The Speakers  
 

Andy Dean

Emerging Technologies

In his role at IBM, Andy focuses on a breadth of emergent trends and technologies and how they might help improve IBM's customers' businesses, and then works with a variety of those customers to build solutions combining those technologies to deliver new business value. For the last few years he's been particularly focussed on the next generation of the web including hot topics such as social media, the real-time web and the mobile web, as well as being interested in how humans can interface with technology using more natural methods than the traditional keyboard and mouse. At the heart of his work is a belief that technology can enable businesses to hold better conversations with their customers in a widening range of manners and venues.

An alternative view of Andy's job is that he gets to play with technology all day long, whilst permanently attached to his Apple MacBook and headphones wearing his ever present hoodie and Adidas trainers of choice.

Andy has approaching 17 years of experience at IBM, across a number of roles including development, architecture, technical and business strategy and multiple management roles. Prior to joining the Emerging Technology Services team in late 2006, Andy was Technical Strategy and Emerging Technologies manager for the IBM Java Technology Centre and was heavily involved in IBM's role on the Java Community Process Executive Committee.

 

Kevin Redpath

New Media

Video is the fastest growing medium on the Internet. YouTube, the industry-leading video website is the third most popular site on the web, with daily visits measured in millions.

But video isn’t just for large corporations – done well it can be an effortless, cost-effective way to increase business.

Kevin Redpath has been in video since it was edited with razor blades – and together with colleagues, Nicky Robertson and Ray Buckler, he'll bring us right up to date with technology.

 

Nick Pratt

Ecommerce

Everyone knows that the Internet is the best thing for businesses and consumers since sliced bread, right? The ability to buy anything you want at any time has dramatically changed the global retail environment. 

But what is ecommerce and how can it earn you money? What are the opportunities and challenges that come with online retailing?

Nick Pratt has been at the forefront of building and monetising websites for a decade and has developed a successful Somerset business through getting companies earning online. 



 

 

Nicky Robertson

New Media

Practising what is preached, the event will be filmed and uploaded to the web by veteran video producer and self-shooting director, Nicky Robertson, who began her career as a broadcast journalist and programme maker with the BBC.

In 2006, she started the online communications agency, Mendip Media, to focus on promotional, conference, training and viral marketing for the web.

Nicky will be behind the camera at the event, making sure it is recorded and webcast for the widest possible audience.

 


 

 

David Hurst

Search Engine Optimisation 

Google is the most viewed website on the planet. Billions of people visit it every day to search for information on the Internet relevant to them. But there are millions of websites, so how do you make yours stand out on Google?

As David Hurst will explain, you find yourself a niche and you streamline your website to point directly at it. So that when your customer needs your product, they find you first.

Search Engine Optimisation is a science, and with 12 years of commercial experience promoting website, David can show you how.
 

Graham Godwin

Modern Communications

Once your website is built, how do you get people to visit it? How can you engage customers online?

Graham explains what happens next. The Internet offers ways of reaching the people you need to reach quicker, cheaper and more comprehensively than ever before. The old rules of advertising are out of the window – more people gather news and information online now than through any other medium.

So how can you use web forums, partner sites, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to drive your business into uncharted waters?

 

 

 

Lee Tebby 

Mobile Working

With a detailed knowledge of how people interact and communicate with each other, Lee is an expert on using the Internet to enable more flexible working. Technological solutions aimed at small businesses need not be expensive, but can save a lot of time and money.

What do WiFi, VPN and WAN mean? Are there mobile communications solutions that can reduce costs or networking tools that will help you meet more deadlines?
Lee Tebby from Axis First gives us an overview.



 

Robert Leitch

Security

So you’ve got a plan for your new website, with bells and whistles that will impress customers, add value and scare off competitors.

But what happens if someone tries to break into the system and steal all your data, send a virus or change important information?

Just like in the real world, there are numerous online risks out there, but protecting yourself, your website and your information can prevent the unthinkable.

Robert Leitch from IT and business development company CETSAT shows us how.



 

Matt Gingell

Legal

Having a presence on the Internet means that anyone and everyone can visit your website. So what happens if someone copies it – or accuses you of copying theirs?

Matthew Gingell is an expert in the legal aspects of running a website and trading online, including copyright and e-commerce.

Foot Anstey is one of the largest law firms in the south west, with offices in Taunton, Exeter, Plymouth and Truro and a nationally recognised, dedicated IT and Intellectual Property team.


 

 

Debbie Frankland

Training

We know that in today's fast paced business environment your employees need the right skills in order to keep up with the demands of new technology and changes in the workplace.

Debbie Frankland, Pitman Training Taunton has acquired a unique mix of skills since joining the training world in 1982.

During this time she has always been passionate about the importance of identifying and supporting individuals and employers development needs whilst encouraging staff development.