Mark Shayler is the gregarious founder of the Do lectures. He worked with Nike, Samsung and Coca-Cola, he keeps chickens and wears Vivien Westwood and silver Doc Martens. This livewire Welshman is coming to Glasgow as keynote speaker for the Chamber’s event on digital disruption. It is certain to be a colourful seminar that will sharpen the brain. Mark is the author of Do, Disrupt: Change the status quo or become it. It’s been branded as a ‘workbook’ that will help companies create ideas.
At Glasgow Chamber of Commerce's last Think Digital Scotland: Tomorrow’s City Centre event, delegates explored how constantly evolving digital technologies will influence consumer behaviours and potentially impact the Glasgow city centre experience in the next five years.
"In an exceptionally short period of time, disruption has now become the norm and organisations from all industries need to rewire themselves to remain relevant. Our June event will specifically explore the impact of digital disruption, reflecting on the outputs of Tomorrow’s City Centre," says Richard Muir, the Chamber’s Deputy Chief Executive.
“Mark is a brilliant authority – and while he has helped some big brand names, he’s also assisted smaller companies too, supporting them in saving around £120m.’’
Think Digital Scotland: When the Shift Hits the Fan: Navigating the Scottish Economy will explore the way we work – and how we handle the work-life balance and the challenges we all face from always-on technology.
The audience is growing SME's keen to learn from some recent best practice, innovators and entrepreneurs. “This is an event that is relevant to all sectors, private, public and academic. It is about creating a magnet for inward investment growth and innovation in Glasgow.’’
Mark will be joined by some of Scotland’s most innovative businesses to prove it is not enough to “shake things up gently. It is about thinking big and making a difference.’’
“I want this to be a balanced view looking at both the threats and the opportunities to traditional and existing business. I’m certain our members will find it fascinating. Mark will be looking at what we can learn from the digital disruptors and what companies can embrace in their own business models,’’ says Richard.
Other speakers include Dominic Chalmers, from the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, at the University of Strathclyde, who will be examining the disruptors such as Uber and Airbnb.
There will be a number of business cases studies, involving Charlie Smith, Director of Marketing at VisitScotland; Cyril Dyer, CEO of IDE-International, who has been working with Daniel MacIntyre, Senior Manager at Glasgow City Marketing Bureau on their Open Data Programme; Alec Farmer founder of Trakke; Richard Clifford, Executive Director of MakLab; Gillian Docherty, Chief Executive of DataLab; and Andrew Nicolson, founder of WhiskyBlender. IBM and Clydesdale Bank have also confirmed their participation offering delegates the chance to learn more at tailored workshops.
“I was keen to pull together individuals who have embraced digital technology and discuss how it has impacted on their businesses.
We are also delighted that City Fibre will be supporting the event. City Fibre builds, designs and operates pure-fibre networks across the UK. Without the digital infrastructure non of what we're discussing would be possible."
The event on Tuesday 21st June, 9am-3:30pm, is at the Technology & Innovation Centre at University of Strathclyde, 99 George Street, Glasgow. There are still a few places left, so contact the Chamber or BOOK online today.