InterTradeIreland in collaboration with University College Cork, University of Galway, Queen’s University Belfast and Technological University Dublin, are encouraging SME leaders to apply for the THRIVE SME Innovation programme. This programme brings senior management through a structured innovation process for engaging in ways to design, develop and plan to implement new innovative ideas for your business through in-person workshops and one-to-one sessions. The programme can help and support you to develop a growth plan through a targeted new product, process, service, or business model.
1. How do you think Thrive can help address challenges companies are facing in innovation?
Thrive can help companies address challenges in innovation by bringing company participants through a structured innovation process so they can leverage supporting resources to enhance their innovative capability. The programme has been designed to ensure that participants can use real life challenges which they have or are facing to ensure the learning can be easily implemented. Participants of the programme will create new networks with like-minded professionals across the island of Ireland.
Whether your business is at the beginning or has already embarked on their innovation journey, the Thrive programme will assist you as you create a structured plan to implement new ideas internally.
2. How will a business benefit from taking part in the programme?
The programme will assist businesses as they apply best practice and reflect on opportunities in the competitive landscape.
The programme allows the management team to step back from the pressure of the day-to-day and reflect on the business in terms of where, what, when and why they should apply innovation to their business.
As part of the programme the management team will have the opportunity to:
- Complete an innovation audit of the business’s processes and identify opportunities for implementing new ideas.
- Take a future-looking review of the business’s competitive landscape.
- Design a roadmap for growth, based on a new product, service, process or business model by the business.
- Develop an implementation plan for the newly identified innovation project.
- Reflect on their internal innovation management capability, through an optional psychometric test, receiving one-to-one feedback from a business-organisational psychologist.
- Build a collaborative network across four provinces of the island for opportunity recognition and support.
- Learn about further opportunities of support through InterTradeIreland.
3. How important is the collaboration with academics and other businesses?
Delivered in collaboration by University College Cork, University of Galway, Queen’s University Belfast and Technological University Dublin, the programme will not only provide access to the island’s leading management research capability but will also provide introductions to more technological research centres of interest to the venture.
For businesses, the collaboration with academics and other business owners will strengthen the opportunities for management teams to foster innovation, accessing new knowledge and resources, developing talent and achieving strategic business goals.
4. How can businesses leverage innovation trends to gain competitive advantage?
Businesses can leverage innovation trends to gain a competitive advantage by adopting specific strategic approaches such as:
- Fostering a culture of Innovation – by encouraging creativity in the workplace the company can promote a continuous improvement approach which naturally creates an innovative culture within the workplace. Thrive can help management teams with the tools and methods to introduce an innovative culture in their workplace.
- Know your market: Understanding your sector and market will help ensure that while embarking on your innovation journey you are keeping your customers in mind. Don’t be afraid to speak to customers or clients to hear their thoughts by including companies in your innovation process you can help increase opportunities for innovative products or processes that meet your customer’s needs.
- Collaborate: Collaboration with other businesses can increase opportunities to access new resources, such as technology and expertise along with new markets. Thrive will provide the opportunity for like-minded individuals to create networks across the island of Ireland unlocking opportunities for cross border collaboration and innovative projects.
5. What is the commitment?
This programme requires the Business Owner, Manager, Managing Director or CEO to commit five full days across a six-month period. Additionally, SME leaders can nominate 1-2 other senior members of their company to undertake the programme along with the SME leader. Each educational institution will deliver one in-person day of the programme, allowing participants access to specific regional expertise and capabilities and additionally the opportunity to work with businesses from across the four provinces.
THRIVE can help SMEs address their innovation challenges by bringing SME leaders through a structured innovation process to leverage supporting resources which will enhance their innovative capability. This programme has been designed to ensure that participants can use real life challenges which they have or are currently facing to ensure the learning can be easily implemented. Participants of the programme will create new networks with like-minded professionals across the island of Ireland. This programme will allow the SME leaders to step back from the day-to-day pressures and reflect on the business in terms of where, what, when and why innovation should be applied to their business.
Dr Lawrence Dooley, Senior Lecturer in Enterprise and Innovation at Cork University Business School, University College Cork
What’s your next steps….
InterTradeIreland is committed to supporting SMEs in dealing with the current challenges, with our expert teams on hand to provide businesses with the right supports, funding and advice to help unlock their export potential. By tapping into our range of supports and networks, we can boost the innovation power of your business through cross-border collaboration and help you to identify new market and funding opportunities.
If you would like more information on how you can apply for Thrive visit:
Thrive - SME Innovation Programme | InterTradeIreland or email thrive@intertradeireland.com