Knowledge - The Key to an Economic Transformation ?

How long have we been talking about developing a Knowledge Economy in Northern Ireland ? Do we know what a successful Knowledge Economy looks like ? Even if we have some idea, do we know just how important it could be to achieving an economic transformation in Northern Ireland ? Do we know how we measure up against other regions ?

Well... we have now found out the answers to these and many other important questions in the pursuit of a Knowledge Economy. Thursday 27th October saw the launch of the Northern Ireland Knowledge Economy Index - Baseline Report, published by the Northern Ireland Science Park and NISP CONNECT in partnership with Northern Bank. Representing a lot of detailed work it analyses exactly what we mean by a knowledge economy and defines the various metrics against which we need to measure our collective performance. It gives an honest assessment of where we are across key metrics, be they good or bad, and gives useful comparisons with other regions in the UK and further afield. While it shows progress in some areas, equally it highlights where we need to improve. More importantly it spells out the scale of the opportunity that faces us as an economic region, if we can collectively up our game and raise our ambitions. Up to 50,00 new jobs are on offer if we were to become a leading region in the UK for knowledge industries. Not to be sniffed at in the current climate.

There is no doubt that the potential is huge, not only to add thousands of jobs directly, but many more indirectly in various supply chain and support services opportunities. Experience elsewhere shows the exponential positive impact that knowledge economies can create for everyone and we must learn from the best regions in the world.

While the information contained in the Index will be very important in its own right, it is what we do with it that is most important. The Index will ultimately be used to set targets across all the main metrics for the next 5, 10, 15 and 20 years and rightly become the focus for all those involved in the knowledge sector. The time for talking is over and what we now need is a concerted effort from all interested parties - public and private sectors - to work collectively towards realising the huge potential that this Report defines.

We look forward to the debate, closely followed by the action !

Dundalk Institute of Technology

Morrows will be working with the Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) over the coming months to help raise its profile in Northern Ireland, with an overall aim of encouraging more NI students to consider the Institute as a viable and affordable higher education choice.

DkIT offers a wide range of Degree, Masters, PhD and vocational courses and specialises in the likes of Engineering, Creative Media, Renewables and Nursing.

Belfast Media Festival 2011

For the second year running, Morrows were delighted to manage the Belfast Media Festival, a prestigious event for the creative industries in Northern Ireland.

The creative industries are one of the fastest growing and most important sectors in the Northern Ireland economy and the aim of the Festival was to encourage debate and thinking on how the creative landscape will change over the next ten years. This included how the development of new technology will change the way content is produced, the skills that will be required and how the industry will meet the changing needs of the local audience.

Over 350 delegates representing broadcasting, music and the digital industries heard from a host of keynote speakers including Mark Thompson, Director General of the BBC, David Abraham, Chief Executive of Channel 4 Television and David Flynn, creator of BAFTA award winning programme “The Million Pound Drop.” A particular highlight and coup for the Festival was an “audience with” the actor and comedian Rob Brydon, who took time out of his busy schedule to speak about his experiences within the industry – and local talent was represented by well known faces such as Patrick Kielty, BBC NI’s William Crawley and Stephen Nolan.

In addition to the keynote presentations, delegates could attend a variety of seminars focusing on key topics such as “Mind Your Language!” - a focus on the importance of Irish language within broadcasting; “Independent Spirits” looking at how independent production companies can successfully compete in the world of British television and “Radio without End” a lively debate on the importance of radio within an industry now dominated by many digital platforms. Delegates could also visit a “Digital Street” showcasing the latest in broadcasting technology and exhibition featuring local creative companies.

Video highlights, including the interview with Rob Brydon will soon be available to view online at http://www.belfastmediafestival.co.uk/

DEL 'Made Not Born' Campaign Takes to the Road Again

The Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry kicked off the latest Management and Leadership Skills programme by encouraging small and medium enterprises (SME’s) in NI to consider its Leadership and Management Development programmes and ‘Made Not Born’ events as a means of maximising their people assets. 

The ‘Made Not Born’ campaign is based on the proven concept that great leaders and managers are not born but made. It aims to highlight the benefits of deploying simple but effective management and leadership techniques to the success of SME businesses in Northern Ireland.

This year’s ‘Made Not Born’ programme developed and delivered by Morrow Communications began with a series of free 'Leadership Learning' events across Northern Ireland delivered by experts in the field of Management & Leadership skills. Each event provided expert advice and key Management and Leadership techniques that can be deployed in a business environment.

The schedule began on Tuesday 27 September in the Ramada Hotel, Shaw’s Bridge, Belfast and continued the following day (Wednesday 28 September) in the Glenavon Hotel, Cookstown when business networking expert Heather White delivered a session on ‘Smarter Networking for SMEs.’

The series resumes on 1st November (Tullyglass, Ballymena) and 2nd November (Everglades Hotel, Derry/Londonderry) with keynote speaker Andrew McMillan, who is credited with developing the much admired John Lewis sales and service culture. On 6th and 7th December we will have Green & Black’s Managing Director, Mark Palmer visit Armagh and Bangor. To register for an event or to find out more about the 'Made Not Born' campaign visit www.delni.gov.uk/madenotborn