June 8, 2005
london geek dinner– afterword
Here is everything you need to know about how the London Geek Dinner went, including many photos.
Thanks for everybody who came. Lots of interesting folk there. The concensus seems to be that it went off successfully. Robert Scoble said it was by far the biggest geek dinner he’d ever been to, which I guess is saying something.
There’s an old saying, “A host never enjoys his own party.” As the organiser of the party, I can relate. I don’t get to talk to anyone for nearly long enough. I was just rushing around, just trying to introduce myself to as many people as possible, trying to be as sociable as I could, making sure everyone was being looked after. It’s not something I’m particularly good at, but I tried my best.
But it was great seeing seeing people again, and finally getting to meet a lot of bloggers for the first time, whose work I consider myself a fan of.
Robert made a great speech. During the question and answer session, the thought occurred to me… As someone who doesn’t work for Microsoft, I tend to view what Robert’s doing there in mainly external terms– how blogging affects the “Porous Membrane” between Microsoft and the outside world.
But of course, large companies have PLENTY of internal membranes as well. Though part of me has always suspected it to be the case, Robert’s speech made it much clearer to me that Robert’s work is changing Microsoft INTERNALLY is by far the bigger story.
Sure, we bloggers think the world of Robert and his work. But having talked to Robert, it seems a lot of people at Microsoft are far from happy.
Basically, the are seven layers of management between Bill Gates and Robert Scoble. Obviously he’s being protected by upper levels. But what about the layers in between? Think of all the wee internal fiefdoms and hierachies Robert’s work must be threatening.
I imagine trying to keep track of all the fiefdoms in a company the size of Microsoft is a bit like trying to keep track of pee in a swimming pool. That being said, I find the implications that a lowish-level employee can make such a huge, tangible difference to one of the largest companies in the world utterly staggering.
Don’t you?
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A wee chuckle to start your day off right etc.
Good for you! I attended the geek fest in NYC with only half as many people, so to play host to over 200 fine blogger is a challenge to say the least.
You’re spon on with, “…large companies have PLENTY of internal membranes as well. And during Robert’s sppech it suddenly dawned on me– how Robert’s work is changing Microsoft INTERNALLY is by far the bigger story.“
I’ve been tryin to tell ya that is what we are doing with — Ideascape.
Perception is the ultimate long tail
I’m on my way to Denmark for Reboot after spending the day with IBM and some very smart people.
Shindig!
Some notes from my dinner with the bloggers and assorted hangers-on last night, hosted by Robert Scoble (who may think I’ve been stalking him at these gatherings, having shown up at one in New York last month) and Hugh MacLeod: [Scoble, a cornfed Ameri…
hugh: thanks for the heads up, i had a good time at the london event. met some good people, had some good conversations …
Robert doesn’t need protection. He is doing things that flow with the Microsoft way not against it. Yes, it is staggering that a lowish-level employee can make such a huge, tangible difference to one of the largest companies in the world. But Microsoft is no ordinary large company. The belief that a lowish-level employee can make a difference is why I joined Microsoft and why I stay at Microsoft.
Microsoft _isn’t_ one of the largest companies in the world. Don’t be another of those that mistakes their influence for actual size.
It may be one of the most influential, and it is definitely one of the most overvalued, but it is nowhere near the size of the world’s largest companies.
As an example, Microsoft’s entire turnover for a year is less than IBM’s gross profit, and IBM is not one of the worlds largest companies either, at least not in the top ten!
Protection not necessary.
I”ll imagine MS to be different to many companies YET people are not.
You always have people liking to open up things, and others to keep things closed down, all in their own rights and w/ good reasons.
If you”re playing strongly in one field, people in “the other” field might feel their principles ot be strongly threatened.
Only “good” communication can alter this.
EnjoyLife&ShareIt,
Marcus M Sommer
Hugh,
just wanted to say thanks for organising it. Should have come over and said it on the evening but it was great fun!
Thanks
My name is not Robert
Went off to the geek dinner on Tuesday night with 200 or so other people and had a great time. It was held just of Trafalgar Square at a Tex-Mex venue, and I get the feeling the poor people downstairs…
London Geek Dinner
It was great to hear about the London Geek Dinner and to hear Robert Scobel talk about blogging.
how do you spell s.c.o.b.l.e.
gapingvoid: london geek dinner– afterword
anthurium
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