Who is TechBoise and what should we offer? - Request for Input

Posted Mon, 01/25/2010 - 3:26pm by Holli High

As many of you know, TechBoise was lovingly founded back in 2007 by Boise's tech juggernaut, Tac Anderson. That was 3 long years ago, and Tac has moved on to greener (literally) pastures in Seattle. Tac left TechBoise in somewhat capable hands (we hope), and we've been trying to bring you relevant, enlightening events, making his departure as seamless as possible.

In order to continue in this tradition, we're looking for a guiding statement. In particular, a statement by which to measure all of our ideas and insure they continue to be informative, engaging, and not lame. Or if you don't want them to be informative, tell us that too! We're open to ideas.

The two main questions:

Who are we?

What do we do?

We'll take all the information you give us, mull it over, see if there are patterns, and use it in any way we please. Hopefully we will have a better idea of what we mean to you.

So, please use the comments section below to offer suggestions, and there will also be a dedicated white board at this Wednesday's event. Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Comments

What should we do?

by Holli High - 01/25/2010 - 3:28pm

What would you like to see from us? Tell us here.

Who should we be?

by Holli High - 01/25/2010 - 3:28pm

This thread is dedicated to the question, Who is TechBoise?

Please be honest (but not mean!)

robertdeen's picture

Support Group

by robertdeen - 01/29/2010 - 8:19am

I like Ryan's description, and Scott's suggestions.

I think an informal place to meet people with similar interests has a lot of value. Anything that helps move things from ideas to reality is good -- a mutual support group. And right now especially ANYTHING that helps get businesses started and creates jobs is huge.

The times I've attended it has been mainly to troll for people with good business ideas to invest in -- and I've seen some other people doing the same. So that might not be a primary purpose but probably has some value too.

The group may be at a point where you need to choose between the present laid-back, informal, not much structure kind of approach or start forming some committees and doing things to add organization, like some of the ideas Scott suggested.

Selfishly, I would appreciate seeing more information on the website about people and their companies.

Community

by Ryan Woodings - 01/28/2010 - 3:15pm

I really like the TechBoise get-togethers... they are laid-back, no pushy consultants, just a group of geeks talking about cool stuff that's happening. I meet someone new at every meeting and learn about local companies/schools/organizations doing fascinating things with technology.

So, the most important aspect of TechBoise to me is the community of people that it brings together... it's the only place where folks from Ignite Boise and Meridian Charter School can chat over beer and pizza to figure out how the two organizations can work together.

scott_nicholson's picture

Who should we be?

by scott_nicholson - 01/27/2010 - 8:50am

To me, the strength of TechBoise is to act as a facilitator between small companies. With so many small & independent tech oriented companies in the Boise Valley, TechBoise can act as an organization to let those companies get to know each other and to perhaps find synergies or to team with each other on projects.

Maybe TechBoise could keep a profile page for its members so people can understand who all the members are. I visit with people all the time in my business & last week I had a typical conversation with a graphics designer. It went like this: Me - why don't you come to TechBoise & meet other people in your field / peer group. Her: I'm shy, I don't like to go to those meetings, but I know I need to. Me: Do you ever need skill sets outside your core competencies? Her: yes, I know, I know, I need to go, but I don't know anyone there.......

Tech people are characteristically introverted. I know that doesn't apply to everyone, but tech people as a rule, typically are. And, the more formalized the meetings are, I think the more intimidating they become for new people.

I'd suggest going to a yearly agenda & just try different formats - do a simple ice breaker, do a simplified tech show, do a speed dating event (but don't call it that because it gives a ewwww feeling....).

Here's another suggestion. TechBoise's facebook page has 1 picture! For a tech group reaching out to a group largely made up of introverts, the facebook page should have 100 pictures to provide a visual image of what the meetings are like.

Is there a group focused on outreach? There probably should be a couple of people focused on reaching out to the target audience.

Hope that helps. Just my off the cuff thoughts. This is a great group!

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