Last night was the last Hive meeting of the year. Nadisha and I went along. These Hive events are a great way to find and visit new venues in Melbourne. So far all the ones that the events have been held at I have never been too before. I can’t tell you much about the Sahara Restaurant but the upstairs function room is very basic, just a room with a fridge. But hey we didn’t go for the decor.
The speaker at this event was Philip Weinman. I had never heard of him, however it seems he was very successful in the 1980s and then took a rest before starting again in the 1990s. You can read a bio on the Hive website. The start of his speech was interesting and gave a good overview of how he has been so successful - including his HR approach to only hiring through referrals and head hunting. This is what I understand the Hive to be providing to people. It is an event that allows people with similar interests to get together and build their networks and make friends. The guest speaker that the Hive gets for each meeting is a nice touch but it is not the main reason I keep coming back - although it does really help to attract new members. I come back for the contacts and friends I make.
Towards the end of Philip’s talk he did seem to descend in to company promotion and marketing mode. It seemed that either he doesn’t really know his new businesses or has trouble with pitching. He read from a sheet about what his business does and how they could help the listeners. This is something that I really think was a mistake - if it is his business he really should either know it or have reviewed before coming to speak.
The marketing speak that he gave the audience really detracted from his talk for me. I think future speakers should have all paper removed from their person before they are given the microphone.
At the very beginning of his talk, Philip brought up an interesting idea. He asked how many people would pay to attend the Hive events. I voted not to pay. I do not feel that the Hive events warrent a payment. I feel it is an event that allows the like minded to come together. It is not a club or society. If help is required to organise or run the events I would like to volunteer but I think that it all should be expected of the attendees. I do not want to see the Hive become like The Melbourne Entrepreneurs Meetup Group which is organised through meetup.com. This group has hundreds of members but a very low turn out at events - from what I can see - I have never been to one. The charge for attending the events really puts my off and I assume makes others think twice as well. Mind you the early (7.30am) start might also be a factor.
On a lighter note, Tom and Fenn from adioso.com are heading off at the end of this week for their Y-Combinator interview in San Francisco. The best of luck to them.
(2 votes, average: 9 out of 10)
Loading ...Tags: Business, Experience, Links, Meetup, Melbourne, Network, The Hive
January 3rd, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Thanks Nick! I have shared your review with the other organisers and linked to it from thehive.org.au. It is great feedback to think about as we start setting up the 2009 events. I hope to see you at them
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