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Service Desk Show 2010

By Linda King, G2G3

Yup, it's that time again. End of April and the calendar has swung around again to the Service Desk and IT Support Show, London (SDITSS). It's been an interesting week in the office getting ready.. the new stands on arrival were somewhat larger than expected, and on (eventual) erection, took up half of the office and kept falling on people (sorry Stuart!). Eventual stability was restored and the frantic packing is now over and we're ready to go.

The volcanic ash/flight situation also created some unknowns this week... at one point it looked like it was going to be a 'road trip' to London for us all in the company white van, but thankfully the flights have normalized and we are taking the slightly more civilized route with British Airways.

We've got LOTS on at SDITSS... not only are we exhibiting (stand 320), but Jason will be running back-to-back simulations in Simulation Zone A. Tough competition in the next door simulation zone in the form of Johnny Ball, the 80's children's television presenter, but of course, our simulations will win hands down! The full list of Simulations being run can be found here.

Henry will also be giving an unmissable seminar presentation entitled "Fighting IT complexity and creating shared understanding with visualization and infographics". This is a really interesting session on how taking a visual approach to ITSM can help engage staff and promote understanding. The full synopsis can be found here. Don't miss it!

Anyway, we're looking forward to seeing you all there!!

IT vendors: It's time to act more responsibly!

By Linda King, G2G3

As a IT vendor, I often think that we are in a position of great responsibility. We can create platforms on which we can put forward our wares, our opinions and our contributions to the market. And dependent upon the size of your marketing budget, that can often be a pretty big platform. I have to say though, I have been getting more and more annoyed of late by the number of vendors in the market who are abusing this position of responsibility. From fictional statistics to vendors taking open swipes at other vendors via social media - I'm starting to wonder whether I'm working in a professional community or a school playground!

I'd like to consider G2G3 as a socially responsible and ethical vendor - we take into consideration how everything we do and say could impact the industry, and truly want to be seen as thought leaders for the contribution we make. And I sincerely hope that is how we are perceived in the market.

I genuinely believe that every single IT vendor has something to contribute - something truly unique and special that defines their value. It needs marketing to look beyond 'feature and function' though, and start to combine some conscience and common sense with commerce.

I'd like to see a day where I can attend an industry event where the delegates actually want to visit every stand in order to open their minds and learn something new - instead of feeling scared to approach in case they are given the 'hard sell'. Perhaps also one day, marketing will be perceived as a positive and forward-thinking function. Until more vendors start to practice responsible marketing, I sadly suspect this may be a long way off.