WHAT'S NEXT GATHERED A VIBRANT NETWORK
By SUSAN DEVANEY,CEO, Moving Mavins
A vibrant network of boomer-related business leaders and learners gathered at Mary Furlong’s 2008 What’s Next Boomer Business Summit in Washington, D.C., on March 26. News of developments in technology, communication avenues, the latest staggering numbers that define funding and care needs, were all highlights. Each of these arenas offers opportunities to form service and business relationships, to benefit society and a company’s bottom line.
As the CEO of Moving Mavins, a move management business with a caregiver- support focus, the options I am considering as I examine companies for possible strategic project partners has been widely expanded by attending What’s Next. With the benefit of technology to minimize geographical distance, selecting companies that have products, marketing reach, and knowledge that will benefit my customer base is limited only by my imagination.
Not surprisingly, the real lesson in partnering is one that applies to all aspects of life: “IT” is never about you. Jeff Zimman, CEO of Posit Science and a speaker at the conference, included this principle in his talk, along with the importance of building strong relationships, as basic steps to forming these vital business connections. A proposal must be relevant to the targeted partner, with scopes beyond the potential partner’s definition of themselves or their project. Adding benefit and vision on either side of the partnership adds value to both. Posit Science has recently done this with its own partnering project with PBS by supplying the network with a fund-raising show, “The Brain Fitness Program” that has outperformed marketing expectations.
What’s Next highlighted digital and mobile media that helps thrust many of our 50+ demographic into a new media world with specific ideas and contacts to help grow a business with a more effective online presence. Steve Siegel, of HipCricket patiently explained how entrepreneurs can increase marketing reach with the use of mobile marketing campaigns. Panels with expertise from Verizon Wireless, Microsoft and LiveWorld added industry-wide information. Jane Glenn Haas, Founder, WomenSage, and Lisa Stone, Co-Founder, CEO of Blogher, contributed to panels that highlighted online blogging communities as avenues to consider when marketing to the boomer demographic.
Gail Sheehy, author of numerous Passages titles, is currently researching her next book about family caregivers. Her presentation spearheaded much discussion of the urgent need, both socially and economically, for dramatic change in how we address our nation’s crisis in caregiver support.
I came to Mary’s conference as a direct result of reading her book, Turning Silver into Gold, How to Profit in the New Boomer Marketplace.” Inspired by the ideas, the specific, detailed suggestions and links, I felt certain I would not be disappointed by the quality of information at the Summit. I wasn’t. It was excellent, from beginning to end.
My personal take-away from What’s Next: Dream large, reach high, with a focused concept and an open mind. Then learn about all of the technological developments, business and social networks, established and new, and become a part of this dynamic community.