Create-a-thon

Bridge the Gap between your Coding Requirements and Employee Skills.And Create a Strong Employer Branding in the Process.

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The Night Afterthe Hackathon

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Create-A-Thon101

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What’s the BestWay to Organisea Hackathon?

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Hackathons as aStrong EmployerBranding Initiative

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Create-A-Thon toBridge the GapBetween YourRequirementsAnd YourEmployees3

But What is SoGreat About aBunch of CodersTogether?

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Create-A-Thon: How HackathonsCame to Be

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1 Create-A-Thon: How Hackathons Came to Be

The real deal are the hackathons that are all about solving real-world problems — better

governance, smart cities, deep science, world peace. You get the drift.

Hackathons may not be the biggest invention since sliced bread, but they're pretty darn close when you consider their impact.

The basic idea of a hackathon is deceptively simple—a bunch of developers come together for a specified amount of time, generally 24-48 hours, and build something cool. It could be around a platform or maybe around a specific language or framework. Or it could be one of those "code sprints" that are especially popular for open source projects.

The next generation workforce is undoubtedly going to be the millennials. They are a powerful generation, and those with the right skills will be in high demand.

It is said that by 2020, millennials will form 50% of the global workforce.

Create-A-Thon: How Hackathons Came to Be

2 Create-A-Thon: How Hackathons Came to Be

What Millennials Love What Corporates Have for Millennials

Trying new things

Diversity is a mustEndless OpportunitiesLateral movements

Buzzing Tech Trends

IOT : Internet Of Things Information of EverythingUI/ UX Machine LearningMobilityBig Data / Data Science

They Want To Be More Than A Cog In The Wheel Ideapreneurship

They Love Frequent Feedbacks and Mentoring Catalysts / Chief Disputer (Product)Growth Hackers (Marketing)Delight Managers (HR)Ice-breakers (Sales)Project Genie

They Love to Connect With A Mission, Purpose, a sense of Competitiveness while being able to Work Independently

Hustlers (B.D)Tech GeeksCustomer SuccessChief Amazement Officer (CEO)

Of course, hackathons have come in for their fair share of criticism, some of which is totally justified. We all know about those hackathons that are really glorified sleepovers; where the actual goal takes a backseat as the partying becomes the main agenda.

All things considered, hackathons do deliver, if designed well. One needs to be clear on the focus of the event as well as expected outcome. Here are some reasons why hackathons are right on the money :-

Above all, hackathons are a simply brilliant tool to promote learning and break away from closeted ways of thinking. It brings together a diverse group of people who may not have a chance to interact regularly, even if they happen to work for the same organization.

Of course, hackathons have come in for their fair share of criticism, some of which is totally justified. We all know about those hackathons that are really glorified sleepovers; where the actual goal takes a backseat as the partying becomes the main agenda.

All things considered, hackathons do deliver, if designed well. One needs to be clear on the focus of the event as well as expected outcome. Here are some reasons why hackathons are right on the money :-

Above all, hackathons are a simply brilliant tool to promote learning and break away from closeted ways of thinking. It brings together a diverse group of people who may not have a chance to interact regularly, even if they happen to work for the same organization.

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3 But What is So Great About a Bunch of Coders Together?

But What is So GreatAbout a Bunch of CodersTogether?

Great Learning Tool

It provides a great setting for finding solutions to problems that aren't apparent unless you step back and see things from a different perspective, which is exactly what a hackathon sets out to do.

Apart from that,

They Leave You with Lasting Ideas, And Some Great Products

Did you know that Facebook's "instant verification on Android" feature, "like" button and "tagging in comments" functionality were all outcomes of their internal hackathons? The hackathon format lends itself superbly to the idea of creating useful, albeit crazy solutions in a time-bound fashion.

Time Pressure Can Breed Innovation

Because hackathons are time-bound, they force everyone to focus their efforts on addressing the problem statement instead of being distracted by long-term planning and management.

There is a certain magic that occurs when a group of people come together to solve a problem in a finite amount of time. (Sort of like when you're trying to agree on toppings for a large pizza.)

Community Building

The end goal of a good hackathon is not just about generating those cool ideas during the hackathon. Rather, it is also about building a long-term community of like-minded individuals who share common interests.

A Great Hiring Platform

It is not at all surprising that hackathons see an intense amount of hiring activity. These days, we see recruiters and VCs alike making a beeline for hackathons to find prospective employees because it is such a great platform to observe developers at work.

But What is So Great About a Bunch of Coders Together?4

A Great Branding Initiative

Sometimes, real innovation may not even require going that extra mile to reach out to developers outside your company. Companies have started looking within to spawn innovation with their own employees.

The process allows employees to have fun while showing their mettle. For example, Exotel via the Hack-the-Talk Hackathon and HP engaged with their own developers on the HackerEarth platform.

Companies are now promoting hackathons internally within the organization to maximize product development, churn out creative ideas, and encourage innovation and problem solving and at the same time challenge developers in a fun and interesting way. For example, big tech companies like Google, Yahoo, Apple, and Facebook regularly host internal hackathons.

This can also help companies understand and evaluate the strength of their employees better, aligning it to the requirements of the company.

