Seminars

Hosted Solutions - How to get BIG business IT on a small business budget

Speaker: Shahid Azeem Arcom IT

Hosted Solutions - How to get BIG business IT on a small business budget

Speaker: Shahid Azeem Arcom IT

Abstract:

Forget cumbersome dedicated servers, network related  headaches and complicated licencing.  The only truly essential IT requirement any business needs is a decent internet connection.  Everything else, from software to phone systems, can be provided over your web browser and supported by a hosting company who keep it all up to scratch for your benefit. 

Hosted solutions will represent over 25% of all networking by 2011 (Gartner) and without the need for expensive hardware, in-house support and complicated licencing agreements, it’s easy to see why.  As Micrsoft point out: hosting is a way for companies to get big-business IT on a small-business budget.

Shahid Azeem is a well-known and well-loved local businessman whose involvements range from being the MD of Arcom IT, a leading IT consultancy across the South of England, to Chairman of the Woking Asian Business Forum and Woking Football Club. 

Last month he was voted Surrey Business Personality of the Year 2010 and continues to do a great deal of work for local charities. 

Within the IT industry Shahid is at the top of his class.  His last IT company sold for over €120 Million and Arcom IT has celebrated its 15^th Birthday this year with the expansion of a second office in Sussex.

Web site: www.arcomit.co.uk

Leadership for Growth - Inspiring leaders to achieve their dreams

Speaker: Gordon Bromley The Academy for Chief Execeutives

Leadership for Growth - Inspiring leaders to achieve their dreams

Speaker: Gordon Bromley The Academy for Chief Execeutives

Abstract:

In this upbeat seminar Gordon will demonstrate why, with the end of the recession in sight, it’s time for Managing Directors and owners of SME businesses to take stock of the way they lead their people and embrace a different leadership style tailored to maximising the opportunity for growth.

• Why leadership for growth is different to leadership for survival
• Why today’s environment requires a new approach to leadership
• Five essential steps to leadership for growth

Gordon is the Surrey Chairman of the Academy for Chief Executives and proudly chairs two ACE membership groups comprising MD’s, CEO’s and business owners, who meet monthly to confidentially share best practice, support each other in solving business and personal issues and to learn from ACE’s top rated speakers.

Gordon has been leading businesses for over twenty five years within both SME and corporate environments including the Tropicana Fruit Juice business which, as Managing Director, he led from launch in 1991 to become the UK’s No1 fruit juice brand with revenues of £150m in 2004

Web site: www.chiefexecutive.com

The social media experiment - How to win more business without leaving the office

Speaker: Steve Coburn Project Five

The social media experiment - How to win more business without leaving the office

Speaker: Steve Coburn Project Five

Abstract:

Steve Coburn, a well-known local IT Expert and Managing Director of projectfive, will share his thoughts on how Twitter, Linked-In, Facebook and other ‘Social Media’ applications have helped him promote projectfive and win more business locally.

Steve’s company has used Social Media throughout the last year and he has promised to deliver a practical guide on to how to get the most from using these websites.  He will share some valuable insights on what to try, what to avoid, what works, and what’s still left to understand as we all adjust to using the latest online tools for marketing our businesses.

Social Media is a very popular subject – not least because there’s still so much that is yet to be fully understood.  But, by learning how other local companies are using it, you will come away feeling a little more comfortable about what it can do to help you.

projectfive are a small team of friendly professionals who have been providing IT Support to local businesses for the last 8 years.  Based in Camberley Town Centre, projectfive are able to help clients of all sizes – from a single Consultant working from home, up to an SME employing 500+ people – with all their business computing and networking needs.

projectfive also run the popular First Friday Business Badminton Networking club – another great way to network with other business people.  Further information can be found on their website... www.projectfive.co.uk

Web site: www.projectfive.co.uk

Speed Networking taster session

Speaker: Stewart Graham Avalon Solutions

Speed Networking taster session

Speaker: Stewart Graham Avalon Solutions

Abstract:

Speed networking is like speed dating; you’ve got a minute to make a great impression. So, start off straight away by saying what benefits you will bring to the person sitting in front of you. The other person will be sitting there thinking WIIFM – what’s in it for me? So capture their attention from the start by answering that question as soon as you start talking. The fact that you’ve been around for a gzillion years doesn’t matter to them, they want to know how you’re going to save them money, make them more profit, increase their client base or improve their procedures. Unlike most networking situations this is the time to push your message out; this is the time to really brag, honestly, about what a fantastic company you have and how working with you will bring great benefits to others.

