Despite the vast 154,862km2 our region encompasses, the Wheatbelt Conference drew a crowd far beyond our geographical boundaries thanks to the global reach and power of social media. Who knew a simple hashtag could not only provide a live, interactive online discussion forum for #WheatbeltConference delegates, but also enable people spread right across the region and country to participate in an event regardless of their postcode. Right from the comfort of our very own Wheatbelt!
The micro-blogging social media platform, Twitter, was introduced as a trial to last year’s Wheatbelt Conference in Merredin with overwhelming success. So much so that the 2014 Wheatbelt Conference hosted in York was themed digitally, Local community – Global connect, reinforcing the impetus of the recently launched Wheatbelt Digital Action Plan.
In researching and developing this ‘digital road map’ for the Wheatbelt, a number of interesting trends were uncovered. We’re not the digital dunces we thought we were – there are a number of individuals, businesses and communities in the Wheatbelt already very active online, grasping the e-volution with both hands. And the delegates of the Wheatbelt Conference echoed this tech trend, one hand raised posing robust questions with the other hand avidly sharing workshop discussion points via mobile device. The #WheatbeltConference online discussion was visually broadcast back to the conference delegates on large screens, creating a hands-on and engaging multi-media experience.
The event attracted prominent keynote presenters including social researcher Mark McCrindle, mobile technologist Simon Waller and 2013 ICT Woman of the Year Yvette Adams.
Mark McCrindle set the scene for the Wheatbelt Conference addressing what makes the Wheatbelt globally competitive in an age where change is just not a clichéd constant but a trend that is emerging as quickly as Gen Z (born between 1995-2010) can text YOLO! (Think carpe diem for the hipsters of today…) With the Baby Boomers (1946-1965) approaching retirement age, Gen X (1965-1980) and Gen Y (1980-1995) will be bustling through the demographic curve to make up 36% and 35%, respectively, of the national workforce by 2020 in only 6 years time. And as Gen Z, or the digital natives as they’re also referred to, move into the workforce, Mark McCrindle explained that if you’re not communicating in the language and digital medium of the moment, you’ll be caught out with a severe case of FOMO, foshizz!
Yvette Adams proved how to walk the talk when it comes to the power of social media and online business presence having started five businesses from scratch – her first at the age of 17! The serial entrepreneur walked the Wheatbelt Conference delegates through the ten top tech trends to not only learn but implement into everyday lives. UBD’s have been trumped by Google Maps, telephone boxes by Skype, hardcovers by Kindle, scrapbooking by Pinterest, Walkman’s by Spotify, retail by ebay – and the list goes on! Yvette used these real-life examples of how far we’ve digitally developed already but more importantly, what’s possible for Wheatbelt businesses and communities alike.
Digital literacy is the new financial literacy – Yvette Adams
Returning to his Wheatbelt roots, Simon Waller planted ideas of what the future of work would grow to look like for the regions in a global context. He explained that mobile technology has already transformed the way we work and live, and if we ensure that we have the right tech tools, we can build upon the opportunities made possible by the new digital era. As a mobile technologist, Simon presented a framework for assessing the usability and efficiency of Apps in his hands-on workshop. He explained that improved work effectiveness and efficiency is possible by selecting the right App for the required task, streamlining everyday processes and increasing productivity. Admittedly, many Wheatbelt Conference delegates were content with the current free Apps available, but once Simon had demonstrated the power of Apps such as Wunderlist, iThoughts, Keynote, Evernote, GoogleDrive and iAnnotate, the energy in the room became electric – and that wasn’t just the Smart Devices!
The printing press is either the greatest blessing or greatest curse of modern times… – JM Barrie.
Now, swap the printing press for the internet, and the same opportunities and challenges arise.
As the event drew to a close, the online discussions of the #WheatbeltConference continued to echo through Twitter conversations near and far, bringing to the fore, where to from here? Of the 100 or so attendees from local businesses, local communities and local governments, many will be attending one of the upcoming iLearn Workshops being hosted across the region as well as making use of the digital marketing services also locally developed. And for those that missed out on this years event, be sure to connect with us via Twitter @RDAWheatbelt to keep up to date with all the digital developments in the region!