Tomorrow's people: how they will shape society & the business world of the future

We live in a world of global networking, instant information and an increasingly blurred boundary between the real and the virtual. This new way of life is unprecedented and is inevitably having an unprecedented effect on each individual human brain. In this keynote address Baroness Greenfield will explore:

• How the human brain will adapt to whatever environment in which it is placed.
• How this will be affected by the cyber culture element of the 21st Century and what that environment will be like.
• How the human brain will change in parallel with this process.
• Predicting what the likely changes are likely to be – positive or negative – and how to minimise the threats they pose and harness the opportunities.
• Concluding how these findings will impact both our professional and private lives as well as every business sector in which including goods &services, insurance and risk management, the media, creativity, leadership, education and ultimately most of domestic and international policy planning.
   

The Upside of Turbulence

Human resources as brand architect: when your people are your product

By now, the phrase "our people are an extension of the brand," has become a well-worn cliché in the HR community.  While many companies acknowledge the importance of aligning the "external brand" and the "internal brand", the fact is, marketing functions and HR functions often work toward different goals, serve different constituencies, and have very different definitions of "branding." 
 
But for a professional services company whose stock-in-trade is intellectual capital, advice and solutions, colleagues aren't just an extension of the company brand--they ARE the company brand.   When your talent is your product, Human Resources becomes the primary architect of your brand strategy.  Marsh & McLennan Companies Chief HR and Communications Officer Orlando Ashford describes the novel approach taken by his organization to transform the notion of "branding," and the role of HR in raising external awareness of an organization.
 

Many Voices - One Sound

Friday Evening

Take it on the chin - how criticism affects your life and business

Whether you like it or not, criticism is at the heart of all business. Be it through traditional methods or newer digital channels, everyone has to offer honest criticism and more importantly companies need to listen to it.

Giving it and taking it are undoubtedly two of the most difficult aspects of the working life. To do it well and without too much collateral damage or misunderstandings is a necessary skill. It can also  be one of life's most vicious pleasures.

A.A. Gill was born in Edinburgh. He is the author of two novels, Sap Rising and Starcrossed, books on three of London's most famous restaurants, The Ivy, Le Caprice  and Breakfast at the Wolseley, two travel books, AA Gill is Away and Previous Convictions, The Angry Island: Hunting the English and, most recently, Table Talk and Paper View.

He is the TV and restaurant critic for the Sunday Times and is a contributing editor to Vanity Fair, Esquire and Australian Gourmet Traveller magazines. He lives in London and spends much of his year travelling.
 

Marketing Forum 20 year anniversary keynote: words from the wise

A lot happens in twenty years, not least in the marketing world. Every year for the past two decades, The Marketing Forum has set sail with the cream of the UK’s marketing industry.   As part of The Marketing Forum’s 20 year celebrations we’ve put together something a bit special - a panel of “wise heads” to help us reflect on the last 20 years and what’s to come.

Our panel will share their stories, experiences and anecdotes and highlight what they feel were the seminal moments that have taken the industry to where it is today. We’ll then move forward asking the panel for their predictions, trying to understand what the ad world will look like in 5 or 10 years time. Finally there’ll be the opportunity for the 300 clients and agencies in the audience to get involved in what is sure to be a lively and entertaining debate.

Beyond the horizon with Monty Halls

In the uncertainties of the modern world, successful individuals and teams must be adaptable and responsive to change. Drawn from over twenty years of observing people all over the world, explorer and TV presenter Monty Halls will explore the dynamics of the team, the individuals within it and the common themes of how we all deal with change.

Illustrated with stories of individuals and teams getting it magnificently right and hideously wrong, Monty’s unique insights will help you evaluate your personal ability to respond to change and how to keep sight of your goals in an ever shifting environment.

Monty Halls is a writer, explorer and television presenter. A former Royal Marines office, he left the services in 1996 to pursue a career in leading expeditions. Over the next decade he circumnavigated the globe four times on various projects, leading multi-national teams in some of the most demanding environments on earth. Monty has presented numerous documentaries, most notably ‘The Great Escapes’ series and ‘Great Barrier Reef’. He continues to run expeditions and diving trips from his fully equipped corporate training facility in Dartmouth.
 

