Networking my way through the NHS LDNTech Talk

Last week, we had our first of many LDNTech Talks. The topic more specifically: navigating the NHS landscape and developing key relationships. Being a student from America on a study abroad program, I had all kinds of feelings and nerves rushing through my body beforehand. Do I know enough about the NHS? How do I start a good conversation with someone I don’t know? Do I do this? Do I do that?

Long story short, the night was a huge success. We had three inspiring and knowledgeable event panelists who were able to share their journey with the rest of us; Michael Seres, Mike Buck and Sarah Haywood. We were fortunate enough to have Sarah and Mike with us in person, while Michael was video chatted into the conversation. It’s amazing how far technology has taken us in this day and age. Thank you, Skype!

Here’s a bit of insight on how our three speakers got involved with the NHS. After a struggle with Crohns’s Disease, Michael created sensor technology for ostomy patients. He is now trying to get it into the UK health system. Mike oversees BJSS engagements on behalf of the central government of the NHS. He is experienced in all kinds of IT functions and development. Last, but certainly not least, Sarah Haywood. Sarah is chief operating officer of MedCity who had an endless amount of experience and brought with her helpful insight to all guests. I can speak for everyone when I say the three panelists did an incredible job!

After hearing a few inspiring stories and a good question and answer period, it was time to network. I managed to talk with a few very interesting people and get an insight on the system as a whole, as well as personal thoughts and opinions. One thing I picked up on quite quickly – The key to success is creating and developing successful business relationships. It’s all about networking!

In regards to my previously asked questions, I’ve answered them for myself. Just go with the flow. Networking isn’t about going into an event or conversation with every word of every sentence planned out. Rather, it’s about jumping into a conversation with an open mind, letting things flow naturally.

“In today’s world, you have to interact. You can’t be some difficult, shy person who is not able to look someone in the face; you have to present yourself. You have to know how to talk about your vision, your focus, and what you believe in.” Anna Wintour

We hope to see you all at our next LDNTech Talk!

Tori Langhams

@Tlanghans

Innovation

Are you an innovator? Do you come up with new ideas to solve existing problems?

Innovation is a word that is banded about a lot. From Wikipedia we learn that Innovation is a new idea, device or process.[1] Innovation can be viewed as the application of better solutions that meet new requirements, inarticulated needs, or existing market needs.[2]

Many people think that innovation is just about creating new things, but they need to be useful. A lot of ‘innovation’ is solving a problem that has been created for the new idea or product to be useful.

Have you met Thibaut? Thibaut Rouffineau, is a gentlemen you would like to meet, from the get go, he is open and friendly. He has a great sense of humour and tries to put people at ease. I am not the only person who thinks great things. Antony Edwards, CTO at TestPlant Ltd, has this to say:

“Thibaut combines a talent for innovation with focus, hard-work, and leadership to be one of the most effective people I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. His amazingly broad knowledge and network mean that he provides an outstanding contribution in any effort. Creating a business plan to fire-fighting a project — I’d always want Thibaut on the team.

Thibaut really wants to understand how people innovate and the tools they need to be able to collaborate. Because of his interest in people, he is able to gain insight into the users perspective. Not only can he find out what the customer wants, he will go out of his way to provide it.

Thibaut, along with his team, has built a platform, Apptual, to make innovation easy. It originally focused on innovation and entrepreneurship educational programs and soon expanded across other themes: employability, HR, presentation skills, leadership, marketing. It incorporates the latest scientific understanding of how people naturally collaborate and learn.

Now he is taking his experience and learnings into another area of life: Cravings. He, along with a team of product visionaries, scientists, medics, developers and designers are on a mission to help eliminate the sacrifice involved in making healthy food choices.

Are unhealthy food cravings getting the better of you? Discover low sacrifice, healthy ways to fulfil your cravings in your local supermarket, using the help of Curb. It is a community based digital solution to an age old problem. Motivating you to make better habits. You can join a community of Curbologists who are discovering new ways to keep healthy, just like you! Curb has been designed to help us choose healthy more often and give us low sacrifice healthy ways to fulfil cravings and the power to resist them when needed.

Thibaut is very keen on building and participating in communities. He has a long list of successful events under his belt, as organiser, chair, speaker or attendee. Keep an eye out on Twitter @ThibautR and you may find out where you can bump into him. It is well worth it, let him know we sent you and you should check out his shoes…………

Ghilaine

@LadyGhilaine

Inside the world of innovation

I’m not sure any of us could think of a better place to spend our working play days than inside the world of innovation and all the wonders it yields. Innovation; it conjures up the ideas of; simple, smart, effective. It’s the sense of pride of having created something better for them, for you, for me.

Well we met the SVP of Nielsen Innovation Practice at Nielsen and she is most definitely someone worth knowing.  Ladies and gentlemen, meet the lovely Ramona Liberoff. We can’t say it better than Felix Velarde, CEO of Underwired: “Ramona is superbly bright, witty company, and brimming with infectious enthusiasm. Her understanding of digital and clarity of thought and vision are exceptional. Seek Ramona out.”

Ramona doesn’t like being labelled, but if she had to, she would say she is a corporate agitator. You can hear her views about innovation and how you need to get to know people. It is definitely worth taking the 5 minutes.

Ramona Liberoff from de facto films on Vimeo.

Ramona is not one to sit still, someone who does triathlons for fun probably can’t. She is a very busy lady but she does make time to help those that need her special expertise and I know how much that has impacted those that have come into contact with her, if you watched the video, you will see her passion for uncovering potential in others to make them the best they can be.

Here at Tech Talkfest we do love meeting interesting people, so if you do want to catch Ramona, you will find her on a panel at Developing Front-Line and Senior Leaders to be Change Agents – Challenges and Solutions on 15th October.

We love Ramona’s enthusiasm and people innovation, helping one person at a time. It is powerful stuff and what an impact it makes!

Hoping you have had and continue to have a productive day!