We currently have a bit more space here at Brainpark Guelph offices than we need. That may change at any point. We also really like hanging out with like minded folks and being ex coworking folks, we want to share space.

So, if you’re interested in having a desk or two on a semi-permanent basis with us here, let me know. We have a boardroom, great coffee, an awesome crew, and a keg of beer. Anyone who’s interested will have to come meet the team here, a first date?, and make sure we can ‘live’ together.

I spoke with a friend the other night about my original posting about whether we need a site for shared services for the local Guelph tech scene. In speaking with, it became clear that it wouldn’t hurt to clarify what I was suggesting.

I’m not talking about combining events and entities like DemoCampGuelph, Coffee and Code, diyode etc together. In fact it’s the opposite in that we need those efforts to have their own ‘brands’. Do they, however, need a way to be loosely coupled through some shared services?

What I’m suggesting is building shared services that we all need. I was using the analogy of the music scene. Every band has it’s own name, website, practice space etc. Where does someone go to find out what shows are playing or buy tickets and learn about new bands etc. Having to go to each individual band site for those tasks clearly doesn’t work. Those common services don’t need to be built by each and every band yet they all require them at some level.

This is simply to create shared services for our community events and entities. The only reason to do this is to strengthen our community by making it easier for individuals to participate. As well, running community efforts is work. If this would make the job of running current, and future, community efforts simpler then it’s worth considering.

I need help from you. We need a selection committee for our next DemoCampGuelph. The requirements are to meet with me next week, likely Thursday evening. At that meeting, this group will select who, of the applicants, gets a demo spot. Then on the night of DemoCampGuelph this group will select the demo of the night and recipient of The Crowie.

So I need three volunteers who meet the following qualifications:

• Attended at least one, preferably more, DemoCampGuelph events so you know what we’re doing.
• You haven’t applied to demo at this event.
• You’re not a sponsor (I’m not 100% sure this matters but we’ll start here…).
• You will attend next event.
• You aren’t currently contributing to DemoCampGuelph in some other fashion.

If you’re interested in contributing to our event by taking this on, please contact me directly. We need three of you please.

I’ve been gently conspiring with Cory, of Guelph Coffee and Code fame, for a while now about a website for the Guelph technology community. The idea is straightforward, the various events and projects in Guelph should have their own web presence if they need it. It doesn’t, however, make sense for all those sites to replicate common features. We don’t need 10 event calendars, job boards, company indices, etc.

So the idea is for us to collaborate and build one presence or portal where we can work together and build the common spaces. Then the various sites like diyode and demoCampGuelph can focus on being all things democampy and diyodie.

So my first question is, do you feel we’re ready for this? I’ve always felt we’ll need this at some point, the question is are we at that point now.

Second, what related projects or codebases should we consider starting from? Ideally we can find something that we can eventually contribute back to. Ideas that come to mind are techstartup and startupindex. What others should be considered?

Third, do you want to help out?

We’re set for July 21st for DemoCampGuelph 14. Make sure you get it in your calendar before you start renting cottages. Hit up http://next.demoCampGuelph.com for details and to sign up to attend.

We continue our string of awesome invited speakers with April Dunford joining us this time around. If you’ve never heard April talk you’re in for a treat, actually I suppose you’re good in either case. April has the mind of an engineer injected with serum from the realities of running businesses and launching products. To top it all of, she can also converse with other humans in the shape of a crowd so it will be a fun night I’m sure.

Spread the word, specifically get out there and talk a friend into submitting a demo!

By the end of this week I’ll have organized and hosted 13 DemoCampGuelph events. Along the way I’ve seen some incredible demo’s. I’ve learned, I’ve been impressed but I’ve also been embarrassed and outright skeered. People often ask for tips and information related to demo’ing but to be honest I’m not the expert. While I have demo’d at other events such as DemoCampToronto, I’m only the mc. You wouldn’t ask Whoopi Goldberg how to win an Oscar would you? (Let’s pretend she only hosted the oscars and didn’t win two of them as well…)

So, now that I’ve told you not to listen to me, here’s a few quick tips if you’re thinking of demo’ing:

• DemoCamp’s are not pitch events. Don’t pitch or market to the crowd, no one’s here to be sold to.
• Don’t delude yourself. You’ve only got 5 minutes! You can’t demo the entire feature set of your CRM that’s going to save the world so don’t try. Pick an area within your product or a specific feature or workflow that will interest the crowd and demo that alone.
• Focus your message. Just because this is a demo event doesn’t mean you shouldn’t focus on a message we take away from your demo. What’s the sentence you’d like me as a listener to type into twitter when you’re done? Thinking this way helps focus your demo and hopefully have a consistent flow to it.
• Be prepared for technology to fail and keep presenting. If you get 5 minutes to pitch to a key investor, they aren’t going to wait 15 while you work out wifi issues. Have something prepared if the network or projector or mic etc fails. Improvise and keep moving.
• It’s cliche but take your time and have fun. This is a community event of peers who appreciate you putting the time in to show what your passionate about so chill and enjoy the experience. You can stress out on your wedding day.

