TruLondon 2010 – A unique and stimulating experience
Having spent 2 full days at TruLondon last week I thought I would take a moment to reflect on my thoughts and observations.
Firstly for those of you that are wondering what TruLondon was – let me explain;
TruLondon was an unconference – a conference with a pretty loose agenda and very little formality – the idea is that this stimulates open debate (and it really does!). Conference ‘Tracks’ are led by experts and specialists in that field but the floor is always open for others to add their views and opinions.
The subject matter for this unconference was broadly recruitment and the use of social media – there were tracks on Employer branding, the use of video in recruitment, sourcing, job boards, Twitter, LinkedIn, blogging and much much more.
I really didn’t know what to expect from this event having not experienced an unconference before and the organiser Bill Boorman was somewhat vague about the details (I later realised that this was intentional!)
The really exciting thing was that many of the track leaders and attendees were genuine experts and thought leaders in the world of social recruiting and many were from overseas. Here was an environment where creativity, innovation and intelligent debate were prominent and I knew within minutes that I was going to learn many things – and I did!
I will expand on these points in further blogs but for now I will just summarise with the following headings;
- Sourcing – no thanks, I’m a Recruitment Consultant!
- Building Communities – a genuine networking practice or a lure into the witches den?!
- Social training for Recruitment Consultants – why Redmos are really onto something.
- Blogging – why every recruiter worth their salt should be doing it.
- Facebook – is this a place for business/recruiting?
- Video – Great for personal branding but is a video CV the modern day equivalent of a picture on a CV? – yuck!
That final point reminds me of one small thing that was starting to get on my nerves at TruLondon –
It’s not a resume, it’s a CV!
It was a great privilege to have so many guests there from the US and Canada and I find it very stimulating to hear their take on things – stimulating but not always convincing! I must admit that at times it felt like a ‘lesson from America’. I accept that what happens over there often makes it way to these shores but that doesn’t make it right – too many people look to North America for a vision of the future and this often makes it a self fulfilling prophecy. Personally I don’t care where innovation comes from, if it looks different and possibly a bit scary then instinct tells me to look more closely!
My lasting impression of TruLondon was one of meeting a really interesting and incredibly friendly bunch of passionate people who make a habit of pushing boundaries. Well done to Bill, Geoff, Maha and Fran for putting on such a great event. I can’t wait for the next one!
Mr LinkedIn's Blog 
I agree with you but I will say that I learned so much from you. I think the lessons are because our recruiting model is flipped from the UK model and yours is changing.
I learned things about relationships, engagement, and how my approach needs to be adjusted to appeal to a global audience.
Thanks for the blog post! I’m so glad I connected with you.
Jessica
@blogging4jobs
Jessica Miller-Merrell
February 24, 2010
Hey Jessica,
It was really great to meet you too and I really enjoyed your book which I have already recommended to several others as well as listing it on my LinkedIn Amazon reading list!
Just to be clear – my issue is more with Brits who take everything said with a North American accent as gospel rather than Americans thinking they know all there is to know!
I certainly think TruLondon was a revealing experience for everyone in demonstrating how much can be learnt by viewing other ways of doing things and I am sure that this will now continue.
mrlinkedin
February 24, 2010
I made a similar observation on Matt Alder’s blog – I agree Mark – UK recruitment professionals were taught a lesson on social media strategy. The US participants were credible and waiting in line to bring us example after example of online strategy that work for them or their clients.
Clearly there were some outstanding UK experts there – some great bloggers, some great advisors, and great evangelists – but where were the recruiters? – where were the UK examples of where social media has had a direct impact on business? ROI and measurement is the big thing in Social Media right now – but there were little UK examples of the success, just theories.
Thats not to mock anyone there – boy I met some great people who I am inspired to follow on twitter and otherwise, and learn from – and you top that pile Mark – but the next unconference needs UK social-media recruiting heroes.
Great points Mark – you echo some of my sentiments.
Come on UK people – lets start boasting our own successes – we’re just too flippin reserved!!
Steve Ward
February 25, 2010
Steve,
I think there are success stories to be told, it is just that some companies are nervous to share them for fear of losing a competitive advantage.
In a way it reminds me of a similar situation in online recruitment 10 years ago when companies were just getting started.
At the Social Media In Recruitment Conference on the 22nd April – http://www.socialmediainrecruitment.com there will be two delegates from last years Conference who will speak about the social media strategies they have learnt AND implemented since the previous Conference. So plenty of sharing of what is working for them!
Thanks
Mike Taylor
Director
Mike Taylor
February 25, 2010
Thanks Mike,
I think you are right to some degree but my fear is that there are actually very few Recruiters with a good story to tell! I hope I am proved wrong.
mrlinkedin
February 25, 2010