talk about experiences you’re not ready
talk about experiences you’re not ready for high
you may not know it but you’re sitting
you may not know it but you’re sitting in the middle of one of the most amazing
in the middle of one of the most amazing
in the middle of one of the most amazing and vibrant startup communities in the
and vibrant startup communities in the
and vibrant startup communities in the United States and it’s not just tech
United States and it’s not just tech
United States and it’s not just tech startups every day in every corner of
startups every day in every corner of
startups every day in every corner of Portland people are rethinking
Portland people are rethinking
Portland people are rethinking reinventing and innovating on any number
reinventing and innovating on any number
reinventing and innovating on any number of products via apparel biking banking
of products via apparel biking banking
of products via apparel biking banking doughnuts you saw some doughnut
doughnuts you saw some doughnut
doughnuts you saw some doughnut innovation this morning donut inside of
innovation this morning donut inside of
innovation this morning donut inside of a donut pretty innovative education
a donut pretty innovative education
a donut pretty innovative education healthcare nonprofits we even have
healthcare nonprofits we even have
healthcare nonprofits we even have people innovating on how business can
people innovating on how business can
people innovating on how business can better collaborate with local government
better collaborate with local government
better collaborate with local government I try and track and promote as much of
I try and track and promote as much of
I try and track and promote as much of this stuff as best I can but a lot of it
this stuff as best I can but a lot of it
this stuff as best I can but a lot of it is grassroots and hard to track so it
is grassroots and hard to track so it
is grassroots and hard to track so it makes sense that when people are looking
makes sense that when people are looking
makes sense that when people are looking to get involved in the startup community
to get involved in the startup community
to get involved in the startup community they wind up finding their way to me I’m
they wind up finding their way to me I’m
they wind up finding their way to me I’m Rick Taurasi and while helping Portland
Rick Taurasi and while helping Portland
Rick Taurasi and while helping Portland folks connect isn’t in my job
folks connect isn’t in my job
folks connect isn’t in my job description it’s the work I find myself
description it’s the work I find myself
description it’s the work I find myself doing every day I’m not alone there are
doing every day I’m not alone there are
doing every day I’m not alone there are a bunch of us working on this effort to
a bunch of us working on this effort to
a bunch of us working on this effort to build community it’s not easy work and
build community it’s not easy work and
build community it’s not easy work and we have to do it anyone can do it
we have to do it anyone can do it
we have to do it anyone can do it literally anyone I know that because I
literally anyone I know that because I
literally anyone I know that because I am probably the last person on earth
am probably the last person on earth
am probably the last person on earth anyone would choose to do this work not
anyone would choose to do this work not
anyone would choose to do this work not outgoing
outgoing
outgoing I’m not extroverted and meeting new
I’m not extroverted and meeting new
I’m not extroverted and meeting new people makes me exceedingly
people makes me exceedingly
people makes me exceedingly uncomfortable
I think probably the best way to give
I think probably the best way to give you a glimpse into the personality that
you a glimpse into the personality that
you a glimpse into the personality that I have is to take you back and introduce
I have is to take you back and introduce
I have is to take you back and introduce you to my best friend from kindergarten
you to my best friend from kindergarten
you to my best friend from kindergarten every single day the first thing I do
every single day the first thing I do
every single day the first thing I do when I got to school was find my best
when I got to school was find my best
when I got to school was find my best friend as soon as we’d found one another
friend as soon as we’d found one another
friend as soon as we’d found one another we’d immediately go hide in this little
we’d immediately go hide in this little
we’d immediately go hide in this little tent in the corner of the classroom just
tent in the corner of the classroom just
tent in the corner of the classroom just the two of us we’re practically
the two of us we’re practically
the two of us we’re practically inseparable and we’d spend hours in that
inseparable and we’d spend hours in that
inseparable and we’d spend hours in that tent just me and my best friend golden
tent just me and my best friend golden
tent just me and my best friend golden walnut now this was Montessori school I
walnut now this was Montessori school I
walnut now this was Montessori school I get that parents can be a little
get that parents can be a little
get that parents can be a little creative with names but see golden
creative with names but see golden
creative with names but see golden walnut wasn’t one of those creative kids
walnut wasn’t one of those creative kids
walnut wasn’t one of those creative kids names kind of think you see where I’m
names kind of think you see where I’m
names kind of think you see where I’m going here because my best friend in
going here because my best friend in
going here because my best friend in kindergarten was in fact
kindergarten was in fact
kindergarten was in fact a walnut solid friend though seriously
back then we’ve referred to that type of