Stewart coaches in business and schools, coaching owners, MD, CEOs, Partners, Headteachers, Deputy Headteachers and Senior Leadership teams resulting in a more efficient and customer focused organisation, decreasing costs, increasing profit and retaining more clients. ‘Stewart has managed organisations at the highest level for over 15 years. He is a regular speaker on networking, successful pitching, successful networking, selling more with little effort and no cost and presenting to be remembered as well as other management and motivational topics. He is also a published author.’

Web site: www.avalonsolutions.co.uk

Controlling the buyer-seller dance - How you can take the lead

Speaker: Steve Swatman Sandler Training

Controlling the buyer-seller dance - How you can take the lead

Speaker: Steve Swatman Sandler Training

Abstract:

Sometimes it seems that buyers hold all the cards, and on the selling side we feel all the pressure. Often we put in loads of our professional time and effort, and when it comes to decision time buyers squeeze our margins, avoid any commitment, sometimes hide and don’t return our calls, and even worse, just use our proposals and ideas to shop around.

Well, the good news is you can stop this happening! It’s all down to how you deal with prospects and customers – what you are doing currently may inadvertently be working against you. Time to change your habits, skills and attitudes so that you can win sales on your terms, and always keep your dignity intact.

The speaker is Steve Swatman from Sandler training, who runs a sales and sales management training company, after 20 years of successful selling in the IT, Telecoms and Media markets.
Sandler Training empowers business leaders who sell, and sales professionals, with a no-nonsense but dignified and immensely potent approach to sales development. The methods Steve teaches are fresh and innovative and proven in 100's of small and medium sized businesses (and a few very large ones).

Web site: www.londonsouth.sandler.com

Making sure your corporate image is fit for business

Speaker: Sally Pritchett Something Big

Making sure your corporate image is fit for business

Speaker: Sally Pritchett Something Big

Abstract:

Whether you’re about to start up, have just taken the plunge or are a well-established business, your corporate image is an invaluable key to your business success.

It’s so easy to fall into the trap of shaving costs on logo or advert design when in reality instead of saving cost you could be capping potential.

During her presentation, Sally will highlight the kind of pitfalls many businesses fall into, as well as providing a range of low and no cost ways to keep a track on your corporate image, making sure you’re fit for business success.

Sally Pritchett has an extensive background in client side brand development before she jumped ship from the corporate world to run Something Big nearly ten years ago. Something Big is now a well-established, award winning creative agency and Sally works closely with clients to define their marketing strategies and solve challenging marketing conundrums. The company prides itself on delivering an enviable mix of creativity, coupled with an ability to positively impact on the bottom line and boasts a selection of high profile clients as well as a long list of dynamic SME's.

Web site: www.somethingbig.co.uk

Internet marketing fundamentals - How the internet can help grow your business

Speaker: Colin Washbourn WSI

Internet marketing fundamentals - How the internet can help grow your business

Speaker: Colin Washbourn WSI

Abstract:

The talk is aimed at business professionals and will describe the major elements of internet marketing and the way they work separately and together to form a cohesive internet marketing strategy. 

Colin Washbourn has more than 35 years of experience in applying IT solutions to address business issues.  Starting his career as a systems analyst, he has worked as a project manager, systems development manager, business systems consultant and software house director.  He set up his own business in 2003, focussing on helping SMEs have the internet work for them.

Web site: www.wsiwebwizards.co.uk