eZine March 2008

Greetings from the Forum.

Please note: Members are welcome to contribute content for our “Member news” section. Email helen@wirelessforum.org.nz

This month’s articles:

Messages from the Editor (Helen Fisk)

Presidents Message (Steve Simms)

Events:

- Convergence Oceania 2008

- Wireless Wednesday April 16th - sponsored by Gen-i

- ICT Speed Dating 29th April

- Special ICT sector exporter training workshop on 1 April in Wellington

- FREE Training offered via WHK Gosling Chapman - again!! Talk about value for money! Read on!

- South Island Hospitality Show!

- Next Generation wireless masterclass

- Technology Triangle

If you are a member of the forum, and would like to feature a newsworthy paragraph in our newsletter, contact me!! helen@wirelessforum.org.nz

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Messages from the Editor:

Welcome to our March Ezine issue,

It is hard to believe that we are now nearly into April and those Happy New Year greetings (and resolutions) are just a very distant memory. However, (before mid-year, which is only 3 months away!) WBF will host 6 Wireless Wednesday networking meetings, an ICT Speed Dating event, and we will be hyped up well and truley ready for this year's major event, Convergence 2008 on August 1st.

Our most recent Wellington event (hosted at Xero in March was another resounding success) – with over 60 attendees enjoying 6 Company presentations, in addition to a quick overview/xero update by our guest speaker and host Rod Drury.

Members, please send me any news articles related to your business if you would like to have your business promoted in our newsletter (which goes out to over 3000 people!). Email helen@wirelessforum.org.nz

This month's Famous quote:

Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago. Warren Buffett

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Presidents Message

Support from the membership has been great for most of our new style events and we're grateful for your attendance. We put these events together so you can learn, meet or create opportunities. One such event is the ICT speed dating style event at Auckland University on the 29th of April (postponed from 1st April). In the UK, they called these events the "Milk Round" but here, we'll go with speed dating because you never know - you may find a rock star grad who may be the best person you've hired in years! come along and get your next new dev guru or marketing grad.

Convergence is to be held on the 1st of August (the day before a decent All Blacks game here in Auckland!) and it will be the biggest ever. We hope to get 100 stands on display with a couple of seminar streams featuring some incredible speakers who will lead your thoughts and actions in this exciting industry of Wireless & Broadband.

Register your interest ASAP with Helen and make sure you get in first for the information on how you can participate.

On another note, you may be aware that the WBF has been involved with the ICT cluster strategy for many years. While we applaud the Government for creating two streams for ICT forums, the hard work done by some of our members and associates in the past needs to be acknowledged in helping shape the overall strategy. I recall a number of years ago when the WBF (then known as the Wireless Forum) led a report for government on the ICT strategy - a special mention to thank Malcolm Fraser and Scott Wattie for the work in the past to help articulate our industry stance.

Thanks for your continued support - see you at the events!

Steve & the Wireless and Broadband Forum Executive team!

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Important Events

Convergence Oceania: A big THANK YOU to all of those supporters of last year's Convergence events in Wellington (May) and Auckland (November). Feedback was all very positive, and thanks to this feedback, we are making some changes this year.

One of the comments raised last year was that the stand owners wanted more visitors! Traditionally we have advertised the event through our newsletters and event notifications, and word of mouth. To address this wish list, we are combining the Wellington and Auckland events, and hosting one big event in Auckland on the 1st August. For the first time, we have allocated a hefty advertising budget to the event, and we are looking to attract supportive sponsors to help us make this the event of the year!! Always successful, we plan to make the news (literally) with this year's Convergence Oceania 2008.

Suggestions regarding speakers (we will have two speaker streams running all day), potential sponsors and ideas from our members are appreciated at this planning stage. Book your booth well in advance this year - we will have more than usual, with 100 allocated, but we will also be offering stands to non-members for the first time this year, so please, get in quickly!

As usual, members will be offered a stand at cost pricing. Details will be released within the next two weeks, but if you would like information now, contact helen@wirelessforum.org.nz.

View a video outlining the Convergence Oceania events : Download video or view video streaming

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Wireless Wednesday - 16th April 2007

Our new venue, the floating pavilion, has been well received.

This month's Auckland Wireless Wednesday is sponsored by Gen-i.

It's free to attend, but spaces are limited! RSVP online or email helen@wirelessforum.org.nz to secure your space. Canapes, drinks and networking are on the agenda, so don't miss out!!

