Idea generation for startups & freelancers @ Connector Brainstorm

by Connector on November 29th, 2010

On Thursday evening we had the first Connector Brainstorm event at the Science Gallery and here are some photos from Kyle Tunney and more here on Facebook.

The idea behind Connector brainstorm is to create a space for small ideas to collide and create BIG ideas.  So we have created a mashup of classic Connector networking mixed with brainstorming!  Each table has a moderator who guides the conversation and keeps the notes on paper or on our mind mapping software.

We have some generic topics for discussion but there are opportunities for startups to have their business brainstormed by 8 people for 30 minutes.

The launch of Connector Brainstorm event provided a fascinating insight into the world of Irish politics, economic and society. A diverse mix of people gathered in the Science Gallery in Trinity College to ask important questions politicians won’t never think to ask themselves.

Conor Lynch, organiser of the Connector Brainstorm said; “Einstein once said ‘We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.’ Age old policies need new age thinking and with this in mind our team of experts came up with some radical suggestions on how the future of Irish politics and economy should be ran.”

Saving Ireland Inc.

One of the first ideas to come to fruition was a way to deal with the thousands of empty properties across the country.  There are an estimated 74 ‘Ghost estates’ in Ireland, due to the oversupply of housing during the boom.  These Ghost estates are now on the verge of being demolished.

Instead of knocking the estates down the group proposed devising a lottery system whereby a lucky winner in the midst of our economic crisis could go on to win a property on one of these derelict estates. The rest of the lotteries proceeds could be put to good use by employing the skill sets of unemployed people on social welfare which will regenerate and finish development on these estates for the people that really need them.

A team of business strategists proposed a radical suggestion which might be considered futuristic to say the least. This approach applies the principles of computer gaming structures to the welfare and taxation system adding value back into society so that public moral is renewed to spend again. As users work hard to progress through the various levels of the game, engaging and gaining rewards they’ve spent time to earn, the same can be applied to real life.

Therefore, it was suggested that people on social welfare could use the skill sets they have to pay-it-forward, clocking up twenty hours per week adding value to a person or a business and this new currency could add credits to each individual through the welfare and taxation system.

Another contributor said; “Another suggestion which was one of topical debate discussed Ireland’s technologically starved politicians. Most of Ireland’s politicians are between the ages of forty to sixty, but a lot of people in our society are between the ages of fifteen to thirty. As we face an uncertain future it’s imperative that our government is up-to-speed on emerging markets rich in technology. At the next election we need a more balanced age profile in Irish politics in order to speak the language of the Irish population and other successful economies.”

In a quirky suggestion the majority also agreed that TD’S should be prohibited from drinking so that they’re heads are clear for tackling the biggest issues Ireland has had to face in political history.

Connector Startups

The Connector Brainstorm event also gave some of Ireland’s most exciting start-ups the opportunity to gain new ideas for their businesses including GoCar.ie, AM Works, Twitter TV, Smart Leads, Pet Photography, Happy Gardening Co. and EggFuel.ie where they were able to share and propose ideas to the different groups and get valuable feedback. 

“The Connector brainstorm event was extremely beneficial to the businesses that were there.  They all left with new ideas for their businesses from some of the top experts in a range of fields.  For businesses to grow and succeed in the current economic climate they have to recognise that they need to think outside the box and gain input from a range of areas and this event will help anyone who is looking to get a new perspective on their business,” Lynch went on to say.

For more information on upcoming Connector Brainstorm and networking events then log on to connector.ie

WANTED : Your Topics for the Connector Brainstorm

by graeme on November 22nd, 2010

Connector.ie have proposed 6 exciting topics to kickstart the Connector Brainstorm in the Science Gallery @6pm Thursday 25th November.

1. Saving Ireland Inc : this topic speaks for itself !

2. Cash I$ King : making money

3. Me & We : inter-relationships between individuals & communities

4. 2020 Home & Office : a look at the future of working & living in the year 2020

5. Entertain Us : the future of entertainment

6. Reinventing U : begin again, new careers, the multi-functional professional, leveraging alternative life skills & hobbies

Have you a burning issue for debate or maybe you’re a  start-up seeking new ideas and new connections for your business ? Whatever your topic, we would like to hear from you. Simply complete the form below to submit your topics for discussion.

