Two new events being organised for the hi-tech sector are evidence that nothing beats face-to-face networking, even for workers in the digital industry.<\/p>\n
The first event is the creation of a local branch of MobileMonday (MoMo), a networking organisation for professionals in the mobile space that was founded by Nokia executives in 2000.<\/p>\n
It now has 67 chapters around the world and fosters co-operation and cross-border business development through virtual and live networking events to discuss ideas and best practices.<\/p>\n
A co-founder of MoMo SA is Daniel Torras, a principal at telecoms advisory Delta Partners. The huge success of MoMo was because the meetings were different from the usual telecoms conferences, he said. \u201cThere will generally be a short keynote address or panel, with the rest of the evening being an informal networking event where great minds can chat (and) share ideas.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re hoping that the local chapter will stir up as much interest in local telecoms as the international chapters have done.\u201d<\/p>\n
The inaugural event will focus on current and future possibilities for Africa\u2019s mobile market, which is one of the fastest growing in the world because of the great number of people yet to buy a cellphone. Delegates from Vodacom, Nokia and Capgemini Consulting will be panellists at the meeting in Johannesburg next Monday.<\/p>\n
The next event is a Net Prophet Conference hosted by the Ramp Foundation, a nonprofit organisation, in Cape Town on May 14.<\/p>\n
Delegates will discuss internet business opportunities and how struggling companies can use the internet and digital tools to help them survive the slump.<\/p>\n
\u201cNet Prophet has been designed specifically to inspire creativity and promote the flow of ideas among South Africans operating within this space,\u201d Ramp marketing manager Tim Price said. \u201cWe have secured the time and expertise of several net prophets \u2026 and we are aiming to establish something truly dynamic that will continue to grow on a national scale.\u201d<\/p>\n
The event is designed for web business owners, entrepreneurs, marketing managers and any business owners who could benefit from being online.<\/p>\n
Speakers will include World Wide Worx MD Arthur Goldstuck, Mixit CEO Herman Heunis and Hannes van Rensburg, a founder of Fundamo.<\/p>\n