Innovation and creativity bolster business success
INNOVATION and creativity have been highlighted as the key to successful growth by leading entrepreneurs.
Hull-based brand management business, Sonoco Trident, provides packaging for some of the world’s biggest brands, including Procter & Gamble, Unilever, SC Johnson, Boots, Coca-Cola, The Body Shop, Reckitt Benckiser, McDonald’s and its most recent client win, L’Oreal.
Speaking at at a Round Table discussion held at Sheffield Hallam University hosted by TheBusinessDesk.com founder David Parkin, Sonoco Trident’s joint founder, David Keel, highlighted the importance of creativity for success in the East Yorkshire business.
“We have 500 people in our business and we have to think creatively. There are certain things we have to do, like health and safety, so if we have to do it, we might as well do it creatively. Then, we have 500 inspired people. Everything we do is creative,” Keel said.
“Creativity is very important at every level in the company. It has got to affect everyone in the business and I believe that innovation can come from anywhere.”
Earlier this year, Sonoco Trident completed a multi-million pound acquisition of Nottinghamshire-based Imagelinx, for more than £2.1m, which brings an extra 100 staff to the team of 500, and will allow it to tap into new markets and gain new clients. The business said it now expects to see 100% growth this year.
At the Round Table event, digital entrepreneur, Jon Moss, who is the co-founder of the prospective multi-million pound digital hub in Hull, said he believes having a creative space to work in is extremely important if your business is going to be innovative.
Moss said innovation is C4DI’s “lifeblood” in terms of ideas for the start-ups. He also highlighted the importance of working in a creative space.
“Space is really important,” Moss said.
“How can people expect their business to innovate if they are working in a small cubicle? You spend most of your life in bed and in work, so you should make it an amazing place to be. Encourage your staff and make the space colourful. Encourage people to come up with ideas and listen to everyone – you never know what ideas they will have.
“I think every business in Hull’s digital is innovative – they just don’t know it yet.”
The £13m digital business complex – C4DI, or Centre for Digital Innovation – is set to be Hull’s first dedicated workspace and venue for digital and technology companies to innovate and explore new opportunities. It is hoped building work will begin in the first quarter of 2014 after going through planning later this year.
Moss said it is important to remember how to define innovation.
“We have to make it crystal clear. Some businesses may not know what innovation is,” he said.
“We are planning innovation workshops for different sectors. Legal, accountancy, even garages – how can you use technology to be innovative? Emailing can be innovative for some companies – capturing an email address and saving it for future contact. Companies have got to think ‘what can innovation do for me and what is it?’ That is why we should go back to basics.”
Moss also emphasised the benefits of stacking smart people together for collaborative planning and mentorship works. “At C4Di we are saying are you smart and motivated? If so, we would love to have you here.”
Business manager at healthcare group B. Braun Medical, Graeme Cameron said in order for the business to develop innovative products, services and systems, in partnership with healthcare professionals, hospitals, universities and other specialist bodies, an innovative culture in the workplace is important.
He said: “It is important to have an innovative culture and it is important we innovate in the UK.”
