Technology marketing unravelled for SMEs

‘Shoestrings and Straight lines: how to market a technology product’ to be held on Thursday 8 March in Leeds has been organised by techmesh, the IT and telecoms business to business network in collaboration with The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Mid Yorkshire Branch & their Technology Marketing Interest Group (TMIG). Techmesh is part of the Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

The event will include presentations from leading experts who understand the challenges and frustrations of marketing technology products by small and medium sized businesses.

Guest speakers include Andy Peterson, head of business marketing products and propositions at KC Business who will present a users guide to the highs and lows of marketing technology products through social media entitled ‘welcome to the real world’.

Paul Lancaster, web development executive for Shell LiveWIRE, the UK’s biggest online community for young entrepreneurs and who organised the first No Email Day last year on 11.11.11, will talk about how to start a viral/global campaign with nothing more than a laptop, smartphone and your imagination.

Also speaking is Rob Heerdegan an online and strategic marketing consultant who has helped many technology marketers understand buyer behaviour and improve customer retention rates. Rob’s presentation ‘Warning! Your brand has been hijacked!’ looks at keeping control of your brand without the buyer taking ownership.
Helen Silverman, head of SME membership for the Chamber commented:“We’ve teamed up with the CIM for this specialist event which will provide tips and pointers to anyone faced with marketing technology products. We’re excited to have such high calibre speakers who have the knowledge and experience to guide SMEs towards workable marketing strategies, improved sales and customer acquisition.”

Andy Earnshaw, Founder of the CIM Technology Marketing Interest Group, added: “The Group was formed to support marketers involved with all kinds of diverse technology-based products and services, for example IT, telecommunications and those in the textile industry. It always surprises businesses just what techniques can be transferred from one product to another, even to products outside technology, which means that anyone can learn from these events.”

The event takes place at the Rose Bowl in Leeds, from 5.00 to 7.30pm (registration from 4.30pm). The discounted price is £15 for Chamber, CIM and techmesh/Chamber members, and £30 for non-members. Event includes light refreshments. Anyone interested in booking should contact the CIM on 01628 427340 quoting ‘techmesh’ plus the date and event title.