Archive for the ‘free event’ 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
The needs of small businesses
Keith Proudfoot, Regional Director of Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), will be speaking at next month’s free event for small businesses, Sage World. He’s taken time out to talk to the Sage Blog about the needs of small businesses.
Last week I attended a round table discussion with Dr Vince Cable. Among some talk about Local Economic Partnerships replacing the 10 Regional Development Agencies discussion turned to small business and their needs to drive the recovery.
Keith Proudfoot, Regional Director ICAEW
Dr Cable sees the SME sector as pivotal to the future of the UK. So it’s good news that his Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) will do what they can, or what they can afford, to help smaller businesses.
The promise of less regulation has been heard before, but the most encouraging part was Dr Cable’s affirmation that he would use a combination of sticks and carrots to ensure that the banking sector lends to smaller businesses.
Of course a bank overdraft is just one way that a business sets itself up to do business and I shall be talking about alternatives in my session at the Sage World conference in Telford next month.
I will also be looking at ways to make your approach to banks more likely to succeed. While I can make no promises on turning sow’s ears into silk purses, I will be giving tips to make your approach to the bank be given proper consideration.
I’m looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible at the Sage World conference and hope you will find my presentation useful. I know I will enjoy hearing the other presentations and find out a little more about Telford: the home town of my daughter’s boyfriend – it’s a small world!
Keith Proudfoot
Register free for Sage World at www.sageworld2010.co.uk
Business is a numbers game
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
Marketing Specialist, Geoff Ramm, talks to the Sage Blog about why Sage World adds up to an event not to be missed.
They say business is a numbers game, so here goes;
Geoff Ramm
On the 8th and 9th of September 2010 over 1,500 businesses will descend into The International Centre, Telford. The investment £0.
In just 48 hours 15 professional speakers will share their own ideas, techniques and vast knowledge to help transform your business, take it to the next level and maybe help you to stay, 1,2 or even 3 steps ahead of the competition.
By my own calculations all you have to do is take a minimum of 1 idea from us in those 2 days and you will walk away 30 ideas richer.
Now let’s think for a minute of the potential of networking with 1,500 entrepreneurs, companies and organisations who will be there. You will also have your very own Spotme tool to help you to network with exactly the right people you want to connect with!
As for me….. my ‘Now That’s What I Call Marketing’ – Volume 1 & 2 keynotes will be packed with great cost effective ideas to help you gain more customers, retain more customers and yes I will also reveal how using powerful numbers will help you to stay ahead of the competition!
Warning there will be great prizes to be won too.
Look forward to meeting you at the 2 day conference.
Geoff Ramm, International Marketing Speaker, Marketer & Author
Register free for Sage World at www.sageworld2010.co.uk
