Future SME news

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FutureSME is an €8 million project funded by the EU’s Framework 7 programme. Led by The University of Strathclyde, the consortium of 26 partners includes 13 manufacturing SMEs, research and development organisations as well as SME support agencies. The consortium is a collaborative effort amongst eight European countries.

This is a live news feed from the Future SME website.

Intertrade Ireland’s Annual Innovation Conference

FutureSME has been invited to speak atIntertrade Ireland’s Annual Innovation Conference, which is taking place in the Institute for Business, Social Sciences and Public Policy NUI Galway, on Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 June 2012. The theme of the conference is Exploiting Industry and University Research, Development and Innovation: Why it Matters. The event’s keynote speaker is ProfessorDonald Siegel from the University at Albany, State University New York. He is ranked #2 in the world for academic research on University entrepreneurship. The FutureSME Transformation Framework, and the findings of theFuture SME project will be presented under the theme Product and Service Innovation, and SMEs on day one. Keep track of all our news and events here, and through ourFacebook Page or onTwitter.
Thu, 10 May 2012 08:47:32 +0000

Intertrade Ireland’s Annual Innovation Conference

FutureSME has been invited to speak atIntertrade Ireland’s Annual Innovation Conference, which is taking place in the Institute for Business, Social Sciences and Public Policy NUI Galway, on Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 June 2012. The theme of the conference is Exploiting Industry and University Research, Development and Innovation: Why it Matters. The event’s keynote speaker is ProfessorDonald Siegel from the University at Albany, State University New York. He is ranked #2 in the world for academic research on University entrepreneurship. The FutureSME Transformation Framework, and the findings of theFuture SME project will be presented under the theme Product and Service Innovation, and SMEs on day one. Keep track of all our news and events here, and through ourFacebook Page or onTwitter.
Thu, 10 May 2012 08:47:32 +0000

Business Model Canvas Seminar

The futureSME consortium is hosting a free two-hour seminar on the Business Model Canvas in GMIT on Thursday, 17th May, starting at 14.00. The Business Model Canvas is a strategic management template for developing new or documenting existing business models. It is a visual chart with elements describing a company's value proposition, infrastructure, customers and finances. It assists companies in aligning their activities by illustrating potential trade-offs. Check outBMC and look at the video. The Business Model Canvas provides huge advantage for companies, in particular SMEs, enabling them to quickly gain greater clarity about those activities that add value to their business. The tool is highly visual, facilitates widespread involvement and helps achieve consensus on the priorities of the company. The Business Model Canvas is offered as part of the FutureSME Transformation Process® . The seminar will be chaired by Dr Ardawan Lalui of the FutureSME consortium and will be presented by John Murray. John is a program manager at Scottish Enterprise, where he is responsible for their Smart Cities (Mobility) Programme. A graduate of Cambridge and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan School of Management), John has significant experience of enterprise creation and company growth. The seminar will take place in the Boardroom of GMIT, which is on the third floor of the Administration building. Because of space constraints, we have to strictly limit the number of attendees. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please RSVP toSinead in order to book your place.
Tue, 08 May 2012 08:42:12 +0000

Business Model Canvas Seminar

The FutureSME consortium is hosting a free two-hour seminar on the Business Model Canvas in GMIT on Thursday, 17th May, starting at 14.00. The Business Model Canvas is a strategic management template for developing new or documenting existing business models. It is a visual chart with elements describing a company's value proposition, infrastructure, customers and finances. It assists companies in aligning their activities by illustrating potential trade-offs. Check outBMC and look at the video. The Business Model Canvas provides huge advantage for companies, in particular SMEs, enabling them to quickly gain greater clarity about those activities that add value to their business. The tool is highly visual, facilitates widespread involvement and helps achieve consensus on the priorities of the company. The Business Model Canvas is offered as part of the FutureSME Transformation Process® . The seminar will be chaired by Dr Ardawan Lalui of the FutureSME consortium and will be presented by John Murray. John is a program manager at Scottish Enterprise, where he is responsible for their Smart Cities (Mobility) Programme. A graduate of Cambridge and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan School of Management), John has significant experience of enterprise creation and company growth. The seminar will take place in the Boardroom of GMIT, which is on the third floor of the Administration building. Because of space constraints, we have to strictly limit the number of attendees. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please RSVP toSinead in order to book your place.
Tue, 08 May 2012 08:42:12 +0000

