Ross Dawson, Future Exploration Network: Interview

March 21, 2009 By

To wrap up from the various interviews with speakers and workshop facilitators I’ve been posting here from the recent Enterprise 2.0 Executive Forum, I’m pleased to be able to post this interview with the event’s instigator, impresario, convenor and chairman of proceedings, Ross Dawson, CEO of Future Exploration Network.

This interview was done just after the formalities concluded for the day.

At the event blog, Ross has reported in detail on coverage of the event. A few key posts are:

Presentations at Enterprise 2.0 Executive Forum – part 1

Presentations at Enterprise 2.0 Executive Forum – part 2

Presentations at Enterprise 2.0 Executive Forum – part 3

Several slide presentations from the day are embedded on the site and there are links to others.

There is also a post summarizing the Future Exploration Network report released on the day, Implementing Enterprise 2.0. I hope to get around to doing a review of the report here soon. My immediate reaction on a first, admittedly quick read was that this report will be a boon for many executives, consultants and others working in the Enterprise 2.0 space. I certainly intend to put my copy to good use!

Filed Under: Business, Enterprise 2.0, Social Media, Web 2.0 Tagged With: , , , , ,

Ross Dawson’s Stimulus Package: Enterprise 2.0 Executive Forum 09

February 4, 2009 By

Enterprise 2.0 Executive Forum banner

A one-day event in Sydney on February 24 provides a great opportunity for anyone wanting to get a handle on the current state of play with Web 2.0 in the enterprise, together with some informed prognostications for the year ahead.

It’s timely. The holidays are over, Australia Day has been and gone, the kids are back at school and it’s time to stack the beach towels and get serious about dealing with the R word.

Prime Minister Rudd and Treasurer Swan – still an unlikely duo even, for all the spin we’ve had telling us they are mates – were not being tardy last night, doing their Santa Rings Twice number, throwing great bundles of dosh at banks, businesses and even the employed who don’t have enough of it to get themselves and the kids to Disneyland this year. See PM Kevin Rudd goes for broke with $42bn stimulus package.

If that helps save some jobs I’m not complaining, but I’m wondering what longer term solutions there are for people and businesses.

As in, something to do with technology.

For starters, futurist, Web 2.0 maven and general tech enthusiast Ross Dawson and his Future Exploration Network are offering, in their Enterprise 2.0 Executive Forum, a package which looks to me as if it is geared to working not just for immediate stimulus but for long term productivity and profitability.

The tag line is “Implementing web technologies to transform organisations”.

Outcomes? The event website’s promise is:

Participants will leave the Forum with the latest global insights into creating value with Enterprise 2.0, as well as the Implementing Enterprise 2.0 Report: a clear roadmap for successful implementation and building competitive advantage.

Going by previous Future Exploration Network (FEN) events I’ve attended, including the Enterprise 2.0 Executive Forum this time last year, also at Luna Park in Sydney, there should be a good blend of:

  • knowledgeable presenters doing their thing
  • lively discussion and idea-sharing via the participant roundtable sessions (eat fast or you won’t get a word in)
  • live blogging
  • lots of tweeting

I’ll be there, blogging it – and tweeting it.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Enterprise 2.0 Focus in Sydney, February 2008

December 19, 2007 By

Best-selling author, expert on the future of business and in-demand global speaker, Ross Dawson, Chairman of the Future Exploration Network, is a pusher of boundaries, especially in the social-media-in-the-enterprise space. He is also, it should be said, great company and a marvelous encourager of others.

Over the past couple of years I have had the good fortune to participate in some very dynamic seminars put on by Ross, on technology trends and the future of media. The last one I attended was standing room only and the energy was terrific.

The next event being presented by Ross promises to be no exception to that pattern. Enterprise 2.0 Executive Forum, with the sub-title How Web 2.0 creates value inside organisations, is to be held in Sydney Australia on February 19, 2008.

In a process now familiar to attendees of Ross’s events, there will not only be highly informed and stimulating locally-based speakers, but some prominent experts will be presenting via the electronic magic of live streaming video, from the UK and USA.

And in a vote of corporate confidence in the importance of the event, IBM has stepped up as Platinum Sponsor.

No slouch in the social software field and in innovation in the use of social media in the enterprise, IBM has just launched its Atlas product, for visualizing social networks. Atlas is an add-on to IBM’s Lotus Connections social software and has four components – Net, My Net, Find, Reach – which provide a graphical representation of connections and relationships among various groups.

I imagine they will be showing that off at the Enterprise 2.0 event.

Registration details for the event here (note the early bird rate before Christmas Eve).

Filed Under: Blogging, Enterprise 2.0, General, Social Media, Web 2.0 Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,