Research Projects
LabNotes
In February, Gregor Rae, Chairman and CEO of BusinessLab, gave an inaugural lecture to the International MBA student cohort at the University of Aberdeen. "The Art of the Pitch" is the first of two modules intended to help students improve and finesse their presentations to potential investors and employers. The second module is entitled "The Science of the Pitch".
The future is in Newcastle
Technology Watch website lauds the Microsoft Corporation - ActiveAge presentation at the Gerontological Society of America's annual conference in New Orleans, and cites Newcastle upon Tyne as 'the future' in terms of ageing.
Read more...ActiveAge
The ActiveAge team has started another wave of research into robotics, which will provide the theme for the next ActiveAge publication. A Newcastle partner meeting has also been scheduled for the 26th of January, when plans for the 2011 ActiveAge Summit will be finalised.
Renewables
The BusinessLab research team has been looking into the growing renewable energy sector. The team is particularly interested in the markets and business models that are developing within this area - and the strategies and processes that are being deployed to capitalise on the opportunities.
More Agents for Swansea
The City and County of Swansea Council are training up a new cohort of Signature Agents. A total of 36 new Agents are being trained to deploy the Family Learning Signature with families across the city.
Research
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Research BusinessLab research takes various forms, from large-scale, multi partner consortia projects, which have an economic or social focus, to bespoke pieces of work commissioned by a particular company. In addition to this, ongoing research is carried out on a daily basis to ensure the company’s existing tools and processes are relevant and up-to-date. The approach BusinessLab takes to research is both proactive and reactive. Within our research consortia we respond to the information and knowledge requirements of our partners. In addition, we actively seek collaboration around ‘special projects’, based on our consortia themes, but outside the remit of what our partners require. The latter will often include the development of new tools and processes. BusinessLab has an extensive list of partners and associates among whom knowledge is disseminated and shared. We have close links with academics, and private/public sector organisations, who share a genuine belief that better solutions to common problems result from working together. We describe what we do as ‘action research’. This is a reflective process of progressive problem solving led by individuals working with others in teams or as part of a "community of practice” to improve the way they address issues and solve problems. On a day-to-day basis we are constantly scanning and consuming information, related to our consortia projects, which we use to produce our weekly news alerts, discussion papers, reports, case studies, and to inform partner briefings and workshops. Our aim is to disseminate what we are seeing, without the use of jargon and inaccessible words or phrases, in an easy to comprehend manner. BusinessLab prides itself in its ability to develop original ideas, and stimulate high profile debate, by bringing people from different professional backgrounds together to help them ‘think out loud’. |
Partner quotes
- "In our drive to improve the performance of a diverse international group, BusinessLab's Corporate Signature has given us a unique picture of the organisational barriers and levers to successfully delivering our corporate change programme.""The Signature has also stimulated collaboration between our business units and has helped management to shape communications and define a clear and focused action plan"Raymond PirieVice President, Intertek plc
- "For any individual interested in older adults or any for-profit or non-profit entity looking for expertise, guidance or relevant data ... there is no greater integrated experience or seamless, end-to-end data than what is being orchestrated by ActiveAge."Dr Gary Moulton
Product Manager
Microsoft Corporation - "BusinessLab’s development and maintenance of the ActiveAge website and information stream is both a regional resource in the United Kingdom and a model that others around the world are attempting to emulate.""But ActiveAge is doing more than collecting and distributing information. It has become a valuable nexus of business, government, universities and NGOs. I can assure you there are few activities in the world that have successfully brought together the various interests."Prof Joseph CoughlinFounding Director
MIT Age Lab - "ActiveAge has opened up for us a whole range of new and sometimes unexpected opportunities, helping us to think in fresh ways...and facilitating the development of innovative partnerships across the public, community and private sectors.""The BusinessLab team has been consistently responsive to our needs, playing a key role in helping us shape our thinking about the future."Colin WilliamsDirector Of TransformationNewcastle City Council
"I see BusinessLab as a key partner adding considerable value to our existing work as well as differentiating us from others working in similar fields. I am in no doubt that this relationship will evolve over time to our mutual benefit."
Ken Milroy
Chief Executive
The Aberdeen Foyer- "The stimulus, analysis and encouragement provided by BusinessLab has guided the school into developing many innovative solutions to more effectively deal with families."
Kevin Beaton
Head teacher
Sydney Smith School "Partnering with BusinessLab brings both traditional and non-traditional benefits to the relationship.
True to BusinessLab's reputation, the company is composed of a tight nucleus of professionals who are result driven. This tight nucleus has formed a loose association with many expert contacts around the world, giving you, the partner, an exposure to new ideas, new people and best practice."
Peter Griffiths
President
Jersey Information Society Commission (Ret)
