In the throws of a pandemic, in the midst of lock-down to which the world had to experience together, what better time to give people a place and resource to explore what might happen moving forward?
As an event, the Fringe Legal Virtual Summit is an example of how technology can not only be carefully considered to hold an virtual event, but tastefully used to extend the participant experience. Clearly a lot of thought was put into critical themes for a decentralised, module-based learning experience. I want to share with you what I distilled from the experience and what I feel is important when building an "event-like" experience online.
Setting the Tone
We begin with a solid introduction from Abhijat considering not only the words, brevity and positive posture, but also a brief on-boarding to use some of the tools available on the website (eg. encore function, comments and interactions) that form part of the participants journey. In my experience, it is always necessary to set the tone. I believe when the expectations or posture is clear that is half the work done. There are different ways to do this: in my own experience I recall videos being used, meditations, ice-breaker exercises etc. Still, there is something to be said about a well-balanced, powerful vocal address to lift the spirits and focus the minds on possibilities. I found this introduction tempered, informative and highly effective in setting an expectation. Well done Abhijat!
Diversity in essence, Clarity in vision and Ownership
Part of that expectation that caught my attention was that "there may be people you have not heard of" in the line up from “thinkers and doers”. This is incredibly important and in the vein of putting together an event, there is a curation that requires ownership. Ownership means on one hand control of the elements that form the event, but more importantly it means the responsibility for having a clear vision (hopefully expansive) that is then translated to an absorbing experience for the participant. How better to do this than to be the front runner and take ownership of the process.
Events have traditionally fallen in to a focus on the business model of the event, separating the "content" from the “business” and often done so at a team level. This has created a cookie-cutter experience that dulls the potential vibrancy of a gathering of people in a common goal, interest or pursuit. Here there is a clear alignment and perhaps part of that is the tightness of the team, the integrative nature of the business model (no selling, but ongoing giving of value) without it holding a dominant position in a place where dissemination and discourse should take prime position.
For ideas to disseminate, for impact to be made - humans need new patterns and perspectives presented. We are creatures of habits and ritual. To stretch the mind beyond what is common or understood is essentially the purpose of an event that would be considered inspiring or impact-full. I was refreshed at the lack of advertisement, on-selling, cross-selling and any other form of unnecessary convincing. again, well done!
Small things make the whole
So, by "setting the tone" of the expectation that "there will be people (and ideas) you may not have heard of" from "thinkers and doers" - you have a formula to invite participants to stretch their horizons. Couple that with a fairly well put together User Interface and Experience on the website itself (which should not be overlooked), and a steering away from “selling”, we find ourselves with a solid foundation for the "content" to thrive. Part of it is ease of use, part of it is ease of consumption, part of it is ease of interactivity and participation.
Holding a virtual event takes away a lot of the distraction and fanfare (we might call conveniences) of a physical event. It strips down what we know as events to its core and gives us an opportunity to re-imagine what translates as value. It is always going to be the small things, much like all other interactions with technology, that makes the experience. But the event should be designed with those small things in mind. This is the level of sophistication we naturally come to expect, much like an experience in a fine-dining restaurant. With virtual workplaces and events now becoming a norm, so too will these expectations extend. I can see the combination of small choices in technology, layout, posture, interactivity, facilitation that has made the whole here. Well done on the small things! Well done on the whole!
Facilitation, Mirrors and a Humble Posture of Learning
Take a look in the mirror, notice your gate, stance, where your hands fall, whether your shoulders are equally relaxed, whether you hold your stomach in or slightly bend your knees. As soon as you see yourself in the mirror you immediately make adjustments to, well, "mirror" what you see against what you want to see.
In like manner, if you voluntarily participate in an event, whether a summit or a board room meeting, you will often mirror the posture, demeanor and behavior of the people who are voluntarily or involuntarily placed in a role of authority or facilitation. How important is it then, that as a facilitator you are equipped with a humble posture of learning so that you are best poised to channel and project a behavior that would be mirrored by the participants. How much greater potential is released into the world when this is done in such a way that effortlessly scales (like recorded video interviews!) In this vein, I want to highlight how much I've enjoyed Abhijat's facilitation and the importance of this posture to maximise the opportunity for distributed learning. Bravo!
The most crucial of elements that I have found in my experience is the art of asking the right questions. Questions that expand, that draw out detail and context, that are curious and inquisitive, that have for its object the investigation of truth and for the betterment of all the members involved. I’ve found that the most effective sessions often were spaces for reflection that were facilitated in this humble posture with highly effective questions aimed at drawing out peoples thoughts. I saw the same posture here in this event.
The Continuum of Learning and Future of Events
An important part of group dynamics when advancing collectively along a journey of understanding and growth, is recognising that each person who walks that path advances at their own pace and in their own stride. Put another way, on a continuum of learning (a never ending line representing time and movement forward), each person is potentially at a different, unique point on that continuum. What then is the best outcome when a group of people come together for a period of time to further their learning in one area or across a theme? The most ideal outcome is certainly not that each individual would have attained the same degree of learning or understanding, but that each person advances from one point to the next on their Continuum of Learning. This objective takes into consideration the diverse paces and strides on this path of learning. It is a critical consideration for events. Perhaps even a call to re-imagine what "events" should be when considered against this continuum of learning. How events are structured, explorative and open, the posture of the facilitation, setting the tone, diverse and fringe ideas, are all part of what makes a good "event". Even better, it makes a good experience.
The future of events will see the relationship of the participant as continuous rather than confined to a set of days. Sure, those select few days may require more attention and focus and effort from participants, but it will be along a cycle of events that form a pattern of action.
To the extent “events” result in action and can be seen as part of a journey to which the participant commits to, is the extent to which “events” will thrive.
With our current situation and with the technology at hand, it is now possible to more truly contemplate this and put it into effect.
Summing up and Personal Highlights
In summary, The Fringe Legal Virtual Summit is a fantastic event that explores different elements of the change we see and some we perhaps haven't noticed or realised in the Legal Industry. The event is a great combination of ownership, a humble posture of learning and a clear vision to curate what has resulted in a high value source of knowledge, information and discourse. Well done to Abhijat, Priti and Paula for demonstrating how these qualities in execution can create a fantastic event and ongoing resource.
Some highlights I've enjoyed from the Fringe Legal Summit, particularly as they relate to the ethos and work of FutureLab.Legal:
Towards a New Legal World: From Triage to Transition to Transformation
Transformation in the law firm context
Global innovation viewpoint - initiatives & projects that have sprouted to address the current situation
Turning legal tech from expense into profit
Learning to innovate - skills in a modern legal department
Economics of the legal profession: levers that impact efficient and effective delivery
The icing on the cake? The team documented their own processes and put together a guide for how they went about making the event happen. Find it HERE. This is a shining example of what a humble posture of learning provides by way of valuable information and insight.
I hope we might take a leaf from some of the salient features explored here as we tackle the transition into the future of law.
After all, the future of law is in our hands 🔥
Q.