back then we’ve referred to that type of behavior as being shy today we see it
behavior as being shy today we see it
behavior as being shy today we see it more as being introverted clearly pretty
more as being introverted clearly pretty
more as being introverted clearly pretty aggressively introverted
aggressively introverted
aggressively introverted no offense walnut so right if someone
no offense walnut so right if someone
no offense walnut so right if someone who would rather hang out in a tent with
who would rather hang out in a tent with
who would rather hang out in a tent with a walnut can do this building community
a walnut can do this building community
a walnut can do this building community work fairly confident you can do this
work fairly confident you can do this
work fairly confident you can do this community work as well even if you’re
community work as well even if you’re
community work as well even if you’re introverted like me because introverts
introverted like me because introverts
introverted like me because introverts are counter-intuitively actually really
are counter-intuitively actually really
are counter-intuitively actually really really good at this stuff I think it’s
really good at this stuff I think it’s
really good at this stuff I think it’s because we become comfortable with being
because we become comfortable with being
because we become comfortable with being uncomfortable we’ve gotten used to being
uncomfortable we’ve gotten used to being
uncomfortable we’ve gotten used to being in awkward situations because for us
in awkward situations because for us
in awkward situations because for us every single interaction with another
every single interaction with another
every single interaction with another human fairly awkward
so introvert or not I’ve found through
so introvert or not I’ve found through my experience that it’s easier for
my experience that it’s easier for
my experience that it’s easier for anyone to meet one-on-one face-to-face
anyone to meet one-on-one face-to-face
anyone to meet one-on-one face-to-face because it’s not as scary as a group of
because it’s not as scary as a group of
because it’s not as scary as a group of people it’s not as scary as attending an
people it’s not as scary as attending an
people it’s not as scary as attending an event by the way hi to all the
event by the way hi to all the
event by the way hi to all the introverts watching the livestream right
introverts watching the livestream right
introverts watching the livestream right now
I see you
I see you and I can now for the first time in
and I can now for the first time in
and I can now for the first time in history confirm that meeting one-on-one
history confirm that meeting one-on-one
history confirm that meeting one-on-one face-to-face is nowhere near as
face-to-face is nowhere near as
face-to-face is nowhere near as frightening as standing alone on stage
frightening as standing alone on stage
frightening as standing alone on stage talking to 3,000 people
talking to 3,000 people
talking to 3,000 people [Applause]
[Music]
[Music] I called these one-on-one meetings
I called these one-on-one meetings
I called these one-on-one meetings collecting dots in collecting dots I’m
collecting dots in collecting dots I’m
collecting dots in collecting dots I’m given the opportunity to meet new people
given the opportunity to meet new people
given the opportunity to meet new people with a variety of backgrounds and
with a variety of backgrounds and
with a variety of backgrounds and perspectives I’m able to step outside of
perspectives I’m able to step outside of
perspectives I’m able to step outside of my comfort zone and I’m better at best
my comfort zone and I’m better at best
my comfort zone and I’m better at best of all I may be able to capture dots
of all I may be able to capture dots
of all I may be able to capture dots that have the potential to benefit other
that have the potential to benefit other
that have the potential to benefit other dots I’ve managed to collect now being
dots I’ve managed to collect now being
dots I’ve managed to collect now being introverted isn’t the only reason people
introverted isn’t the only reason people
introverted isn’t the only reason people avoid connecting with the startup
avoid connecting with the startup
avoid connecting with the startup community sometimes it’s because they
community sometimes it’s because they
community sometimes it’s because they think they don’t do startups or they
think they don’t do startups or they
think they don’t do startups or they don’t have anything valuable to add but
don’t have anything valuable to add but
don’t have anything valuable to add but the fact that you don’t do startups is
the fact that you don’t do startups is
the fact that you don’t do startups is exactly what makes your insights
exactly what makes your insights
exactly what makes your insights valuable the startup community has added
valuable the startup community has added
valuable the startup community has added more than enough of our own echo chamber
more than enough of our own echo chamber
more than enough of our own echo chamber what’s needed now are new opinions a
what’s needed now are new opinions a
what’s needed now are new opinions a diversity of ideas and people with new
diversity of ideas and people with new
diversity of ideas and people with new and new experiences and backgrounds not
and new experiences and backgrounds not
and new experiences and backgrounds not more of the same because unfortunately I
more of the same because unfortunately I
more of the same because unfortunately I think it’s pretty obvious where that
think it’s pretty obvious where that
think it’s pretty obvious where that more of the same behavior has gotten us
more of the same behavior has gotten us
more of the same behavior has gotten us collecting dots can be time-consuming
