Futurist Van Ommeren Discusses Power of Collaboration in New Business, Nov. 10

October 29, 2009
Contact: University Relations
Phone: 410.837.5739

Erik van Ommeren, co-author of Collaboration in the Cloud: How Cross-Boundary Collaboration is Transforming Business and director of innovation at Vision Inspiration Navigation Trends, the International Research Institute for Sogeti USA, will discuss the opportunities that a more autonomous, innovative business model has to offer, as the Merrick School of Business Dean's Speakers Series continues on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. This one-of-a-kind event will take place in Room 003 of the William H. Thumel Sr. Business Center (the Merrick School of Business), 11 W. Mt. Royal Ave. (Ticket information listed below.)

Van Ommeren's futurist outlook stems from his belief that collaboration is the key to successful business organizations, large and small. With the speed at which business is moving, it is vital that companies root their growth strategies in information technology that is service driven, and develop solutions that quickly and easily demonstrate value in the marketplace. For example, cloud computing, one area of Van Ommeren's expertise, can greatly enhance productivity as workers push for a virtual office accessible from any computer. But if that information cloud is not designed to provide a high level of service to employees, the process becomes just another bureaucracy with which the company must contend.

"Improving collaboration between people and between organizations is no longer optional if you want to survive in today's hyper connected business world," Van Ommeren has said. "I've worked with many companies that have a hard time setting a course for Web2.0, the new economic reality, cloud computing and changes in how people work. There are great opportunities for those who know how to respond."

Van Ommeren's VINT Research Institute, part of Sogeti USA, a leading provider of information technology services to businesses and public sector organizations, has published and organized events revolving around the theme of how new technology is actually used and the resulting effects on society.

Those attending this Dean's Speaker Series event will have an opportunity to attend an exclusive booksigning with Van Ommeren immediately following his talk.

Tickets are $10 each for the general public and UB faculty and staff, and are available online here. All current University of Baltimore students will receive free admission to this event. UB students are advised to register for the event by sending an e-mail to merrickschoolevents@ubalt.edu from their ubalt.edu account (please include your name and student ID number; one ticket per student; availability on a first come-first serve basis). Additional information about the event is available here.

This is the fourth event in the Dean's Speaker Series. It debuted last April with a talk by Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize winner and founder of the Grameen Bank.

The University of Baltimore is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the School of Law, the Yale Gordon College of Liberal Arts and the Merrick School of Business.