Tag: grassroots

Nonprofit 2.0 Unconference is back for social change

Folks, the Nonprofit 2.0 Unconference is back, and I’m keynoting this year alongside Majora Carter, who’s the real deal. Nonprofit 2.0 is DC’s only Unconference dedicated to the social cause space.

Here’s some info about the conference according to co-founder, Allyson Kapin, who also happens to be part of the craigconnects team:

“Nonprofit 2.0’s more than just a conference on the next generation web. It’s a next generation conference in format. Have you ever gone to a conference just for a keynote, but the workshops weren’t up to par? Nonprofit 2.0 delivers the best of keynotes and workshops, offering keynotes led by innovative nonprofit campaigners, thought leaders, and strategists in the space, but in an unconference way, with no PowerPoints, 15 minute leads, and open questions and dialogue to give a voice to everyone.”

Following the keynote sessions, Nonprofit 2.0 shifts into a full-on Unconference with workshops facilitated by DC’s brightest minds strategizing for social change.

Untitled

What’s an Unconference? Well, you start with a blank wall and, in less than an hour, with a facilitator guiding the process attendees create a full day, multi-track conference agenda that is relevant and inspiring to everyone in the room. All are welcome to put forward presentations or propose conversations that you’d like to have with others and:

  • questions you want answered;
  • information you want to share/present;
  • a project you would like help on;

As people register, the conference organizers will be posting proposed topics on their blog.

Last year’s event sold out pretty early, so get your tickets now, if you’re able, and don’t miss out.  You can use comp code nptech for 10% off registration fees.

As I mentioned, I’ll be keynoting this year with Majora Carter, one of the biggest activists and disruptors tackling urban revitalization in communities that are often ignored. The smart Craig Newmark will be talking about the non-traditional business philosophy of “doing well by doing good,” and my belief in the advantage of “bottom-up” grassroots action.

I’ve heard that Majora will discuss her journey, message, and vision to revitalize communities that are forgotten. Her TED talk on Greening the Ghetto is the important stuff.

Join us on June 26thth at SEIU for what promises to be a 4th sold out unconference. Folks, this is the real deal, and tickets are just $45. Plus, I can get you 10% off with the comp code nptech. It’s not altruism, it just feels right.

And, please note that any net proceeds will be donated to a local charity.

 

10 ways to rule at customer service, hint: watch out for astroturfing

I’ve been doing customer service in different capacities for the last 32 years, more or less… I joined IBM in ’76, became a Systems Engineer in ’82, did CSRthat into ’93. And have been a craigslist (CL) customer service rep (CSR) since 1995. It’s a tech customer service kind of thing.

This is a good time to mention that I do enough real customer service to keep my emotional investment in the CL and grassroots community, but my involvement in CL management ended well over ten years ago, and you need to look elsewhere for a CL spokesman. Getting perceived as spokesman, though, is a big pain in the butt, with no solution. That’s why I’ll direct you elsewhere for CL stuff.

As for my CSR stuff, here are 10 ways to rule at customer service:

1. Treat people like you want to be treated

 2. Talk to people about what they need and want.

 3. Act on what you hear from people.

 4. Repeat #2 – #3 forever

 5. Use your own product, AKA “eat your own dogfood.”

 6. At least, customer service should be a senior position, probably C-level.

 7. Ideally, CEO does customer service.

 8. Focus groups are no substitute for getting out there and talking to real people.

 9. Watch out for astroturfing, fake feedback.

 10. See #1

 

Startups, marriage, and other things I did after 35

Hey, I’m on Quora and I noticed that someone asked:

What do people in Silicon Valley plan to do once they hit 35 and are officially over the hill?

Since life in Silicon Valley ends at 35 unless you hit it big or move up in management (and simple logic tells you that most won’t), I’m curious what people younger than this think they’ll be doing at that age.

Well, I started craigslist when I was 42… Folks seemed to really like my answer, or were just surprised by it. To my surprise, the response has received 82K views, 3,200 upvotes, and counting.

MisterEd

On that note, I decided to write something regarding the onset of my sunset years…

  • I started craigslist in the last blush of my youth. Experience counts folks. I learned a lot in my other roles in other jobs and I brought that with me to craigslist.
  • My involvement in craigslist management ended well over ten years ago. I gave up any management role, but I’m committed to customer service. I do enough real customer service to maintain my emotional investment in the CL and grassroots community.
  • Every day customer service reminds me that we help millions of people put food on the table.
  • I did some work with nonprofits before 35, but didn’t formalize it until I began craigconnects in 2011.
  • Things are starting to not work, as in, my body just isn’t as young as I want it to be; am I right, guys?*

*Note: when I say “guys” I almost always mean “people”, but in this case I mean “male humans of a certain age.”

  • I’ve really accepted what I am, a nerd, modified by customer service.
  • Somehow I’m still surprised, people are asking questions about what they could easily look up.
  • …well, some of us waited til after 35 to get married.

 

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