Stronger businesses through innovation

Scottish Enterprise has invited influential business leaders to speak at a series of free half-day events designed to help businesses develop a culture of innovation.

The speakers at the three events include Barry Gibbons, who earned the title of 'Turnaround Champ' from Fortune; the entrepreneur Brian Williamson, who possesses the knowledge and experience of both a fast-advancing managerial career in industry and of personal high growth business start up; Helen Battersby, a successful Sales and Marketing Director of seven years at The Gleneagles Hotel and 10 years’ knowledge of sales and brands with MARS; and designer and entrepreneur Colin Burns who runs Martach Associates and is a pioneer in Transformation Design, a methodology that harnesses user-led creativity to establish new strategic business and social value.

The ‘Winning through Innovation’ events will be held in Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh between the 23 to 25 November. Each free event is designed to give businesses the help and guidance they need in order to develop a culture of innovation.

Carole McCarthy, Director of Innovation and Commercialisation at Scottish Enterprise said: “When businesses are trying to sustain profitability and reduce costs, innovation can often be moved down the priority list.  However, good ideas can actually help businesses achieve these goals, as well as increase margins, inspire staff and give real competitive advantage.

“An open culture within an organisation, where employees are encouraged to contribute ideas and empowered to suggest changes, will unquestionably result in some welcome creative thinking and problem solving.

“Ideas can be incremental or radical, whether through introducing new products, modifying existing ones, streamlining processes, managing people differently or just thinking more adventurously.

“We hope these events can give practical expert advice to develop creative ideas, explore new markets, give guidance on funding and generally challenge thinking.”