Microsoft Global High Tech Summit 2009

Leveraging Social Computing to Build Customer and Partner Networks
Much has been written about social computing technologies such as blogs, podcasting, social networking communities of interest, wikis and RSS. These capabilities enable users to more efficiently generate, self-publish, and find information, plus share expertise in a way that's so much easier and cheaper than earlier knowledge management attempts. Most likely these technologies have entered the workplace already through employee usage whether sanctioned by IT or not. It is important, therefore, to take action now rather than later. So, how can digital convergence and social computing technologies be put to business use to drive stronger connection to customers and channel partners? Join us as our panel members discuss best practices in leveraging community technologies for improved business performance.

Building and Managing an Innovation Network
High Tech companies know better than most that they must innovate or die. Successful innovation doesn't only happen in the R&D Labs or during product development, it must occur within and between all functional departments across the entire global enterprise. Moreover, innovative ideas don't just come from inside your company. Enterprises must tap into sources of innovation outside their four walls, engaging customers, partners, companies from different industries, and even competitors to fuel the innovation engine from idea generation through product end-of-life. Join us as our panel members discuss best practices in building and managing an innovation network that capitalizes on the latest technologies to address this challenge.

Orchestrating the Transparent Supply Network
The High Tech industry has long been competing on the basis of the strength and agility of its supply chains. No other industry understands the challenges of orchestrating a truly agile, collaborative supply chain in the face of shrinking product lifecycles, dynamic and global customer needs, rapidly evolving technology bases, global supply bases, and extreme global competition the way that High Tech does. With all these moving parts, how does a company orchestrate an agile, transparent supply network where all members are interacting for the optimization of the whole? Join our panel members as they discuss best practices in orchestrating a collaborative, transparent supply network.

Cultivating an Agile, High Performing Sales Network
High Tech selling has only gotten harder - consumers in control, a global marketplace with increased diversity, extreme global competition, business 'round-the-clock, more partners in the sales channel, etc. Your sales force is your revenue engine. How do you help your team to respond to these forces? Today's High Tech sales executives are turning these challenges into opportunities by empowering their sales teams to deliver profitable revenue growth through greater customer insight, improved collaboration, better global pricing processes, and leverage of mobility solutions. Join us as our panel members discuss best practices for cultivating an agile, high performance sales network.