Welcome to the fifth edition of the Smart State e-newsletter, Smart Connections, keeping you up to date with the latest Smart State news, success stories, upcoming events and initiatives.
You can also help keep us informed by letting us know if you are involved in, or know of any individuals, businesses or organisations that are engaged in innovative activities that exemplify the Smart State in action. Email: smartstate@premiers.qld.gov.au
In this edition, we take a look at why Queensland is rapidly earning a reputation as the home of smart business.What makes a smart business? Meet some of our smart businesses
Smart links for business Events, workshops and seminars for smart business Learn how to commercialise your ideas and develop strategies to build or grow your business through the wide range of business events, workshops and seminars on offer. Did you know... |
Businesses now and in the future face the challenges of information overload, rapid technological change and competition of global proportions.
Smart businesses are those that apply smart thinking to stay ahead of these challenges and continually seek to evolve their operations and their people for a brighter future.
And they’re not alone.
The Queensland Government is investing heaviliy to create the conditions which foster innovation, new technologies and industries, research investment, improved education and training, as well as undertaking a record program of infrastructure spending. The Government is providing businesses with the opportunity and competitive advantage to turn innovative ideas and technologies into commercial successes.
So what factors will influence how well your business will meet the challenges of the future?
Research and development (R&D) can mean the discovery of new processes and products for your business that can deliver economic benefits, satisfy your customers’ changing needs as well as delivering social benefits to the community.
Technology diffusion is all about using and sharing technical information and knowledge that can point your business toward new technologies and techniques and increase your productivity.
Commercialisation and entrepreneurship means taking new ideas and turning them into marketable products and services.
Collaboration produces innovative ideas. Businesses that work in partnership with universities, technological institutes, consulting companies, suppliers and even competitors, are more likely to achieve successful outcomes.
Connectivity is critical for businesses with the rapid take-up of the Internet, email, mobile phones and online management systems. Businesses that can communicate rapidly, effectively and globally are better positioned to capture greater market share.Networks and alliances allow new ideas and knowledge to be shared through collaborative partnerships that see an idea come to fruition and give your business the competitive edge it needs.
Knowledge and skills levels within your business - whether they be technical skills, numeracy, entrepreneurship or management – will determine the rate at which your business can adopt the new technologies required to keep pace with the competition.
A diverse, dynamic and creative work environment is one that embraces new ideas and new people, and encourages creativity and risk-taking across all aspects of your business to keep ahead of the challenges.
Read the following case studies to find out how these smart Queensland businesses are applying this thinking with impressive results.
 |
| Microskin |
New ideas are generally measured in economic terms, but what about their capacity to improve our quality of life?
A family-owned Queensland business has developed an innovative product that is greatly improving the quality of life for people with birthmarks, burns, scars and skin disorders.
A world-first invention, Microskin is a liquid spray-on skin that binds to the topmost layer of skin and looks and feels like natural skin. This simulated second skin is matched to a person’s natural skin by computerised colour-matching technology. It is waterproof and sweat-resistant, with one application lasting three to four days.
Recent trials show that Microskin is greatly improving the self-confidence of people with skin conditions as well as helping burns victims cope with the trauma of scarring.
Seven years ago, Linda Lowndes embarked upon a most remarkable quest. She was deeply moved by the story of a young boy condemned to a life of confinement indoors due to a skin condition affecting the boy’s skin pigment.
“When I first set out with the conviction that I had to do something to help this child, I had no idea of the years of work, research and struggle that lay ahead,” Linda said.
“There were times when I became so disappointed with this seemingly impossible task, that I considered closing down the project.
“However, I knew I must persevere as I came to appreciate the profound implications this project might have for the many people who suffer the social stigma of birthmarks, burns scars and other skin-related disorders.
“It was during this period that I had the good fortune to meet Les Pascoe, an Industrial Chemist.
“At that time, Les had just sold his 12-year-old colour speciality company to a large multinational chemical company and was looking for a change in career path,” Linda said.
Les was so impressed with Linda's commitment to developing this product that it took little to persuade him to join the Microskin team.
After seven years of trial and research and much hard work, the team formulated the remarkable Microskin range of products.
The result is truly a credit to the hard work and dedication of Linda and the team with the Microskin product recently completing a successful six-month trial with the Royal Children’s Hospital Burns Unit under Professor Roy Kimble.
“My reward has been to witness the incredible shift in how my clients see themselves after the application of Microskin.
“The smile which lights a teenage girl’s face as she looks in the mirror can carry you a long way,” Linda said.
The Microskin business was officially opened on 4 July 2005 and has since won the Queensland division of the 2006 AMP Innovation Business of the Year.
The team at Microskin recently joined the Royal Children’s Hospital Burns Unit in a video link-up conference which was shown to leading international burns hospitals in Canada, China and the United Kingdom.
This Queensland business success story is now poised for international success.
The Microskin story truly exemplifies the SmartState vision. Congratulations Linda and team.
 |
| Drs Victoria Gordon and Paul Reddell - founders of EcoBiotics |
The medical drugs of tomorrow could very well be made from compounds found in Queensland’s unique rainforests.
A far north Queensland company is bringing international attention to the biodiscovery potential of the region’s tropical rainforests.
Based at Yungaburra, EcoBiotics Limited has also signalled Queensland’s biotechnology credentials to the world by signing an agreement with London-based cancer drug developer Antisoma.
The agreement enables EcoBiotics to position its products competitively on the international market through Antisoma’s strategic alliance with Roche - one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies.
