Tell Microsoft what to do...
We are going to be working on a number of global programs over the year in support of the User Group community, and it’s very important that we get as much input as possible from you as to the right way to approach each program. To this end, we have set up a number of “steering groups” including Microsoft, Culminis, INETA, PASS representatives, together with anyone else the group thinks can contribute. And we are looking for volunteers…..
A SharePoint site has been set up at http://ug.culminis.com/sites/microsoft (Yes, it’s a Culminis hosted SharePoint site). The first time you go to the site, you will see a list of projects and a “Volunteer to join a working party….” link. Just click on the link, tell us what you would like to get involved with, and unless we are already swamped with volunteers you’ll get access to the appropriate sub-sites.
Here are the projects currently running or in plan: -
1) Country Community Councils. Country Community Councils are an idea which started earlier in 2009 with the first council being in India. They have had tremendous success, including significant successes at Tech Ed India and with a “Tech Ed on the road” event which lasted a whole month, visiting 21 user groups across India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Several other CCCs have also started, and the aim is to ensure that there is the best possible connection and interaction between the different community groups within a region.
2) User Group Leader Kits. We are planning to send a kit to every user group leader who registers with UGSS each year. These kits will contain anything we can identify as being of value to the user group leaders (that we can afford and is reasonable to ship worldwide!). It’s likely that some Microsoft subsidiaries may want to add local content to the kits as they go out, there may be the possibility of localizing some of the content, and there is certainly the opportunity to include content from other sources, for example INETA, Culminis, PASS, perhaps Microsoft Partners etc. As each leader will only get one kit a year, we will also need to think about how to “add” content part way through the year. In most cases, this will be as online content that can be downloaded. The current state of this project is that we are building a list of potential content to put in the kits, and your input would be very much appreciated.
3) UGSS web site review and development. A separate email has already been sent to selected groups and individuals, but the purpose of this steering group is to provide input into the design of the UGSS web site as changes and improvements are made over the year. It will be focusing on identified and new pain points, feature prioritization, design review and system testing. There is a significant workload here, but if you didn’t get a direct invitation and want to participate, please volunteer as soon as possible.
4) Communications. We want to get a consistent process for communications to take place between Microsoft, the User Group organizations and the community. Some of the things we will be looking at here include (a) A mechanism for the User Group organizations to submit items for possible inclusion in TechNet and MSDN flash, (b) a way for Microsoft to “offer” items to the User Group organizations which they can take (or not!) and use in their newsletters etc. (c) a way of providing metrics on both of these, so everyone knows what is being published, how much it’s being read, and if it’s the right content or not.
5) Recognition. There are a number of different programs out there already, some working very well. Some are global, some are local. This working group will map the significant programs, build a framework where these can work together to everyone’s best advantage, and possibly promote the best of the best with global cross organization recognition.
6) “Virtual Events”. This actually covers several programs each of which are based on video and conference calls.
a. Technical Videos – A set of “How to” videos covering technical topics of value to User Group Leaders – for example, how to make the best possible use of LiveMeeting.
b. Community Videos – A set of “By the Community for the Community” videos, where we identify the best user group leader at recruiting members, for example, and get them to explain their best practice so that other leaders can learn from them.
c. Professional Videos – We intend to identify the world class leaders in areas of value to User Group leaders and produce videos on topics such as “Extending your user group through social media”.
d. Fireside Chats – These will be occasional virtual meetings with key Microsoft leaders which will be invite only for user group leaders. There won’t be much of an agenda, it’s more an opportunity for the leaders to ask questions. Recordings and transcripts will then be made available to the leaders for use in their meetings.
7) Content. During the year we will be producing content specifically for user groups. Rather than us producing the content we think you want, we’d like you to get involved all the way through the content production cycle – from prioritizing what we create, through reviews as the content is developed and through to feedback as it gets published.
8) Web Site and tool development. We will be helping Culminis develop the next version of their web site, hopefully using some cool new technology and hopefully pushing the boundaries of community a little. Of course, this is the Culminis web site, and ownership will be with Culminis, but there are obvious opportunities for others to help here and for everyone to benefit.
9) And more … During the year, additional opportunities to work together will come up – hopefully some of them will be because of ideas these steering groups will have.
Just to repeat – if you are interested in taking part in steering committees on any of the above, just go to http://ug.culminis.com/sites/microsoft, click on the “Volunteer to join a working party….” And then when you get access go to the sub-site(s) for that committee and contribute away!
Many Thanks,
Graham
