Café
Conversation Café
The Conversation Circle model works well for groups up to 40 people. At that point the group becomes a bit unwieldy. So Another form of holding conversation in circle has been formed. It is almost viral in nature. It is called the Conversation Cafe. It is designed for groups of people of 25 or more and has worked with groups of a thousand and more.
The Conversation Cafe uses exponential growth, ambassadors, and viral messaging.
This method works best if there is a specific question is being asked or a solution is being sought. This method is also highly effective in the corporate setting with large numbers of people.
Methodology:
Round Cafe Tables are set up with paper, markers, and something of beauty (flowers, candles, etc.) at the center for focus. 4-6 people, preferably 5 people gather at each table. We are creating micro conversation circles.
So in a group of 25 people there would be 5 tables of 5. If there are 75 there would be 15 tables of 5.
The table meets for 20 minutes following the guidelines of an effective conversation circle. They ponder the question that has been posed to the group.
After 20 minutes one of the members of the table stays as an ambassador for the ideas generated at the table, while the other four migrate to different tables separately and act as ambassadors at the new table by bringing with them the ideas from the first table.
We repeat the process
After 20 minutes we again spiral out of the group and at this point someone can stay at the table as ambassador or all five can venture off independently as ambassadors of the combined thoughts of that table.
At the end of round two our group of 75 people starts to really get mixed up. We repeat the process again
What we end up with is a great dance and intermingling of ideas that grows exponentially.
At the end of round 1 each conversation participant has the collective wisdom of 5 people
At the end of round 2 each conversation participant has the collective wisdom of 25 people.
At the end of round 3 each conversation participant has the collective wisdom of 625 (or at least the whole group.)
So without actually have connected with 625 people the ideas have grown and expanded exponentially.