collecting dots can be time-consuming
collecting dots can be time-consuming but you can make it more efficient folks
but you can make it more efficient folks
but you can make it more efficient folks tend to open up around food you just had
tend to open up around food you just had
tend to open up around food you just had lunch you probably talked to a lot of
lunch you probably talked to a lot of
lunch you probably talked to a lot of folks around meals it’s the family
folks around meals it’s the family
folks around meals it’s the family dinner dynamic or the watering hole
dinner dynamic or the watering hole
dinner dynamic or the watering hole effect and in my experience a cup of
effect and in my experience a cup of
effect and in my experience a cup of coffee is the smallest possible
coffee is the smallest possible
coffee is the smallest possible instantiation of that dynamic over the
instantiation of that dynamic over the
instantiation of that dynamic over the shortest period of time a cup of coffee
shortest period of time a cup of coffee
shortest period of time a cup of coffee helps people open up it helps us as
helps people open up it helps us as
helps people open up it helps us as humans to connect and connect more
humans to connect and connect more
humans to connect and connect more quickly so building community collecting
quickly so building community collecting
quickly so building community collecting dots can happen simply and quickly over
dots can happen simply and quickly over
dots can happen simply and quickly over a cup of coffee and someone to have it
a cup of coffee and someone to have it
a cup of coffee and someone to have it with best of all it helps both of you
with best of all it helps both of you
with best of all it helps both of you collect the dot so efficient but still
collect the dot so efficient but still
collect the dot so efficient but still intimidating because a lot of folks
intimidating because a lot of folks
intimidating because a lot of folks worry about providing value during that
worry about providing value during that
worry about providing value during that short timeframe of the coffee meeting so
short timeframe of the coffee meeting so
short timeframe of the coffee meeting so let’s be honest most everyone I’ve had a
let’s be honest most everyone I’ve had a
let’s be honest most everyone I’ve had a coffee meeting with
coffee meeting with
coffee meeting with tell you this I am completely useless in
tell you this I am completely useless in
tell you this I am completely useless in 99.9% of the coffee meetings I have I
99.9% of the coffee meetings I have I
99.9% of the coffee meetings I have I mean I listen I drink my coffee I ask a
mean I listen I drink my coffee I ask a
mean I listen I drink my coffee I ask a few questions and sure every once in a
few questions and sure every once in a
few questions and sure every once in a while I have an insight or something
while I have an insight or something
while I have an insight or something that may be valuable but that’s a rarity
that may be valuable but that’s a rarity
that may be valuable but that’s a rarity and that’s okay because collecting the
and that’s okay because collecting the
and that’s okay because collecting the dots isn’t even the most valuable part
dots isn’t even the most valuable part
dots isn’t even the most valuable part of building community for me it’s the
of building community for me it’s the
of building community for me it’s the hardest part but not the most valuable
hardest part but not the most valuable
hardest part but not the most valuable the real value comes when I long after
the real value comes when I long after
the real value comes when I long after I’ve been jacked up on caffeine
I’ve been jacked up on caffeine
I’ve been jacked up on caffeine potentially days or weeks after I’ve had
potentially days or weeks after I’ve had
potentially days or weeks after I’ve had that meeting the real magic happens when
that meeting the real magic happens when
that meeting the real magic happens when I have the opportunity to step back and
I have the opportunity to step back and
I have the opportunity to step back and reflect on that dot upon reflection that
reflect on that dot upon reflection that
reflect on that dot upon reflection that dot gains context it gains connections
dot gains context it gains connections
dot gains context it gains connections it starts to provide value to all of the
it starts to provide value to all of the
it starts to provide value to all of the other dots I see it stops being a single
other dots I see it stops being a single
other dots I see it stops being a single point of reference now you might say
point of reference now you might say
point of reference now you might say those connections aren’t they common
those connections aren’t they common
those connections aren’t they common sense talking a lot about common sense
sense talking a lot about common sense
sense talking a lot about common sense here my perspective on common sense is
here my perspective on common sense is
here my perspective on common sense is common sense isn’t common
frankly it’s only common to you so for
frankly it’s only common to you so for me it makes perfect sense why I need to
me it makes perfect sense why I need to
me it makes perfect sense why I need to connect the former head of project
connect the former head of project
connect the former head of project management at a massive multinational
management at a massive multinational
management at a massive multinational corporation with the founder of a tiny
corporation with the founder of a tiny
corporation with the founder of a tiny local blockchain start-up for me I can
local blockchain start-up for me I can
local blockchain start-up for me I can see why I need to connect the dot that’s
see why I need to connect the dot that’s
