20th November 2008
National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham  Business managers at all levels are challenged by the constant need to change. Why has change become so important, or has it always been the key business objective? A recent IBM survey of 750 global CEOs suggests that two-thirds are convinced that they will have to make fundamental changes to their businesses over the next two years, and that means innovation. Where innovation might once have meant changing the colour, refreshing the packaging or more recently outsourcing a call centre, most CEOs today think these changes can't be limited to their products and services but must also involve innovation in their underlying business models and business processes. For innovation to thrive you need the right corporate culture, an innovative environment which requires support and drive from the very top, to employees and managers who are in touch with each other, their customers, and - often overlooked - in touch with other industries. Some of the very best ideas will almost certainly come from companies in a totally different field. Innovation doesn't always have to be a brand new idea; it's often just about making things new to you and your customer group, and adapting things from other industries can be a good place to start. The biggest worry however, is that as the economic slowdown bites, companies cut their direct investment in innovation. Recent work by the CBI suggested 84 per cent of companies were in just this situation, with a resultant threat to long term competitiveness. So, whilst innovation is regarded by many companies as complicated, high cost and high risk, it is clear that without innovation British businesses cannot compete. Hosted again by Stuart Linnell MBE, delegates at this years conference will discover what SMEs need to look out for, how they can innovate their business and tools and techniques that they can take away to implement within their own business. The conference will provide plenty of opportunity to network with a wide range of exhibitors and networking sessions included in the day. Agenda - ICT Conference 20th November 2008  | | | | 08.00 - 08.30 | Networking Breakfast and Exhibition | 08.30 - 09.00 | Registration | 09.00 - 09.05 | Welcome and Introduction
Stuart Linnell, MBE Award-winning broadcaster Stuart Linnell MBE has more than 35 years experience in radio and television, working for the BBC, ITV, Sky Sports, Setanta TV and for commercial radio stations in the UK and Ireland. | 09.05 - 09.20 | The ICT Cluster challenges for SMEs
Richard Leary MBE, Chair - ICT Cluster Opportunity Group | 09.20 - 10.00 | Keynote Presentation: Achieving success in the Global Marketplace
Wendy Mars, Systems Engineering Director, CISCO | 10.00 - 10.30 | Enterprise of the Future
Sara Longworth, Strategy and Change Leader, North East Europe, IBM Global Business Services | 10.30 - 11.00 | Panel Discussion: Innovation in IT
Panel Discussion including:
- Calum Brannon-Youme
- Sara Longworth, Managing Partner of Strategy and Change Group, IBM Global Services | 11.00 - 11.30 | BREAK AND EXHIBITION | 11.30 - 11.50 | Unlocking the Door to Corporate Funding
Martin Northend, Global Director of SME portfolio marketing, Siemens | 11.50 - 12.00 | A Challenge to the Conference Audience
Peter Cochrane | | | Business Stream | Technology Stream | EU Funding Stream | 12.05 - 13.05 | Unlocking the door to corporate funding
Martin Rice, CEO, Erudine | Achieving Business Objectives through effective collaboration
Introduction : Alison Moore - Operations Director - Interactive Telecoms
Speaker : Andy Brocklehurst - Business Transformation Manager- Cisco Systems  | Outline of the ICT Work Programme
Peter Walters,
FP7 National Contact | 13.05 - 14.15 | LUNCH AND EXHIBITION | 14.15 - 14.45 | Martin Northend, Global Director of SME portfolio marketing, Siemens | | | Business Stream | Technology Stream | EU Funding Stream | | 14.45 - 15.45 | Creative Marketing
Gary McQuade,
Director Winning Pitch | Mobilising Your Workforce
Becky Lloyd, Head of SME Segment, Vodafone
Learn how to effectively mobilise your workforce to innovate and compete effectively in the 21st century. Understand the drivers and benefits for mobilisation and review how best to approach the people, process and technology aspects. Learn from real-life examples in medium and large businesses.
| Making Europe work for you - A personal experience
Richard Leary MBE, Peter Walters, Richard Tuffs | 15.45 - 16.15 | Keynote Presentation: Innovation - Squaring the Circle
Peter Cochran - Chairman, Cochrane Associates
OBE, BSc, MSc, PhD, DSc, CGIA, FREng, FRSA, FIEE, FIEEE A seasoned IT professional with over 40 years of technology and operational experience. An internationally sought after author and consultant renowned for his out of the box thinking as a futurist, business guru, and an agent of change who invests in new business start ups. | 4.15pm - 4.30pm | Close of Conference and Prize Draw
Stuart Linnell MBE, Conference Chair | ICT Excellence Awards 2008
This years awards are sponsored by AccreditUK and supported by Birmingham Mail and the Daily Telegraph Business Club.
Past winners have stated that they have enjoyed significant benefit of winning. This year's champion will not only receive a cheque for £2,000 but also the opportunity of showcasing their products and services at the West Midlands in Europe office in Brussels. PLEASE NOTE: The call for entries closes on Friday 3rd October! For further information on entering the awards and terms and conditions please visit http://www.wmictcluster.org/awards2008 Please note that the awards are an invitation only event. further information on how to attend the awards please contact kylie.smith@ncc.co.uk
17.00 - 17.45 | Awards Drinks and Canape Reception
Sponsored by West Midlands Mobile and Wireless | 17.45 - 19.30 |  ICT Excellence Awards
Awards Hosted by Stuart Linnell MBE ICT Excellence Award for
'Best Innovative Product'
Sponsored by Business Link in the West Midlands ICT Excellence Award for
'Best Innovation Service' ICT Excellence Award for
'Best Added Value Product/Service'
Sponsored by Accredit UK ICT Excellence Award for
'Best Added Value Project' ICT Excellence Award for
'Most Improved Business' ICT Excellence Award for
'Overall Champion'
Sponsored by West Midlands ICT Cluster ICT Excellence Award for
'Best Knowledge Transfer' ICT Excellence Award
'Chair's Award for Excellence' | 19.30 - 21.00 | Awards Finish and Networking | Registration
Places are complimentary; however failure to attend means we still incur a charge of £49 + VAT by the venue. A fee of £49 + VAT will therefore be applied for all non-attendees unless they have cancelled 48 hours prior to the conference. To book your place click on 'Register' below or email events@ncc.co.uk.
Sponsorship Sponsorship packages are available for the Conference and Awards, for further information please contact kylie.smith@ncc.co.uk. |
