A self confessed technophobe? Surely not, but that's how Ian Taylor, inventor, entrepreneur, and CEO of Dunedin-based Animation Research, describes himself. I guess it's all relative. Ian's team at Animation Research certainly know their way around a computer! They've done some amazing work in TV and sports graphics, enhancing our understanding and enjoyment of sports such as cricket, golf, Formula One racing, and of course, sailing. Finally I've started to (sort of) understand the America's Cup thanks to them.
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We had the honour of hosting our latest Inspiration Session with New Zealand turned Singapore designer Jesse Keith. As Owner/Design Director of Vivid Origin Ltd, Jesse fit the theme of his session: Global designs start from humble beginnings. He started out at Massey University; he’s since worked in some of Asia Pacific’s most vibrant cities and alongside internationally regarded designers at Bang Design (Sydney), GE/Fitch (Singapore), and Haworth Furniture (Shanghai).
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Like any activity within your business your product development and innovation activity should deliver on your strategy, goals, aspirations, and plans. To do this it is important that it is structured in a proactive way and where possible is not just reactive to external conditions.
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If I took one theme away from China it would be scale: the vast landmass, the thirst for construction, the booming economy. Look at China today and realise this is a nation where 30 million people died from starvation during the conversion to a Communist State between 1958 and 1961 (and unofficial estimates up to 45 million). In the last 30 years, the cities have exploded with rapid urbanisation as almost half a billion Chinese have migrated from the countryside.
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It was a beautiful sunny morning to talk social media at the Air New Zealand E.A.T Breakfast hosted by ExportNZ Bay of Plenty. Four professionals spoke on social media, and although they all claimed they were not ‘experts’ in social media, they all shared some vital insights to how they use various channels alongside their marketing strategies.
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What do marketing yoghurt, biscuits, the internet, and mobile phones have in common? The answer is Kevin Bowler. Kevin has had an extensive career marketing and managing some of the world's largest consumer brands. He now has the biggest marketing budget in the country, leading the brand building of New Zealand in offshore markets, as CEO of Tourism New Zealand (TNZ).
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When we invited six of NZ’s leading innovators to Tauranga to judge the Young Innovator Awards, opportunity knocked. What a great chance to get them to share their stories with the business community.
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Early this year the Ministry of Primary Industries set the goal to double New Zealand export value by 2025. This would increase exports from 30 – 40% of the country’s GDP. With 71% of New Zealand’s exports coming from its primary industries (dairy, forestry, horticulture, meat & wool, and fisheries) this goal is firmly in the hands of the farmers and growers. Technology is the obvious enabler but the rural location of many primary industries places connectivity high on the agenda.
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On the 8th August I had the privilege to participate in judging the Young Innovator Awards (YIA) and then speak at the YIA Innovation Forum on the 9th August in Tauranga. Well, what an event, an absolute cracker two days. YIA is a programme set up to foster a culture of innovation, and judging the student entries it was clear that this is well on the way to being achieved.
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