[VanDev] Marketing != Advertising .and. Marketing != Selling

In July we have Vancouver business consultant Barry Sharp sharing his experience in helping small software companies to be profitable. It takes more than a great product to make money. Join us as Barry discusses basic do's and don'ts of marketing in the technology sector. Following the presentation we'll have a door prize draw, round-the-room introductions, and then open the floor for networking. This is a networking event so bring your business/contact cards and a story or two to share.

About the presentation:

How will you make money if nobody buys your product? Marketing is about providing what the customer wants, where and when they want it, and at a price that they will pay and all of this takes much more than just advertising and selling. Get the marketing right or suffer the consequences.

Does Microsoft make the best software? Does IBM make the best hardware? If not then why are Microsoft and IBM two of the most profitable technology companies in the world?

About the speaker:

Barry Sharp is president of AMA Management LTD, a consulting company that has been helping small businesses and larger ones to be more effective and more profitable for over 20 years.

Barry is a professional accountant, a fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants - The world's largest international professional accounting organization. He's not a "beancounter". He's worked as a small business consultant and also as an internal consultant in larger enterprises.

Barry created a software development company 20 years ago in the middle of an economic depression and ran it for eight years....designing, producing and selling accounting systems and packaged software. He sued Microsoft..., and lost. Learned a lesson - RTFM, then challenge it. Went head-to-head with 3M in a specialized market..., and lost. Learned a lesson - Marketing is at least as important as the product.

In addition to his accounting credentials and software experience, Barry has a Certificate in IT Controllership, so he speaks the language of technology, as well as the language of business.

He's been a business consultant for small, medium and large business, providing superb customer service and increasing profits. He's developed strategic plans, business plans and forecasts. Barry has also successfully presented them to boards, banks and financial institutions to acquire funding.