see why I need to connect the dot that’s wrestling with rethinking venture
wrestling with rethinking venture
wrestling with rethinking venture capital to the dot who’s successfully
capital to the dot who’s successfully
capital to the dot who’s successfully churning up wacky flavors of ice cream
churning up wacky flavors of ice cream
churning up wacky flavors of ice cream those connections are obvious to me and
those connections are obvious to me and
those connections are obvious to me and because of your unique experience
because of your unique experience
because of your unique experience because of what you focus on day in and
because of what you focus on day in and
because of what you focus on day in and day out because of your dots you’re able
day out because of your dots you’re able
day out because of your dots you’re able to see connections that I can’t see
to see connections that I can’t see
to see connections that I can’t see someone else is able to see connections
someone else is able to see connections
someone else is able to see connections that neither you nor I can but they’re
that neither you nor I can but they’re
that neither you nor I can but they’re obvious to them this is how community is
obvious to them this is how community is
obvious to them this is how community is built by connecting the dots that only
built by connecting the dots that only
built by connecting the dots that only you can see but this doesn’t just happen
you can see but this doesn’t just happen
you can see but this doesn’t just happen naturally if we leave it to nature it
naturally if we leave it to nature it
naturally if we leave it to nature it won’t happen as quickly as we need it to
won’t happen as quickly as we need it to
won’t happen as quickly as we need it to it might not happen at all
it might not happen at all
it might not happen at all building community is artificial there’s
building community is artificial there’s
building community is artificial there’s absolutely nothing natural about this
absolutely nothing natural about this
absolutely nothing natural about this especially for an introvert like me and
especially for an introvert like me and
especially for an introvert like me and despite what we’ve been taught not
despite what we’ve been taught not
despite what we’ve been taught not everything artificial is bad sometimes
everything artificial is bad sometimes
everything artificial is bad sometimes humans come up with some pretty amazing
humans come up with some pretty amazing
humans come up with some pretty amazing things artificially like coffee
and golden walnuts so enough of the talk
and golden walnuts so enough of the talk and enough enough theory let’s get
and enough enough theory let’s get
and enough enough theory let’s get tactical if this struck a chord and
tactical if this struck a chord and
tactical if this struck a chord and you’re raring to go I don’t know maybe
you’re raring to go I don’t know maybe
you’re raring to go I don’t know maybe you’re an extrovert or something I don’t
you’re an extrovert or something I don’t
you’re an extrovert or something I don’t get you but I get you all I’m asking you
get you but I get you all I’m asking you
get you but I get you all I’m asking you to do is just schedule a coffee meeting
to do is just schedule a coffee meeting
to do is just schedule a coffee meeting with one new person just go collect one
with one new person just go collect one
with one new person just go collect one new dog but if that feels like too much
new dog but if that feels like too much
new dog but if that feels like too much trust me I get it all I’m asking is that
trust me I get it all I’m asking is that
trust me I get it all I’m asking is that you simply say yes to the next coffee
you simply say yes to the next coffee
you simply say yes to the next coffee invite you get just say yes and you’ll
invite you get just say yes and you’ll
invite you get just say yes and you’ll still manage to collect too Don you both
still manage to collect too Don you both
still manage to collect too Don you both will that’s all you have to do to build
will that’s all you have to do to build
will that’s all you have to do to build community the reflections and
community the reflections and
community the reflections and connections you’ll figure that out I’m
connections you’ll figure that out I’m
connections you’ll figure that out I’m confident in fact I’m convinced that
confident in fact I’m convinced that
confident in fact I’m convinced that right now every single person in this
right now every single person in this
right now every single person in this audience with your existing dots knows
audience with your existing dots knows
audience with your existing dots knows someone that someone else should know
someone that someone else should know
someone that someone else should know and you’re the only person who can make
and you’re the only person who can make
and you’re the only person who can make that connection because you’re the only
that connection because you’re the only
that connection because you’re the only person who can see that connection
person who can see that connection
person who can see that connection because to you it’s common sense so
because to you it’s common sense so
because to you it’s common sense so let’s use your common sense and your
let’s use your common sense and your
let’s use your common sense and your common sense and your common sense to
common sense and your common sense to
common sense and your common sense to collect and connect those dots and build
collect and connect those dots and build
collect and connect those dots and build a better more tightly knit community for
a better more tightly knit community for
a better more tightly knit community for all of us two cups of coffee at a time
all of us two cups of coffee at a time
all of us two cups of coffee at a time thank you
