I can provide some similar context from the software development world, where I (typically) live. It's also undergone an interesting shift in commoditization and specialization. The people who know how to build and maintain "ambiant networks" for both producing and learning are the ones I see continually succeeding.
Not surprisingly, this was how I started my career independently: I continually looked carefully to my professional network for inspiration as well as context, which ultimately helped me keep my edge without needing to a) be an expert in everything and b) become an expert in everything. If anything, my expertise became knowing my own boundaries and not just when to look elsewhere, but to where. I defined my first consulting "team" as a "dynamic group of superheros" or something like it. This model was based on "small pieces loosely joined" by Dave Weinberger (hat tip to Tara Hunt and Chris Messina for that making it to my library early on). Some key concepts: > Our core team is small and powerful: full of ideas, talent, and drive. > These characteristics get even stronger when we scale. > It's about knowing when to say, > *'I don't know, let's find someone who does'.* > Harnessing the power of open source, community driven software and > communication means we don't waste time doing things that are already done, > and instead focus on doing things that stem from recognizing a new need. And from Weinberger's book (via Wikipedia): The web, Weinberger writes, "is enabling us to rediscover what we've always > known about being human: we are connected creatures in a connected world > about which we care passionately." This stuff should be relevant to your paper, and quite frankly, everyone on this list. -Alex /ah indyhall.org coworking in philadelphia On Tue, Mar 29, 2011 at 2:12 PM, Joshua Marpet <[email protected]>wrote: > Alex, kudos for the honesty on the pants. :D > > Anyways, I'd like to collate all this. I'm working up a paper and talk on > a topic near and dear to my heart. I work and live in the Infosecurity > world, and have WAY too many hobbies (physical security, public speaking, > horse show announcing, and the psychology of geeks). > > In Infosec, we have an industry that is commoditizing, and specializing. > The change, from generalists who do everything, to specialists, who do one > thing and one thing only, is good and bad. The good is that the specialists > delve very deeply in their specializations. Cool. But they don't have > context, history, or the big picture. Bad. > > The idea of parallel play, co-working, etc, is one that was used > extensively by the founders and plank owners of infosec. Nowadays? Not so > much. > > I'm not sure, but I want to see how I can add this concept to my preso. > Mind you, my preso is little more than some notes and a maelstrom of > thoughts. I'll have to see how the solution precipitates. But I didn't want > to steal anyone's ideas without mentioning it. I try not to be rude. > > Thanks! > > Joshua > > On Tue, Mar 29, 2011 at 2:04 PM, Alex Hillman < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> There's some other excellent quoatables from that article, btw, including: >> >> ...networking nights over margaritas were not what he wanted either, >>> although he likes margaritas. >> >> >> And of course... >> >> "Oh, a shower's critical," Hillman said. "I'm coming from [working at] >>> home, where there's no pants before noon and if I don't have to, no shower. >>> Now, at least, I put on pants." >> >> >> Stupid pants. Stupid shower. :) >> >> /ah >> indyhall.org >> coworking in philadelphia >> >> >> On Tue, Mar 29, 2011 at 1:42 PM, Alex Hillman < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >>> The VERY first article about Indy Hall included reference of Parallel >>> Play, back in 2007: >>> >>> >>> http://articles.philly.com/2007-08-19/business/25229858_1_trade-ideas-work-at-home-web-entrepreneur >>> >>> It's not job-sharing, with two people taking turns in the same stall in >>>> the cube farm. >>>> >>>> Instead, think of co-working as an entrepreneurial version of parallel >>>> play, with owners of their own small businesses working side by side in a >>>> drop-in place that looks like a coffee cafe, minus the barista, with all >>>> the >>>> accoutrements of what's hip: high ceilings, beer fridge, pool table and >>>> Internet access. >>>> >>> I've used it in conversation since, but I don't think I've written about >>> it. I think there's a lot in that concept as well. >>> >>> -Alex >>> >>> /ah >>> indyhall.org >>> coworking in philadelphia >>> >>> >>> On Tue, Mar 29, 2011 at 12:05 PM, Devin <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> I think the 'parallel play' idea is brilliant. Is there more that can >>>> be drawn from the insight? >>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups "Coworking" group. >>>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>> [email protected]. >>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>> http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en. >>>> >>> >>> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "Coworking" group. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> [email protected]. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en. >> > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en.
