Firm Harps On Innovation To Grow SMEs
ANGEL JAMES
Institute of Productivity and Business Innovation Management (IPBIM) has emphasized the need for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to deploy innovative strategies to drive their businesses so as to keep up with the new global trend.
The world is tilting into a knowledge-based economy, where players invest massively in Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT) and virtual amongst others
Innovation is the new productivity and it is important one key into the Industrial Revolution 4.0 where new kinds of jobs, new future of work would emerge as against hard work but activities, that deliver more efficiency, getting things done faster and achieving greater result through innovation
Remi Dairo President, IPBIM stated “this is the 2nd innovation meeting where we are focusing on the disruption which is called the industry 4.0, productivity has gone beyond hard work, activity, struggling, it is more of efficiency, getting bigger and faster result easier and, and to get that innovation is the new productivity. the kind of innovation expected in the industry 4.0 is the new kind of jobs, the new future of work, this meeting is to discuss what the future is for industries, work and career of the future for everyone to position themselves to be more relevant productive and profitable in years to come”
“We have many people who have started deploying new businesses we have over 200 businesses but we have to mentor them to become global giants, funding becomes easier with an appropriate network which gives an easy access to fund but technical support and mentoring is also key, we have a platform where start-ups are partnering with innovators to get funds, we have plans for them and we are partnering internationally and locally”
He further stated that In Africa, there is need for people who will come up with innovative ideas that will drive productivity stating that the new work is not just getting to the office but it is about getting the work faster.
Tobi Otusanya Director General, Office of Transformation Creativity and Innovation, Lagos state said “If you look at the technology system in Nigeria, People and even the government are beginning to realize that with the right level of support we can do a lot more with that sector especially now that Nigeria is about to diversify its economy and move away from relying solely on oil revenue, the technology system is the future, a few companies have managed to scale through globally, we have huge population and technology is a way of engaging them commerce has managed to scale through we need more of that, we need to harness the talents we have into something productive and change the narrative” about Africa
He further stated that Lagos state is doing a lot to support the tech sector, and several initiatives Lagos state government has put out there like the code Lagos and innovation plans
“We are teaching coding in our secondary schools, through Lagos state employment trust fund LSETF a lot of support is provided in terms of workspaces, helping them develop ideas and funding, we also launched the innovation master plan, Lagos state is looking forward to building 6000km fibre connectivity to improve internet connectivity around the cities to improve internet penetration, all of that to try and support the tech ecosystem, we also have the Lagos state solution hub a platform where people can drop solutions the government can use to address challenges, that platform was designed to support the tech ecosystem for proper engagement between government and what is happening within the tech system”
Dara Oladapo Microsoft Certified Professional and Trainer, during his presentation, stated that the future of work is envisioned with technology which plays a major role in every aspect of our lives, he urged people to have the mindset of changing the future and not the future changing them, technology is not the goal but the enabler.
Adebanke Falade CEO she evolves Consulting, further stated that 65% of jobs in Nigeria will become obsolete soon with the advancement of technology if they don’t start being creative.
“Technology will be making people irrelevant if they invest and remain in businesses like retail and trade, Admin and office support, transportation, food service but with creativity jobs will not be obsolete, people should learn to discover problems and solve, think critically and be innovative they will continue to be relevant the future is now”
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