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5 Create-A-Thon to Bridge the Gap Between Your Requirements And Your Employees

Create-A-Thon to Bridge the Gap Between Your Requirements And Your Employees

Times are changing very rapidly and technological disruptions can arise from anywhere be it a startup, large enterprise, or even a team. By organizing a Hackathon, companies provide a platform for the talented individuals to come together and collaborate and build something new or even a disruptive technology.

If you are a product startup or a small organization, hackathons can help you get great ideas and at the same time reinforce the commitment of building a good product. For large organizations, hackathons can help you boost the brand image and can garner mindshare.

The great thing about hackathons is that the crowds are typically engaged, motivated, and interested in learning and sharing ideas — often spending their entire weekends engaged in the pursuit of new knowledge. Ideation is the core of innovation, which is why

Times are changing very rapidly and technological disruptions can arise from anywhere be it a startup, large enterprise, or even a team. By organizing a Hackathon, companies provide a platform for the talented individuals to come together and collaborate and build something new or even a disruptive technology.

If you are a product startup or a small organization, hackathons can help you get great ideas and at the same time reinforce the commitment of building a good product. For large organizations, hackathons can help you boost the brand image and can garner mindshare.

The great thing about hackathons is that the crowds are typically engaged, motivated, and interested in learning and sharing ideas — often spending their entire weekends engaged in the pursuit of new knowledge. Ideation is the core of innovation, which is why

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6 Hackathons as a Strong Employer Branding Initiative

Hackathons as a StrongEmployer BrandingInitiative

companies like MasterCard Canada bring its APIs to developers at hackathons for honest, constructive and collaborative feedback.

From a marketing and PR perspective, getting the word out at a good hackathon can be like hitting the jackpot.

You’re exposing your product to a large, diverse group of potential customers and learning ways to improve it in real time.

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7 Hackathons as a Strong Employer Branding Initiative

Even if they come up with a flimsy project over the weekend that disappears after the hackathon, these are the types of people who will launch other businesses.

8 What’s the Best Way to organise a Hackathon?

Every create-a-thon has a mission. It only makes sense that we use John Cleese’s creative framework to structure the event so that it does justice to the armada of coders gathered together.

Space

Hold the meeting offsite where there are no work distractions to provide ample breathing and working space to all the participants. This ensures a fresh atmosphere is maintained throughout the course of the hackathon.

Time

Instead of doing an all-night hackathon, keep it limited to about 18 hours peppered with an evening of recreation, and a short time on Day 2. Tired minds decrease efficiency.

What’s the Best Way toOrganise a Hackathon?

Time (again)

Cleese’s framework addresses time twice. The second aspect of time has to do with “giving your mind as long as possible to come up with something original” – time to ponder, to wonder, to tolerate the discomfort of indecision. Ultimately, decisions must be made, but creativity can’t be rushed. This is why the second day is necessary: to let ideas bake overnight.

9 What’s the Best Way to organise a Hackathon?

Humor

As Cleese says, nothing gets you from a closed mind to an open mind (“from the closed mode to the open mode”) faster than humor. Nothing about the hackathon should be sacred or overly serious.

Let nothing be off limits when it comes to creative freedom. Brand promises, budgets, politics, rules, governance, existing content – everything can on the table. There would be no such things as dumb questions, dumb ideas, or mistakes.

Confidence

Organizing a hackathon is the best way to motivate people, keeping the work environment engaging, and tapping into the hidden talents of employees. There are several requirements that are needed to make the event a success.

Set-up your goals prior to running a hackathon to avoid any unhealthy or competitive structure.

Some of the points to keep in mind are:

Organizing a hackathon is the best way to motivate people, keeping the work environment engaging, and tapping into the hidden talents of employees. There are several requirements that are needed to make the event a success.

Set-up your goals prior to running a hackathon to avoid any unhealthy or competitive structure.

Some of the points to keep in mind are:

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10 Create-A-Thon 101

Create-A-Thon 101

Last but not the least, keep the entire event positive.

Give participants the space and time to make progress on problems that they are interested in.

Strengthen the community, for which you are holding a hackathon.

Give all participants an equal opportunity to learn something new.

Welcome newcomers and employees alike

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The advertising industry is always trying to reinvent itself. Whether it’s leaving behind the “old ways of thinking” or embracing a fresh definition, a decade worth of “finding a new way” has left us with the same output: messaging. It may be more digital, it may be more interactive, but it’s always about convincing.

Hackathons have become a great branding exercise for the company. They help gain awareness in the developer community. The candidates on the other hand have at least one project under their belt. This wagon is a tough one to miss as it has become growingly important for all organizations to engage with prospective employees and create a community of their own.

The most valuable part of any hackathon is the learning experience. There will always be a new idea for inspiration. Hackathons are great arenas for establishing bonds with like-minded individuals, gaining knowledge outside of your comfort zone and learning how people can work together to achieve a common goal or purpose.

The Night After theHackathon

The Night After the Hackathon11

If you are thinking, “What happens after a hackathon is done?” then you should know that the end of the event is just the beginning of new things.

Hackathons leave students more energized than ever. The time that they spend as a team during the event grows their eagerness to learn more skills by attending future hackathons with more enthusiasm.

Hackathons are an added bonus to student resumes, broadening their horizons for choosing a career. The truth today is that, many hackathon sponsors attend and send recruiters to hackathons, mostly with the goal of finding and mentoring new talent.

If you want to see real talent, then a hackathon is where you need to be. So, do you want to do a hackathon?

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