talk about experiences you’re not ready for high
you may not know it but you’re sitting
you may not know it but you’re sitting in the middle of one of the most amazing
in the middle of one of the most amazing
in the middle of one of the most amazing and vibrant startup communities in the
and vibrant startup communities in the
and vibrant startup communities in the United States and it’s not just tech
United States and it’s not just tech
United States and it’s not just tech startups every day in every corner of
startups every day in every corner of
startups every day in every corner of Portland people are rethinking
Portland people are rethinking
Portland people are rethinking reinventing and innovating on any number
reinventing and innovating on any number
reinventing and innovating on any number of products via apparel biking banking
of products via apparel biking banking
of products via apparel biking banking doughnuts you saw some doughnut
doughnuts you saw some doughnut
doughnuts you saw some doughnut innovation this morning donut inside of
innovation this morning donut inside of
innovation this morning donut inside of a donut pretty innovative education
a donut pretty innovative education
a donut pretty innovative education healthcare nonprofits we even have
healthcare nonprofits we even have
healthcare nonprofits we even have people innovating on how business can
people innovating on how business can
people innovating on how business can better collaborate with local government
better collaborate with local government
better collaborate with local government I try and track and promote as much of
I try and track and promote as much of
I try and track and promote as much of this stuff as best I can but a lot of it
this stuff as best I can but a lot of it
this stuff as best I can but a lot of it is grassroots and hard to track so it
is grassroots and hard to track so it
is grassroots and hard to track so it makes sense that when people are looking
makes sense that when people are looking
makes sense that when people are looking to get involved in the startup community
to get involved in the startup community
to get involved in the startup community they wind up finding their way to me I’m
they wind up finding their way to me I’m
they wind up finding their way to me I’m Rick Taurasi and while helping Portland
Rick Taurasi and while helping Portland
Rick Taurasi and while helping Portland folks connect isn’t in my job
folks connect isn’t in my job
folks connect isn’t in my job description it’s the work I find myself
description it’s the work I find myself
description it’s the work I find myself doing every day I’m not alone there are
doing every day I’m not alone there are
doing every day I’m not alone there are a bunch of us working on this effort to
a bunch of us working on this effort to
a bunch of us working on this effort to build community it’s not easy work and
build community it’s not easy work and
build community it’s not easy work and we have to do it anyone can do it
we have to do it anyone can do it
we have to do it anyone can do it literally anyone I know that because I
literally anyone I know that because I
literally anyone I know that because I am probably the last person on earth
am probably the last person on earth
am probably the last person on earth anyone would choose to do this work not
anyone would choose to do this work not
anyone would choose to do this work not outgoing
outgoing
outgoing I’m not extroverted and meeting new
I’m not extroverted and meeting new
I’m not extroverted and meeting new people makes me exceedingly
people makes me exceedingly
people makes me exceedingly uncomfortable
I think probably the best way to give
I think probably the best way to give you a glimpse into the personality that
you a glimpse into the personality that
you a glimpse into the personality that I have is to take you back and introduce
I have is to take you back and introduce
I have is to take you back and introduce you to my best friend from kindergarten
you to my best friend from kindergarten
you to my best friend from kindergarten every single day the first thing I do
every single day the first thing I do
every single day the first thing I do when I got to school was find my best
when I got to school was find my best
when I got to school was find my best friend as soon as we’d found one another
friend as soon as we’d found one another
friend as soon as we’d found one another we’d immediately go hide in this little
we’d immediately go hide in this little
we’d immediately go hide in this little tent in the corner of the classroom just
tent in the corner of the classroom just
tent in the corner of the classroom just the two of us we’re practically
the two of us we’re practically
the two of us we’re practically inseparable and we’d spend hours in that
inseparable and we’d spend hours in that
inseparable and we’d spend hours in that tent just me and my best friend golden
tent just me and my best friend golden
tent just me and my best friend golden walnut now this was Montessori school I
walnut now this was Montessori school I
walnut now this was Montessori school I get that parents can be a little
get that parents can be a little
get that parents can be a little creative with names but see golden
creative with names but see golden
creative with names but see golden walnut wasn’t one of those creative kids
walnut wasn’t one of those creative kids
walnut wasn’t one of those creative kids names kind of think you see where I’m
names kind of think you see where I’m
names kind of think you see where I’m going here because my best friend in
going here because my best friend in
going here because my best friend in kindergarten was in fact
kindergarten was in fact
kindergarten was in fact a walnut solid friend though seriously
back then we’ve referred to that type of
back then we’ve referred to that type of behavior as being shy today we see it
