OPEN Biz

The Open Biz project held its Transferability Workshop on Monday 7th November in London in conjunction with the Institute of Knowledge Transfer. Transferability refers to the degree to which the “results of qualitative research can be generalized or transferred to other contexts or settings.” And indeed the thirty delegates attending were drawn from 23 different Universities and interested organisations from as far afield as Ireland. The delegates represented many facets of knowledge exchange from arts and humanities practitioners to communication and web officers supporting direct engagement with businesses and external communities.

Kim Dovell from Institute of Knowledge Transfer set the context of why business and community engagement was so important in this period of economic challenge and contraction. Critical Friend Brian McCaul from Knowledge Transfer 2.0 Ltd continued with this theme of the rules of KE changing and therefore new ways of working and engaging were required – many driven by the tools of social media.
The first breakout round table discussions helped each of the delegates to consider where they and their intuitions were on the spectrum of business engagement. The plenary provided a check list of actions for institutions to develop more meaningful BCE including

• Being aware of the broad “product range” / sliding scale of activities that can be undertaken from students to R&D
• Engagement with academics vital to ensure matches for the demand side
• The need for more cost effective solutions to engage with time poor SMEs
• Projects – need to be sticky to develop sustained relationships
• Other complementary projects eg. Open innovation network – community, Portsmouth

The slides from the day are available to download from the Interface website - http://www.interfaceonline.org/4361.  There was much agreement that the unifying theme was reaching a wider audience by compelling marketing – the use of web technology, how to better access businesses that we still have challenges accessing eg. SMEs, through these channels and engage them, get them on board to build deeper sustained relationships.”

The streets are busier, the cameras are out and the rain is back- it must be the start of the Edinburgh Fringe!

While the city comes alive with artists, performers, theatre groups and comedians, it is also time for repository administrators, developers and information specialists to come together and take part in the annual Repository Fringe. Unlike the format of other conferences and very much in keeping with the city’s creative and innovative atmosphere, this forum invites specialists to come together, share and interact within the area of innovative technologies and developments within repository work.

Suitably placed within such an event is a presentation on OPEN Biz by Dr Siobhan Jordan who will be sharing the OPEN Biz journey- objectives, outcomes and successes, as well as lessons learned. Presentation slides from the event will be available shortly.

We have received great feedback from our app-InterfaceOn- downloads. Please share news of our app with your colleagues and help us gain with more feedback.

With the OPEN Biz project almost completed, the OPEN Biz team have created a project flyer that highlights project successes and provides contact details to find out more.

OPEN Biz involved the pilot of an online programme to support Scottish Universities’ engagement with the wider community – namely businesses, social enterprises, charities and business advisors.

Led by the University of Edinburgh and Interface – The knowledge connection for business, the pilot project focussed on the West of Scotland, working with key University partners such as the University of Strathclyde, University of the West of Scotland, Glasgow Caledonian University and University of Glasgow.

Over the OPEN Biz series of blogs, outcomes and achievements have been broadcast. These have been:

• Video case studies of 2-3 minutes hosted on YouTube- click here to view the channel.
• Live blended webinars events which engaged the virtual audience through the use of moderated online chat forum- click here for a chance to view one of the events.
• Testing easier access to research publications via a digital publishing tool.
• A free to download iPhone app with business relevant content.- click here for more information and how to download.

If you are interested in learning more please contact siobhan@interface-online.org.uk

After the success of the live demonstration at the Scottish Technology Showcase, and the addition of some new functionality, OPEN Biz are excited to release the Interface iPhone app available to download now from the Apple iTunes store.!

Increasingly, businesses are using mobile phones to access information from email to web browsing to editing documents on the move. InterfaceOn has been designed and developed to meet the needs of the time and cost constrained business. The app taps into this by offering users the chance to find out more about accessing university expertise; discovering potential sources of funding to support collaborative activity; and viewing successful case studies- all at the click of a button whilst waiting in line for a coffee!

InterfaceOn allows users the chance to create a unique user profile that will enable them to receive tailored and relevant information and updates. If businesses have several business interests then there is the option to change their profile. In addition, the app offers an easy way for businesses to connect with the Interface team, who will then be able to open access to services within all Scotland’s universities.

There are multiple benefits from the availability of this app for both universities and businesses. Download it today and tell us what you think. We welcome all feedback.

After promotion of the Interface YouTube channel which shows short video case studies of business testimonials, KTP partnerships and key pieces of information from knowledge exchange practitioners, OPEN Biz team members are now having their chance to be on camera! Steve Hull from JISC Digital will be visiting Edinburgh tomorrow (the 8^th July) to take some video footage for the OPEN Biz project. Sadly, not everyone was available so Steve may have to come back to take some more footage.  With offices in the heart of Edinburgh I am sure he will not mind too much!

