Now Direction

(That’s “Freed” not “Fryd.”)

WE’RE THERE

After using the BigOmaha iPhone app to get directions, we find us some nice, all day parking. We tipped all our cash at the br last night-I knew there was a reason I brought my checkbook!

We saunter into the Kaneko building and score our ID lanyards and some muffins. I got a little headache from the late night, and I’m getting a bit too hot with all the gear in tow. Chris and I grab some fruit on our way back out to the car to unload laptop bags & jackets. The sun is burning off the morning dew and it’s go the potential to be a very sticky Nebraska day.

COFFEE? WHAT COFFEE?

We should have gotten coffee elsewhere, because some caterer thought that three air pots would hold 300 people. Seriously? One air pot holds enough coffee for exactly five full cups. At least Caribou would hook you up with a 12 gallon cambro. If you’re gonna screw us, at least give us smaller cups so it looks like you’re trying not to screw us. Like maybe three reporters and the camera crew got all of it.

Oh, but then as you approach the main conference room, they have another coffee station. Score! I run up, grab a cup and pump. Ahh! Sweet- light brown water?? WTF? Eww. Did someone forget to run the batch with grounds? No, it was tea. Ah. I accept it. Tea is exactly what I need, but sure as hell am not craving it. Thankfully, I’m anxious enough I don’t need the caffiene.

OPENING REMARKS

Finally, we’re under way. The producers of this event chat and thank everyone. The shorter guy reads his prepared notes and the tall guy addresses the crowd. Tall guy wins. Nobody wants to clap. We just got here; we’re nervous. We’ll clap when we get our idols. Hurry, please. Next, they thank Jun Kaneko and his wife for hosting this event. I’m beginning to realize that this place we’re in is something special. I gotta find out more… Finally, they introduce MC Shira. Reminiscent of the Masters of the Universe toy “She-Ra” in name only. She stumbles across some silly words like she’s never read anything in front of an audience before. The short guy was better, because he didn’t even try to look up. Is it nerves? Is it too early? Is it that there’s no coffee? I don’t know, but it gets worse before it gets better.

FRIED’S PIECE

When Mr. Fried finally gets up and speaks, it’s all on. He’s loud, moves around, and is so opinionated, it’s very arresting. He notes that, like sawmills, (web) businesses produce side-effects, too. We just have to recognize the sawdust and find/create the right market for it. He recited the list of products from his own company as proof: Basecamp, Ruby on Rails, and their blog-turned-book.

He hates the doublespeak of the business world, like saying “transparency” when you mean “honesty.” He advocates abolishing 5 year plans, and sales goals and business plans. If it’s going to matter, or if it ever really matters, then you’ll have to do it when you get to it anyway. So just leave it be, and get on with your work. He also mentioned a lovely little practice called “[shut the fuck up] Thursdays” where nobody is allowed to talk at work. We definitely need to try this, AND use a money jar for penalties.

BOTTOM LINE

His point? It was more Zen than anything. Get passionate, get working. There will be opportunities along the way. (I am a firm believer that you make your own luck.) Overall, this reminded me of the wise, focused optimism that used to be packed into every issue of Fast Company from the late 90s.