behavior as being shy today we see it
behavior as being shy today we see it more as being introverted clearly pretty
more as being introverted clearly pretty
more as being introverted clearly pretty aggressively introverted
aggressively introverted
aggressively introverted no offense walnut so right if someone
no offense walnut so right if someone
no offense walnut so right if someone who would rather hang out in a tent with
who would rather hang out in a tent with
who would rather hang out in a tent with a walnut can do this building community
a walnut can do this building community
a walnut can do this building community work fairly confident you can do this
work fairly confident you can do this
work fairly confident you can do this community work as well even if you’re
community work as well even if you’re
community work as well even if you’re introverted like me because introverts
introverted like me because introverts
introverted like me because introverts are counter-intuitively actually really
are counter-intuitively actually really
are counter-intuitively actually really really good at this stuff I think it’s
really good at this stuff I think it’s
really good at this stuff I think it’s because we become comfortable with being
because we become comfortable with being
because we become comfortable with being uncomfortable we’ve gotten used to being
uncomfortable we’ve gotten used to being
uncomfortable we’ve gotten used to being in awkward situations because for us
in awkward situations because for us
in awkward situations because for us every single interaction with another
every single interaction with another
every single interaction with another human fairly awkward
so introvert or not I’ve found through
so introvert or not I’ve found through my experience that it’s easier for
my experience that it’s easier for
my experience that it’s easier for anyone to meet one-on-one face-to-face
anyone to meet one-on-one face-to-face
anyone to meet one-on-one face-to-face because it’s not as scary as a group of
because it’s not as scary as a group of
because it’s not as scary as a group of people it’s not as scary as attending an
people it’s not as scary as attending an
people it’s not as scary as attending an event by the way hi to all the
event by the way hi to all the
event by the way hi to all the introverts watching the livestream right
introverts watching the livestream right
introverts watching the livestream right now
I see you
I see you and I can now for the first time in
and I can now for the first time in
and I can now for the first time in history confirm that meeting one-on-one
history confirm that meeting one-on-one
history confirm that meeting one-on-one face-to-face is nowhere near as
face-to-face is nowhere near as
face-to-face is nowhere near as frightening as standing alone on stage
frightening as standing alone on stage
frightening as standing alone on stage talking to 3,000 people
talking to 3,000 people
talking to 3,000 people [Applause]
[Music]
[Music] I called these one-on-one meetings
I called these one-on-one meetings
I called these one-on-one meetings collecting dots in collecting dots I’m
collecting dots in collecting dots I’m
collecting dots in collecting dots I’m given the opportunity to meet new people
given the opportunity to meet new people
given the opportunity to meet new people with a variety of backgrounds and
with a variety of backgrounds and
with a variety of backgrounds and perspectives I’m able to step outside of
perspectives I’m able to step outside of
perspectives I’m able to step outside of my comfort zone and I’m better at best
my comfort zone and I’m better at best
my comfort zone and I’m better at best of all I may be able to capture dots
of all I may be able to capture dots
of all I may be able to capture dots that have the potential to benefit other
that have the potential to benefit other
that have the potential to benefit other dots I’ve managed to collect now being
dots I’ve managed to collect now being
dots I’ve managed to collect now being introverted isn’t the only reason people
introverted isn’t the only reason people
introverted isn’t the only reason people avoid connecting with the startup
avoid connecting with the startup
avoid connecting with the startup community sometimes it’s because they
community sometimes it’s because they
community sometimes it’s because they think they don’t do startups or they
think they don’t do startups or they
think they don’t do startups or they don’t have anything valuable to add but
don’t have anything valuable to add but
don’t have anything valuable to add but the fact that you don’t do startups is
the fact that you don’t do startups is
the fact that you don’t do startups is exactly what makes your insights
exactly what makes your insights
exactly what makes your insights valuable the startup community has added
valuable the startup community has added
valuable the startup community has added more than enough of our own echo chamber
more than enough of our own echo chamber
more than enough of our own echo chamber what’s needed now are new opinions a
what’s needed now are new opinions a
what’s needed now are new opinions a diversity of ideas and people with new
diversity of ideas and people with new
diversity of ideas and people with new and new experiences and backgrounds not
and new experiences and backgrounds not
and new experiences and backgrounds not more of the same because unfortunately I
more of the same because unfortunately I
more of the same because unfortunately I think it’s pretty obvious where that
think it’s pretty obvious where that
think it’s pretty obvious where that more of the same behavior has gotten us
more of the same behavior has gotten us
more of the same behavior has gotten us collecting dots can be time-consuming
collecting dots can be time-consuming
