‘Netstripes’ 6th Bizruption was epic, with ‘The Apprentice’ Restaurant on the 7th Floor of Sydney TAFE’s building E, filled to the brim. The event was a joint effort hosted by Netstripes and the dynamic ‘Pyrmont Ultimo Chamber of Commerce’, (PUCC).
The Apprentice is a beautiful 7th floor restaurant/bistro space great for functions of all sorts. As it was on the night, the floor was overseen by some of the most experienced professional educators in hospitalities and as a result all went like clockwork.
Dinesh De Silva, Netstripes Founder & CEO got the proceeding underway with a warm welcome to over a hundred people gathered before introducing his co-host and President of the Pyrmont Ultimo Chamber of Commerce, (PUCC), Lawrence Gibbons.
Lawrence Gibbons, highlighted the proud history in technology of Pyrmont. This central place of technical learning was followed by Sydney’s one and only Technical Museum in 1893. It has since moved and is now the Powerhouse Museum.
All said, his main point was not lost on the audience: that to keep the economic and cultural identity of the area whole, requires all the major drawcards like the ‘Powerhouse Museum’ to stay where they belong! So having said that, Bizruption proper really took off!
Just as it has previously, our 6th Bizruption started with our signature ice-breaker ‘5 high-fives’ and ‘5 hugs’. This is where everybody in the room turns to the person next to them for a big old hug. So you part from one embrace and are met by the open arms of another, not once, not twice, but 5 times. This immediately takes the pressure out of the room and clears the way for the fun and learning to really begin.
The first of two Honorary Guest Speakers, the Independent MP of Balmain, Jamie Parker then took to the lectern. He spoke with conviction about his mission to defend the interests of small businesses. In particular, he focused on the inner city issue of the lack of affordable commercial space for small businesses and start-ups.
In saying this he reached out to the audience and asked anybody with issues to just give him a call so he could better represent small businesses. As he saw start-ups and small businesses as the engine room of economic growth and believed for growth to continue ensuring affordable lower-end office space was a top priority.
Angelo Grasso then MC’d the first playful episode of the evening. The objective was for everybody in the room to take out their smartphones and post on either Facebook or Twitter what was it that ‘Sucked’ about their industry. This could be as simple as; filling out BAS forms; to finding the right accountant to do it for you; to the price electricity; or the scarcity of specialist staff.
The idea was to think it through and get creative about coming up with a suggestion to solve it and to ‘own’ your idea by posting it out to the world. Then any feedback the post attracts is the start of a collaborative dialogue between you and those in your industry.
The next speaker: Black Star Pastry’s, Christopher The, spoke of his experience of growing his business from zero to over a hundred people, about the importance of understanding your business’s strengths and limits. He said as a wet behind the ears chef he doubted his business needed a ‘mission statement’ but now calls the benefit of having a clear understanding of his ‘Product Market Fit’ a ‘beautiful thing’.
The leading product to bring his ‘Market Fit’ to realisation was a Watermelon Cake, simply sparked the imagination of the internet. He now makes 3600 slices on a single Friday night and has embraced digital engagement thanks to it’s role in helping him discover his market and niche.
Another driving idea behind his approach to his business is giving himself and his employees the license to be creative and to not be scared of getting it wrong. To remove the stigma from failing is just one of the steps he believes you have to take to let yourself be free to succeed.
Gordon Burke, Netstripes oldest customer and a businessman of diverse experience, offered his wisdom on the critical role of digital engagement. His main message was simple: ‘Because your business is a shadow of yourself, for it to grow you have to grow. To become digital and be strategic in the way you approach it, is just the to-do way to grow at this point in time.’ Gordon went on to say in his experience of building businesses in the last 20 years, NetStripes have been the best of the best digital marketing business that delivered true digital engagement of clients.
Andrew Maloney was a bright tech entrepreneur then took the audience through the virtues of having an open mind to new ideas and actively seeking them, especially from your customers. Leading by example he recounted how the genius in his panda logo and app design, (studentvip.com.au), came out of one particular and unexpected focus-group session.
Last but not least, Bizruption’s second Guest of Honor, Alex Greenwich, the independent MP for the seat of Sydney, dashed in from a Parliamentary session to speak. He understood the importance of the Networking side of the evening and urged all the guests to make the most of the opportunity Bizruption. He drove home the point by drawing attention to the very real impacts of ‘disruption’ and proposed there was no better opportunity for facing it than now. That is, in a collaborative environment where small business and technology experts are in the same room and on the page.
So go on, happy Networking!
And for the next hour, that’s exactly what happened.
Free drinks and food were complimentary from ‘The Apprentice’ and judging by the atmosphere at the end of the night, this was very much appreciated.
The next Bizruption is only around the corner: come along on the 4th of April and get into the swing of what has become a trend really worth being part of. Get a business-boost through innovation from Bizruption!
Are you ready to elevate your business to another level?
Feel free to talk to one of our digital strategists today. We are more than happy to help! Contact us now.