The video footage is set to capture the key elements, successes and challenges of the OPEN Biz project to date.  To capture the technical aspects and the success of the two live webinar events, Hannah Rudman from Envirodigital has kindly offered to come along and speak. Envirodigital produced both webinar events and also provided onsite technical guidance to our online attendees. Hannah kept the online chat going during the webinar by asking delegates questions and responding to queries. The webinars proved an unquestionable success and broadened the reach, in terms of type and geographical region, of SME’s that attended (online and in person).

Also coming along for the video will be Philip Hunter from the University of Edinburgh. Philip has led and supported activity with work package 3. To recap, work package 3 was the testing of a research publication list with an innovative business focussed interface that could inspire more businesses to collaborate with universities.

Lastly, I have asked Louise Arnold from the Interface team to add input about work package 4, the design and development of the iPhone App. Louise will be able to share her experience and views on the potential of the App to connect with businesses, and talk about the key features (some recently added) that make the Interface App easy to use.

Still on the same theme as videos, OPEN Biz have been seeking feedback about videos uploaded to the Interface YouTube channel that was part of work package 1 (online video testimonials). If you have a couple of minutes please visit the channel and leave some feedback, or alternatively please drop me a quick email- Janine@interface-online.org.uk. Not only is feedback valuable for the final reporting stages of the project, but we also would like to know how we can use this channel to engage with more businesses.

Thank you for reading the OPEN Biz blog and hopefully see you here again soon!

The OPEN Biz project has been an innovative journey from the start. For Interface, the generation of new platforms to share information has spread the reach of Interface messages, and allowed businesses new ways to access up to date information about academic collaborations, their sector, funding opportunities and events.

However, the title of this blog was also chosen to highlight  that both ‘technology’ and ‘innovation’ have been buzz words for OPEN Biz this week. Not only did we showcase the Interface iPhone app at the Scottish Technology Showcase, but we have also launched two new videos on the Interface YouTube channel. These short video clips tell the story of two companies who engaged with academia thanks to Interface.

What has become clear is that the work packages at the heart of OPEN Biz  will work together in promoting innovative ways and means for businesses of all shapes and sizes to access academic expertise: the online videos will be downloadable to the iPhone app; clips of  our webcasts will appear on our YouTube channel; our app will push notices about events and funding opportunities; blogs and information will be accessible via a variety of channels that will appeal to different types of end user etc.

Over the coming weeks OPEN Biz will be focussing on the organisation of a transferability workshop where OPEN Biz experiences will be shared with another region. We are also focussing on getting the app to the Apple iTunes store which will then allow us to remind all the businesses who expressed interest that the app is ready for download!

P.s I will be adding some more information about the Interface iPhone app demonstratin that took place at the Technology Showcase in the next day or two so keep posted!

Despite gale force winds and the eruption of volcanic ash disrupting travel, OPEN Biz made it to the OIA2R (Open innovation and access to resources projects) cross-projects meeting hosted at the Blue Reef Aquarium in the heart of Bristol. This was a fantastic opportunity for all projects to come together and discuss how their pilots/demonstrators have achieved successes, overcome challenges and dealt with IP issues.

As all the JISC funded projects enter their final stages, cross-project discussion considered the organisation of transferability workshops where project pilots (all hic ups included) will be shared with another region. Now as well as being slightly jealous of mymobilebristol considering Estonia as there location of choice, OPEN Biz learned that sharing experiences with another region will be constructive to the creation of knowledge hubs/networks for successful business community engagement.

Another discussion session considered the complex and slightly daunting issue of IP in relation to open innovation and access projects. Thankfully Naomi Korn was on hand! Naomi presented about Web2Rights, answered specific project questions, and mapped out IP issues that need to be considered both right now and for going forward.

So as well as learning interesting facts at the aquarium (did you know a 27kg octopus can fit through a 2 inch hole), and enjoying a lovely lunch there were lots of positive key cross-project messages to take away. For OPEN Biz, one message that stood out was the more open resources are, the higher the level of business engagement and opportunity available.

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The International Chambers of Commerce, in a report published in 2005, highlighted the economic, cultural and social benefits from putting in place a secure system of intellectual property rights (IPR). Why? Well IPR create an incentive for creativity and innovation that encourages the production and dissemination of knowledge, and a wide range of quality goods and services. Despite an increase in recognition, and more laws,  businesses  are still apprehensive about placing too much information on the web, and sadly there are people out there that take other businesses materials (namely ideas, logos and designs) and use them for their own business. This acts as a barrier to creativity and a barrier to knowledge spillover (where ideas encourage innovation as opposed to intellectual property theft).