Crucial conversations: tools for talking when stakes are high

Research has found that most of the time, the most influential people were indistinguishable from their peers.  The breakthrough discovery came when the stakes grew high, emotions were strong, and opinions differed. In these crucial moments, top performers were significantly more comfortable, direct and effective than their colleagues. They had the skills to:

• Step up to controversial and heated issues
• Professionally discuss issues in a way that made it safe for everyone to speak
• Create an environment where people shared their best ideas, made wise decisions, and then acted on those decisions with convictions.

In this engaging keynote presentation, Joseph Grenny will discuss the latest developments in building cultures of candid dialogue where employees are empowered to turn diverse thought into synergy and synergy into results. He will quantify the prevalence and costs of poor communication, as well as the incredible results employees skilled at crucial conversations can achieve.

Additionally, Joseph will share the latest research documenting how cultures of silence can damage results across various industries and provide real world examples of crucial conversations best practices that have helped Fortune 500 companies achieve impressive results like 93% improvement in productivity at Sprint and 90% reduction in billing costs at AT&T.

The future of IT security

The online threat landscape does not stand still. One of the best ways to understand the threats is to understand the attackers and their motives. Mikko Hypponen divides the attackers into three main groups: Criminals, Hactivists and Nation-states. What makes them tick? And where are they going? How do online crime gangs make millions with malware? And how do they move their funds from the cyberworld into real world? Who are the people behind hactivist attacks? Who runs Anonymous? What do they want? And what's going to happen next?

Mr. Hypponen has led his virus research team through the largest computer virus outbreaks in history,  has been involved in catching several online criminals, and he has assisted law enforcement in USA, Europe and Asia.

He has also extensively researched cyber warfare and online espionage.  As an author an columnist, he has been published in  magazines such as Scientific American and Foreign Policy and has briefed several intelligence agencies on these matters.

In 2010, Mikko was awarded the Virus Bulletin Award as the best educator in the industry.
He holds several patents, including US patent 6,577,920 “Computer virus screening” and was listed as one of the 50 most important people on the Web by the PC World magazine.
 

The power of the pride

Ian Thomas presents a riveting and informative account of how lions, the only cats that hunt as a group, can be compared with how businesses operate as teams.

The lions’ strategy of using teams to ambush herds  of antelope is extremely successful with individual lions and lionesses benefiting from their group association.

The presentation is based around this point – that the success of the team is because of the individual and the success of the individual is because of the team.

Ian covered three main points – hunting; raising the cubs; security - and then concluded by explaining how "“The strength of the pride is the lion and the strength of the lion is the pride.”

Customer value creation: understanding and quantifying value propositions

All too often, companies spend too much time talking about their capabilities, products, and services and not enough time listening to the needs of their customers. Come learn how a focus on your customers’ profitability is the key to your company’s profitability. Customers are willing to pay a premium for your products and services when you can demonstrate that you are making them more money. And, you will enjoy relationships with your customers like never before.

Differential Value - the additional money customers make from doing business with you - can be identified when the conversations businesses have with customers change.  In this engaging keynote presentation D. Keith Pigues, author of Winning with Customers, will challenge you to consider:

• What you do for your customers
• How it helps them make money
• How much more money you can help them make by doing business with you versus the competition, and
• How to capture your fair share
   

Flip the funnel - how to use existing customers to gain new ones

Joseph Jaffe, one of the most sought-after consultants, speakers and thought leaders on  marketing, new media and social media will present the Opening Address, ‘Flip the funnel - how to use existing customers to gain new ones’.

Jaffe will present a social media-powered customer activation model that harnesses the true potential and impact of customer-generated word -of-mouth, reviews and referrals. If “getting more from less” has become your new mandate, don’t miss this opportunity to increase revenue whilst reducing budget.
 

Economic update with Dennis Turner, Former Chief Economist, HSBC Bank plc

Dennis will provide insightful and comprehensible advice for businesses looking to survive – and thrive in these challenging times.  He was formerly Chief Economist at HSBC heading a team advising bankers on economic trends both within industry sectors and at a national and international level.

Throughout his career he has had regular contact with policy-making bodies.  A previous adviser to the Labour Party, he retains high level Government contacts.

