Enterprise 2001
Welcome to ENTERPRISE 2001.
What a roller coaster ride we have had since the last ENTERPRISE conference! We saw the highest of highs and went through the depths of despair. It was what we can aptly call "a character-building year".
Those of you who have attended the last two conferences will recall Scott Cook's warning about the bubble bursting and it finally did. As we move forward through these uncertain times, we need to learn from the mistakes of the past year but we should not forget the successes we all have achieved. We will be the better for it.
As usual, we have a great set of keynote speakers for the conference. We have put a lot of effort into assembling speakers and panelists to discuss the challenges faced in turning around and "morphing" companies, obtaining funding and marketing in these tough times. We have also created acustomer-focused session where we will be presented with the latest CIO Survey data and hear first-hand from a panel of eminent CIOs. Of course, we cannot forget what got us here: technology. We will look at what is new in the applications area and examine if they indeed increase productivity.
In keeping with the tradition of prior conferences, we will have no commercial sponsorships, puffy company presentations and no press and media. It is even more important in this year to have ample time for networking and fun.
We have not forgotten that the main reason we started this conference was to add value to our network and to give something back to the world. The entire surplus goes to our SHG Foundation, that formally reviews requests for grants and donates money to needy causes. In the past we have made donations to several organizations that have been nominated by attendees and we encourage all of you to come forward with your suggestions.
We would like to thanks our advisors, Erik Keller, Roger McNamee, Chuck Phillips, Bruce Richardson and the McKinsey team - Greg Hughes, Mike Nevensand Bill Pade - for their valuable input into this event.
Many of you have attended all four of our conferences and a sizable numberhave come to at least three of them. You have also told many of your CEO peers about this event and have been instrumental in have them join in aswell. It is gratifying to see the conference gain such a great following - all this would certainly not be possible without you.
Once again, welcome to ENTERPRISE 2001.
MR Rangaswami Constantin Delivanis
