The event was set out in two sessions, these were:
Session one | The Public Cloud: Microsoft one of the world’s leading cloud providers, talk about the benefits of cloud computing. Discover who is using it and for what – and find out how you too can get started. Speakers: Steve Caughey (Arjuna) and Simon Davies (architect at Microsoft)
Session two | The Private Cloud: Sage, Onyx and Arjuna Technologies, talk about their practical experiences of using cloud technology.
We captured most of the event on video. the first few videos are available here:
About NorthernNet:
NorthernNet is a high speed telecommunication network, symmetric network of 100Mbs (upgradeable to 1 Gbps) that connects the North of England and beyond. It is available to businesses as a direct connection and, for the first time ever, as pay-as-you-go via NorthernNet Media Access Bureaux (MABs) located within 17 educational, cultural and business venues across the North, including within MediaCityUK in Salford.
How can we exploit the opportunities provided by super-fast broadband and MediaCity:UK to elevate the North to be a leading force in the European media industry? By connecting the North’s creative and digital industries to form a robust and competitive supply chain driven by innovation and collaboration. NorthernNet’s Innovation and Collaboration project, delivered in partnership in the NE with Codeworks, provides both the infrastructure and practical support for companies to explore collaborative working on real projects.
Tom Fotheringham from DFDS was the first to take the podium. Tom give us an overview of how DFDS have been using ‘affiliate marketing’ to grow their online sales revenue and how this is now an integral part of their sales strategy.
Running an affiliate marketing scheme is full of pitfalls for both the advertiser and publisher. In his presentation Tom gave us insight into both worlds.
Understand what you want to achieve, what are your goals, stick to your objectives but be prepared to adapt to changing circumstances
Concentrate on one or two areas of interest and avoid spreading yourself too thinly – A jack of all trades is a master of none!
Think about which merchants you’re going to promote – the higher product value and commission the more you will earn! Selling a CD about 0.50p
Consider affiliate programs that offer ‘lifetime’ revenue commission
Ensure you have the right tools; hosting, software, domains
Avoid wasting your time on unproductive websites
React to change and keep ahead of the game
PR – make people aware of your sites through press, radio and TV. Not everything is online
Sell yourself – demand higher commissions if you are one of the top affiliates on a program. Use your strengths to your advantage
Next to the podium was Ling Valentine from LingsCars.com. Ling is well know in the region and nationally as a crazy marketeer. While most people see the ‘crazy Chinees woman’ the truth is that afer only a few years Ling has built her business up to a £35m turnover by driving visitors to her website and using a very efficient suite of custom developed applications to convert sales.
Ling has developed a website that has polarised the online community. Half of the visitors are scared of the garish graphics and poor layout, but the other half love it and see it as a refreshing change from typical corporate websites. In both cases Ling benefits because invariable both contingents get on blogs and twitter to comment. All of this activity drives new traffic and eventually sales.
We wish Ling good luck in the future and hope that we will be seeing more of her ridiculous videos in Youtube and stupid animations on her website.
On January 28th CloudSeminar was organised by Arjuna Technologies and sponsored by Northern Net and SuperMondays.
About NorthernNet:
