When we talk about progressive international cities, there are many common traits. They attract innovators, they’re strong in industries such as medical science, they have an interest in energy efficiency, they embrace change and they don’t fear technology.
Encouraging innovation and embracing technology are essential ingredients for any economy to grow.
South Australia is writing its own recipe for economic growth, with defence projects, biotechnology, the space industry, green energy initiatives and driverless cars as a start. Given our state’s economy was built on more traditional manufacturing industries of centuries past, we need a healthy injection of innovation and exports to grow.
Earlier this month, South Australian businesses collectively won 20 gongs in the Australian Good Design Awards. These awards celebrate the best new products, services and design, including business model innovation, social impact and sustainability.
Fusion – the parent company of Brabham Automotive – picked up three awards for Design Strategy for its engineering and manufacturing hub and for Engineering and Automotive Design. Clever Culture Systems picked up the Product Design Medical Scientific Award for its diagnostic lab work including automating petri dish screening.
Spacetalk – an all-in-one smartphone, watch and GPS tracker for kids won a gold award, as did Clipsal’s Zen Fan and Andrew Rogers’ Edison Programmable Educational Robot – a STEM teaching resource.
Many of these products are reaching global markets, building export growth and taking South Australian knowledge and expertise to another level. They’re proving that we are an increasingly smart state.
Exports are critical to growing our local economy, and many small businesses are showing the way through innovation and design. Thanks to globalisation and technology, it’s easier to reach new markets and promote services internationally. That’s why Business SA hosts the state’s annual Export Awards, which combined with recognising Good Design, promote businesses going above and beyond on the international stage.
Innovation and good product design are essential if we are to grow our knowledge economy and boost our capabilities, but they also have many benefits for businesses on a macro level. They bring different people together, working collaboratively to redefine and solve old problems in new ways. Design puts the user, the customer, first and if you can better satisfy your customers’ needs than your peers then it’s a source of competitive advantage. Design-only doesn’t apply to the products we hold or touch. Good design can apply to an office layout, how teams are structured, displaying information and how you engage with your customers. Design thinking is becoming more important.
Good design in the public realm can also lead to better business outcomes. Small bars, restaurants and other businesses can benefit from better designed streets and public places such as Leigh or Peel Streets in the city, making them safer, pedestrian-friendly and more conducive for night-time trade.
Innovation and good design are essential – not just for small businesses, but to build economies.
Martin Haese is chief executive of Business SA.
This article was originally published in the South Australian Business Journal on Tuesday 23 July 2019.
Image: Artist impression of the proposed Lot Fourteen developments at the old RAH site in Adelaide, which house the state’s space and AI aspirations, courtesy The Advertiser.