This is a great opportunity to network over nibbles and drinks, with views across the harbour. Starting at 6pm, our sponsors will take the floor for 20mins around 7pm with some very exciting industy information. Don't miss out! Click here to RSVP to this free industry event!

Wellington – WW, 30th April, Join us at 5.30pm at The Lonestar! Details will be posted online later this month.

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ICT Speed Dating

The WBF present a chance for you to hire new people with our next event - ICT Speed Dating on April 29th.

The Auckland University are providing the qualified workers - you are providing the potential job position for them! This industry concept is a way to match grads with employers in our ICT industry.

Find the qualified worker of your dreams and cut out the middle man - this is a chance for you to speak to the workers directly who are seeking full time employment. There are 40 third year undergrads and the whole programme of Post Grad students up for a speed date with your company.

The format of the evening is to introduce the workers to the companies and then hold "speed date" interviews with 2 - 3 candidates. Candidates then work with you direct to finalise a position. No recruitment fees and a fertile ground of new talent.

Your participation is vital if you are looking for new people to join your company.

Interested? Then contact helen@wirelessforum.org.nz or visit our events page here. The cost is only $100 per company and we only have a limited space for 12 companies.

We want you - your country needs you! Lets see this event fill in the gaps of your employment requirements!  Venue details can be found here - http://www.newschool.business.auckland.ac.nz/.  Owen G, Glen Building, 3rd Floor.

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FREE Training offered to WBF members!!

In addition to the High Impact Programme, WHK Gosling Chapman are running a special ICT sector exporter training workshop on 1 April in Wellington for Wellington region based companies (under the NZTE Exporter Programme). For full details, and to secure your place in this workshop please visit www.exported.co.nz. Alternatively you may want to refer this on to other potential exporters.

Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the Exporter Education helpdesk on 0800 232 800 or by email on Exporter@whkbusinessgrowth.com.

ICT High Impact Programme
Seeking 15 Innovative Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Businesses with the Potential for High Growth.

This is a fantastic opportunity for fifteen ground-breaking Auckland based ICT businesses to grow profits and improve capability. The High Impact Programme is an advanced training programme pitched at a practical level, focusing on building your business (not product) and profitably from initial start through to maturity.

This programme is fully funded by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and is free to those businesses selected to attend.

Day 1: Business Strategy, Branding, and Pricing Strategies (2 April)
Day 2: Marketing Tactics (9 April)
Day 3: Raising Capital / Preparing your Business Case (16 April)
Day 4: Developing your Sales Pitch - Prospecting and Closing the Deal (23 April)

Feedback from previous participants:

"Excellent overall content (marketing) - many areas to work on - lots of marketing activity required!" - Allan Burton - The Bottom Line Marketing Ltd.

"All of the content (sales) was really relevant to our business - really excellent workshop." - Frazer Jamieson - Van Houts Consulting Ltd.

"Best module of the series (sales) - lead generation and sales pitch creation - all very relevant!" - Rudi Stander - Password

"Very well structured course (strategy, branding and pricing) and the handouts are great! Its' given us a lot of action points to work on." - Angela Clancy - The Bottom Line Marketing Ltd.

"This seminar (Capital Raising) has assisted us to understand the issues we face and clarified our direction - crucial to our business growth." - Kevin Andreassend - ICE AV Technology Ltd.

How do I apply?
Those applying will be assessed for eligibility and/or interviewed by telephone. ICT businesses interested in applying for the programme should contact Damian Bennett on (09) 968 8545, or email damian.bennett@whkgc.com for an application form. WHK Gosling Chapman welcomes your queries and the opportunity to discuss the outcomes of the programme further.

This programme will be run on the North Shore, commencing on the 2nd April 2008. As there are limited places, an early expression of interest is recommended. Applications close on the 17th March 2008.

Effective Leadership and Communication for ICT business owners

How effective is your leadership style? How well do you get your message across to your staff and clients? Do you find it easier to influence some people more than others?

When owners of technically focussed businesses begin to build a team they can find that managing and leading others requires different skills than those they naturally possess.

This session will explore the essential communication skills and techniques that successful business owners and leaders in the ICT sector use to develop their relationships with clients, colleagues and staff.

The workshop is fast paced and interactive.

