h

#thebigyak is a free unconference for IC pros, happening on 28 June. Full info via our website: http://www.theiccrowd.com/yakback/  #commschat

Bridget Aherne ‏@BridgetAherne  13h

“@CommsChat: 20 minutes to #commschat” I might get involved in this tonight so apologies in advance if I stray into pure #comms geekery

CommsChat ‏@CommsChat  13h

Hi @theICcrowd – do you want to start us off w/a brief intro the #thebigyak? #commschat

jenniwheller ‏@jenniwheller  13h

Evening everyone #commschat

CommsChat ‏@CommsChat  13h

If you’re joining in, please use the #commschat tag (don’t just hit reply to me!) so that everyone can see your tweets

Tim Elliott ‏@TimElliottUK  13h

@CommsChat Good Evening #commschat

The IC Crowd ‏@theICcrowd  13h

Evening all, we’re entering #commschat for the next hour. Join in by using the hashtag

Gnosis Media Group ‏@GnosisArts  13h

#commschat: looks at all aspects relating to communications, When: Mondays, 8:00pm UK. #tweetchatshappeningnow

CommsChat ‏@CommsChat  14h

We’re joined by @theICcrowd who will be discussing their upcoming #thebigyak unconference. We’ll also look at #IC and much more. #commschat

CommsChat ‏@CommsChat  14h

Evening all. Brittany here from @Communicatemag. Tonight we’re in for quite the hour #commschat