Cantabria Day of the Entrepreneur
29 May 2009
Last 26 May, on invitation from the Corporation for the Development of Design and Innovation DDI, Brigitte Sauvage gave a talk entitled “Design Management and Business Strategy”. The event marked the Day of the Entrepreneur in Cantabria.
According to information provided by the organisers, the event, which was held in the Palacio de la Magdalena (Caballerizas) in Santander,
The Day of the Entrepreneur represents a way to open up new opportunities for innovative entrepreneurs with business ideas. It is for those wanting to transform a project into a reality, but also for those whose company has the potential for growth, as well micro-companies that are coming together in emerging sectors.
This year’s Day of the Entrepreneur is promoted and sponsored by the Spanish Government Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce, through its Undertaking Together initiative, by the SODERCAN Cantabria Corporation for Regional Development, by the University of Cantabria and by the Cantabria Regional Government.
Evolution
28 May 2009
Carlos Alonso led off the interesting discussion in the Innobasque group, the Basque Innovation Agency, in LinkedIn:
You can follow this fascinating discussion in LinkedIn (you have to register).Is the theory of biological evolution an appropriate model for apply to the evolution of companies and organisations?
This year marks the celebration of the second centenary of the birth of the English naturalist Charles Darwin, as well as the one hundred fiftieth anniversary of his most famous work – The Origin of the Species. Many events, publications, exhibits and conferences are taking place around the world, shining a new light on this knowledge of the development and diversification of life on Earth and of the role played by humanity in nature.
A number of business analysts and consultants have used the occasion to highlight the interesting parallels and divergences between biological evolution and the evolution of companies and organisations. They tend to put special emphasis on the mechanisms and effects of innovation in the world of nature as well as business.
In his famous work The Selfish Gene (1976), the ethologist and evolutionary theorist Richard Dawkins coined the term "meme" (analogous to gene) in order to describe how the principles of genetic evolution could also explain the spreading of ideas and cultural phenomena.
The most famous application of this to the business world comes from the consultant Geoffrey Moore, of TCG Advisors. In his book Dealing with Darwin: How Great Companies Innovate at Every Phase of Their Evolution (2005) he writes: "Evolution requires us to continually refresh our competitive advantage, sometimes in dribs and drabs, sometimes in major cataclysms, but always with some part of our business portfolio at risk and in play. To innovate forever, in other words, is not an aspiration; it is a design specification. It is not a strategy; it is a requirement."
What lessons can be learned from the theory of biological evolution and applied to our companies and organisations? Does the evolution of a company follow a specific direction, or is it a blind mechanism for adapting to the environment? What role is played by fate and necessity in the evolution of organisations?
Labels: Opinion, Publications
Creative Workshop
27 May 2009
Last 22 May, Brigitte Sauvage and Carlos Alonso participated in the Bizkaia Creaktiva workshop, together with representatives from advertising, industrial and graphic design, fashion design and architecture. The objective of the meeting, which was organised by Creativity Zentrum, was to get first-hand knowledge of the current situation in those sectors, and to arrive at the specific ingredients for not only sustaining, but increasing their activities. Later meetings are planned in order to fill out the overview of the creative industries in Biscay, with the results, opinions and proposals set publication in the future.
More information at the Bizkaia Creaktiva initiative.
Labels: Events
Ingecon® Sun Lite Inverters
18 May 2009
After many years of experience in the photovoltaic sector, Ingeteam continues to improve its products day by day. That’s why they have confided in ADN DESIGN to create their new generation of Ingecon® Sun Lite inverters.
An inverter is a device that transforms the direct current generated by photovoltaic solar panels into the alternating current that is then fed into the electricity network.
With its lighter casing, the new family of inverters offers the user a stronger product, designed for use in inclement weather and extreme temperatures. The new Ingecon® Sun Lite inverter comprises a serious, strong and polished line sure to satisfy the most demanding international markets.
Available in June, 2009
Labels: Products
New Markets and Paths for Innovation
12 May 2009
The first Conference on New Markets and Paths for Innovation in Polymer-related Sectors, organised by Leartiker, will be held on 23 June in Markina-Xemein.
The free-admission event is aimed at innovation managers and directors, business unit heads, and all those who are interested in attaining first-hand information concerning paths to innovation for their products, markets or diversification initiatives.
The conference will feature the participation of Brigitte Sauvage, together with a wide range of experts from the different areas of innovation management.
Further information:
Josu Goikoetxea
T 946 169 089
