Published Thursday, 13 November, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Even small business needs to innovate
Small businesses must innovate to survive according to Industry Minister Desley Boyle who today launched two new programs to help Queensland firms stay ahead of the game.
“I cannot overestimate the importance and value of Queensland’s small businesses – their successes have been absolutely essential to creating our strong economy,” Ms Boyle said.
“Sometimes when things are going well for firms though it can be easy to fall into an ‘if it’s not broke don’t fix it’ attitude. But we can’t afford to rest on our laurels, particularly in our current economic climate.
“Any business who wants to survive in tomorrow’s Queensland must innovate, undertake research and development (R&D) and embrace new technologies – and small business is no exception.
“Today I’ve launched two new programs to assist with that. These are the Queensland Wide Innovation Network (Q-WIN) and R&D Forums and Technology Clinics, both specialist business support services to help up-and-coming firms flourish.”
Ms Boyle said the $1 million Q-WIN initiative would help coordinate the range of innovation and commercialisation services provided by the State Government, its partner organisations and some private service providers.
“Two Innovation Coaches will be employed through the Australian Institute for Commercialisation to work with individual firms or networks identified as having the capacity to advance the industry.
“The Coaches will be based in Cairns in the far north and across regional locations in the south of the state, and will work with my Department’s Regional Centres to identify and support innovative firms ready for growth.
“Q-WIN will ensure entrepreneurs find the right program at the right time to best suit their needs, better supporting high-tech clients to build their businesses.
“Firms or networks who are commercialising innovative products or services will also be able to take advantage of these programs.”
She said regional companies would also benefit from the new $1 million Research and Development (R&D) Forums and follow-on Technology Clinics, specifically designed to help small groups of firms access new technology and improve productivity.
“In the R&D Forums companies will discuss ideas with technology experts and work together to find solutions. For example boat builders wanting to find better ways of dealing with waste or fuel efficiency will be able to come together to find out the latest technologies available.
“Where attendees of R&D Forums identify an opportunity for new technology to be developed, Technology Clinics will be established.
“Through the assistance of the Australian Institute for Commercialisation, these Clinics will bring together entrepreneurs and researchers to work towards commercialising new products and services to fill a gap or need identified by industry.
“This will lead to our universities and research organisations working closely with industry to develop more products and services that will help improve productivity within our priority industries such as marine, aviation, manufacturing and ICT.”
Ms Boyle said the State Government was funding a commercialisation manager at James Cook University in Townsville.
She said David Ireland would work with the university and industry to help commercialise research projects throughout north and far north Queensland, a move that would give innovation in the region a real boost.
Ends
Media contact: 3225 1005 or 0419 025 326
13 November 2008
“I cannot overestimate the importance and value of Queensland’s small businesses – their successes have been absolutely essential to creating our strong economy,” Ms Boyle said.
“Sometimes when things are going well for firms though it can be easy to fall into an ‘if it’s not broke don’t fix it’ attitude. But we can’t afford to rest on our laurels, particularly in our current economic climate.
“Any business who wants to survive in tomorrow’s Queensland must innovate, undertake research and development (R&D) and embrace new technologies – and small business is no exception.
“Today I’ve launched two new programs to assist with that. These are the Queensland Wide Innovation Network (Q-WIN) and R&D Forums and Technology Clinics, both specialist business support services to help up-and-coming firms flourish.”
Ms Boyle said the $1 million Q-WIN initiative would help coordinate the range of innovation and commercialisation services provided by the State Government, its partner organisations and some private service providers.
“Two Innovation Coaches will be employed through the Australian Institute for Commercialisation to work with individual firms or networks identified as having the capacity to advance the industry.
“The Coaches will be based in Cairns in the far north and across regional locations in the south of the state, and will work with my Department’s Regional Centres to identify and support innovative firms ready for growth.
“Q-WIN will ensure entrepreneurs find the right program at the right time to best suit their needs, better supporting high-tech clients to build their businesses.
“Firms or networks who are commercialising innovative products or services will also be able to take advantage of these programs.”
She said regional companies would also benefit from the new $1 million Research and Development (R&D) Forums and follow-on Technology Clinics, specifically designed to help small groups of firms access new technology and improve productivity.
“In the R&D Forums companies will discuss ideas with technology experts and work together to find solutions. For example boat builders wanting to find better ways of dealing with waste or fuel efficiency will be able to come together to find out the latest technologies available.
“Where attendees of R&D Forums identify an opportunity for new technology to be developed, Technology Clinics will be established.
“Through the assistance of the Australian Institute for Commercialisation, these Clinics will bring together entrepreneurs and researchers to work towards commercialising new products and services to fill a gap or need identified by industry.
“This will lead to our universities and research organisations working closely with industry to develop more products and services that will help improve productivity within our priority industries such as marine, aviation, manufacturing and ICT.”
Ms Boyle said the State Government was funding a commercialisation manager at James Cook University in Townsville.
She said David Ireland would work with the university and industry to help commercialise research projects throughout north and far north Queensland, a move that would give innovation in the region a real boost.
Ends
Media contact: 3225 1005 or 0419 025 326
13 November 2008