Boston Dynamics’ Post

In my journey working with Grand Challenges, I've been awed by the potential of meticulously curated events to spark genuine progress and collective enthusiasm. Merging lessons from street theater, storytelling, and community engagement, I've birthed the idea of "Touchstone Events". These aren't mere moments but are milestones designed to herald transformative change. I've shared deeper insights in an article on Medium. If you're keen on understanding how to craft events that foster lasting change, I'd love for you to check it out. https://lnkd.in/ecuN-PPt #Transformation #GrandChallenge

Amid Covid challenges, the event industry thrives on innovation, collaboration, and diversity. From virtual experiences to creative adaptations, we’ve found new ways to connect. Kindly click the link in my bio to read the article by @vanguardngrnews Let’s continue embracing inclusivity as we shape the future of events together. #EventInnovation #CollaborateForChange #DiverseConnections #onyinyeejike #thevelvetexpression #thevelvetexpressionusa #thevelvetexpressionllc #article

I recall organizing the first Pride ERG event in 2018, where only three people attended out of tens of thousands. The low turnout was disappointing, especially as I was juggling my demanding ERG leadership role with full-time work. However, our persistent efforts began to pay off. Within a few months, attendance grew to 10, then 20 participants by 2019. I learned firsthand that persistence is key to success. A turning point came when we strategically aligned our events with significant days, such as Mental Health Awareness or Transgender Day of Remembrance. This proved pivotal, and our events started attracting around 100 attendees in 2021. We then identified deeper community needs and successfully garnered broader interest, with our events averaging 1,000 attendees across APJC in 2022. Following this upward trend, our global events drew over 10,000 participants in 2023, where I had the honor of joining panels alongside Cisco's Chief DEI Officer. The support of executive sponsors was crucial in amplifying our reach. These milestones underscored the transformative impact of persistence and strategic alignment. It's important to note that achieving these milestones isn't magic or rocket science but pure determination. My journey provides several key takeaways: 1. Starting small and maintaining consistent effort and dedication can lead to significant growth over time. 2. Connecting events with meaningful causes resonates deeply with communities and enhances engagement. 3. Leveraging leadership support can exponentially amplify the reach of initiatives. 4. Scaling efforts internationally fosters broader conversations and drives meaningful change. I believe there is no single number that defines enough participation. If you have 10 people who can pass on the learning to another 10 and so on, this number only grows. Let's continue to champion inclusion and community engagement together. Together, we can make a lasting impact.

As we approach New Year's Eve, we wonder: What's in a party? 🧐 What's the secret to a killer office party that also builds culture? ✨ One of our not-so-secret secrets is called Kenan Olovcic 💁♂️ He's our in-house Chief Surprise Officer, party-planner-prodigy, and the brain behind the Menti Festival; our annual big-bang company party 🪩🥂 We asked him to share some of his thoughts on organizing parties at scale and what makes the Menti Festival so special. 🗨️🙋: Kenan, why do we organize the Menti Festival?  💁♂️💬: In its core, the Menti Festival is a celebration of all our achievements! We organize it as a grand finale to the "Menti-Days," our strategy days where we collectively embody our strategy, vision, and mission 🗨️🙋: What makes the Menti Festival stand out from other company parties? 💁♂️💬: We design it to be relevant to us at Mentimeter. The Fest is planned around letting all Menti employees invite their +1's into our world. This celebration is designed to highlight the culture that we all help shape and create every day together. 🗨️🙋: How do you make sure everyone feels included and safe during a party at this scale? 💁♂️💬: Designing for everyone is designing for no one. With that said, offering a wide variety of activities, keeping food vegetarian and inclusive, and implementing feedback from past years creates a fantastic combo for having lots of people leaving the party with their minds blown 🤯. 🗨️🙋: Lastly, what are the key elements to a successful office party? 💁♂️💬: I'd say three things: 1. Knowing yet challenging your audience. 2. Awesome and curious partners. 3. Colleagues eager to hang out. Thank you Kenan! 💙 Want proof the Fest was indeed spectacular? Have a look at the pictures below. 📸

Are you ready for the most anticipated event of the year?I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll attend XDay North America 2023 in the vibrant city of Austin, TX! Now, you might be wondering, “Why should I be there?”Let me break it down for you: 💎 Immerse yourself in captivating sessions led by expert speakers. 💎 Stay ahead by uncovering the latest industry trends and strategies for supercharging your business growth. 💎 Dive deep into real-life case studies and interactive workshops, gaining priceless knowledge and insights. Build lasting connections with a passionate community of like-minded individuals who share your enthusiasm for Research, Workforce and CX. But here’s the real question: Are you ready to join us for all the shenanigans and surprises we have in store?  And hey, there might even be a special gift or secret code waiting for you! 🫨Want to find out? Just comment below and I'll hook you up. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity. Secure your spot now: > Check link in the comments for tickets See you in Austin! #XDay2023 #CX #Workforce #Research #highereducation #surveys #academicresearch #insights #audience #texas

