Come and join us for a celebration of everything that has been achieved since then and for a chance to LOL at the images in the few surviving photos from that time, dodgy haircuts, dodgy suits and even dodgier modems. We’ll be starting off at 4pm in the MDDA office, with a few presentations, phone in discussion with ex-colleagues now in South Africa (Peter Benjamin) and Australia (Alan Taylor), Dave Spooner on film (not to be missed!) and lots of ephemera plus some hardware from the period, finishing off with some nibbles and refreshments by 6pm.

To book a place goto: http://20yearsofdigital.eventbrite.com/

Contents:

• The difference between online & offline shops
• What makes a good website: design, layout & content
• How to develop a website specification in plain English
• Ways to keep your online customers satisfied
• How to build customer loyalty
• How to make your brand work on the webmore about this session here

Resources:

• Presentation
• Useful Links / Bookmarks
• Website Specification Template
• Writing a Website Brief

Contents:

• What is SEO
• How to optimise your site
• What Pay for Click options are out there e.g. Google Adsense
• Which is best for you
• Getting the right mix

Resources:

• Presentation
• Useful Links / Bookmarks

Jackie Potter, chief executive, Corridor Manchester said: “The installation of the new fibre optic cables will create a new infrastructure on the Corridor that will not only deliver much faster broadband speeds but through the open access network allow organisations, businesses and even individuals develop and test their own ideas for uses of the new technology without being held back by current limitations.”

The most immediate impact for people living and working on the Corridor will be much faster broadband capacity of 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) and more, critically, for both download and upload uses.  Users will be able to buy services from different service providers on the network providing internet access, TV, telephone and other data services too, as the new network will be genuinely “open access” allowing all service providers to lease the optical fibre from Geo to provide services to their customers.  There is also potential for services and applications to be made available for free without having to go through an internet service provider.

The Corridor network project is managed by MDDA and funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).  Once the first phase of fibre installation is completed, it is already planned to expand the fibre optic network to east Manchester and elsewhere in the city by using both the existing and planned Metrolink lines.

Damien Bourke, policy & partnership manager for NWDA, said: “This is the first step on a journey to help make Manchester an increasingly competitive international city – a city in which businesses can find new and sustainable markets which in turn will help drive the regional economy. What better place to start this process than the Oxford Road area, where next generation fibre broadband will only generate further wealth from the people, ideas and innovation that make the Corridor a unique place to do business.”

Geo was awarded the contract in December 2009 following a successful tender to deliver the first phase of the fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) network in partnership with Manchester City Council (through MDDA).  The initial phase will provide connectivity to 200 homes and businesses around the Corridor area of Manchester.

Geo is expected to start the first phase of network deployment in the spring.  Further connections directly to 1500 homes and businesses, will be phased over the next 12 months.

Chris Smedley, chief executive, Geo said: “Geo is delighted to be working with Corridor Manchester and the MDDA to deliver this important infrastructure. Creating a true open access network with next generation fibre broadband capable of fully symmetrical world – leading broadband services will radically change the way people use the internet for business and social use.  Geo’s unique business model is ideally suited to helping the UK to meet the challenge of building the new networks needed for the country to compete on the global stage and we are proud to be associated with this landmark initiative.

Update:

How to register your interest in getting connected

The pilot project will see the construction of a fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) network connecting homes and businesses in the City South Partnership area of Manchester.

The city council is therefore looking for partners to build, maintain and operate the fibre network as part of a concession arrangement.

The city council is interested in proposals to undertake all or some of the  tasks detailed in the tender, working individually or together with other partners in a consortium.

OEJU Notice Close / Tender Return Date:- 14th July 2009

You can find out more information or register your interest by going to The Chest North West Portal.

To gain access to the full tender and other documents:

1. Register as a supplier (which is free) and you will be sent an email with a username and password
2. Login to the site and go to the link above , then click on the button “Login and Register Interest” (bottom of the page)
3. You will again be asked to put in your login details (username and password)
4. Click on “express interest”
5. You will then be sent a email confirming your interest and a link to download the documents

Join us at our informal open evening to find out how you can boost your business from some of the biggest names in business information. Learn about industry standard tools you can access for FREE.

Free company credit checking Research new markets & competitors

Find products and services Get sales leads and contacts

Get expert tips at our bitesize business talks:

6.15 How to access & benefit from business support Steve Connolly, Business Link

6.30 Survival techniques in an economic downturn Simon Kite, Saffery Champness Chartered Accountants

Plus Networking, advice and refreshments

Venue: Commercial Library – Central Library, St Peter’s Square, Manchester M2 5PD

Date/Time: Wednesday 11th February – 5.45pm – 7.45pm

Contact 0161 234 1995 for more details or email: businessinfo@manchester.gov.uk or just drop in!

Supported by Kompass Information

Contents:

• Intellectual Property
• Terms & Conditions
• Data Protection + Disability Discrimination
• Managing Liability
• Copyright +Trademarks

Resources:

• Presentation
• Useful Links / Presentations

The resources below will guide you through the different online options and how to access, implement, measure and evaluate them.

Contents:

• How to identify & incorporate the most effective options into your marketing plan
• Targeting niche markets
• Ways to use social networks e.g. blogs, YouTube, MySpace, facebook
• Getting the most out of using social networks

Resources:

• Presentation
• Useful Links / Bookmarks

This resources below will cover the different ways to accept payments and how to choose the right one for your business & customers.

Contents:

• How to compare & contrast between the different options
• The payment services that are available, e.g. PayPal, Worldpay
• What’s involved in setting up a custom-built payments system
• How to make the payments process easy for customers
• The best model for your business

Resources:

• Presentation
• Sector Guide / Textiles
• Useful Links / Bookmarks

This time round we will be asking has rich media outlived its time and is banner advertising dead? A recent survey of industry decision makers suggests so — more than 60 percent agree that rich media doesn’t have the “legs” to take us where we want to go over the coming years.

Interactive Digital Advertising looks set to be the next evolution of advertising — combining the accessibility and intelligence of the Internet and other forms of digital media with the benefits of interactivity — the final frontier of proactive engagement.

During this evening session Colin Elms (UK Managing Director at Eyewonder) will be discussing the opportunity this creates for agencies and advertisers. Using case studies Colin will demonstrate how you can fully leverage the technology to create entirely new levels of brand awareness, loyalty and engagement through the creation of two way dialogues with consumers. Whether that’s incorporating broadcast assets into your online campaign or showing product demos in your banner you will learn how video can be used to convey your brand and how to create, deliver and track successful campaigns in a more efficient and effective manner.

Colin Elms is the UK MD of one of Interactive Digital Advertising’s fastest-growing innovators. Eyewonder enable brands and advertisers to leverage the industry’s most comprehensive creative capabilities for online campaigns that are proven to deliver rich results. Colin has been publishing websites whose primary source of income is advertising for the last decade in senior management positions at sports publisher 365Media and itv.com.

The presentation will be over by 7:45pm, leaving plenty of time for networking over the wine and canapés. Tickets are £25 + VAT, places are limited so make sure you book early to reserve your place.

Book here