Digitising your business – what you need to do to fuel the revolution

Most marketers have been involved in digital marketing for over 5 years -  some have dabbled and others have dived in at the deep end. The reality is that digital marketing is here to stay and is leading to a revolution in how we do marketing and how we run businesses. The answer isn’t just about shifting more money into digital, it is so much more –

• You need to make sure the CEO & the board get it
• You need a whole new breed of marketers structured in the right way
• You need socially-driven capability programs
• You need to take ownership and align the IT for marketing
• You need to go beyond the marketing and start to test connected products
• Not an easy change for many marketing directors.

Vijay will describe some of his experiences from Philips, BlackBerry, lastminute.com and others. Then join a follow up workshop where you can share your own experiences and challenges and who knows, you might leave the room with a digitised to-do list!

Decoding business strategy into organization development priorities

Learning and development leaders must be able to decode business strategy from the C-Suite into practical learning priorities for the organization.  The execution of business strategy requires real change across all organizational elements, and learning is at the heart.  Recognizing learning as a systemic change lever provides new approaches and principles for linking strategy into long and short term organization development objectives, and translating the organizational benefits of learning to both senior management and employees.

Black swan management

While many IT projects deliver on-time and on-budget, a few run out-of-control and turn into black swans. These black swans are contagious, and have knock-on effects on other IT projects, disrupt the business, and even cost executives their jobs. This session is going to look at three key questions:

• Which challenges do black swan IT projects pose?
• What are the root causes of a project becoming a black swan?
• What are cures against black swans?

The academic research behind this session was selected the 'No. 1 Idea to Watch' in the Harvard Business Review's Issue on Complexity and Risk (09/11). Alexander Budzier is part of the University of Oxford's BT Centre for Major Programme Management and a former consultant with McKinsey's Business Technology Office.
 

A new world order – a new normal for the year of the dragon

The hyperbole of the populist media is designed to be fearful. Sadly the demands of 24 hour media seems forever dependent on an increasingly extreme rhetoric that allows little time for considered thought and debate. Yes, there are some very difficult issues that have to be addressed, but that is not to say that the global economy is doomed as some would have us believe.

Justin will take a global trip to try and put into perspective how the economic tectonic plates have been and will continue to be moving. He will highlight key areas that must be managed through but also identify those positive themes that will eventually lead to a path of recovery for the indebted western nations.

With key political changes occurring in the USA, China and Europe, 2012 may well lay down the direction for the globe over the next few years. The Year of the Dragon should be a year of good fortune and the dragon is seen as a master of authority, and if that means some more effective global statesmanship, then perhaps this year augurs well?
 

Supply ”change” management: roadmap to rebuilding

In this interactive seminar, you’ll learn how to define strategic supply chain requirements, identify capability gaps, size & prioritize opportunities, develop initiatives to close capability gaps, and create an integrated / cross-functional roadmap. We’ll also look at “lessons learned,” culture & leadership development, metrics and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP).

Looking beyond social media, to becoming a social business

This workshop will help delegates see past the jargon, hype and worms' eye view of social media tools, to a bigger picture of how to drive growth in the 21st century; looking at how we can solve age-old business problems using new knowledge and capabilities.
 
Looking at the concept of 'social business', Jane Young, CEO of Kanbee will explore why social media really matters and how it can cut costs and improve efficiency in key business areas. Using often surprising examples of behaviours, tools and processes that are destroying value in organisations, Jane will share -

• Distinguishing between the things you need to know and the red herrings
• What does a social business look like? How is it different to a traditional business using social media?
• How to convince your board / employees / team of the value of being a social business
• What might happen if you choose not to be a social business?

Moving the Federal Government securely to the cloud

This workshop addresses how standards and practices are being updated through continuous monitoring, FEDRamp, trusted internet connections to keep government information secure and keeping the cost advantages of using the cloud.  Does the cloud change anything, or does the cloud change everything?

Crisis management in a multi-channel world - resolving the ownership of social media

A highly practical, collaborative and interactive multi-disciplinary workshop addressing the thorny challenge of who in the company owns social and digital during a crisis. This workshop allows you to step outside the constraints of your organisational structure and work with colleagues from other disciplines to craft an ownership strategy for social media.

