A guide book that enables institutions, practitioners and entrepreneurs to make appropriate use of creativity and idea generation for economic gain and competitiveness has been launched as part of an EU Interreg Ireland-Wales project jointly delivered by Institute of Technology Carlow (IT Carlow) and Pembrokeshire County Council.
The INSPIRE Best Practice Guide builds on the methodology, observations and findings of a three-year INSPIRE (Initiating Pathways for Innovators, Researchers and Entrepreneurs) project jointly run by IT Carlow and Pembrokeshire County Council in Wales.. The INSPIRE team worked with over 80 entrepreneurs, researchers, businesses and sectorial experts to develop skill sets in idea generation and creativity. These proficiencies were then used as a strategic process to develop new products/services and successfully commercialise them.
The project’s legacy is the INSPIRE Best Practice Guide, a self-learning resource launched this week enabling its learnings to be disseminated to educators, practitioners and enterprises. It was designed and edited by Brian Ogilvie, Research & Commercialisation Support Manager at IT Carlow and project manager for the INSPIRE project in Ireland. The INSPIRE Best Practice Guide captures the INSPIRE process as a “journey” and offers a step-by-step process to stimulate, challenge and develop potential commercial opportunities. Each of the subject chapters is divided into four steps: Discover; Define; Develop and Deliver and focus on a different aspect of the INSPIRE journey. Icons and diagrams instead of word-heavy text provide concise but valuable information throughout the guide. The INSPIRE project found this method of learning and knowledge transfer was preferable to the traditional style book.
INSPIRE has been awarded additional funding to extend the project for a further six months to trial the Best Practice Guide with a third cohort of cross-border participants.
“The way in which information is disseminated is changing. The INSPIRE Best Practice Guide is succinct, visually appealing and resonates with users. It addresses the key issues and fundamental barriers to successful innovation. We recognise that, from time-to-time, users may require case-specific information and advice from enablers who can understand and assist with more individual guidance. Our experience has shown that in addition to the Best Practice Guide, this style of mentoring or professional service can then be tailored to that individual’s or enterprise’s particular needs”, said Brian Ogilvie.
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For reference: Alma Feeley, IT Carlow, t: 059 9175098, m: 087 8204934
CAPTION: Pictured at the launch of the INSPIRE Best Practice Guide are (l-r): Brian Ogilvie (INSPIRE Manager, Ireland), Dr. Patricia Mulcahy (President, IT Carlow), David Thomas (INSPIRE Director), Peter Lord (INSPIRE Manager, Wales), Ciara Reynolds (INSPIRE Project Administrator, Ireland)