Speakers: Simon Wardley

Session

Why open matters from innovation to commoditisation

This session looks at some of the main themes behind web 2.0, commoditisation, innovation, cloud computing and enterprise 2.0. It proposes that a common pattern exists behind them all, and that the “open” meme is a significant driving force behind these changes.

Bio

As a geneticist with a love of mathematics and a fascination in economics, Simon has always found himself dealing with complex systems, whether it's in the behavioural patterns of ladybirds to modelling environmental risks of chemical pollution to developing novel computer systems to managing companies.

The latter Simon has been doing for the last fourteen years, helping companies that range in size from start-up operations to global conglomerates and have been geographically dispersed from Amsterdam and Athens to Barcelona, London and Warsaw.

The consistent theme is Simon's ability to provide practical, workable solutions and to bridge the gap between IT and business strategy. He is also a passionate advocate and researcher in the fields of organisation, commoditisation, innovation, cybernetics, fabrication technology and open source.

As well as consulting, Simon works part-time building interactive books at a new start-up, Amphilab.

Finally, Simon is also fond of ducks and at home he has a large pond with usually forty to fifty wild ducks in residence. As he says "they're fowl but not through choice".