MARCH 2000 BROADSHEET - Ferrets and Skunks: How to Spot and Nurture High Technology
Curiosity attracted quite a large audience for the meeting on 24th February when the mysteries of Ferrets and Skunks was unravelled. We were fully aware of the Fenland Ferret who came in person but no Skunk could be discerned neither by sight nor smell! It was all about ferretting out fenland folk who could be persuaded to blossom out with ideas to the benefit of the region's economy. Ray Harding, an ex bookmaker and marathon runner, found himself landed with the job of setting it up. (The result of missing a strategic meeting of the Cambridgeshire Rural Forum!) Walter Herriot of the St John's Innovation Centre was a vital inspiration and, in fact, much the same philosophy applies as in that successful body, that of creating a favourable climate for development. To emphasise this theme they have obtained European funding to create a clone in Littleport as a centre for Fenland networking.
David Reynolds was the "Ferret in persona" and had just completed two months in the field. Already he had been able to help a manufacturer of conveyors by prompting them into having a web site - immediate result; orders from Scotland! Another company increased orders by 15% by the same means. His principal aim is to find small businesses, that are just starting up, to help them through the vulnerable stages, when they have not had enough experience to ask the right questions. He also gave an example of a company of 25 employees, good exporters, which had failed due to lack of the right advice, which could easily have been given if they had asked.
Our third speaker was Dr Richard Jennings, Industrial Liaison Officer at the University of Cambridge. He was doing much the same thing for the scientific and engineering labs there. He introduced us to the term North Star research, where there was a target (not quite fundamental) but it was a long way off. On the way many ideas came up which could be immediately exploited and it needed much careful handling to channel the researchers' initial excitement into practical and commercial ways forward. There were also cases where exploitation needed to be prompted, and introductions made to business angels, or - for the smaller projects - to 'cherubs'. He also quoted Nurse Edith Cavell who said "It's amazing how much you can get done if you don't mind not getting the credit".
A most interesting discussion ensued covering a wiAnyone interested in having a Cambridge student to work for them during the summer should contact the Experience Entrepreneurship Programme that is being run from the St John's Innovation Centre. Full details on www.cue.org.uk/exp.nsf, especially the Potential Employers page.de range of experiences. For further information from the speakers or their organisations you can get Ray Harding, the Economic & Community Development Manager of East Cambridgeshire District Council at ECDCecdev@compuserve.com or Tel:01353 665555. Their website is www.elyeastcambs.co.uk. For Dr David Reynolds, Business Growth Adviser, St John's Innovation Centre, dreynolds@stjohns.co.uk, Tel:01223 420844 and Dr Richard Jennings, rcj1000@cus.cam.ac.uk, Tel:01223 334755.
Anyone interested in having a Cambridge student to work for them during the summer should contact the Experience Entrepreneurship Programme that is being run by Ruth Puddick from the St John's Innovation Centre. Full details on www.cue.org.uk/exp.nsf/ , especially the Potential Employers page.
The next Cambridge Network Entrepreneurship lecture is on 15th March at the Judge Institute. Look at www.CambridgeNetwork.co.uk.
CHASE have sprung into life again, their next meeting is on 7th March at St John's Innovation Centre, 7.45 for 8, on EPO's and IPO's by Michael Berkeley. For more information try www.chase.org.uk.
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