Connect with your data people and Braindate with the Tableau Community

What is a Braindate?

The past 2 years have shown how quickly the world is able to adapt to the new digital age; whether it be participating in conference calls from home, or better utilizing instant messaging platforms like Slack to get work done faster. As we continue to look toward technology to help us increase efficiency, it’s also important to consider tools that help us stay better connected. Moments without strict agendas are often where creativity thrives and can lead to the most innovative ideas. 

At Tableau, we take pride in the lasting and valuable connections our DataFam has created over community successes, opportunities, and even challenges. And with the lack of in-person events, we look to technology to continue nurturing those relationships. For this, we use a tool called Braindate—a crowdsourced peer-to-peer learning platform.

With Braindate, connections are made when individuals come together one-on-one or in a small group to troubleshoot, brainstorm, ask and answer questions around a common topic. 

Reasons to Braindate

1. Use Braindates to get granular about what you want to learn. Are you looking for insight on how to roll out a data literacy program? Or looking for what’s next in how to build your data career? Get down in the details to build an effective conversation. 
2. Crowdsource the knowledge of the community. Maybe you're an IT leader wanting to better enable your employees to be more data-driven. You can use the power of the Tableau Community to help get these answers—with people who want you to succeed.
3. Gather diverse perspectives and challenge your assumptions from your others in the form of group Braindates. Start your own or join a topic that inspires you the most. The Tableau community comes alive when connecting data enthusiasts from all backgrounds. 
4. Enjoy thoughtful networking. Pick and choose the meetings you will have by identifying who has the answers to the questions you are looking for. 
5. Use the opportunity to troubleshoot a problem you’re facing with other attendees. Having trouble with something in Tableau or looking to build internal communities but don’t know where to start? Brainstorm a challenge with others that can help find solutions. 

But what do I talk about?

• Craft a topic that you want multiple perspectives on. Consider a challenge you’re facing professionally or a conversation that could benefit bringing people together. 
• Make your topic specific and targeted, but broad enough to be accessible to all. Create a conversation that can bring together a diverse group with different opinions and experiences.
• Post topics as learners, not just experts. Look to seek advice as well as impart knowledge. People love to help!
• Share a bit of your story to help provide context. Inspire others to join by sharing the inspiration behind the topic. Did you read about it? Is it your current passion? One of your best skills?
• Add some keywords to help others find and understand your topic a little better. Help and encourage others to participate in your conversation with further clarification. 

Braindates are most valuable when everyone feels empowered and enabled to share and contribute to a conversation. For those participating, we want to encourage everyone that their perspectives are important. So join a conversation but see the magic of community unfold when you start your own and see what group conversation can inspire. 

Once you have your topic it just comes down to using the platform. 

So how do I Braindate?

1. Explore the Braindate marketplace and choose an existing braindate to join, or set up one of your own. With so many great topics, you will want to join a few. 
2. Prepare a few conversation starters if you are hosting a Braindate. No need for slides or a big presentation. These events are informal and enlightening discussions.
3. Meet virtually, make introductions, and dive in. Enjoy conversation and take away new insights.
4. Connect with your peers, share contact information, plan a later date to meet again, or connect back in whatever way feels right.

Explore the platform and quickly discover the topics that interest you and the people you would like to connect with. Join and schedule your Braindates, then head back to the platform once it goes live. Carve out the time and enjoy the opportunity to reconnect with your community. 

Lastly, there are many ways to get the most out of your time using Braindates but we’ve found using similar values to what we would in person helps ensure that everyone has a good experience. Be polite, be respectful and be upfront and clear about your topic. 

To read more about the value Braindate connections can bring, CEO of DataLiteracy.com, Ben Jones, recently participated in the Data Leadership Collaborative’s recent Braindate activation. Ben discusses the barriers inhibiting the progress of data literacy programs, and solutions of how best to overcome them. Read more of Ben’s discoveries from his Braindates here.