Space at this event is limited so please REGISTER today to secure your place.

More

Connector Brainstorm @ Science Gallery, 6pm, Thurs 25th Nov

by graeme on November 7th, 2010

WHO : www.connector.ie – organising “social networking social events” where we bring together diverse on-line & off-line communities to make new social, commercial & business connections.

WHAT : Four great opportunities for you to participate in our NEW event format called Connector Brainstorm :

1. BRAINSTORM : REGISTER TODAY to join in the Connector Brainstorm which is for members of Connector.

6 tables, 6 topics, 8 to 10 participants per table
3 brainstorming sessions lasting 40 minutes per session
With each table chaired by a moderator, using different brainstorming techniques
Awards for each moderator’s  selected “Most Valuable Ideas” and for the Brainstorm’s “Most Valued Players” of the evening

2. CONNECT : Meet & make new business & social contacts across a diverse range of businesses and services in Dublin.

3. LEARN : We have draft outline of 6 topics for discussion but you have the opportunity to sponsor  your own topic of discussion. Use the Connector Brainstorm event to make new connections & generate new ideas for your chosen topic.

4. SHOWCASE : Promote, advertise, market and sell your new business idea, product or service by sponsoring one of our 6 tables and brainstorm a topic specific to your business.

WHY : an excellent, cost-effective opportunity to promote & leverage your brand, product or service during & after the Connector Brainstorm event. It’s not always what you know, but rather who you know that will open new doors of opportunity.

WHEN : Thursday 25th November at 6pm

WHERE : Science Gallery, The Naughton Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Pearse Street, Dublin 2

HOW :  To participate in the Connector Brainstorm event, REGISTER NOW to secure your place.

For more information on sponsoring a topic or table at this event, please contact Conor Lynch at 86 8118833 or via email at conor@connector.ie

Connector Brainstorm @ Science Gallery!

by graeme on October 28th, 2010

Connector College – Career Connections Event

by Diarmuid ORiordan on April 21st, 2010

Connector college brought together speakers from Google, Microsoft, Careers Coach and Connector. The event for students took place at the Science Gallery and was themed around ‘I have my qualification, now what?’. It had some great insights for students in attendance on how to brand yourself, networking and job application techniques.

To organise the event, Connector collaborated with DCU masters student Roisin Lyons. Roisin did a really great job in organising the venue, bringing together our speakers and publicizing the event. Well done and thanks Roisin!

Bryna McCool works as a Senior Recruiter at Microsoft Ireland. She began proceedings and spoke about the process of graduate Recruitment. She continued on with some great interview tips before handing over to Careers Coach, Greg Fry.

Greg set up Careers Coach in March 2009 with the aim of assisting people with their Career Transition. He focused on using social media to build your personal brand, and urged attendees to bring these connections offline also.

Lindsay Brown continued the evening. Lindsay is a Recruiting Specialist. She recently moved to an in-house recruitment role with Google, having previously worked on the agency side. She gave great advice to students on dealing with recruitment agencies, techniques used by recruiters, networking and personal branding. Check out Lindsay ‘s great blog.

Conor Lynch rounded up proceedings and had a few hard acts to follow!  Conor capped off the evening with some good advice for students and information about how Connector gives students a chance to get great work experience and make connections . We collaberate with students, graduates & interns to run events, marketing campaigns and much more.

The ‘Career Connections’ event helped Roisin Lyons gain valuable project management experience, improve her personal brand and make some great connections. If any students would like further information about joining the Connector Team, don’t hesitate to contact conor [at] connector dot ie

Connector Weekly – 19th April

by Nicola OReilly on April 19th, 2010

Connector is set for another busy week of connecting! Here is a roundup of the main events for this week:

On 20th Connector will hold its Digital & Social Media Workshop. This strategy workshop will help participants understand how social media is changing our culture, and importantly, the way consumers share information and make buying decisions.

