by Brian Brady
Commercial Real Estate Finance Expert
Structured Debt and Equity
Licensed Real Estate Broker in AL, CA, and FL
Mark Eckenrode of Homestomper.com offers constructive criticism of the BloodhoundBlog Social Media Marketing Conference brought to you by Zillow.com:
For being the first Bloodhound Unchained this was nothing but a success. The fact that folks flew across the country to an unproven event to see and meet folks who they’ve only known through the web… a testament to the power of what it is that we’re doing.The flow of the event and even the presentations sometimes felt a bit dis-jointed but let’s face it, this was the first event of it’s kind and these weren’t professional platform speakers.
The time schedule we had was dictated by the event location (had to be out by 4pm). Pretty crappy, in my opinion. Considering that folks came from across the country to drink from a firehose of knowledge, I’d like to see the next Unchained have marathon sessions. With SalesDogs and Rich Dad Poor Dad we’d run from 9am until 11pm.
One major thing I did find missing was a lack of discussion on strategy. There were great tactics covered but without a strategy to unify the tactics and make sure the tactics supported the overall goal then, well, tactics don’t amount to much but busy work.
Of great benefit to all would also be breakout sessions… “You just learned how to XYZ. You’ve got 5 minutes to go online and do this for your website.”
A great companion piece to the breakout sessions would be roundtable discussions. A group of attendees at a table with an expert answering hotseat questions for 15 minutes before attendees switch to another table and another expert.
Mark offers “mindmaps” which are amazing summaries of our sessions. Download them. Print them. Read them.
Bloodhound Unchained Day 2 Mindmap PDF
Bloodhound Unchained Day 3 Mindmap PDF
Thanks for the ride to Ahwatukee and the great feedback, Mark.
Scott Schang says:
Mark has some good points. There are always ways to make unchained better in retrospect, it was not at all obvious to me during the three action and information packed days at the Heard. To grind the few remaining roughs off that diamond will not be difficult
The round table is a GREAT idea. Have several “gurus” at each table and allow 20 to 30 minutes for the pups to rotate from table to table and brainstorm. That’s one model that i’ve found as a valuable way to learn.
Great job Bloodhound Gang – it was an awesome experience! Thank you, thank you, thank you for putting this together.
May 21, 2008 — 10:01 pm
Barry Bevis says:
Wish I had been there- but thanks to all the great posts, videos and those killer mindmaps I feel like I was.
In our unchained world you guys are my morning sales meeting. You keep me encouraged and challenged…
Next year I’ll have to make Unchained a priority!
May 22, 2008 — 5:53 am
Don Reedy says:
Mark,
I think your ideas for future conferencing are on target. I talked briefly with Greg at the meeting, and iindicated as much then. You may remember that during the Black Pearl session he brought up the subject of strategy himself. It seems to me that he saw opportunities just as you do.
In keeping with the theme of being Greek, I am buoyed by the idea that the first Bloodhound Unchained built using Doric architecture. While powerful, it was simple and utilitarian. The next phase will undoubtedly unleash Ionic architecture, and perhaps, as we move along, true Corinthian architecture, replete with detail.
Again, good ideas, and most constructive for sure!
May 22, 2008 — 6:12 am
Cheryl Johnson says:
Don Reedy thinks like a true Bloodhound.
May 22, 2008 — 6:44 am
Teri Lussier says:
Mark Eckenrode! Those mind maps are fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing.
I think those criticisms are fair and valid and on point.
One criticism I heard was a lack of details. For example: In addition to telling us to create a killer Zillow profile, let’s learn what a killer profile is.
May 22, 2008 — 7:33 am
Mark Eckenrode says:
sweet 🙂 glad folks are digging the mindmaps.
it’s exciting when you think about what Unchained means… in an industry that, let’s face it, is plagued by traditional, conservative and even outdated business practices it represents a future that is in line with consumers and is abundance-minded. that, right there, is pretty freakin awesome. it’s a huge ideal but a worthy one.
the challenge whenever you’re trying to inject new ideas and practices to an established industry is managing the learning curve and the backlash that always comes out of it.
meh, the spartans didn’t back down and, as a result, kept a civilization from being wiped out (feel free to read between the lines there)…
(still waiting for greg to yell “this is sparta!”)
May 22, 2008 — 8:00 am
Laurie Manny says:
The mind maps are killer, thank you.
May 22, 2008 — 11:37 am
Thomas Johnson says:
Mark: The mind maps are awesome. You are one smart puppy.
May 22, 2008 — 6:00 pm
Dennis Blackmore says:
I just printed the mind maps – some very good ideas, thanks
May 22, 2008 — 6:41 pm
Kevin Wilhelm says:
Brian & Greg,
Thank you SO MUCH for all your hard work and for the overall idea of even putting together an event like UNCHAINED. I learned so much from the 3 days, and I was truly inspired by everything I heard and everyone I met at the event. Thanks you!!
Kevin Wilhelm
May 23, 2008 — 3:07 pm