Calling all IT Managers.....

[DanSimpson-P1 Technology]

Hi, I am wondering if you can help.

I am the client services manager for an IT company who provide a range of IT services from .NET application development to fully managed IT Service Desks. We span accross a range of technologies and our technology director is one of the leading experts in Microsoft Virtual Earth.

My question though is this:

We are due to to a 2 hour presentation to an audience of IT Managers, Directors and Technical Heads.
If you were thinking of attending an event, what topics/events would you find most appealing.

Of course we can sit there and drone on about different technologies and how we are great, but we want to be a bit different!

Thanks in Advance for your help!

 

[NCA]

Ok well in my experience IT managers are mainly intrested in:

The qualtiy of the golf course / hotel etc you are holding the presentation in.

The quality of the "totty" you employ to hand out the free drinks and nibbles.

The quality and quantity of the free drinks and nibbles.

The quality of the items in the freebies bag.

The quality of the "backhanders" you are willing to give out to get their business.

They also like events that start at 10.00 and end before 2. That way they can slope off home instead of going back to the office.

I gave up going to vendor events a few years back. Maybe its changed for the better?

 

[DanSimpson-P1 Technology]

Thanks for this and understood - thats why we want a change.

But we need to do something that is a bit different but at the heart of the event get a message accross.

Could be mobile working, business changes etc etc .... but what do people actually want to hear about?

Thanks
Dan

 

[Dibs_h]

The quality of the "backhanders" you are willing to give out to get their business.

I don't know what (the brown paper envelopes) you are talking about.

 

[NCA]

Ok well given the credit crunch is topical I would suggest something along the lines of "ensuring key skills are retained whilst downscaling the workforce". There are some software products out there that help you do this sort of thing. IT managers are probably not aware of them though.

 

[SnSBOSS]

The key is cutting costs while maintaining quality of service when it comes to IT either as a business or as part of one you want to achieve the most with the least outgoings and there are alot of tools or trains of thought that even IT managers havent noticed. List the costs associated with the target industries and find the tools that will reduce their costs not only in their IT department but others alot of IT managers are big kids if they have the budget they'll buy cool software that does some amazing things sometimes without looking to see if there are free alternatives that might not be as snassy but do the job.

 

[Bruce_Andrews]

How about asking your audience?

or just go with DPM's diary
BTW - any predictions for this year's freebie - i'm a bit snowed under with memory sticks and stress toys

 

[ken_uk]

Dont talk technical, you will confuse the pants of most IT managers....

 

[downsouth]

firstly you say you support many IT Services, if your too broad in your approach then you will simply attract the 'jolly boys outing brigade'

Hold several more bespoke, tailored presentations and you get better results