collecting dots can be time-consuming but you can make it more efficient folks
but you can make it more efficient folks
but you can make it more efficient folks tend to open up around food you just had
tend to open up around food you just had
tend to open up around food you just had lunch you probably talked to a lot of
lunch you probably talked to a lot of
lunch you probably talked to a lot of folks around meals it’s the family
folks around meals it’s the family
folks around meals it’s the family dinner dynamic or the watering hole
dinner dynamic or the watering hole
dinner dynamic or the watering hole effect and in my experience a cup of
effect and in my experience a cup of
effect and in my experience a cup of coffee is the smallest possible
coffee is the smallest possible
coffee is the smallest possible instantiation of that dynamic over the
instantiation of that dynamic over the
instantiation of that dynamic over the shortest period of time a cup of coffee
shortest period of time a cup of coffee
shortest period of time a cup of coffee helps people open up it helps us as
helps people open up it helps us as
helps people open up it helps us as humans to connect and connect more
humans to connect and connect more
humans to connect and connect more quickly so building community collecting
quickly so building community collecting
quickly so building community collecting dots can happen simply and quickly over
dots can happen simply and quickly over
dots can happen simply and quickly over a cup of coffee and someone to have it
a cup of coffee and someone to have it
a cup of coffee and someone to have it with best of all it helps both of you
with best of all it helps both of you
with best of all it helps both of you collect the dot so efficient but still
collect the dot so efficient but still
collect the dot so efficient but still intimidating because a lot of folks
intimidating because a lot of folks
intimidating because a lot of folks worry about providing value during that
worry about providing value during that
worry about providing value during that short timeframe of the coffee meeting so
short timeframe of the coffee meeting so
short timeframe of the coffee meeting so let’s be honest most everyone I’ve had a
let’s be honest most everyone I’ve had a
let’s be honest most everyone I’ve had a coffee meeting with
coffee meeting with
coffee meeting with tell you this I am completely useless in
tell you this I am completely useless in
tell you this I am completely useless in 99.9% of the coffee meetings I have I
99.9% of the coffee meetings I have I
99.9% of the coffee meetings I have I mean I listen I drink my coffee I ask a
mean I listen I drink my coffee I ask a
mean I listen I drink my coffee I ask a few questions and sure every once in a
few questions and sure every once in a
few questions and sure every once in a while I have an insight or something
while I have an insight or something
while I have an insight or something that may be valuable but that’s a rarity
that may be valuable but that’s a rarity
that may be valuable but that’s a rarity and that’s okay because collecting the
and that’s okay because collecting the
and that’s okay because collecting the dots isn’t even the most valuable part
dots isn’t even the most valuable part
dots isn’t even the most valuable part of building community for me it’s the
of building community for me it’s the
of building community for me it’s the hardest part but not the most valuable
hardest part but not the most valuable
hardest part but not the most valuable the real value comes when I long after
the real value comes when I long after
the real value comes when I long after I’ve been jacked up on caffeine
I’ve been jacked up on caffeine
I’ve been jacked up on caffeine potentially days or weeks after I’ve had
potentially days or weeks after I’ve had
potentially days or weeks after I’ve had that meeting the real magic happens when
that meeting the real magic happens when
that meeting the real magic happens when I have the opportunity to step back and
I have the opportunity to step back and
I have the opportunity to step back and reflect on that dot upon reflection that
reflect on that dot upon reflection that
reflect on that dot upon reflection that dot gains context it gains connections
dot gains context it gains connections
dot gains context it gains connections it starts to provide value to all of the
it starts to provide value to all of the
it starts to provide value to all of the other dots I see it stops being a single
other dots I see it stops being a single
other dots I see it stops being a single point of reference now you might say
point of reference now you might say
point of reference now you might say those connections aren’t they common
those connections aren’t they common
those connections aren’t they common sense talking a lot about common sense
sense talking a lot about common sense
sense talking a lot about common sense here my perspective on common sense is
here my perspective on common sense is
here my perspective on common sense is common sense isn’t common
frankly it’s only common to you so for
frankly it’s only common to you so for me it makes perfect sense why I need to
me it makes perfect sense why I need to
me it makes perfect sense why I need to connect the former head of project
connect the former head of project
connect the former head of project management at a massive multinational
management at a massive multinational
management at a massive multinational corporation with the founder of a tiny
corporation with the founder of a tiny
corporation with the founder of a tiny local blockchain start-up for me I can
local blockchain start-up for me I can
local blockchain start-up for me I can see why I need to connect the dot that’s
see why I need to connect the dot that’s
see why I need to connect the dot that’s wrestling with rethinking venture
