Pragmatic Partnerships: Collaborations in Cyberspace

Organizations are not what they used to be. How has technology and the rapid adoption of new integrated and interconnected platforms, tools and applications allowed some organizations to thrive and evolve? Join a group of panellists from diverse sectors who examine work in a networked, collaborative environment.

• Asif Khan, Director of Sales, Octopz Inc.
  Asif Khan, Director of Sales is charged with developing and successfully implementing a sales strategy for Octopz that will result in top-line growth and bottom-line profitability. This includes the development of channel and direct sales strategies and the creation of an effective sales infrastructure to capitalize on the industry buzz generated by the launch of Octopz. He has a wealth of international experience with leading high-tech companies as well as private, public and not-for-profit organizations. Prior to joining Octopz, Asif held senior positions at HelpCaster Technologies Inc. and Borderware Technologies where his responsibilities included international market development, securing strategic alliances and reseller agreements, and the creation of a competitive intelligence programs and improved pricing models. Asif was a founding partner of Whodunet Inc., a network security and supply chain management business and has also held permanent and consulting positions at range of industry-leading organizations that include IBM, Oracle, Netcom, SAP, Royal Bank of Canada, and many others. Toronto-based Octopz Inc. is an award winning company that develops advanced online collaboration technologies. Integrating support for text messaging, VoIP and webcams, Octopz allows collaborators anywhere in the world to work together securely in real-time, or individually at their own convenience, using multiple document types.
  
  
• Dr. Michael Owen, Vice-President, Research & Graduate Studies, Ontario College of Art & Design
  
  
• Gerard van der Burg, Public Sector & Emerging Markets, IGLOO Software
  IGLOO Software is an emerging leader in corporate social networking. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company offers corporate social networking services for teams, companies and organizations. Gerard has held management and executive positions for the past 25 years in the International Development Sector. His work with organizations such as the Dutch Development Organization, CARE International, and Global Development Group has taken him to live and work in many countries in The Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia. For the past 10 years, he provided leadership to a number of organizations for the design and implementation of complex Results-Based Management (RBM), Information Communications Technology (ICT), and Knowledge Management (KM) systems. Gerard was the recipient of a Laureate Award for Innovation in Computer Technology from the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC, USA for a KM system he implemented. Gerard joined IGLOO in 2007.