Q: What are Open Conversations? What is the value of Open Conversations?

[Notes from a discussion with George Nemeth, CIO, Meet The Bloggers, January 2008.]

• Open conversations means an intention to be inclusive – not necessarily"open to the public" – but with people who want to participate.
• Contributors need to adhere to certain behaviors (not a free-for-all – if you choose to become a part of the conversation you need to behave in certain ways) and not intentionally steer the conversation toward your own agenda.
• Contributors need to use a method of inquiry that is appreciative.
• There needs to be a shared open mindedness and a sense to be inclusive.
• The value of openness is that it has to do with being participatory – they are here to engage with us and we are here to engage with them, too.
• People we have are dynamic and we need to be as energetic.
• What you give, you will learn, you have more of a deeper understanding(a more complex understanding – as information comes up, questions get asked) this is much more of an integrated approach to learning.
• A person needs to offer what they know – allowing the conversation to expand to the level of a quantum dialogue – an extended learning that goes beyond just giving explanations, which are fine upto a certain point, but beyond that it is the experiential and on-site aspects that are important for this kind of learning.
• The other people who are there have interests in common.
• These are the basic parameters we agree around and this is the value.
• The intersection between creative industries, technology, and energy appeals to a variety of backgrounds. This is only one perspective. I try to play up the diversity aspect.
• There is value in urban areas and their inherent diversity.
• Midtown Brews Open Conversations are a powerful way to engage a community minded chain of businesses.