Beyond Black & White

As some of our seasoned 106ers know, we've played around with the option of using different colors for the name-tags at our events. The main reasons behind this were because some of you wanted a better method to have an idea of who was at the event and what to talk to them about, and some also thought it might be an effective ice-breaker. Our goal is always to help faciliate great conversations amongst those who attend, so we decided to move away from the plain black Sharpies and to have some some fun with color at a couple of our past events. We thus presented those who were present the option to choose what color they wanted for their name-tags out of about a dozen different colored Sharpie pens.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/photographygaby/4837696676/

It was remarkable to see how over the course of the events, people gravitated towards the same main colors, so much so that we've decided to make it a permanent fixture of 106 Miles events. From here on out, we'll have the five following Sharpie colors available for the name-tags: black, blue, green, red, and orange. To help people break the ice and start new conversations with each other, it'll be helpful if we're all on the same page as far as what these different colors mean, so here is a quick over-view of how the color coding will work:

Orange - selecting orange for your name-tag will let others know you're working on application development in the social media sphere, or have a strong interest in that area. It's interesting to note that orange is ""the color tied most this fun times, happy and energetic days" given that most social media products tend to be geared towards making the internet a more social place by allowing us to share our experiences with one another.

Blue - choosing blue will let other members know that you are a developer, but not involved in the social media arena. Blue is "often cited as the universally favorite color. On the touchy-​​feely level, blue symbolizes openness, intelligence." So the sky's the limit as far as conversation goes when approaching a person with a blue name-tag.

Red - opting to use red for your name-tag will let others know that you're an entrepreneur with a wide variety of interests, and are willing to discuss any type of subject. Red is "an exciting, dramatic, and rich color. Red is also a color of passion" so those with red name-tags are open to all types of conversations, as long as the conversations remain engaging.

Green - deciding to use green on your name-tag will let other 106ers know that you are an entrepreneur whose skill sets gravitate more towards providing support to a new start-up. Green is often considered a color that's associated with growth, so choose green for your name-tag if you feel this aptly describes you.

Black - picking black for your name-tag is a solid option, if you feel like choosing it because none of the other colors adequately describe you. Black is associated with "power, stability and strength. It is also the color associated with intelligence" and as anyone who has attended a 106 Miles event can tell you, all of our members are amazingly intelligent.

Looking forward to seeing and speaking with you at a 106 Miles event soon!

Cheers,

Liz