Over the last few years I have really come to question the point of various web industry professional associations.
Yes, it’s all about member benefits, relevancy, and value for money. What I also look for is the chances to network, face to face or online, ways to enhance my professional development (offline and online). Also the validation that you are following industry best practice as well.
Still the most important requirement is a sense of community and belonging.
Where does the the web industry fit in the world. You would think that after 15 plus years that we would have worked that out by now and found our place. But alas this isn’t the case. I still ponder what category should we sit under in a corporate or business structure, let alone what role we should all be.
Something that really frustrates me, is when you go to fill in a survey and they list off the industry types. I’m always very confused where do I put myself, my business. Which one of the categories do I choose.
Previously I have talked at length about burnout and knowing when you are working too much and how to step aside. Friend Derek Featherstone has also written about burnout and finding some white space in our lives.
Kelly Goto at Web Directions South 2009, last week, also spoke on finding more time between moments (YoYu). Ben Buchanan explains YoYu really well too. Everything these good people and I have said is true.
You know when you go to a networking event that is low key with no pressure, just friendly welcoming people that are just their to get to know you – networking that is a casual social affair. No clique snobby groups. The kind of event where you can see strategic partnerships and people finding new opportunities happening all the time. All this in fun relaxed environment with your fellow industry peers.
Gary Barber
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