Linkedin Local Bengaluru December Meet- A Bird's Eye view

I attended the Linkedin Local Bengaluru Meet organized on 1st December 2019 at 91 Springboard Koramangala. After the initial briefing by host Mr Febin Rajan, intern, McAfee, on the background and aim of organizing the event, Mr Jerrin Thomas of Nupie Management Consultancy services, a data analytics company, spoke on the subject " Unlocking business value through data analytics" highlighting the impact of the latest developments in AI technology on the industry & society and how it can be leveraged. He traced the development over the years from the analogue to the digital, print based industrial society to digital form, industrial goods to information goods etc.

Jerrin said that the need for data is ever growing. so much so, the discipline of infonomics (Economics of information- Studying the production & consumption of information and transfer of money to produce, sell or obtain it)  is emerging rapidly. In the present circumstances, there is a need to address issues  caused by the move away from personal touch to digital connect, from high touch to Hi tech and from heart to mind.

The other changes include digital currency not regulated by banks, augmented reality (Users are provided with additional computer generated information  enhancing their perception of reality) that enables customers to see the size, colour etc of the product, say a table and suitably modify them to suit individual personal requirements and Humanoids with human capabilities that include  simulated thinking and remembering . The Humanoid, Sophia  manufactured by Hanson Robotics, looks and acts like humans with the aid of artificial intelligence, visual data processing and facial recognition. Critical thinking and creativity will be the key skills in 2020. There is a need to invest and experiment in new technologies, build awareness, train and develop skills & mindsets, dedicate resources and manage time. 

The next speaker for the evening was Ms Shikha Nag, Director Indian academy of public speaking/ image consultant shared her thoughts on the subject "Brand You". She started out by stating that whether we are aware of it or not, we do tend to judge a book by its cover and human beings by the image they project. Persons with the same skill sets and competence fare differently in their growth journey which is influenced by "Perception". Shikha got the participants to do an exercise in which they were required to note down three words that they believe/ wish defined them. Later she asked them to come up with action points to accomplish the three things identified. As for example one of the words I had written down was "Dependable". The action point I came up for this was "Sticking strictly to commitments". 

 The speaker said that the "Brand You" was all about marketing yourself and your career as a brand. In this connection, language of clothes ranging from power dressing to casual dress, plays  an important part. With regard to 'public speaking' she said that the word includes interacting with people in the audience. While speaking, focus only on 3 or 4 points you want the audience to remember and reinforce them later in the talk. Branding also includes personal hygiene and grooming (face, nails etc). Pay attention to etiquette  and being comfortable around people. Treat others the way they would like to be treated. An interesting statement considering the fact that we often go by the conventional line "Treat others the way you would like to be treated". Each person may have distinct unique needs and this is addressed when you treat them the way they would like to be treated. One should be  genuine & authentic and also consistent in behaviour. The personal brand should match in all places whether online or offline. 

We then had the talk by Ms Shruthi Vijay Jaiswal, Head Talent Development, Thomson Reuters who spoke on "Does your Net- Work?" The first step in networking is to ask yourself"With whom would I like to network?" Networking is not just about building relationships but sustaining them. Extroverts are not necessarily better than introverts in networking. In this connection 'Deliberation' is the key. You have to be at it and not leave it to chance. In your network , there are people who can be called as in your "In groups' and those who are in the 'Out groups'. 

You are yet to trust or feel safe with those in the 'Out group'. Therefore, there is a tendency to listen to the people in the 'In group'. ' Sponsors' are people who  are high in the list of an In group and they speak for you, even in your absence and are aware of your value. It would be advantageous to work for attaining more number of sponsors in your network. The speaker explained this, with the help of a networking play field grid. She advised the participants to make a list of their network and see how many of them in the list can be moved to the sponsorship level. She concluded by stating that networks get built over a period of time and one has to be patient. The mantra is to give without any expectations and you will benefit in the long run. 

The next speaker was Mr Rameez Mohammad, Chief People Officer, Aquagenics R&D Pvt Ltd who referred to himself as a 'Gig worker' and a bits and pieces man. He engaged the audience in an experience sharing about functioning in the Gig Economy. Rameez said he chose to tread a different path after he was fed up with the very predictable and boring 9 to 5 job. He did not wish to get into the trap of FOMO (Fear of missing out- anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on social media). He had also begun feeling that he did not need the amount of money he was earning for the modest lifestyle he desired.

Having taken the plunge to become a gig worker, Rameez tried his hand at a variety of activities, ranging from football coaching to teaching, web designing and cycle repairing. The concept of Maktub detailed in Paul Coelho's book 'Alchemist' showed the way and gave the courage to the speaker to pursue his path (Maktub is a belief about destiny - everything is destined and written. How when and where has already been planned and we need not get anxious about it. With Just a little patience, it will come at the appropriate time, provided we put the efforts needed.) 

