| Speakers corner |
|
|
|
|
Innovating the UK out of recession – a reality check by Jon Treanor The UN predicts that the world economy is now facing the worst downturn since the Great Depression1. For the highly-exposed UK enterprise sector, the old “innovate or die” maxim has assumed a new urgency. With UK government setting out its stall on innovation as the key to leading the UK out of deep and long-lasting recession, Jon Treanor asks what will it take to make the ambition a reality, and what structures need to be in place to unlock the true value from the UK’s undoubted strengths in technology and IP development? What separates successful start-ups from those that fail during economic downturns? It is said that now is the best time to do a start-up. As a matter of fact, Microsoft, Apple and Skype were all started during an economic downturn. Wharton Entrepreneurial Programs co-director and Professor of Management Raffi Amit says the key to survival is the ability to quickly adapt. Accelerating to market through outsourcing by Mike Bartley Developing new or updating existing high-tech products and then bringing them to market is a complex and potentially costly process. It usually involves a number of skills and/or resources some of which your company does not possess. Hiring is one option, but it can take time to get the person you want and will add to your fixed cost base. Outsourcing can provide a solution with many strategic benefits. David Hughes I was rather surprised to see the article in The Chilli newsletter of 28 August on the Treasury (Angela Eagle) R&D tax credits announcement. Surprised because the article was a straight from the Treasury press release without the usual critical analysis [Editor’s note: Apologies to our readers – our analysts were on summer break, and are back now.] Hard times, position your company for downturn Physical packet-switched networks for transport Green myths about corn ethanol BBAA on investment support in early stage business English court position on Computer programs and Business Methods The changing environment for life-science funding |
