Archive for the ‘business inspiration’ tag
Emotive events in the age of information?
Our guest blogger and Sage World producer Sam Wass from Benchmark Communications asks why in the digital age people still attend events.
As someone who produces events I’m very interested in the emotive and intellectual drivers that make people go along to them. While every event is different and everyone has different reasons for attending, I’ve hypothesised a theory that it’s the emotional experience that people seek and desire in the age of instant information.
There was a time (not so long ago) when the main reason for attending a business event was to gather information. It was a place where theories were first aired, breakthroughs discussed and depending on the sector it could be the only chance of the year to benefit from peer-to-peer support.
Due to search engines and social networking platforms, the above drivers to events are no longer true. It is arguable that with the same time investment on Google you can find out comparable information that you would have found at a conference.
This consumable information culture makes the need to have great content at an event absolutely key. Although you can see many great presentations online (and I’d highly recommend TED or Sage World as place to start) conference content is defined by the presenters and the presentation.
That Eureka moment
We now go to business events for the face-to-face live experience it offers. We go for the same reason we want to see a play live on stage, we don’t go because we wonder if Romeo and Juliet will live happily ever after, we go for the experience it offers. We go for the overall package, the hair standing on the back of your neck moment, the light-bulb Eureka moment, call it what you will, but we go for the emotive reason inside which you can’t really put into words.
When we conceptualised the free business event, Sage World, we wanted to create an event that was an emotive experience for everyone attending. Along with information, advice and support from the team at Sage, we wanted to create an inclusive event package. A place to reflect and to establish new thought lines, a place to network and meet new contacts, a place to interact and a place to be inspired by some amazing speakers. Most importantly it is a place to digest information and a place to have the experience you want it to be.
At a time when we are working longer and harder than ever before, an event offers the ideal chance to take a step back, to reflect and to get that emotive experience…you’ll get the information too!
Sam Wass, Producer – Sage World; Director – Benchmark Communications
Sage World runs from 12 – 13 October 2011 in Manchester. It’s free to attend and there are a host of inspiring speakers and practical workshops to help you have your own Eureka moment. Register at www.sageworld2011.co.uk
From bomb disposal to businessman
Sage World is back again in 2011. This year we’ll be in Manchester’s EventCity on the 12th and 13th of October. To register for your free ticket visit www.sageworld2011.co.uk
We’re working hard to get everything ready for our free small business event, Sage World 2010. So, we thought we’d ask one of our speakers, Chris Hunter - writer, businessman and former bomb disposal specialist – to tell us why he’s taking part in our event.
As somebody used to taking risks and dealing with pressure, the chance to become immersed in a forum of this kind, is an opportunity I simply couldn’t miss. Sage World’s ‘Immerse Yourself’ event not only offers an amazing number of networking opportunities but also an impressive line up of inspirational speakers all of whom promise to offer business beating techniques that attendees can implement immediately.
Chris Hunter, speaker at Sage World 2010
Personally, I’m going to be drawing some parallels between my life now – as a businessman – and the lessons I learned in my former life where I frequently operated in high pressure environments in which disabling terrorist bombs and dealing with the continual threat of insurgent ambushes were everyday occurrences.
Stay focused
I’m going to be covering a lot of topics, but I’m especially looking forward to discussing the importance of staying focused: Four days into my tour in Iraq, a tabloid published fake photographs that led to a local cleric putting a price on our heads. That night, my driver and I were shot in a terrifying ambush. Staying focused was all that kept us alive.
Pursuing your goals
I’m also going to be sharing my thoughts on importance of pursuing a goal relentlessly – but not over-complicating a situation. In Iraq, as we became more skilled at disabling terrorist bombs, the bombers also became more skilled and determined. My team only stayed alive because we didn’t cut corners and were relentless in seeing the task through to the end. But the bombers weren’t our only enemy. Because of the intense heat and the harsh terrain, our kit and equipment often broke down right at the critical moment. Our ability to improvise and think on our feet was the difference between instant failure and total success, and we quickly learned that it often pays to keep it simple. NASA spent $12m designing a pen that could write in space. The Russians took pencils!
Overcoming fear
And finally, for those of you who get nervous at the thought of networking…I’m also going to be offering a few techniques on overcoming fear: ‘You’re going to do the world’s most dangerous job in the world’s most dangerous place.’ That’s how my bomb disposal tour in Iraq was sold to me, and I wasn’t overly enamored at the prospect…but I knew that fear can be your friend; and if you take nothing else away with you, this event will teach you to embrace and nurture fear – and how to gain strength from it to give yourself a competitive edge.
Life is a daring adventure…or nothing at all. See you there!
Chris Hunter
Register free for Sage World at www.sageworld2010.co.uk
Music to work by
A musical heritage
Here at Sage we have a strong heritage of supporting great music. We’re proud to be one of the founding patrons of the Sage Gateshead, one of the UK’s most prestigious venues, which is currently celebrating its fifth birthday.
Ewan, without his headphones in (a rarity)
My friends and colleagues will agree that I’m something of a music obsessive. When I’m not working on our websites I write for a North East music magazine called Narc which showcases some of the most innovative music nationally and internationally. I’ve been lucky enough over the years to interview some of the acts who I love, including Spiritualized, Mercury Rev and Richard Hawley. I’ve also reviewed hundreds of great gigs and CDs, which means that I’ve been exposed to lots and lots of music.
Musically insipired business software
I find music is one of my key inspirations to help me think and focus on my work at Sage. I know that some people find it difficult to focus with music on, but I’m the exact opposite. Mind you, it needs to be the right music, and over the years I’ve learnt to differentiate between the music that inspires me and the music that I find distracting. That’s why online services like Spotify are great. They allow you to build up a collection of songs that are just right to keep you inspired and focussed.
Check out my spotify playlist
Ewan's spotify list
I think it’s fair to say that my taste in music may not be to everyone’s liking, so why don’t you pull together your own playlist and share it with us?
Happy listening!
Check out my playlist at Music to work by.
Written by Ewan McIntyre, Sage Digital Implementation Manager
Finding time to think business
One of your most inspirational places!
It seems most of you prefer to take your thinking time out of office hours, with mornings, evening and weekends highlighted as key times for creative thinking. Being relaxed is important too, with many of you saying you do your best thinking in the bath, shower or, for a truly luxurious experience, taking a dip in the hot tub. Others prefer a more active approach, walking the dogs, doing a spot of gardening or working out at the gym. A glass of wine seems to loosen up the thinking muscles too.
Away from the phones, the computer screen and the chatter of colleagues, many of you choose to take time out alone, including one person honest enough to admit that the smallest room is where they do their best thinking. Certainly a lack of other distractions seems to focus the mind.
But creative thinking doesn’t have to be an anti-social activity. In fact many of you say you enjoy bouncing ideas around with friends and colleagues. For some simply chatting things through over a cup of coffee or a pint in the pub is the way to develop great ideas. But it’s encouraging to see that thinking time can be part of ‘work time’ too. Many of you say that regular structured meetings in the office or away days are helping you develop plans for the future.
However, wherever and whenever you choose to do your thinking, it’s important not to neglect it. Take some time out from the day-to-day and your next bright business idea could be the one that really makes the difference.
So, where do you get your best business ideas?
