If people don’t look at you while you’re giving a talk, you may be going down well– or not! Using a computer (and having a certain type of personality) turns us into multi-taskers – the type of person who can listen and record their impressions at the same time. Digital natives have developed this ability, so it’s to be expected that in the future it will be increasingly exploited in business schools and congresses. When I went up onto the stage, it was a bit disconcerting at the beginning. I could see that no one was looking me in the face, but at the same time I felt quite at ease and thought: “I did the same in the other presentations. It’s perfectly normal.” Now, if you gave a bad presentation, the same thing would happen. Although at the end of my presentation I could see the look on many people’s faces, in this particular context this does not provide conclusive evidence as to whether you’ve done a good job or not. This is the future and the new reality that conference speakers and teachers will have to come to terms with.

For each presentation, the congress organizers created a hashtag (#) in twitter (or channel, for those not versed in the world of twitter). And in the auditorium there were three large screens which showed in real time people’s comments on the talk. Most exciting of all, each speaker could see these comments as he/she was speaking. This is really fascinating … Of course, we have always reflected on, criticized and assessed talks as we listen to them. But in the past we did this purely in our own heads. Social networks are now opening up a completely new possibility. In my own particular case, I didn’t read the comments simply because my eyesight is not great. However, this new facility certainly does provide an opportunity to find out what people are thinking and the messages that most impact them– in real time.

At the end of my talk all the comments were saved and, a few hours later, I was able to look over them. They provided excellent information on people’s impressions, both positive and negative. They also helped me come to a practical realisation: apart from using slides with just images (which I usually do), I should possibly also include some phrases and some sort of introductory screen so that the slides are easier to twitter. When all’s said and done, these are things which one learns after the event.

This is definitely the shape of things to come. The 2.0. world gives us the chance not only to change power structures but talks as well. I had an incredible time at EBE and I would like to express my thanks for all the comments I received. One thing is for sure: if I get the accreditation to take part next year, I will come back and keep on learning.

The Manager Forum Prizes aim to recognize the contribution and career path of leading professionals and experts in the business world; they also aim to help Spanish companies position themselves in the first rank as examples of professional know-how and competitive strategy.

This year, the Manager Forum Prizes are being awarded in two categories: 2009 Thinker of the Year and 2009 Speaker of the Year. On behalf of the Manager Forum Organizing Committee, of which I am a member, it is my honour to inform you that we have decided to award you the Manager Forum Speaker Prize for 2009 in recognition not only of your outstanding career to date, but also for your important and necessary contribution to the business world at large.

The prize ceremony was held at the Manager Forum Conference on the 28th October in Madrid, where I gave the opening address. The Manager Forum Thinker Prize for 2009 has been awarded to Javier Fernández Aguado, who I admire and congratulate for the recognition given to his work. It was a pleasure to be present at his award ceremony.

Really, what can I say? I’m extremely grateful to the jury and to all those who, with your words and support, help me to carry out my work, to which I am committed and in which I profoundly believe.