By way of synopsis, there is also Prof Gluckman’s speech of a couple of weeks ago.

http://www.pmcsa.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/PD-Gluckman-speech-13-November-2009.pdf

On a similar topic a report released by the office of the PM’s science advisor presents the results from a recent workshop about what is needed to help translate NZ research to economic benefit. Worth a look. Breaks down the issues on a smaller scale. e.g. the effect of PBRF on the pursuit of commercial ambitions of researchers.

http://www.pmcsa.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Report-from-14-Sept-workshop-29-Oct-09.pdf

A point, mentioned above, that has struck a cord is how we are experiencing a lag phase in the talent area. We simply do not have a number of seasoned entrepreneurs who are free and willing to develop new start ups. These are not experienced individuals that make up advisory boards or BODs (which we do need dont get me wrong), these are people who have come to get their hands dirt . Newcastle, UK has addressed this by recruiting international individuals whose role it is to start and build companies based off local technology

One thing that I have been impressed with is the uptake of the whole need to rise up the OECD productivity ranks. These days you see the business community becoming alot more aware than a few years ago. What is needed now is actionable goals that each business is able to understand and steer towards i.e. converting john key’s productivity talk into action points. And on a bigger scale we need to instill a sense of responsibility amongst the wide public.

Keep the talk going i say, but lets not forget the action component of solving problems.

I suggest it requires education applied in combination with an entrepreneurial spirit and tech know how. As a combination we then have:

1.With education, the knowledge to create and transform ideas;
2.With entrepreneurship, the ability to balance risk and reward and;
3.With technology, the tools to find connect and work together in new collaborative ways

Let’s begin with education to strengthen the belief that new business creation is a legitamate alternative to the “professional” career paths.

If you’re not failing every once in a while, you’re not taking risks. No risks, no failure. Can I explain that to the shareholders and the government? Absolutely, it’s all about managing risk.

Economic settings and the availability of skills are important, but these are not the only conditions neccessary to cultivate high growth, knowledge based enterprises. Many approaches in the past have failed to acknowledge that there are important social and cultural aspects to cultivating a better innovation ecosystem.

Perhaps the hardy pioneering spirit that served us well in the past needs to be adjusted to an approach that encourages greater collaboration and knowledge sharing. With the digital tools available today, there is no excuse not to do this.

With a review of the research, science and technology funding regime underway, now would be a good time to reinforce this point.