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On January 27, Governor Deval Patrick challenged the region's IT/digital sector to create a collaborative approach to improve its global competitiveness. Read more about the project -- and join the conversation!

Posts Tagged ‘InnovateMAtech’

Brand-building and the Mass Tech Sector: Brand Pillars Feedback

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

Hi. We need your help!

Since early June, the Communications Working Group of the Massachusetts Information Technology Collaborative has been working with EchoDitto and FORGE Worldwide to clarify and unify the Massachusetts tech sector, as well as establish a working brand vocabulary for the sector and the region. A key stage in shaping the brand (how the sector looks, feels, sounds, is perceived) is the seemingly simple exercise is defining the most significant and compelling traits of the sector and the region, which we’re calling the Brand Pillars.

Through interviews, several focus group sessions, and primary and secondary research, the Communications Working Group has identified six brand pillars that we anticipate using to further shape and articulate a brand for the Mass tech sector, all of which communicate the advantages of developing and growing a technology business in Massachusetts:

  • INGENUITY
  • EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
  • FUNDING
  • TALENT
  • SUPPORT
  • LIFESTYLE

What are your thoughts around these Brand Pillars? Do you agree? Disagree? How have you seen the Pillars’ role in shaping the Mass tech sector? We have created the following document to explain, spark further discussion, and collect your feedback. Please review and comment in the areas provided.

Feedback Here
Feedback Here

You can access this document at http://innovate.masstech.org/pillars/pillar/

Join the conversation! Community participation and dialogue is a vital force in shaping the Mass tech sector brand – it’s community input that will help build an authentic brand. Please review and join in the discussion by adding your comments and feedback on the following pages.

Tweet! We also hope that you will take part in the first tweet-up to discuss these key themes kicking off at 1pm – 2pm on Friday 18 September. You can join in the Twitter conversation using #MAtechin. You can follow us on @InnovateMAtech.

Feedback: Your feedback will be incorporated into the branding process. We will schedule the next discussion and feedback event in early October, and will be announcing more events throughout the fall.

Please share this with your friends! And thank you for your thoughts.

Posted by Bonnie for Forge Worldwide

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Posted in Blog, Communication, Innovate, What's on | No Comments » add yours

What’s on this week in MA innovation, technology and entrepreneurship

Monday, July 20th, 2009

Here’s a quick run-down on some of the events happening this week in MA that might be of interest to you. Please let us know by commenting on the page, emailing or tweeting about other events the Innovate MA Tech community should know about. We will post a summary each week.

SIGIR (Special Interest Group on Information Retrieval) 32nd Annual ACM Conference - 19-23 July

The 2009 SIGIR conference is underway in Boston, MA at the Sheraton Hotel and Northeastern University. The conference is chock full of exciting events and registrations are strong and still growing. We are enjoying an exciting week.

http://sigir2009.org/

Boston iPhone Developers Drinks and Demos 2.0 – 21 July

“Want to meet other Boston area iPhone developers? Please join us on Tuesday evening, July 21st, in a private room at the Asgard, a pub restaurant in Cambridge from 6:00-10:00 PM for our second drinks and demo night. This will be an informal meetup for local iPhone developers. Come have a beer, demo your projects and meet other locals doing the same.”

http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/07/06/boston-iphone-developers-drinks-and-demos-20/

The current digital market – 22 July

Join MITX, in its first-ever Digital Trends event, in which a panel of analysts, practitioners and investors will share their insights and research into the reality of 2009 and how marketers can adapt now to leverage the key opportunities for success.

http://www.microsoftcambridge.com/Events/CurrentDigitalMarket/tabid/155/Default.aspx

Emerging opportunities in healthcare IT – 22 July

Come learn about the key business drivers and IT needs of this “recession proof” industry as we engage in an exciting discussion with a panel of experts who are leveraging the power of information and communication technologies to improve quality of life.

http://www.microsoftcambridge.com/Events/EmergingOpportunities/tabid/156/Default.aspx

Freedom to compete? A symposium on Bills affecting employee non-compete agreements – 22 July

The Boston Bar Associaton’s Intellectual Property Section, Labor & Employment Law Section, and Litigation Section sponsors a free symposium, open to the public, on the pros and cons of non-compete agreements in employment contracts in Massachusetts.

http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/07/10/freedom-to-compete-a-symposium-on-bills-affecting-employee-non-compete-agreements/

Finding your inner geek: social media and twitter basics – 23 July

From the website of Media Awaken, a social media consulting company founded by Maria Thurrell: ‘Where do I get started?’ Alexa Scordato and I invite you to participate in a two-hour beginner workshop that will give you a clearer sense of how to use social media for both personal and professional uses.”

http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/07/06/finding-your-inner-geek-social-media-and-twitter-basics/

Sales end for Boston Cloud Camp – 29 July

CloudCamp is an unconference where early adapters of Cloud Computing technologies exchange ideas. With the rapid change occurring in the industry, we need a place we can meet to share our experiences, challenges and solutions. At CloudCamp, you are encouraged you to share your thoughts in several open discussions, as we strive for the advancement of Cloud Computing. End users, IT professionals and vendors are all encouraged to participate.

http://www.cloudcamp.com/

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Posted in Blog, Communication, Innovate, What's on | No Comments » add yours

IT Collaborative Workshop Follow Up

Thursday, June 11th, 2009

I just spent the day at the IT Collaborative Workshop, and it was energizing to discuss the state of the IT sector with more than 100 industry and government leaders. We also had validation that the sector is doing well in Massachusetts. As one of the largest industries in the state — second only to healthcare – the IT sector is well poised to do more great things in the future. But industry leaders must work together to ensure there is a positive climate that will encourage that growth.

As we heard about the size and scope of the IT industry, the availability of venture capital and the entrepreneurial spirit that is alive and well in the Commonwealth, one theme that kept emerging is the importance of workforce development and retention in Massachusetts– the need to nurture the future workforce by engaging young people, who will drive the future knowledge economy.

We are fortunate in Massachusetts to be home to many great universities – both public and private — as well as a leading K-12 education system. However, we must continue to find ways to engage educators and students so that they will want to stay here and help build the next generation of the sector.

There is a strong calling to band together as an industry to reach into schools to ensure children are getting a strong education in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) skills, that teachers are armed and ready to prepare these students for the innovation economy, and that institutions of higher education partner with industry to provide pathways and internships for students. We also must engage college students with opportunities that will keep them here after graduation.

But education doesn’t stop at the university level; we also must continue to mentor and nurture entrepreneurs and business leaders who will lead the next generation of innovation. In addition, it’s equally important to further educate our existing workforce so that our employees have the skills needed to help our companies grow and prosper here.

It’s time for the IT sector to band together and nurture the next generation of leaders and knowledge workers.

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