In a break from our Technology Legends theme, the VEF is presenting a panel discussion on using Social Networking tools for business development. The buzz around social networking technology is at an all-time high due to the popularity of consumer software and social networking services such as Facebook, MySpace, Plaxo, Jigsaw, Twitter and LinkedIn. Yet best practice social media strategies are not commonplace. How can these tools help companies? Is it good for generating leads or identifying channel partners to increase your sales? Can you transform your profile to attract highly targeted customers and/or recruit exceptional staff? Will it bring you closer to industry analysts or strategically expand your offline networking or investment opportunities?
Executives with real world experience will talk about how they have used these new tools to generate business in their companies and funds. The evening will be moderated by Geoffrey Hansen, Managing Partner at Rocket Builders.
Speakers
COLLEEN NYSTEDT, MovieSet
President & CEO, MovieSet™ As founder, President and CEO of MovieSet™, Colleen Nystedt is responsible for creating and driving the long-term vision for the company. Nystedt blends her extensive experience in film production, finance, business affairs and creative development to guide MovieSet™. She honed her entrepreneurial skills as the founder of New City Productions, which under her leadership became one of the most prolific production companies in Western Canada. She has been a recipient of numerous industry awards including Digital Media People to Watch in BC in 2009, Business in Vancouver – Top 40 Under 40 for Entrepreneurship and the Financial Post -13 Most Important People in the B.C. Film Industry. She is also a sought after speaker and has presented on a number of panels on entrepreneurship and new media. Nystedt holds a bachelor degree in Urban Geography from the University of British Columbia.
Naisan Geula, WebTrends
Naisan currently leads the Channel & Alliances Sales function at WebTrends. With years of experience driving major alliances between ISVs and SIs, other ISVs, and the channel, Naisan most enjoys creating new offerings and new value in the marketplace via unique intersections in business and emerging technology.
Have established and driven relationships between very large software organizations as well as in the general software partner ecosystems to drive new revenues.
His recent roles include: Vice-President of Partner Programs and Marketing, Serena Software Director of OnDemand Alliances, Business Objects Director of Strategic ISV Alliances, Business Objects Professional Services / Alliances Sales.
Tim Swanson, Corporate Recruiters Ltd.
One of Tim Swanson’s focuses at Corporate Recruiters is building our knowledge base in cleantech and sustainable technologies. With the world’s priorities looking to sustainability and clean energy, cleantech has emerged as a combination of high-tech R&D combined with industrial manufacturing. In short, much of cleantech is about commercializing technology that hurts when you drop it on your foot.
Since 1990, Tim has recruited senior engineering and business executives with some of the largest global Fortune 500 companies in high technology and industrial technology. For the past five years, he has leveraged this experience in recruiting for BC’s entrepreneurial technology companies. Having worked with both ends of the spectrum with both large and emerging companies in cleantech, Tim understands the mix of technical knowhow and manufacturing skills people will need to meet the challenges of commercializing cleantech products.
As a member of the executive search team, Tim has completed engagements for CEO, COO, and CFO as well as VP level searches that span business development to manufacturing and engineering.
