January Event

[Mike Brenner]

Hi Everyone -

For our first event of the new year, we have been discussing the focus
of the topic to be brought back to the professional aspect of our
industry. We've had some great talks in 2008 on design and the
technical side of the web, now let's shine some light on how to
monetize better and become more efficient at what we all love to do.

The topic hasn't been set in stone, but I'd like to see it revolving
somewhere around G.T.D. (Getting Things Done) and Productivity.
Rather then have one person lead the discussion, I'd like to have a
panel of individuals "ignite" the discussion and speak for about 5-8
minutes each. Topics could include things like project management,
project cost analysis and billing, "sealing the deal" with clients,
finding quality prospects, to how-to digest and deal with daily email.

We have some great little start-ups in the area and I've started to
solicit speaking positions to some of their "wheels" - or the people
who are really making things happen within their organizations. If
you would be interested in speaking on a specific topic and find it
relevant to the global topic of the night, please feel free to speak
up and let us know, or contact me directly and we'll see where we can
fit you in.

I'm really excited to be pinning the professional button back on and
hope it will lead to some great discussion for the night and in future
events.

"Think Big. Do Bigger."

[Bob Neelbauer]

Mike,

You may want to talk to Martin from nclud. He gave a presentation to
Refresh DC this year talking about freelancing that was really good. He
might have some ideas.

Best,

Robert Neelbauer
Jobmatchbox.com

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TOPIC: January Event
http://groups.google.com/group/refresh-bmore-planning/t/bb485fab7364b203?hl=
en
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== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Dec 9 2008 6:27 am
From: Mike Brenner

[ma...@zgordon.org]

Anyword yet about a date for the Jan refresh?

[Benjamin Sterling]

We just locked up location and date yesterday, waiting on confirmation back on the speakers and will send out an email shortly.

--
Benjamin Sterling
Skype: benjamin.sterling
AIM: thekenzoco
http://KenzoMedia.com
http://KenzoHosting.com
http://BenjaminSterling.com
http://refreshbmore.org

[Mike Brenner]

Hi All,

I just sent out an email to the whole group about the event tomorrow
night at MICA. I hope all of you can come. We've been fortunate
enough to have Mindgrub Technologies quickly step-up and sponsor the
event, so they will be providing some fresh pizza and drinks for
everyone. This is all more the reason to visit our event page and
RSVP : http://tinyurl.com/january-refresh.

We've got a list of topics that will help lead the conversation of the
night. We'll can currently budget about 10-15 minutes per topic, but
in order to truly get to the heart of the topic we should try and
focus on specific issues we have all faced regarding that topic.
Below I've listed the topics (+) and given some issues that I've
personally had to face (-). I'd like it if everyone could provide
some of their own problems they have had to face on some of the topics
and send them back to the group. We'll use this list to question the
group tomorrow night .

+ Initial Strategy of Project
- Should I be "waste" my time creating a proposal that suggests/
teases expensive items for their project that they have initially
showed they cannot afford?

+ Time-Tracking / Budgeting / Fees
- What to do when a project goes over budget? Does the Client or
the Designer pay the price?
- How to handle scope creep during project development?

+ Dealing with a client as a designer -- Client Deliverables /
Communication of Obstacles

+ Dealing with a client as a programmer -- Client Deliverables /
Communication of Obstacles

+ Favorite project management tools -- Top 2 traits of the tool

Now it's your turn to list a couple specific issues that you've had to
face. You don't have to address each topic, but if you could list a
couple points that would be extremely appreciated.
Also, make sure to get the word out about tomorrow night. This event
is much less techie then the previous events which makes it much more
inviting to the whole community. We'd love to see new faces so go out
and tweet, poke, DM, and blast your faces off!

Thanks guys!

- Mike -

[bryanl]

How about: Managing technical talent?

[Mike Brenner]

The link to the event page was incorrect : http://tinyurl.com/refresh-january

Any more feedback?