wrestling with rethinking venture
wrestling with rethinking venture capital to the dot who’s successfully
capital to the dot who’s successfully
capital to the dot who’s successfully churning up wacky flavors of ice cream
churning up wacky flavors of ice cream
churning up wacky flavors of ice cream those connections are obvious to me and
those connections are obvious to me and
those connections are obvious to me and because of your unique experience
because of your unique experience
because of your unique experience because of what you focus on day in and
because of what you focus on day in and
because of what you focus on day in and day out because of your dots you’re able
day out because of your dots you’re able
day out because of your dots you’re able to see connections that I can’t see
to see connections that I can’t see
to see connections that I can’t see someone else is able to see connections
someone else is able to see connections
someone else is able to see connections that neither you nor I can but they’re
that neither you nor I can but they’re
that neither you nor I can but they’re obvious to them this is how community is
obvious to them this is how community is
obvious to them this is how community is built by connecting the dots that only
built by connecting the dots that only
built by connecting the dots that only you can see but this doesn’t just happen
you can see but this doesn’t just happen
you can see but this doesn’t just happen naturally if we leave it to nature it
naturally if we leave it to nature it
naturally if we leave it to nature it won’t happen as quickly as we need it to
won’t happen as quickly as we need it to
won’t happen as quickly as we need it to it might not happen at all
it might not happen at all
it might not happen at all building community is artificial there’s
building community is artificial there’s
building community is artificial there’s absolutely nothing natural about this
absolutely nothing natural about this
absolutely nothing natural about this especially for an introvert like me and
especially for an introvert like me and
especially for an introvert like me and despite what we’ve been taught not
despite what we’ve been taught not
despite what we’ve been taught not everything artificial is bad sometimes
everything artificial is bad sometimes
everything artificial is bad sometimes humans come up with some pretty amazing
humans come up with some pretty amazing
humans come up with some pretty amazing things artificially like coffee
and golden walnuts so enough of the talk
and golden walnuts so enough of the talk and enough enough theory let’s get
and enough enough theory let’s get
and enough enough theory let’s get tactical if this struck a chord and
tactical if this struck a chord and
tactical if this struck a chord and you’re raring to go I don’t know maybe
you’re raring to go I don’t know maybe
you’re raring to go I don’t know maybe you’re an extrovert or something I don’t
you’re an extrovert or something I don’t
you’re an extrovert or something I don’t get you but I get you all I’m asking you
get you but I get you all I’m asking you
get you but I get you all I’m asking you to do is just schedule a coffee meeting
to do is just schedule a coffee meeting
to do is just schedule a coffee meeting with one new person just go collect one
with one new person just go collect one
with one new person just go collect one new dog but if that feels like too much
new dog but if that feels like too much
new dog but if that feels like too much trust me I get it all I’m asking is that
trust me I get it all I’m asking is that
trust me I get it all I’m asking is that you simply say yes to the next coffee
you simply say yes to the next coffee
you simply say yes to the next coffee invite you get just say yes and you’ll
invite you get just say yes and you’ll
invite you get just say yes and you’ll still manage to collect too Don you both
still manage to collect too Don you both
still manage to collect too Don you both will that’s all you have to do to build
will that’s all you have to do to build
will that’s all you have to do to build community the reflections and
community the reflections and
community the reflections and connections you’ll figure that out I’m
connections you’ll figure that out I’m
connections you’ll figure that out I’m confident in fact I’m convinced that
confident in fact I’m convinced that
confident in fact I’m convinced that right now every single person in this
right now every single person in this
right now every single person in this audience with your existing dots knows
audience with your existing dots knows
audience with your existing dots knows someone that someone else should know
someone that someone else should know
someone that someone else should know and you’re the only person who can make
and you’re the only person who can make
and you’re the only person who can make that connection because you’re the only
that connection because you’re the only
that connection because you’re the only person who can see that connection
person who can see that connection
person who can see that connection because to you it’s common sense so
because to you it’s common sense so
because to you it’s common sense so let’s use your common sense and your
let’s use your common sense and your
let’s use your common sense and your common sense and your common sense to
common sense and your common sense to
common sense and your common sense to collect and connect those dots and build
collect and connect those dots and build
collect and connect those dots and build a better more tightly knit community for
a better more tightly knit community for
a better more tightly knit community for all of us two cups of coffee at a time
all of us two cups of coffee at a time
all of us two cups of coffee at a time thank you
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