Business Model Canvas Seminar

The FutureSME consortium is hosting a free two-hour seminar on the Business Model Canvas in GMIT on Thursday, 17th May, starting at 14.00. The Business Model Canvas is a strategic management template for developing new or documenting existing business models. It is a visual chart with elements describing a company's value proposition, infrastructure, customers and finances. It assists companies in aligning their activities by illustrating potential trade-offs. Check outBMC and look at the video. The Business Model Canvas provides huge advantage for companies, in particular SMEs, enabling them to quickly gain greater clarity about those activities that add value to their business. The tool is highly visual, facilitates widespread involvement and helps achieve consensus on the priorities of the company. The Business Model Canvas is offered as part of the FutureSME Transformation Process® . The seminar will be chaired by Dr Ardawan Lalui of the FutureSME consortium and will be presented by John Murray. John is a program manager at Scottish Enterprise, where he is responsible for their Smart Cities (Mobility) Programme. A graduate of Cambridge and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan School of Management), John has significant experience of enterprise creation and company growth. The seminar will take place in the Boardroom of GMIT, which is on the third floor of the Administration building. Because of space constraints, we have to strictly limit the number of attendees. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please RSVP toSinead in order to book your place.
Tue, 08 May 2012 08:42:12 +0000

futureSME Capability Development Programme

The futureSME Capability Development Programme aims to develop SME management teams to achieve excellence in operations, strategy, leadership and adaptability through highly interactive workshops in a friendly environment. This program allows you to review how your business is doing today so that you can develop the key strategic changes required to ensure that your business competes effectively for tomorrow.Core Programme: 21st Feb, 8th March, 20th March 2012Supporting Programme: 24th April, 15th May, 12th June 2010
Mon, 16 Apr 2012 08:40:14 +0000

SMAS Annual Conference: Driving Value for Scotland

futureSME sponsored this year’s Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service Annual Conference which was held in Dunblane Hydro on 27th March. The conference highlighted the vital contribution the manufacturing sector is making to Scotland’s financial health acting as the wheels of industry turning to help economy rebalance. The conference included success stories and speeches made by industry leaders. The common themes discussed were the importance of Made in Scotland brand, adaptability, sustainable and profitable growth, innovation and continuous business improvement. SMAS Director, Mr. Shields said “We need to realise that when you are driving your business, you need a clear unique selling point; you need to identify your niche in the marketplace and be export-oriented."
Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:55:05 +0000

Transformation Process: follow up

Following a successful introduction seminar in November 2011, a number of companies in the Shannon region are undertaking the futureSME transformation process.
Wed, 21 Mar 2012 11:18:17 +0000

Manufacturing: Driving Value for Scotland

National Conference on ManufacturingDiscover how you can achieve real value in tough economic times. Arm yourself with ideas to boost efficiency, add customer value and stay competitive. Influence the direction of Scottish Manufacturing – discussions with Government Ministers. Equip yourself with essential leadership skills. Become the most innovative and successful in your field.To book your place or for more information, call: 0191 426 6333 or go to the event website:www.scottishmasconference.co.uk
Fri, 16 Mar 2012 11:23:55 +0000

Manufacturing: Driving Value for Scotland

National Conference on ManufacturingDiscover how you can achieve real value in tough economic times. Arm yourself with ideas to boost efficiency, add customer value and stay competitive. Influence the direction of Scottish Manufacturing – discussions with Government Ministers. Equip yourself with essential leadership skills. Become the most innovative and successful in your field.To book your place or for more information, call: 0191 426 6333 or go to the event website:www.scottishmasconference.co.uk
Fri, 16 Mar 2012 11:23:55 +0000

Rx3 Rethink Recycle Remake Newsletter 2011

Related to the futureSME methodology on Business Sustainability, Rx3 have released their 2011 newsletter which details the developments of the Rethink Recycle Remake programme during this year. Rx3 Newsletter
Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:09:09 +0000

Company Transformation Seminar

Two companies in Ireland – Advanced Technical Concepts and Thormac Engineering – who are implementing the futureSME Transformation programme, give real-life examples of how the futureSME methodology has helped make their businesses more adaptable.
Fri, 28 Oct 2011 08:44:19 +0000

