Like Minds Conversation Helsinki

Tomorrow I leave for Helsinki to hold the first international Like Minds event – Like Minds Conversation Helsinki: Real Time in Real Life.

This has been a learning experience. I can tell you right away I’ve made mistakes and learned some valuable lessons, mainly about community and how to organise an event over email and phone without being there.

The level of preparation you need for an international event organised virtually, as opposed to physically, is ten-fold. Likewise, communication is ten-fold, lead time is ten-fold, and advance booking of all the elements is also ten-fold.

I’ve already outlined how to improve this and am drawing up the partnership documents and event run sheet for Washington DC in September and Exeter in October now.

The biggest thing in all of this is that it has happened quite unexpectedly. Six months ago, with Like Minds already underway, I didn’t think I’d be here. And a year ago I certainly didn’t think I’d ever be here.

I’m not here for profit. I’m here for a cause. I believe that the connections I am making, and the community I am fostering, will be a force for change.