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Winning Through Innovation: Companies find out more at SE event in Dundee.
The Scottish Enterprise “Winning Through Innovation” headline events are currently being held across the country. The Dundee event was held on Wednesday 25th February with the broadcaster, Kaye Adams hosting proceedings and former BBC Dragons Den panel member, Doug Richard delivering the keynote talk, “This is Innovation”.
The events are designed to stimulate innovative thinking and provide practical help to companies. Scottish Enterprise, their partners and support organisations, including the Innovation Portal, were available to explain to businesses what assistance they could offer for companies actively engaging in innovation activities. Ample networking opportunities resulted in good interactions between the business community and these support organisations on the day.
Doug Richard addressed 100 delegates and explained that his success can be attributed to two traits: being opportunistic and enthusiastic. He advised delegates that paying attention to technological, socio-economical and regulatory trends can help identify opportunities for new products or services. Doug also advised that knowing your customer is essential to a product’s success and the “emotional sell” is equally relevant for business-to-business selling. He finished his talk by suggesting to delegates that the challenges businesses are facing due to the changing global economy should be viewed as an opportunity to act differently and ask new questions.
Two local business speakers talked about the innovations that had brought them success. John Kettles from Blast Design explained how much of his company’s success could also be attributed to being opportunistic. He explained that his company had become involved in many new areas because he had indentified opportunities to apply his expertise in explosives in innovative ways. John advised companies that they should look closely at what their competitors do with a view not to mimic, but to look for ways to improve on what is on offer already. Tony Morse from Subsea Energy talked to delegates about how he used his engineering expertise from the petroleum industry to develop technology that can be used to harness tidal energy. This research has also led to the development of a small wind turbine to be used on ships, the “Windfish.”
These headlines events are part of the “Now’s the time to ask” programme which also include finance, leadership, selling & marketing and efficiency events.
Companies who attended the “Winning Through Innovation” event can access a programme of follow-on workshops and support, including product development and innovation masterclass workshops which have already had a positive impact on businesses across Scotland.
More information about Scottish Enterprise events and workshops can be found by clicking here to visit the Now’s the time to ask website.