The thought behind Ted conferences which started in 1984 as a non profit organizer of conferences spreading great ideas was simple.
Passionate people impact others positively. Their enthusiasm is contagious. Listening to passionate people making their mark from the fields of "technology, entertainment and design" is bound to attract influential attendees who can promote "open mindedness and thinking outside the box" and thereby contribute to change for the better. That is it.
What is more intriguing is Ted's idea of transitioning to "Ideas worth spreading" bringing everything they had to offer online free. As expected this thought was predicted as a risky business model.
June Cohen in her presentation uses powerful words at the web 2.0 expo (SF May 3 - 6, 2010) that made me understand about embracing what one really believes in. Whether the approach chosen is right "was not obvious" as per "conventional wisdom" of "scarcity and keeping prices high". However, they believed in their mission,decided to put aside the possible risks, inspired and decided to capture magic and share the magic with the world. So they did it and magic happened transitioning from conference to media to content producer platform evolving to an ecosystem. They are confidently continuing their journey finding their way.
They not only produced "Aha moments" to themselves but to everyone involved with them. What more can anyone ask from a business?
And the instruments for transition are web 2.0 technologies - mostly video online. For Ted Conferences, users are not only their audience but also participants in their growth. Users participate as providers of content as well as their translators.
The hard work they pour into the thought process and action for providing content exceeding the expectations of their users is all that they care about. "Think like a film maker" while providing online content is how they get their message across. How they make profits is taken care of by their admirers!
Above everything - watching June Cohen perform for Ted Conferences at the web2 Expo (SF May 3-6) is inspiring and thanks to her for spreading her enthusiasm. Hats off to the Ted's team.
Passionate people impact others positively. Their enthusiasm is contagious. Listening to passionate people making their mark from the fields of "technology, entertainment and design" is bound to attract influential attendees who can promote "open mindedness and thinking outside the box" and thereby contribute to change for the better. That is it.
What is more intriguing is Ted's idea of transitioning to "Ideas worth spreading" bringing everything they had to offer online free. As expected this thought was predicted as a risky business model.
June Cohen in her presentation uses powerful words at the web 2.0 expo (SF May 3 - 6, 2010) that made me understand about embracing what one really believes in. Whether the approach chosen is right "was not obvious" as per "conventional wisdom" of "scarcity and keeping prices high". However, they believed in their mission,decided to put aside the possible risks, inspired and decided to capture magic and share the magic with the world. So they did it and magic happened transitioning from conference to media to content producer platform evolving to an ecosystem. They are confidently continuing their journey finding their way.
They not only produced "Aha moments" to themselves but to everyone involved with them. What more can anyone ask from a business?
And the instruments for transition are web 2.0 technologies - mostly video online. For Ted Conferences, users are not only their audience but also participants in their growth. Users participate as providers of content as well as their translators.
The hard work they pour into the thought process and action for providing content exceeding the expectations of their users is all that they care about. "Think like a film maker" while providing online content is how they get their message across. How they make profits is taken care of by their admirers!
Above everything - watching June Cohen perform for Ted Conferences at the web2 Expo (SF May 3-6) is inspiring and thanks to her for spreading her enthusiasm. Hats off to the Ted's team.