Workshop content includes:
• Leadership attributes essential to successful growth
• Understanding the impact of your communication style on others
• Techniques to successfully motivate staff
• How to give and receive feedback

This is a fully funded workshop. All attendees are entitled to an hour long one-on-one coaching session. To register (or if you have any queries) please contact Damian.Bennett@whkgc.com or call (09) 968 8545.

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South Island Hospitality Show

If your target market involves the hospitality industry then you should consider a stand within the Technology Zone at the South Island Hospitality show!

It has been eight years since the South Island last hosted a large broadly based hospitality show and in June of 2008 the region will once again play host to a show dedicated to the many facets of the industry. The South Island Hospitality Show aims to broaden the focus by showcasing the complete range of products and services that a rapidly growing hospitality industry utilises.

The Technology Zone will be the very first area that approximately 2500 visitors from the industry will see as they walk through the entrance of the Westpac Arena on the 18th & 19th June in Christchurch. This area will incorporate the latest in wireless and broadband, point of sale software and many other innovative products that have an application for the industry.

The South Island Hospitality show is a trade only event placing quality industry decision makers in front of leading suppliers.

There will also be a visitor promotion for the South Island Hospitality Show; one lucky visitor will get the chance to win either a kitchen worth $100,000 or the opportunity to spend the $100,000 within the exhibitor pool. The money must be spent within the exhibitors.

The lucky visitor will be given one hundred envelopes to choose from, if they pick the correct one they win the prize, if they don't they will win a supplementary prize, we believe this will be a large draw card for visitors to the show.

For exhibiting opportunities or additional show information please visit www.sihs.co.nz or contact Murray Chapman on 0800 3944248 (EXHIBIT).

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Next Generation Wireless Masterclass

The programme has been specifically tailored to the non-technical audience and/or professionals who may have formal education in a different discipline, but who need to gain a high level understanding of the next generation wireless technologies

With a techno-economic orientation identifying the capital costs to invest in, to use, and to apply these newer technologies, this 2 day masterclass is ideally suited to those who are either recipients of ICT services or seek to provide products or services (such as in finance or media/communications). It is also highly suited to MPs, Ministers, Civil Servants and other government officials or simply those seeking to understand and invest in the growth potential of these current and emerging technologies.

Sydney: 30-April-1 May 2008, Sydney Marriott Hotel, Sydney

Melbourne: 7-8 may 2008, Rendezvous Hotel, Melbourne

Adelaide: 14-15 May Stamford Grand, Glenelg

Canberra: 21-22 May 2008, Hyatt Hotel Canberra

• Understand the current and emerging trends in Next Generation Personal Broadband Wireless systems
• Understand the trade-offs between Capacity and Coverage, Coverage and Frequency, Spectrum and Network System costs
• WiMAX® vs. 3G/HSPA: Where are we at?
• HSPA+, Long-Term Evolution and Ultra Mobile Broadband enhancements
• How will these trends and technologies impact the Telco, the competitive emerging wireless eco-system and your own organization?
• Deployment economics of various wireless technologies
• Learn what technologies are shaping the wireless future

For more information visit www.informa.com.au/nextgenwireless

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Attention NZ High Tech Exporters - are you seeking better results for your North American ambitions?

Do you feel like an explorer at times?  Exploration is a risky endeavour; setting off into the junknown with high hopes of fame and fortune, aware that at any given time, the convergence of any number of factors can spell disaster or success.  Still, its theis challenge - of taking life's unpredictablity head on with a determination to win - that drives explorers on to forge new paths;

Many New Zealand companies take up that challenge when they set out to carve a niche in the North American market.  They will do some research, cram what they think might be useful into a suitcase and set off - alone.  It's not too long before their meagre resources and energy have been sapped by the confluence of unfamiliar markets, aggressive competition and complex regulatory constraints.  Disaster.

But what if a better, more promising reality can be forged?  One that relegates this dismal, but sadly, typical export tale to the past.

Using Canada's Technology Triangle to ACCELERATE YOUR SUCCESS!

If you are an Export ready company visit Canada's Technology Triangle, June 23rd to 27th 2008.

To indicate your interest or for further information contact:

Neil Movold, neil.movold@canada-nz.org.nz

Canada New Zealand Business Association (CANZBA). 

Telephone +64 21 749 893 or visit www.canada-nz.org.nz.

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See you at the April event on the 16th!

Regards

Helen Fisk

Business Development Manager, NZ Wireless & Broadband Forum

Phone Cell: 027 428 2669 or email: helen@wirelessforum.org.nz