Business owners and digital leaders from across Scotland gathered at The Hub, Pacific Quay in Glasgow last night for The Herald Talking Trends event sponsored by University of Glasgow Adam Smith Business School, Be-IT Resourcing and CodeClan.
More than 100 people were in the audience at the free event, taking the opportunity to discuss how businesses can use technology effectively to reach their target audience and grow revenue.
Event host Gordon Stevenson, head of digital for Newsquest Scotland and Ireland, said that as technology advances continue to disrupt business models in almost every sector, it has never been more critical for organisations to ensure that their current and future investment delivers tangible results.
“To the backdrop of tech giants such as Amazon, Google, Apple and Facebook, The Herald Talking Trends event was about bringing together leading Scottish technology thought leaders with our event attendees with the aim of demonstrating how technology ‘trends’ can add real, measurable value to your organisation,” he said.
An array of topics were discussed from the era of mobile dominance to creating a consumer army through social media. The panel included Gareth Biggerstaff, managing director, Be-IT Resourcing; Dr Anna Morgan-Thomas, senior lecturer in marketing, University of Glasgow Adam Smith Business School; Rab Campbell, director of employer engagement, CodeClan; Ben Hutton, director and partner, xdesign; and Emma Mykytyn, head of Foodie Explorers.
Mr Biggerstaff said he was delighted that Be-IT Resourcing was a key partner at the event. “It was both informative and practical – an occasion to learn and to network – and we would like to thank The Herald and everyone who took part in making it such a success.”
Dr Morgan-Thomas, added: “Unlike my fellow academics, who tend to question the distinctiveness of digital business and downplay its ‘theoretical’ importance, the panel focused on the business realities to clearly show why and how digital really matters to business in Scotland and beyond.”
Mr Campbell, said: “The Herald talking trends event was fascinating. My takeaway was the desire and energy in the room to produce digital products for the global market.”