GeoDATA 2010: Changing Times

We're hitting the road. Not quite rock and roll, we've not got a luxury tour bus, but we're going on tour to six cities over the next eight months as part of the free* GeoDATA 2010 programme.

We'll be joining a selection of leading GI figures to address some of the key challenges facing the geographic industry.

Open Data: Changing the way we work

We're hoping to spread the word about Open Data, as it's a real hot topic at the moment. We'll also demonstrate the benefits of using Open Standards to unlock data, such as INSPIRE. Plus, we'll be giving away a free software tool for anyone that attends our seminar to get you started with Open Data and INSPIRE.

GeoDATA 2010 seminars are free* to attend but places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment!

Dates and Venues

• 21 April: Dublin, Croke Park Stadium
• 11 May: Cardiff, Angel Hotel
• 13 May: Liverpool, Aintree Racecourse
• 20 May: London, Emirates Stadium
• 10 November: Glasgow, Trades Hall
• 16 November: Belfast, Hastings Stormont Hotel

To book your place at a GeoDATA 2010 event near you, you'll need to register your details at www.training4gis.com.

For more information about the GeoDATA roadshow and the full itinerary of seminar sessions offered visit: http://www.citiesrevealed.com/events/geodata10/ or download the flyer now.

For more information about the Snowflake Software roadshow for Open Data: Changing the way we work, and to find out why you should attend, speak to our Marketing manager, Melissa Burns on 02380 382390 or email her at melissa.burns@snowflakesoftware.com.

Melissa Burns | Marketing Manager | melissa.burns@snowflakesoftware.com

*A delegate fee applies to software vendors/suppliers/resellers/data suppliers/resellers and mapping companies. Visit the GeoDATA website for details.

So, what's the word on the tweet? (And how might it impact us geospatial beings?)

Worth the wait

I'm glad to see that 'queue' related terms all get a fair mention throughout the #tfma twitter feed (the only negative for me about the conference). Massively popular, in demand speakers generating huge queues and lots of standing around, waiting in anticipation for the next marketing guru to create my light bulb moment! But they were worth the wait. Well worth the wait.

So, here's my round up:

• ROI is still king. Demonstrating a direct return in still uncertain times is key.
• Thinking about the whole process is crucial. Don't just do a singular instance marketing campaign and never follow up with intelligence you get from it.
• There's a social media explosion to take advantage of.
• You can always improve. Make sure you're analysing the data you get to always better your efforts.
• Make sure you're talking where your customers are listening and your message is relevant.
• Integration is advantageous. A big mash up of comms tools to carry your messages consistently and increase your customer touch points is really important.
• Customers need to be at your heart, and you need to open the communication channels to broaden the conversations you're having with them.
• If you're stuck in a queue an iPhone is a great boredom buster. I had fun with the lego photo app: View image
• B2B and SME's are under-represented and not catered for as well by marketing vendors.
• Don't be afraid. Making even the smallest changes can prove fruitful if you're nervous about taking a big leap.
• The value of place and location in other industries is beginning to really show. With several vendors demonstrating the value of geo-spatial data for marketing intelligence and decision making.
• Exhibition stands are exhibition stands. It really doesn't matter what gimmick or game you've got. You need customer friendly staff and a clear, relevant message.

Well. That's it from me. Looking forward to the social media explosion within the Geo industries.

Melissa Burns | Marketing Manager | @lissaburns

If you read my blog on 27 September:  'You can't buy innovation from the innovation shop', you'll remember how I ranted about needing to instill creativity throughout business to drive innovation. Well, the technical team here at Snowflake decided to hold me to it, and embraced a day of creativity led by our CTO, Eddie Curtis.

Fedex Day in a nutshell

A day where all our developers can pretty much code what they like, as long as it's relevant to the company and delivered in a day. The idea which, along with the name, comes from our favourite tools provider Atlassian, its aim is to stimulate creativity and innovation, and it certainly did that. We had an impressive crop of smart ideas for product enhancements.

For those of you (like me) that would like to understand how a 'techy type' coding person can get creative, here's how. Watch the video to understand what we did!

1. Set aside one whole day for creative coding. We called ours 'Fedex Day', taking the initial idea from Atlassian who we like alot!
2. Collect ideas for the day of coding, an opportunity to get those 'wish list' and creative ideas done!
3. Brief the devleopers on the rules of the day, and the all important prizes up for stake!
4. Get going.
5. Have a healthy, brain fuelling lunch (Pizza & Perkin! - Yum).
6. Build pressure. Make sure the developers feel the pressure of time. "Only 15 minutes to go".
7. Finish and present back working code, and how it helps our business.
8. Vote for the winners!

To find out how the day went, and who won from our team, take a look at our video.

Conclusion?

A worthwhile day for team bonding, getting creative, eating Pizza and developing and embedding a real creative flair amongst the team, to drive innovation for customers.

 We've gt our next Fedex Day scheduled in the New Year. Well worth it.

Melissa Burns | Marketing Manager | melissa.burns@snowflakesoftware.com