Last week, I joined the Mapping Ties event with amazing speakers Justyna Baber from IKEA and Nast Marrero from the LEGO Group. Both speakers are community leaders in their organizations, so it was insightful to learn from the practitioners in such well-known firms. 🌾 My main takeaways: 1️⃣ Consistency is a key: Consistency in hosting events/activities maintains the rhythm and engagement within the communities, subsequently motivating members to become more active and implement their ideas. 2️⃣ We're all alike: All communities use similar formats for events and activities. The key is to find what your community members really like to do/learn and what topics they're interested in. 3️⃣ Lead by example: People will start suggesting their ideas, but they need time and leaders who will always be there to bring life and rhythm to the community. 4️⃣ The easier, the better: Check your resources and use what you have, what people find easy to use. Avoid overcomplicating it. Sometimes, we want to use many new platforms and tools for interaction, but if community members need to make extra clicks to access them, you decrease the chance to engage them eventually. 5️⃣ Metrics (my favorite 😉 ): ▪ The main result is the satisfaction of your audience. Ask them how good the investment of their time was. ▪ Gather individual stories/testimonials showing how the community affected someone's work results. The stable growth of engagement is important too (% of people who joined the activity/event). But if you know what your members want, it will rise. ▪ Growth of the community (if relevant). By the way, I really like the event feature of LinkedIn (kind of Clubhouse). It's easy to join, giving a real feeling of connection and coffee chat with people from all over the world, even when you're sitting in your apartment in Kyiv. 👏 Kudos to Sophie August and Anamaria Dorgo for making it happen. Highly recommend you join the next event in the Mapping Ties series. #community #communityofpractices #leadershipdevelopment #sociallearning #lego #ikea

🌍💡 "Events Connect People, Breed Innovation, Build Communities, Spark CHANGE." At Espresso Events, we're passionate about creating events that inspire and transform. Join us in making impactful events. Let's connect! 🤝 #EventIndustry #CommunityBuilding #EventProfs #InnovativeEvents #NetworkingEvents #ChangeMakers #InspiringEvents #CorporateEvents #EventTrends #EspressoEventsExperience

Have you ever wondered why outdoor community events matter? It's a question often posed by stakeholders or supervisors, and the answer varies based on our goals. For me, these events matter because they foster connections to experiences we can rely on.   In an increasingly digital world, this connection is crucial, especially now. The pandemic hasn't just physically distanced us; it has also driven us into isolated online bubbles. We encounter fake news, propaganda, and divisive narratives daily, leading to fractured communities where individuals find solace in echo chambers and fringe beliefs.   The remedy lies in bringing people together offline, in shared spaces and community events. These events can be intentionally crafted to bridge divides and nurture inclusivity, fostering a sense of belonging for everyone, irrespective of differences.   Despite the challenges, I believe in the inherent goodness of people. It's just harder to see amidst the digital noise and echo chambers. By creating welcoming outdoor environments through community events, we can break down barriers and create opportunities for genuine connections and understanding. #communityevents #eventmanagement #weplanevents Alain Beaunom

Ugh, it’s only (me or) a few of us at this event. How many times have you said this and left? I used to feel weird about these spaces. Shift: You belong there too. Why not? (If it’s not safe, pivot or don’t go.) Now, I leverage these spaces for deeper impact, influence, inclusion convos and income. Here are 3 don’ts to consider: 1. Don’t only attend events where everyone can relate to your experiences and visa versa. 2. Don’t only attend events within your industry (decision makers and partnerships are wide) 3. Don’t shrink yourself and assume that your thought leadership isn’t needed or welcomed Sure, the event organizers should be unsettled. This is the reality and time to advocate or avoid. P.S. How do you navigate these spaces? --- P.S.S. Valuable? Share with your people. Past content? Click → #doseofdominique Book to speak? bio. dominiquepritchett. com

Embrace the Power of Presence: Supporting the Community through Event Participation! 🌟✨ ⁠ ⁠ We understand the significance of being present at events and supporting our community. It's not just about showcasing our brand, but about actively engaging with like-minded individuals, connecting with industry leaders, and forging meaningful relationships. ⁠ ⁠ By participating in events, we foster a sense of unity, share knowledge, and contribute to the growth of the community. Together, we create a thriving ecosystem where support, collaboration, and inspiration thrive. ⁠ ⁠ Join us in making a positive impact. Let's be present, support one another, and build an empowered community, one event at a time! 🌿💚 ⁠ ⁠ #THCGirls #EventPresence #SupportingCommunity"