Main Menu
6:33PM Monday 08 September, 2008 Sunshine Coast weather Mostly sunny min 11° - max 23°

10 Big Ideas on Business & Technology

20 June 2008

Do you have a good idea for Noosa’s future? Following on from the recent Australia 2020 Summit at Canberra, Noosa News has been asking industry leaders their top 10 innovative ideas for Noosa’s future and challenges towards 2020. These stories aim to generate debate and further ideas, so let us know your views: noo saed@scnews.com.au.Today’s submission is on business and technology by Mach Technology’s Paul Pettigrew ...

10. Global brand. Establish global brand recognition for the region as the leader in “Knowledge Economy Innovation” (a la, Silicon Valley for start-up hi-tech businesses, Paris for fashion, Singapore for trade, China for manufacturing).

9. Infrastructure. Strategic and systematic approach to building new economy infrastructure such as next-generation broadband, education and training functions and a robust technology service provider marketplace.

8. Environment. The region – and Noosa in particular – has worked long and hard to preserve its environment and balance development in a sustainable fashion. The region has an opportunity to be a world leader in the development of business and business practices that represent best practice for a sustainable environment. 7. Governance. Exploit online technology to facilitate free flow of information both ways between government and the community and enhance community consultation in the decision-making process.

6. Diversification. The Sunshine Coast has grown rapidly in recent decades, largely on the back of tourism, construction and retail trade. Diversification of the economic base is key to a robust economy able to grow in a sustainable fashion while increasing the net wealth per capita.

5. Workforce. The future Sunshine Coast economy will require a workforce very different to that generally available today. An opportunity exists to co-ordinate skills development and retention programs across business and government to ensure that within 10 years, the required workforce is graduating and entering long-term employment locally.

4. Youth. Those in school today are the future of the region and if they can be retained locally, the average age of the population will begin to fall as will the contribution to the regional economy. All established businesses will benefit, as a positive cycle of jobs creation and growth will result. Retaining school/university leavers into new economy businesses from now on is the key. Internship and other programs need to be improved and expanded.

3. Government. As a regional area, our primary face of government is the Sunshine Coast Regional Council. It has a great challenge ahead to create a leading and united regional organisation. to advocate for and on behalf of the community to the state and federal governments to ensure our region is positioned to shape future policy and benefit from funding programs.

2. Import. To help trigger the development of an innovation-based knowledge economy, in addition to fostering and supporting those businesses already established and active, every avenue for recruiting and “importing” such businesses into the area should be explored. They will act as catalysts and help achieve the initial critical mass required. Tourism is but one avenue to market.

1. Knowledge. The great majority of businesses have not reached their potential because their leaders “don’t know what they don’t know” and every effort should be made to facilitate ongoing learning, business networking, and self-study programs. Make proud examples of those that are “walking the talk” so that other businesses may learn by their example.

Current challenges include:

“Peak oil” and the negative impacts of rising fuel prices on all industry sectors.

Achieving environmental sustainability.

Need to diversify the economic base of the region, to reduce the reliance and susceptibility to variations in the tourism, construction and retail industries.

Skills base is not aligned with the workforce of the future.

Old-economy focus from government on infrastructure required.

Paul Pettigrew is managing director of Mach Technology, a nation-wide ICT solutions business. He is is chairman of the Sunshine Coast Business Council.

Have your say

We welcome comments on our stories and blogs - after all it's your site. Please note comments should be on-topic and not abusive. Comments are checked before publication.