After that, Connector will also be hosting Career Connections a event only for students at the Science Gallery at 6:30 pm. With this event Connector is helping to connect graduates with potential employers. Many graduates this year will find it hard to get a job but those at the Students Event won’t be amongst them. Recruitment experts from Microsoft and Google will give advice about graduate programs, career choices and personal branding. Greg Fry from Careers Coach will be speaking at the event too.

Public Affairs Ireland presents a half-day event in Dublin on the 21st. It will be of interest to people who would like to have a better understanding of how new media, the web and email can enable better access of information and provision of services to the public.

Conor, as the current chair of the IIA, will introduce the Audio Video Culture: Behind the Scenes of audio and video content online on Thursday April 22nd. This will offer an in-depth look at how to maximise the impact of video and audio content for your business.

More updates next week.

‘Career Connections’ connect with Microsoft and Google

by Connector on April 14th, 2010

Connector has organised a very special event ‘Career Connections’ on Tuesday 20th April @ the Science Gallery, Trinity College.

Students and graduates are facing an uphill struggle to find a job these days.Sadly, Connector cant help you all ‘connect with a job’, but we do have the connections to help you get ahead of the pack in the hunt for a job.

This promises to be a great night, showing students how to pursue careers in the competitive job market.

Speakers include Bryna McCool: Senior Recruiter at Microsoft HR Ireland, Lindsay Browning: recruitment specialist at Google and expert careers coach: Greg Fry. Conor Lynch, the founder of Connector will also be along to talk about the use of social media to market yourself to employers.

Focusing on the theme ’you have the qualifications…now what?’ Connector wants to give students the best chance to land a job when they get out of college.

The event kicks off at 7 with doors open at 6.45. The event will conclude with some networking and a chance to meet the speakers.

Remember to bring your student cards, as this is a student only Connector event.

Check out the presentation below and register on our Facebook page to attend.

Rosin Lyons, DCU

Connector Tribal Love @ The Science Gallery

by LauraD on March 16th, 2010

Following on from the many successful events held in the past few months, Connector’s “Tribal Love” event held in the Science Gallery was no exception. 

The event aimed to give a platform to up and coming collectives and companies who relied on “tribes” in order to connect members sharing similar interests together both on and offline. The night was kicked off with an enjoyable hour of networking helped along by the stash of free Corona being handed out by Connector’s ever-enthusiastic volunteers. The mix of attendees was varied and the crowd was one of the biggest I’ve witnessed at any Connector event so far. 

The night then progressed into a number of short presentations by tribes including; 121 Marketing , The Attic Studio, Laugh Out Loud, MonsterTruck, Darklight, Funky Seomra and many more.

The highlight of the night for me was Adam Drazin’s initial address. Adam is a lecturer in TCD specialising in social anthropology and ethnography. I found his talk to be both informed and hugely entertaining. His argument for the growing popularity of tribes (online tribes in particular) focused on the idea of a new form of social interaction rather than merely a new form of technology. He defined a tribe as somewhere in between a family and a state- a space where social interaction is ruled ultimately by politics and a sense of intimacy shared between members. The success of tribes is dependant on this shared sense of intimacy which leads to a sense of obligation to other members- a personal connection between tribe members and a sense of belonging to a particular tribe will often lead individuals to participate more actively in a community.

All tribes must seek to create a tangible community within which members will not only actively contribute both their time and knowledge but also share information of a more personal nature. By doing this, members feel a real connection to each other and the obligation to participate more fully in all areas of the tribes activity.

I thoroughly enjoyed the entire event and look forward to seeing how the work of each tribe will progress over the coming months. Many thanks again to Connector for organising the event!

Connector Tribal Love Invite

by Sarai Fernandez on February 25th, 2010

Sponsor a Tribe

by Conor on February 11th, 2010

This is a great book by Seth Godin. Tribes is a great way of expressing the phenomenon of online/offline groups/communities.

We are looking for sponsors for food/drink/prizes for our Connector Tribes event in the Science Gallery. So if you are a brand wondering how you can credibly get into social media, this could be your chance!  If you connect us to a sponsor, you will win yourself a brand new unsigned copy of the Tribal Bible ;-0

Please contact Conor on 086 811 8833 or email conor [at] connector.ie for more information.