Last evening (Dec. 2), I went to livedoor office to run a session with 10 or so top bloggers.
When you run a seminar or similar kind, it is one of the most important things that you know who they are in advance. But, they are the kind of people who I would meet for the first time. I had not been very sure how it would go, but in the end, it went well, I guess. I hope they enjoyed the talk. At least, I myself had fun running it.
In my professional life of working on brand strategy or TV advertising in manufacturing company, I did not have any chance to see bloggers like them in person, those Japan’s top bloggers. I had a chance to visit and see their blogs in advance, but that does not help me to understand who they really are. And each blog has its own theme and feel, there is not much in common.
Net, there is no clue to adapt/prepare contents and organization of seminar in advance when you do not know who they are till you see them in the room. In addition, it is a talk of “Brand Marketing” to bloggers…
So, I decided. I do not prepare anything, and just go.
Off course, I had a place in mind where I want them to arrive at the end, but I decided to select specific topics and contents when I see them.
And, in front of them, I do not have any confidence to use my PC to project same old PowerPoint slides, no way. They would immediately whisper (“Hey, not cool. This old guy’s not good, maybe.”)
So I asked Sasaki-san from livedoor,
“Can you please prepare flip chart? That’s it.”
That should be fine, hand-writing all the presentation, as I would choose topics after I start the session.
At the end of the day, because of their active participation, comments and questions, there popped up lots of topics and examples, they bared with my bad hand-writing, and all of us had a safe landing on a conclusion.
I shared my original “Kakun-Noren (sorry, I cannot translate them)” chart. (What is that? Secret.)
Yes, it is the secrets, the essence, or final weapon. I revealed it already.... It is like showing my best pitch at first. It surprised them, but I do not have anything else to throw. Maybe I was too nice?
Let’s forget it. I met those good guys, had fun with them over dinner after the seminar, and exposed Takaoka-san’s “Three Final Weapons” to livedoor guys.
Guys, thank you for your help and participation. Hope to see you again, soon.
Sasaki-san, and other guys from livedoor, thank you, too.
“O.”