Adapting your company for future success - futureSME breakfast briefing 19th October

futureSME, in association with Supply Networks Shannon and the Shannon Chamber, will be hosting a breakfast briefing addressing the need for companies to develop new characteristics that will make them more resilient and adaptable.The event will be held at the Oakwood Arms Hotel, Shannon on the 19th OctoberSpeakers on the day will be:Ardawan Lalui (Lalui Leadership/futureSME)Willie Cahill (University of Strathclyde/futureSME)Marie Clifford (Advanced Technical Concepts)Sean Ryan (Thormac Engineering)more information...
Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:27:42 +0000

futureSME 6th Partner Meeting

The 6th futureSMe parner meeting will take place over the 29th & 30th September in wroclaw, Poland. Among the highlights will be Remik Horbal of Lean Enterprise Institute Poland discussing the "Problems and challenges of manufacturing SMEs in Europe." Professor Umit Bitici from the University of Strathclyde will be discussing "Adaptive capability - a key to success in the 21st century." The meeting will also feature case study presentations from the following end users:Houston Bottling & Co Pack, Eirebloc, SNS/Thormac, Linn, Nimbus, Crea-Si, Blackpoint, Nam, Ingeteam, ROCO, Friterm, Deka and Akyuz.
Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:25:46 +0000

futureSME project updates following June Technology Board meeting

Click here to see: Project Updates June 2011
Wed, 13 Jul 2011 11:46:17 +0000

Ardawan Lalui Interview

Ardawan Lalui (Lalui Leadership) interviewed by Trend magazine about leadership (in Slovak). Trend is a prestigious business magazine in Slovakia.Trend Magazine June 2011
Mon, 04 Jul 2011 09:44:16 +0000

Capability Development Programme

futureSME partners the University of Strathclyde and SMAS have just completed the Capability Development Programme first pilot in Scotland. The core programme was delivered over 3 days and over the summer they will be delivering the optional workshops (so far the interactive Leadership workshop was also delivered by Ardawan Lalui very successfully). Optional workshop delivery will be completed between May – October 2011 in Scotland. Train-the-trainer sessions for RTD partners in August 2011. The 2nd pilot programmes will kick off in Italy, Poland and Turkey. Capability Development Programme Pilot UpdateCDP brochure
Fri, 27 May 2011 10:47:02 +0000

Social Media Tips

futureSME R&D partners and end users from Ireland attended a very interesting course on the use of social media and how important it is for small companies, particularly in creating their marketing strategy. The course was given by Damien Mulley, who runs Mulley Communications and teaches organisations and enterprises how to communicate amongst themselves and with the greater world. Check out the short clip below where Damien outlines the crucial 1st steps for a small company to embrace social media tools:
Mon, 16 May 2011 11:53:58 +0000

ULearning Skillnet issue newsletter

ULearning Skillnet currently have 45 industry members who have paid full membership to join their network. Presently they are promoting the ULearning Skillnet and encouraging companies to join. In their March newsletter they discuss their training events and providers, as well as the futureSME project.Skillnet Newsletter March 2011
Thu, 31 Mar 2011 08:28:35 +0000

futureSME Partners feature at R&D seminar - EU Can Help Irish Business

EU Can Help Irish BusinessResearch and innovation, involving collaboration between businesses and knowledge providers, and utilising EU funding, is one of the motors that will drive sustainable development in Ireland. This was the clear message given by a panel of industry practitioners, EnterpriseIreland, and an eminent academic from the University of Strathclyde at a research and development-themed seminar held in Intel Shannon last week.The seminar, which was organised by Shannon Chamber in conjunction with EnterpriseIreland and Supply Network Shannon, succinctly demonstrated how Irish companies can access significant research and development funding for technology, product and process development, which will ultimately generate new products, improve their competitiveness and in turn, their bottom lines.
Tue, 29 Mar 2011 10:20:17 +0000

futureSME at The Scottish Partnership for Engineering

Showcasing Engineering Research The futureSME Strathclyde team had a poster stand for the theme “Adaptive Manufacturing – Excellence Beyond Lean ”in this high quality research and knowledge exchange activity event which brought together high profile engineering research pools across Scotland. We had the opportunity to talk about the futureSME project to people from major research commercialising funding bodies, industry practitioners and government representatives.
Thu, 17 Feb 2011 13:24:54 +0000

Green Awards for Irish SME's

If you are an Irish SME that has implemented a green strategy designed to reduce the impact your business makes on the environment as you deliver your products and services, then you should consider entering this award.
Tue, 08 Feb 2011 13:28:14 +0000

FutureSME end of year group meeting (Ireland)

The GMIT boardroom was the location of the Irish FutureSME partners end of year review.
Wed, 26 Jan 2011 08:49:09 +0000

Manufacturing giant Rolls-Royce shared experiences with Turkish SMEs

Rolls-Royce presented their transformation journey and their collaborative working practices with SME suppliers at the FutureSME Seminar in Istanbul.
Wed, 26 Jan 2011 08:47:58 +0000

RX3 Environmental Event

On the 4th November 2010, RX3 hosted an event at NUIG to promote recycling. The event showcased innovative and profitable ways to use recycling
Wed, 26 Jan 2011 08:42:24 +0000