Projects such as OPEN Biz, where the business community is encouraged to embrace digital communication, could present an issue with intellectual property (IP). Ahead of the JISC BCE cross project meeting on the 24^th May, the OPEN Biz team have taken some time over the past week to reflect on the issue of IP in relation to the OPEN Biz activities.

Thanks to the support from the Open Knowledge Foundation to the University Partners, IP from the OPEN Biz work packages 1-4 can be freely used, reused, embedded and redistributed. With this support, and the consent of all involved, work produced has been able to be freely shared with the online world. What is crucially important, across all the work packages is to ensure that company and stakeholders identities are always acknowledged. This includes the correct use of logos, quotes, and even the layout of material to be used in the project.

Although still the early stages of development (see the previous OPEN Biz blog), the Interface You Tube channel, is one area that could have raised several IP questions. Many companies, and especially entrepreneurs, do not like the idea of sharing their designs and corporate secrets, and rightfully so! So even though the You Tube channel will be used to promote the benefits of business academic partnerships and information from our project partners, it is important to keep in mind IP concerns that companies may have.

As the knowledge economy grows and grows, and as more and more content is placed online, or accessed via the latest technology, it is always important to consider IP issues. Where IP is protected, creativity and innovation can fleurish in a safe enviuronment, and lead to a creative multiplier effect across the economy!

The OPEN Biz team is looking forward to discussing this issue and challenges, both potential and realised, with the other 8 exciting JISC BCE projects.

The OPEN Biz project has piloted a range of work packages that aim to compliment the work of Interface- The knowledge connection for business.  Importantly, as the OPEN Biz team enter the final phase of the project it is clear to see the benefits, to date and going forward, of using digital media to engage with a wider business audience. The ability to connect, inspire and share with a larger number of businesses compliments current business focus of innovating at low cost: the art of frugal innovation.

What has OPEN Biz being doing to achieve this? Let’s start with work package 1 where short clips of companies and project partners have been made and uploaded (and more to come!) to the Interface YouTube channel. In the final months, the OPEN Biz team will be promoting this channel and making sure messages from the videos are inspiring to other businesses, and encourage them to consider collaborative opportunities available. The exciting part of promoting this is the chance to share the successful collaborations established by Interface, with a global audience, and hopefully making links and sharing ideas with others around the world!

Another exciting development has been the progress made with work package 3 (not forgetting work package 2 but progress with this was discussed here).Topic modelling has the academic and scientific communities really excited, and as this advances the opportunity for businesses to connect and use research publications will offer a host of business benefits. In the last few months we are hoping to discuss the possibility of a prototype interface that would be one step closer to allowing this type of connection.

Finally to work package 4, the Interface iPhone app. This has been undergoing user testing and generating feedback. Along with the above, this app (mentioned in the last blog) will offer businesses the chance to explore academic expertise and funding opportunities with tailored pushed notices. Now in the final stages, we are now ready to get the app to the Apple iTunes store, hopefully before the Scottish Technology showcase on the 7^th June.

The final advisory board meeting is organised to take place next week, and the OPEN Biz team are excited about hearing the ideas of key stakeholders. I’m sure it will be agreed that opening up the business community to innovative opportunity from academic expertise is one way of enabling the art of frugal innovation.

One last thing! Where Envirodigital have helped advise the OPEN Biz team of the some of the environmental costs saved by using online webcasts, see this article for more interesting facts about the world of video conferencing!

With many enjoying an extended break with the proximity of Easter and May Day bank holidays, the buzz about the Royal Wedding was perhaps to be expected over the internet and social networking world. In fact social media is playing a big part in allowing people to air their thoughts about the big event. Even You Tube has been flooded with videos tagged with various wedding related terms!

This brings me to my point in relation to the OpenBiz project hosted by Interface. Over the past few weeks we have been busy editing short video clips to be posted on our You Tube page that is due to be officially launched in the coming weeks (keep posted for information). What a better way to hear about successful business academic partnerships than straight from those involved. Our You Tube channel will not only show case studies, but has information from our University Partners, and videos of Interface team members!

We have also been working with colleagues and project stakeholders to test the usability of the Interface iPhone app. Once ready, this will embrace the idea of ‘cappuccino time’, where businesses want information fast and before they reach the front of the coffee queue! Our app will provide essential snippets of information; tailor pushed for specific business areas and offering a quick way to hear about key events and funding opportunities. You will also be able watch our You Tube clips!

This type of innovative project has been funded by JISC, who fund several innovative projects which embrace and explore the digital world, click here for more information on other JISC projects.
Have lovely sunny weekend! Bye!