Iwent to Lloyd Davies' first prototyping meeting for Tuttle a while back.  Well he's written his first 'annual' report' on the state of the group so far.  Tuttle Annual Report 2009

And it reads very well.  

I'd like to extract some fine quostations that iillustrate what it does and why its so 'of the moment' that you should consider coming along. 

Lots of people came [to the first meeting] and sat there and looked like "So you've got us here, we're ready, what's all this about? Why am I here? What do you want from me? What am I going to get out of this?" So I told them. I explained what little 'd worked out and what I still didn't know and above all it was not about something you were going to get something out of without putting something significant in first.

 Very true – you get out what you put in and then there's the amplification effect where the sum of the parts is more than the whole.

It was also an opportunity to see to what extent building rich relationships between smart and well-connected people could deliver any forms of economic value. I'm pretty sure we've proved that hypothesis over and over again.

I’ve ‘given away’ more great ideas this year [at Tuttle] that at any time in my life, but have received twice as much in return.  (@solobasssteve Steve Lawson)

This is part of the new business models for the new working world – I am certain.

What I find most useful and intriguing about Tuttle is the opportunity to meet people who want to know how it can help them do business better.

Yes the sharing of 'how to' knowhow is a key element of Tuttle that is missing in most other networking events that I go to.  I've learnt loads and occasionally had the chance to show off my own skills because of this very important element of the social rules at Tuttle.

Looking forward – plans for the future.

The simplest way this is happening is the way that Tuttle Clubs and Social Media cafés are springing up in other cities.

Initially, we are developing some consulting offerings, analytical and thought leadership publications and masterclass/workshop events.

My own experience of Tuttle and things that I'm working on now that started there are:

• Amplified East and Toby Moores @sleepydog
• the T shirt campaign for SXSW
• Meeting David Terrar and starting a biz dev collaboration
• Geeknbury with @documentally Christian Payne
• Getting Spinvox on my phone thanks to @Whatleydude Kevin Whatley
• Finally seeing the movie Brazil through to the end – I've slept through it more times than I care to remember!

In summary – the group is TOTALLY not clicquey and everyone is made to feel welcome.  I like this a lot.  Come along and see if you like what you find.

If you can't come along just follow the attendees on Twitter.

AFTERWORD

Steve Lawson has written about why the creative industries need Tuttle. 

Well, what you’ve just read is about as succinct and poetic an exposition of how what’s currently called ‘social media’ is changing how we create, innovate, network, resource, collaborate and make money from whatever part of the world we operate in, as I’ve ever come across. The ethos of Tuttle that Lloyd spells out so loquently is what those areas of work euphemistically referred to as ‘the creative sector’ have been desperately in need of for years.

The lack of agenda, the desire to share, the room to innovate, the fun, the friendship, the caffeine. All vital elements in getting creative for the sake of making the world a better place. Not in any ‘worthy’ sense, but just because so many of the old models of business and creativity were built on sustaining myths. Myths of status, of importance, of fame, of business-yness.

All of them Bollocks.

As a proof of concept, Friday mornings are a shining testament to the power of curiosity. It all seems to have started with a ‘I wonder what would happen if…’ type question, and here we are, planning and scheming ways to push technology as far as we can into the world of usefulness.

I subscribe to this.  there's a load of wanky, cooler-than-thou egos around that I dislike.  It's exclusive not inclusive and implies that those of us who don't fit that mould are worthless.  Get rid of it – this attitude is holding back our industry.  Curiosity is what our industry does well – we should share it or as Alex Bogusky says 'stick our noses in where we're not invited'.

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If you are interested or curious about what the Current Big Thing called Social Media is, who does it and what they are working on / talking about.  There are a wide range of great groups mainly based inLondon (sorry outatowners) that happen most weeks / months.

If you ahve a reason to come to town.  Try and drop into one or other of these.

Listen, Learn, Talk….

Chinwag event  NMK’s Beers & Innovation, Minibar, London Geek Dinners, MoMo London, Social Media Club, Creative Geeks, She Says, Swedish Beers, Open Coffee, Tuttle Club / Social Media Cafe, Girl Geek Dinners, Wiki Wednesdays, Next Wednesdays 

 And of course the BIMA events

Thanks to Dierdre of Chinwag for the summary list. 

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