Tomorrow the ForestWorks ISC Innovation Skills Program to help Australian businesses increase innovation with forest, wood, paper and timber products will be in Bunbury, WA. Source: Timberbiz
This Innovation Forum will include the Australian Forest Contractors Association.
Local forestry business owners, managers and staff will attend on 4 October 2013 at 10.00am to 5.00pm at the Sanctuary Golf Resort, Old Coast Road Pelican Point, Bunbury WA.
The Innovation Forums are the first step of the Innovation Skills Program that aims to share new ideas from industry and business and learn from innovation experts on productivity and business process improvements.
ForestWorks ISC CEO Michael Hartman said the aim of the forums was not to ‘teach’ innovation, so much as to engender and improve the conditions that enable it to occur.
“Everyone I talk to in this industry understands that increasing innovation is the only way that our sector can survive and thrive in a changing economy,” Hartman said.
“However, innovation can be a hard thing to implement, and identifying the next step is not always easy. That’s where the Innovation Skills Program and these Innovation Forums come in.
“The latest research from overseas shows that the most innovative nations are the ones with a strong and productive culture of collaboration.
“That has been an area in which the Australian industry has not traditionally been strong. So by bringing together business stakeholders and industry leaders in forums around the country, we are hoping to provide a boost to the collaboration and innovation process in our industry so the entire value chain can benefit.
“After all, our true competition is overseas – not over the road. Instead of trying to simply squeeze each other’s margins we must start to look for opportunities in which we can collaborate and innovate together, which will assist all.
“The first Innovation Forum was held last month in Mt Gambier and the feedback from attendees has been terrific.
“The Innovation Skills Program is one of the most exciting initiatives we have been involved with at ForestWorks ISC and its potential to assist the local industry is huge.
“I strongly urge all forest industry stakeholders in the Bunbury region to make sure they get along and get involved. They have everything to gain.”