Key workshop elements will include -

• Understand the recent proliferation of digital channels and techniques that have the potential to derail your organisation's crisis response
• Use the unifying imperative for effective crisis management to secure agreement across disciplines on responsibilities for social and digital during a crisis
• Work with colleagues throughout the marketing, communications and digital disciplines to understand each other's perspectives, identify best practice and develop robust solutions to your individual challenges
• Take away a template slide deck and best practice solutions to use in your own organisation.

The art and science of lasting client relationships

In a world of increasing commoditization, competition and pricing pressure, a firm’s ability to connect with clients has never been more critical. Truly meaningful client relationships serve as a key competitive advantage, are not easily replicated by the competition, and create a level of loyalty that drives long-term profits. Building truly meaningful, long-lasting and profitable relationships is key.

Learn how to increase sales, loyalty and profits by leveraging the science of how our brains function. Through the use of case studies and a number of interactive exercises, this session will share innovative strategies for taking client relationships to an entirely new level.

Networking skills for success

Direct marketing, selling and promotion all have their place in helping to grow sales. However there is a new and powerful force that is proving to be incredibly successful in helping business development – networking.  The good news is that it is a skill – and that means that even if this does not come naturally to you, you can learn to be good at it. In this amusing, informative and very practical session Christopher will take you through some of the key steps in learning how to get ahead in developing and maintaining your network.

This session will give both a structure and process to networking, and in addition will focus on the vital elements of choosing the right context, and delivering the right content. It will look at:

• Where to network and why
• The physics of managing conference events
• Meeting and greeting new people
• Interpersonal skills on impact
• Getting the right message across
• Following up effectively – the use of social media

There will be good interaction, activity and humour to deliver this, plus some more structured work around how exactly you plan your networking and what outcomes we are expecting from this. The emphasis will be on simple and sustainable techniques and takeaways.

Embracing change: the journey towards transformational leadership

Transformational Leaders, by definition, seek to transform. They embrace a variety of strategies to enhance the motivation, morale and performance of followers.  Coaching others to succeed through the process of becoming a transformational leader is at the heart of Dr. Bob Wright’s work.  In this interactive workshop, you will learn some of the most important secrets in transformational leadership.

By focusing on meaningful interactions and leading with heart, you will develop credibility with your staff and other employees.  You’ll learn how to bring the most out of others while tapping into the best of yourself. Learn what it means to live with “hard light” and “soft accountability.”  Learn what it means to lead your employees by orienting toward principles such as engagement, authenticity, flow, and truth.

Finding new perspectives outside your comfort zone

Regardless of the environment we find ourselves in, be it the High Arctic or a high-pressure business, decisions made in the face of risk are daily challenges. Alex will draw numerous parallels between the apparently divergent worlds of polar expeditions and finance to show how common problems require a similar approach. Using case studies which, through their unique polar nature, will take delegates out of their comfort zone, he will endeavour to develop fresh and relevant new perspectives.

Understanding performance to get executive teams working effectively and powerfully together

Building on 6 years’ research and an on-going collaboration with the Wall St Journal, Jessica will cover:

• Understanding the real tasks of leadership and how leadership will shape the future
• Analysing trends and findings in digital marketing for both UK and international data
• Investigating some practical tools and techniques that will help leaders in the digital industry
• Thinking about how to personally and practically incorporate this into your working life
   

The “heart” of development: where potential meets performance

This interactive presentation takes attendees to “The Heart of Development” by proposing new ways of thinking about Potential and Performance.  Featuring research, stories, exercises and group discussion, attendees will:

• Assess their company’s talent development value chain
• Review research on how people develop
• Consider a different mindset and metaphor for development
• Assess their personal level of life satisfaction
• Begin exploring performance in terms of the latest research on happiness
• Encounter a new way of thinking about “competition”

Effective presentation skills

Business presentation has moved on while no one was looking. Power Point has now become known as No Point, not because of the software itself but because of the user. That’s you! So how do you make your presentations focused, dynamic and memorable in 2012?

We’ll cover.....

• The holy trinity of things you must say at the beginning of every presentation
• What an audience responds well to
• How to read the room
• How to construct a focused narrative
• How to handle questions
• Body language, eye contact and movement