In addition to showcasing the service industry’s largest gathering of technology and solution providers, the 2008 Service Management Expo (SME 2008, 16-17 September 2008 at the NEC, Birmingham) will again host a free, conference level seminar programme offering over 25 hours of top-level insight, analysis and operational expertise.

Addressing the twin pillars of strategic direction and operational objectives, the two-stream programme will be structured to examine key issues and share the real-business experience of implementing new technology and working processes.

Seminar Theatre 1 - Creating a Successful Service Strategy

Recognising the role field service plays in creating a customer focused business and setting the agenda for driving long term growth built on a successful service strategy.

Business Leadership - putting service at the top of the boardroom agenda.

Service Excellence - sustaining customer loyalty and creating service value.

Technology Implementation - successfully applying new technologies to increase efficiencies, improve management control and achieve faster more responsive planning.

Supply Chain Control - addressing the organisational challenge of inventory storage and distribution.

Repair, recycling and disposal - turning parts into profit and ensuring your business is WEEE compliant.

Managing External Partners - outsourcing 3rd party providers to improve service delivery

Seminar Theatre 2 - Managing a Mobile Field Operation

Achieving an efficient, empowered and adaptive field based workforce, ready to embrace new direction and meet increased customer expectation.

Integrating Your Business - connecting people, process and technology.

Gaining the Competitive Edge - utilising real-time resource scheduling and optimisation solutions.

Mobile Communications - choosing the right technology to meet your needs.

Recruitment and Training - building a skilled workforce for the future as the ‘baby boomer’ generation reaches retirement.

Embracing New Technology - engaging your workforce to overcome ‘big brother’ resistance to advanced mobile and tracking solutions.

The Road to Implementation - from determining needs to system role-out, managing the critical steps to successful implementation.

As the only dedicated event for the service community, SME provides the perfect networking opportunity to engage with colleagues and to share experiences with like-minded peers. At the heart of the event, the SME seminar programme, offers practical expertise and experienced insight from a select panel of hand-picked industry experts.

The programme will be chaired by Dennis Flower, editor of Service Management. Those interested in taking part are invited to apply for a speaker nomination form by emailing dflower@cmpi.biz.