On Wednesday 28 February we’re bringing together international industry leaders and world-class academics from Essex Business School to share their experience, knowledge and expertise on how digitisation can help transform SMEs who are on a mission to grow.

For SMEs, embracing digitisation could help you optimise your resources, enhance productivity, and ultimately improve your business’s performance, however taking the first, or even next step, towards it can be daunting.

Join us to explore how to become a data driven SME, harnessing tools such as process automation, data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) to drive innovation, improve efficiency, deliver cost reductions and enhance your overall business operations.

At this interactive event you’ll hear from industry experts from the UK, and international keynote speakers from Italy and Germany, who have a wide breadth of knowledge in digitisation, and academics working at the leading edge of these innovation areas. There will also be dedicated time to discuss your own challenges and opportunities with peers and academics in our Q&A and networking session.

Book your free ticket for this informative event now! We anticipate it will sell out fast.

AGENDA

Hosted by Professor Jay Mitra, Essex Business School.

10:00: Arrivals registration and refreshments.

10:30: Welcome and introduction to the day.

11:00: Industry spotlight. Andy Mead, Finishing Line Ltd .

11:10: Industry spotlight. Dr Spyros Samothrakis, University of Essex.

11:20: Break. Grab a refreshment and take the opportunity to network.

11:40: Industry spotlight. Katie Shivanandan, Profusion, presenting: Creating commercial value with data.

11:55: International keynote speaker - Roberto Santolamazza, T2I - Technology Transfer and Innovation, Italy, presenting: The great opportunity for SMEs lies in the Digital and Sustainable transition: experiences and practices in Italian SMEs.

12:15: International keynote speaker - Reinhold von Ungern-Sternberg, BVMW - The German Mittelstand, Germany, presenting: AI in the SME sector - which applications SME’s already use today.

12:35: Q&A with Roberto and Reinhold.

12:50: Industry spotlight. Arun Muthirulan, Innovate UK.

13:00: Lunch.

13:45: Interactive Q&A. Unpack the morning's presentations and discuss your own experience of digitisation with our panel of experts.

14:45: Networking. If you have been inspired by the day's talks and would like to meet an expert or academic in the specific field that you need help with, let our team know and we will connect you with the right person.

15.30: Event closes.

Scaling Digitisation in SMEs