The characteristics of a gig economy are flexible working and project based working with the employee moving on after the project is done. A gig worker may have to confront an 'existential crisis' while steering his way in a  gig economy . These are moments when individuals question whether their lives have meaning, purpose, or value. It may be, but not necessarily, tied to depression or negative speculations on purpose in life (e.g., "if one day I will be forgotten, what is the point of all of my work?"). Rameez shared his learning and provided tips gained from his own experience:- 

• Just do it : As you are moving into new territories, don't worry about not being the expert. figure something out, on the way.
• Deal with Self doubts:  As doubt fuels doubt one has to go beyond it and go ahead.
• Embrace the quirks: Accept the peculiar aspects of a person or situation and move on. What works for you will work for your client as well. 
• Have no limitations: Be prepared to do anything and everything out there.
• Altruism is a big driver: You tend to be happy when you are able to help someone else.
• Set up rituals for teams: In order to speak the same language. 
• Stop being transactional in relationships- No longer aim to get the maximum you can from others and give as little as possible 
• Be willing to say "No"- Not everybody deserves your time. However be free with kindness and patience.
• Be mindful in interactions: Do not hustle (push roughly/jostle). 
• Get really good at what drives you
• Be organized
• Do your own thing without getting into the 'comparison trap'.
• Set up a new normal for yourself. 
• Build your crew 
• Help and take help when needed
• Have faith instead of doubts  

This was perhaps, for me  the most valuable presentation as  it was anecdotal and came from personal experience of the speaker. Further, to my mind, with so much of uncertainties predicted for the future, everyone would do well to be prepared for working in conditions thrown up by a gig economy.  

Mr Anish .K.Raju, Digital Marketer gave information mainly about optimally using the Linkedin platform. He exhorted the participants to be more active on LinkedIn without having a fear of being judged. If some people appear to be more effective and active, it is just that they started using the platform earlier than you. LinkedIn is to be seen not merely as a social media but a networking platform that can be used effectively to get ahead in your career or business. 

The speaker gave the following tips for effectiveness on LinkedIn:-    

- Define your purpose
- Optimize your Linkedin profile by uploading a professional looking picture, a catchy phrase with a good background image/banner. 
- Effective Summary: This should be more in a story telling mode to attract the attention of readers. Showcase your experience using effective writing tools. Pay attention to skills and endorsement as it reflects your credibility. Add your blog address and other accomplishments here.
- Create content that creates value. 
- Be consistent: Post regularly. It is never too late to start. 

Anish reiterated that content is the 'King' and quality of engagement is the 'Queen' that gets you the likes and comments on the platform. He signed off by reminding the audience to give their feedback on the meet using Hashtags Linkedin Local and Linkedin Local Bengaluru (The team has worked really hard).

The last speaker for the day was Mr Ranjit Keshav, MD, Insight Guru. He said that Linkedin sells human relations to one another and that artificial intelligence(AI) is the unspoken rule to build a great career. I was a tad distracted by the excessive body movements and high volume of the voice of the speaker that I could not catch most of what was said subsequently. But he ended with the statement  "Ambition and idealism cannot go together."  

My Two Piece of Advice/Suggestion  

It cannot be denied that the December Linkedin Local Meet Bengaluru was a big accomplishment . It provided opportunity for quite a bit of learning and not mere interaction like in a party atmosphere. Going forward, I thought that I should share some thoughts that came to mind for consideration of organizers.

• Less is more: Although a lot of learning was shared by as many as six speakers, it would be better to have a balance between speaking and interacting. The interaction with participants had to be restricted to what was possible in one fifteen minute break. According to Rob Balsabas, Social media & Community Strategist, Vancouver, Canada" There's nothing that beats that face to face, handshaking, look them in the eye interaction" Having three (Max four) speakers and using the remaining time for discussion/ interaction could be a good idea. 

• Discussions on what we heard: Some time could be spend on deliberating on the actual implementation of ideas in one's own company- the Hows and the challenges/pitfalls. In one of my blogs I had suggested that the HR professional bodies- NIPM/NHRD experiment with this so that the focus would be more on the action rather than theory. 

• Starting presentation on a general subject to which all can relate: The specialized area of discussion could come later. Eg in this program the first one could have been on "Branding" or "Networking" rather than the one on "Data Analytics" ( This is of course purely a personal view)   

• Concluding Program on time: The meet commenced on the dot which is commendable. However, the concluding moments went on and on with many leaving before the formal declaration. Participants would have planned their evening  based on the concluding time notified. Many of them also come from locations very far from the venue. Therefore, it is advisable to close the meet also on time so that no one misses any part of the meet. If necessary, the program can start half an hour to one hour earlier.  

Overall the December meet of the  Linkedin Local Bengaluru  was a very fruitful and enjoyable experience. It is hoped that the community will grow from strength to strength. No amount of thumbs up to the team that made it all possible would be too much!  The initiative, drive and efforts of the entire team ( Febin Rajan, Mansi saboo, Anugrah Raveendran, Nischit Muthamma, Rejo.C.Roy and many more) was there for all to see. The defining moment was a jam packed venue at the beginning of the program- a big achievement in a nation that tends to believe in Indian Stretched Time (IST)!