Innovation Masterclass Unveiled
New initiative aims to bring out the innovation of the region’s entrepreneurs
A major new three-year initiative to develop the skills of the innovators and business leaders of tomorrow has been launched in Nottingham.
The OnCourse Innovation programme is the brainchild of Nottingham Development Enterprise and will begin early in 2006.
The Project aims to offer ideas and inspiration to local managers by bringing them into contact with and learning from successful business innovators. OnCourse for Innovation will run over three years and will begin with a series of Masterclass evening interviews where the region’s innovators and entrepreneurs will be invited to take part in a ‘Question Time’ type event hosted by a well known TV personality where one successful national name and one local name will be interviewed.
On the agenda for discussion will be how they changed their business or the market where they were operating and what skills and attributes they needed to deliver the change. At each evening, guests will have a chance to ask their own questions and seek advice about how they can innovate.
The initiative has been welcomed by various organisations, including the local Institute of Directors.
IOD Chairman Murray Macnab commented: “It is vital to the development of the East Midlands economy that we focus on innovation and creativity. Developments at the universities and BioCity are helping to create the right climate.
“This initiative provides all business leaders with the opportunity to learn from others who have been innovative in different ways and to apply the concepts, techniques and cultures in their own operations. At the IOD we are wholly supportive of such initiatives."
A comprehensive web facility currently being developed will provide a repository of innovation case studies, learning tools, good practice and local resources.
Nottingham is developing a nationwide reputation as a breeding ground for entrepreneurs and innovation in a number of commercial sectors, and last year was one of just a handful of cities to secure Science City status. But the man behind the OnCourse initiative, Nottingham Development Enterprise CEO Neil Horsley, believes there is still more that can be done.
“This programme is designed to provide the region’s emerging entrepreneurs with ideas and inspiration through learning from the experiences of innovation leaders,” explained Horsley.
“We need innovators today more than ever; it will be these individuals who will develop new and more profitable ways of doing things, as well as the products and services of future generations. OnCourse Innovation is really designed to help them maximise their potential.”