As January comes to a close, we’re getting ready for our February event, we’re listening to input on IT in The D and taking stock of where we are, there are some blog entries both new and old to read, there’s a cool event taking place today and through the weekend you should check out, we’re still littering people’s Facebook feeds with fun, there’s another Party Bus/Pub Crawl going on, Bob’s still trying to convince me that a wrestling circuit is a good investment…
Clearly, we’ve got a lot going on…and we’re sure you do as well, so let’s just dive in and get rolling…
First thing’s first, our next event.
Thursday, February 21st at Falling Down Beer Company.
They’re actually opening a bit ahead of schedule, and for what it’s worth, they still have a few “Founder” memberships left. Not a bad deal, gets you discounts on everything they do…check ’em out: http://www.fallingdownbeer.com/
Details, as always, can be found here on our site – https://itinthed.com/event/february-casual-networking-social-2012/, out on Meetup: http://meetup.itinthed.com, and out on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/ITintheD.
We’re looking forward to seeing you there.
If you’re on your way out to lunch, keep Coneys for a Cause in mind: https://itinthed.com/4941/celebrity-coneys-and-hardcore-coneys-for-a-cause-help-thaw/, and there are events taking place throughout the weekend to help The Heat And Warmth (THAW) fund. Totally worthwhile, you should absolutely read those details.
So now let’s talk about IT in The D for a moment.
We’ve said all along that we don’t “push” things, we get pulled into them because we listen to the group and react to what the group wants/needs us to be doing, and then we try and figure out how to pull whatever that may be off in a reasonable manner. People wanted something more than our casual networking events that was more jobs focused, and so we launched our Pink Slip Party events. After those got rolling, we heard “you guys really need to do a conference”…and so IT in The D got rolling.
After a few years of preparation, planning and discussions, it’s now getting closer and closer…
…but we feel like we’re pushing a lot more than we’re getting pulled right now, and that’s not what we ever want to be doing.
We’re very close to a tipping point – we’re nearly at the point where we have enough sponsors and enough tickets sold to still move forward with what we’ve got planned and be happy with what comes together.
Nearly.
And so we’re going to give it a week and see where we are by our deadlines with the venue and catering, and make the call on how much you actually want this.
So, reality check time: is this something you really want us to do? You’ve got a week to let us know. Been thinking about sponsoring but just haven’t made it happen? Now’s the time. Haven’t bought your tickets yet? Now’s the time.
Because we’ll do it…and we’ll drive ourselves nuts doing it to make sure it’s done right…but not if it’s not something you actually want from us. That’s just not our speed, and we think you all know that by now.
There. That’s your “heavy” message. Now we’ll move on to lighter topics and fun stuff.
Like our blog entries, because those are always fun.
Bob has apparently been having issues in meetings lately, and so he’d really like you to know How Not To Suck At Meetings: https://itinthed.com/4947/how-not-to-suck-at-meetings/
Don’t Be That Guy: The Unprepared Graduate stemmed from some speaking engagements I’ve done at Lawrence Tech, and lives out at https://itinthed.com/1784/the-unprepared-graduate/
Don’t Be That Guy: The Bad Candidate came in from a recruiter that comes to our events, and hates it when candidates go insane or just exhibit these terrible behaviors: https://itinthed.com/1532/dbtg-the-bad-candidate/
Lessons from a Child’s Toy 2 is over at https://itinthed.com/3297/lessons-from-a-childs-toy-2-learn-harder/, and includes yet more lessons about networking stemming from the anxiety and frustrations triggered by my children’s playthings.
On the LinkedIn front, we’re just shy of 4,000 members, and we’ve got some interesting topics out there now, such as:
– There’s a new social network where you’re nothing but a number: http://lnkd.in/Pxz4iW
– What are the most wanted office perks? http://lnkd.in/JaJERB
– Thinking about becoming a senior manager? Now might be the time: http://lnkd.in/p7NHcR
– Got any thoughts on sexual harassment training? http://lnkd.in/Qp6-gn
As always, there’s more out there, and they can all be found at http://www.linkedin.com/groups/ITintheDorg-Detroit-Networking-Events-IT-91763
Jobs? Plenty of jobs as well. You can find them over at http://www.linkedin.com/groups?careerDiscussion=&gid=91763
In case you missed the memo about our Facebook page, we have fun there. Stupid, silly pictures, other random discussions, and all sorts of stuff we can’t get away with anywhere else. You should like us there and come play.
Also on the “fun” front, some of the bars we’ve done events at over the years (as well as a few new ones) are participating in a fun event on Sunday, February 17th from 12pm to 6pm (and later) called “St Practice Day”. Because it’s a month before St Patrick’s Day, and so you need practice to get back into the swing of things from last year. So there’s a Party Bus/Pub Crawl going on, and you should totally check that out because it’s going to be a great time. Tipsy McStaggers and a few other familiar names are stops along the way. Looking forward to it.
Oh, and yes, Bob’s still trying to convince me that a wrestling circuit is a good investment. So far I’ve managed to get him to keep his wallet and checkbook in the car, but we’re going to be out hanging with them on February 10th at the Ritz in Warren if you’re around.
So, there you have it folks. All the news that’s fit to print…and probably some that isn’t.
Regards,
Bob, Dave and Jeff
itinthed.com
On the web: https://itinthed.com
On LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=91763
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ITintheD
On Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ITintheD
On Meetup: http://meetup.itinthed.com