Some great tips from DemoCampGuelph12′s Crowie award winner Tony Thompson:

• “First off, some kind of a presentation outline is good. I just use point form notes. Make sure you have some detail you can cut out, or insert on the fly depending on your audience interest.”
• “The eBar is a big room. The audience will not be able to see you as much as they can see your live demo — so your demo must work and look nice. When you want to make a point, you won’t be able to do it with your facial expression alone, you’ll have to do it verbally as well.”
• “Keep any graphics simple and to the point. To anybody more than halfway down the bar, the projection screen will look like a file card, and they won’t be able to make out any fine detail.”

Tony left out his secret sauce, more robots = good.

This is your friendly reminder that #13 is up this Wednesday evening  DemoCampGuelph. Sign up to attend at here.

Rob Hyndman is our invited speaker and as always we have a full slate of demo’s. Please remind people and we’ll see you all Wednesday at The eBar.

I no longer want to personally select who demo’s at our events. As well our current approach of relying on audience applause to select who receives the Crowie is flawed at best. I’m turning both of these responsibilities over to you since it’s your event.

I need three volunteers with these qualifications/requirements:

• Attended at least one, preferably more, DemoCampGuelph events so you know what we’re doing.
• You’re not demo’ing at our next event.
• You’re not a sponsor (I’m not 100% sure this matters but we’ll start here…).
• You will attend next event.
• You aren’t currently contributing to DemoCampGuelph in some other fashion.

What will this commitment entail?

• A meeting with me and this group where we review submissions and select who will demo at upcoming event.
• Watch all demo’s at the event and decide with this group who receives the Crowie.

[UPDATE: Thanks for all the volunteers, we have our board] If you’re interested in contributing to our event by taking this on, please contact me directly. We need three of you please.

I can ask for help when it involves community efforts like demoCampGuelph or our park. Historically I have a barrier, however, when it comes to efforts I make money at and that’s a line I’m not sure should exist.

A great friend of mine owns a restaurant here in Guelph called The Cornerstone. Their wood floors are crap, they won’t serve me meat and their windows are often made of wood instead of glass. Even with all those warts, it’s still the first place I think of for a coffee or a pint.

Why? Well because The Cornerstone is mine, or more importantly it’s ours. From day 1, or technically day -234, Mark has engaged his friends and his community to help design and build his restaurant. Many of my friends spent late nights painting, sanding and doing whatever it took to open the doors 8 years ago. To this day, on the few holidays they’re closed you’ll find Mark and a gaggle of locals fixing up all the things you can’t when you’re open 7 days a week.

There’s some talk in Guelph these days about tech, about business and about whether the two can build a home here. Some hope organizations like Communitech come to town, others feel we need a clubhouse like the accelerator center and others are firing up their own efforts to help. Clearly I don’t know the answer, I do know that any tech-biz success in Guelph is a success for us all. I have no idea what I’ll be doing next year but the truth is I may be working for steal the deal, well.ca or bootcampmedia so it’s only in my best interest to see them succeed.

More success = more jobs = less people commuting = more time with families and friends = more better Guelph.

We all need to start talking and sharing more if we hope to pull this off, and believe me I’m speaking mostly to myself when I say that. I’ve met and know a lot of you and the honest truth is we have the skills to pull this off and doggone it, I like me. We have more personalities and brains in this town than is required to do this. Realizing that this is less about our companies and more about our community will allow us the humility to seek out the help we need, and offer ours to others.

My Offer: If you’re willing to share what you’re up to then let’s talk. It doesn’t have to be technology related. Great ideas often come from someone who doesn’t spend their days in your sandbox. You never know, I may be able to help your landscaping or bread baking business grow this year. It may be as simple as offering ideas and feedback or I may be able to do some real work for you.

My Request: I need your help. My day job is building products at Brainpark and I want it to thrive, grow, provide jobs and ultimately be a success story for our community. If you’re willing to help with that, in anyway, please let me know.

We’re set for April 14th for lucky DemoCampGuelph 13. As always, please point your family and friends to http://next.demoCampGuelph.com for details and signing up to attend.

I’m excited to have Rob Hyndman joining us as our invited speaker. While I don’t normally recommend going to see lawyer’s speak, Rob’s the exception. He always offers a useful perspective on how much, or how little, legal lifting you may need depending on where your project’s at.

As always, talk up our event and let people know what we’re up to.