An innovative biodiscovery company, EcoBiotics specialises in the discovery and early development of new pharmaceuticals from Queensland’s tropical rainforests. They are focusing on the discovery of compounds to fight four main areas of concern: cancer, inflammation, infectious diseases and parasite control.
The CEO of EcoBiotics, Dr Victoria Gordon, said the company had already demonstrated success in identifying bioactive chemicals with high commercial potential.
“More than 85 per cent of the material we collect has promise for development as drugs in a range of therapeutic areas," Dr Gordon said.
"With more tree species in one hectare of the Daintree than in all of temperate North America, Queensland’s biodiversity is one of our biotechnology industry’s greatest strengths.
“When you consider just how rich the area is in terms of its biodiscovery potential, we are well positioned to become a world leader in the discovery of new chemicals for the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries,” she said.
In 2001, EcoBiotics received a State Government Innovation Start-Up Scheme (ISUS) grant assisting the company at a critical early stage of development and in 2003, the company signed a benefit sharing agreement with the Queensland Government allowing the company to conduct biodiscovery in tropical rainforest areas.
Our amazing biodiversity combined with the State’s wealth of talent and expertise in medical research is providing EcoBiotics and Queensland’s growing biotechnology industry with a strong commercial advantage in the race for the discovery of new medical drugs and treatments.
Watch this space for more news on the ground-breaking work of EcoBiotics and Queensland’s biotechnology industry.
 |
| Clip Slip prototype |
If a smart business starts with an idea driven by need and is built through innovation, then the invention and business venture by a Tully banana grower certainly fits the bill.
Marc Jackson, whose crop was wiped out during Cyclone Larry, has come up with an invention that could not only turn his own fortunes around, but improve banana production world wide.
Marc has invented the Clip Slip, a simple yet effective combination plastic clip and slip-sheet which separates hands of bananas as they grow.
“By separating the hands during the growing and harvesting stages of production, we can reduce blemishing significantly,” Marc said.
“When you consider that up to 30 per cent of bananas in a plantation can be damaged while the fruit is growing and being harvested, the Clip Slip has the potential to greatly increase productivity by reducing the portion of blemished bananas that are discarded.
“The Clip Slip has generated enormous interest overseas including South America, Philippines and Thailand,” he said.
Just back from an overseas trip, Marc said he has now lodged a Worldwide Patent application for the Clip Slip in 130 countries.
Earlier this year, Marc received an $85 000 Queensland Government grant under the Innovation Start-Up Scheme (ISUS) to develop a Clip Slip prototype, secure intellectual property rights, and conduct market research and field trials.
As part of progressing the Smart State vision, the Queensland Government is getting behind our innovative entrepreneurs and assisting them to turn their bright ideas into a commercial reality.
Information on the ISUS, which offers grants to help young companies develop new and innovative products and services, can be obtained from www.sdi.qld.gov.au/isus
It goes to show that you don’t need to be a big business to innovate. Well done Marc and all the best with the Clip Slip.Starting a business?
Useful information and resources to help you start your business the smart way
Expanding your business?
Smarter ways to manage and grow your business
Grants, subsidies, awards and assistance
Queensland Government support opportunities for business
Queensland’s industries
A guide to Queensland’s new and growing industries
Exporting from Queensland
Information and assistance for businesses that are exporting or looking to export
Investing in Queensland
Queensland: the smart choice for your business
Smart Small Business
Information and services for Queensland’s small businesses
Queensland’s ICT industry
Information and services for Queensland’s expanding ICT industry
Creative businesses
Information and resources for Queensland’s creative industries
Eco-efficiency for businesses
ecoBiz can help your company become more eco-efficient and more profitable - great for business and great for the environment.
Telecommunications in Queensland
The portal for everything you need to know about telecommunications in Queensland
Statistical information
Demographic, economic and social data for Queensland
Work, live and play in Queensland
A guide to Queensland’s key industries, job opportunities and lifestyle
Doing business with the Queensland Government
Information for businesses that supply or are interested in supplying goods and services to the Queensland Government
Business laws and regulations
Codes, regulations and responsibilities for businesses in Queensland
Queensland Government agencies
Links to Queensland Government agencies frequently accessed by businesses
The Australian Institute of Commercialisiation (AIC)
The AIC is a leading service organisation helping innovators achieve commercial success<
AusIndustry
The Australian Government’s agency for delivering products, services and information that supports industry, research and innovation
Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast
The Innovation Centre provides a world-class base for technology- and knowledge-based businesses.
Department of State Development
Browse the department’s suite of workshops and seminars for business
Australian Institute for Commercialisation (AIC)
The AIC has a wide range of workshops to help you commercialise your ideas and inventions, as well as develop a strategic approach to building and growing a sustainable business.
Queensland is rapidly becoming the home of smart business?
The Smart State is booming…
Your comments and ideas on Smart Connections and the Smart State website are always welcome, so feel free to email us at: smartstate@premiers.qld.gov.au
Disclaimer
This publication is produced to convey general interest policy information
and highlight innovative developments in Queensland. While every care has
been taken in preparing this publication, the State of Queensland accepts
no responsibility for decisions or action taken as a result of any data, information,
statement or advice, express or implied, contained in the publication.
© The State of Queensland Department of the Premier
and Cabinet 2005.
Copyright protects this publication. The State of Queensland has no objection
to this material being reproduced but asserts its right to be recognised as
author of its original material and the right to have its material remain
unaltered.