inno
v
a
tion
Yorkshire Forward is
throwing companies
an innovation
liFeline with two new
programmes that will
help them become
more inventive and
competitive in
the marketplace.
inForm reports.
“innovation is the key to business success anytime,
anywhere – but never more so than in a recession,”
says Barry Dodd, chairman of Yorkshire-based GSM Group.
“Every company has to differentiate its own services or
products from other companies in order to be truly successful,
whatever line of business it is in. In times of economic strife,
that need is magnified as customers seek out companies
that offer added value.”
Dodd, who is a Yorkshire Forward and Yorkshire Science board
member, as well as chair of both CONNECT Yorkshire and the
Yorkshire Proof of Commercial Concept Fund, says: “Many people
think innovation is only about science and technology, but it comes
in many different forms. It can be the way you deliver a service, the
EnGinEERinG
distinctive way you brand your product, or a diversification into a
new market area. A good definition of innovation is ‘the successful
exploitation of new ideas’. Of course, if you come up with an idea
and you don’t exploit it, it’s totally meaningless.”
Dodd has put his theory into practice. Through a series of
15 acquisitions and a whole raft of innovation partnerships
with universities and the private sector he has grown the GSM
Group from a two-person start-up 34 years ago to the largest
innovation.
manufacturer of industrial graphic products in Europe.
Now Yorkshire Forward is helping companies to follow his
the second initiative being launched is the national innovation
lead and realise the benefits for themselves. Two new
vouchers pilot scheme for SMEs. the innovation vouchers enable
programmes help companies to exploit their innovative potential
businesses to buy expertise from the knowledge base, primary
and create real competitive advantage.
universities and further education colleges, in order to explore
the first of the two programmes is the innovation Specialist potential opportunities for innovation and future collaboration.
Service (iSS) – a £26.4 million five-year initiative being launched
later this year to help companies become more innovation For example, in the same scheme piloted in the West Midlands,
friendly. the programme, which goes live in February, is accessed a company producing organic pressed seed oils used the voucher
through Business Link Yorkshire and is available to both SMEs and to work with scientists in exploring the potential benefits of using
larger companies. it includes the following elements: a range of antioxidants to stabilise their products.
Companies can apply online through Business Link Yorkshire

Company assessment by an innovation specialist – someone who for an innovation voucher by answering a series of questions
is in business themselves and has proven innovation expertise which describe the innovation question they would like to solve,
or an idea they want to explore. Innovation vouchers will be
Development of an action plan to create the right conditions available each month and will be awarded to SMEs on the
and capacity for effective innovation i.e. better systems for basis of demand and eligibility. The successful applicants will
generating, gathering, or appraising ideas be connected to the knowledge base, carry out and pay for the
work and then redeem their voucher to cover the cost. Eligible
Grant funding (matched by the individual company) towards the applicants who are unsuccessful will be encouraged to re-apply.
implementation of innovation The vouchers cover the entire cost of an individual innovation
project up to £3,000. There will also be the opportunity to apply for
The ISS sets out not just to support the development of specific a follow-on voucher for a further £7,000. The larger voucher will
new products and processes, but also to create a climate and have to be matched by the company at 50 per cent of the project
culture within which innovation can thrive on an ongoing basis. cost. A total of £5 million is being made available to the region
inFoRM JanUarY 2009 page 12
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