Let's define ... SME 2.0 Looking for a new version of SME?

On October 28, held its 90th edition Thursday dedicated SME 2.0. Reading the prologue I wonder if they are prepared to talk SMB 2.0 (which is supposed variation WEB 2.0 and applied to SMEs or could guess) considering the original concept of Web 2.0 launched by O'Reilly and MediaLive International where The technological environment is only a tool of the surrounding Web 2.0.

Indeed we must verify that the new technologies benefit the improvement of productivity of SME companies (provided they take advantage and do not end up being an obstacle), however this is not something new: new technologies have been incorporated into the business processes of SMEs and they have helped to give impetus to their business initiatives.

WEB 2.0 concept goes much further: it involves networking, means relying on users / customers to add value to their products and services which improve the more people use them. Now we have to ask:

- Are they really prepared Spanish SMEs to share network elements of their business is not strategic?

- Are they sufficiently prepared to "listen" to customers and act accordingly?

I recently found an article that I found very interesting: Innovation comes when companies encourage the networking that appeared in LaFlecha.NET and provides a series of very successful based on the work of Keith Sawyer (his new book "Group Genius ") or Janet Rae-Dupree and Ed Catmull (Pixar) on the importance of networking for real innovations.

How many times will "reinvent the wheel" in SMEs in the introduction of technological solutions that will have significant economic efforts course, impacts on business and have not abject failures (tripping where others have already done so but he has gone through not wanting to listen to before)?

It is obvious that any company has to find its value differential to competition to increase their market share, which is also clear is that new technologies are not now-a-element to help such differentiation be affordable for all ... then this differentiation remains "heritage" of the strategy of the company itself.

What about all the processes that could be shared with other firms in the sector, but not to help the differentiation, it would reduce costs and thereby increase earnings per share efforts?

There is an interesting example that seems to be extrapolated: The Innovation Learning Network established by a group of health care systems in the USA. With this solution the introduction of new technological solutions to the sector and management of core processes and requires a common effort less.

Perhaps we should begin to develop common platforms between companies in a sector to help them improve their results through collaborative initiatives. Although this step is necessary that these companies are willing to change their way of thinking and open their minds to a new form of collaboration.

I just buy the book Sawyer, and I like to read it. For the moment, I am reading the blog Drew Boyd Innovation in Practice ... an example.

We Update You: UPDATE 08 Two. Where are we going?

Today I had the good fortune of being able to attend the event organized by the CEEI Castellón: WE UPDATE YOU, Update two 08 Alfons Cornella and Antonia Broglia.

But what is 08 UPDATE TWO?

Quite simply, although their preparation is not as simply a well orchestrated meeting that makes a profound summary of the documents (articles, books, cases, conferences ..) on new trends in innovation and enabling the world's 10 key ideas of business and aims to open the eyes of employers. Such sessions Infonomia (speakers) the organized twice a year.

This is the first time attended a UPDATE and frankly, I felt fantastic (Alfonso and Antonia had already heard in other previously maintained its "fingerprint" in this event, clear, concise, "visionary" and drivers of business motivation through pure reflection of the content)

This time is very interesting topics and that I stayed with some thoughts:

- Growth / survival in times of crisis. In this first "step" had to consider some conclusions:

* It is necessary to increase the "culture" financial
* The turbulence is fantastic opportunities to launch new business initiatives.
* The current crisis makes the design of the value chain is made from the price the customer is willing to pay ....
* The Internet has become an essential platform for lanzamieto tool user support.


- The next 5000 days of the Internet where they reviewed the major developments in the Internet: Web Objects (Semantics)

- Womenomics. Interesting perspective of women as an entrepreneur and high levels of talent that is taking advantage of low business. Here is an important niche and explore in depth.

- "Free!" The economy of the free. I especially liked this aspect as it reinforced the potential of platforms ... I would not say "free" by the negative connotations that wash ... open source, knowledge sharing at IESE. This section would highlight how the growing exchanges between the main actors, local .... for activities that can then be exported.

- Emerging Technologies of the semester, which was presented CLOUD COMPUTING as an alternative to the very immediate future and that will give much more to talk about ...

- Science and business. Alfons here put the "finger on the problem" when talking about the University-Enterprise that I said in another post on this blog, and how the delicate interplay from the Central Ministry is trying, through the national innovation system, improve . One aspect that I especially liked was the idea of COMBINED TALENTS in the university environment: join several universities to meet the targets. That is what, for example, in the Valencian Community is trying to GRADIENT Castellón.

- P2P economy. A concept to think in more depth: Bank of Time.

- Porter reinvents. The ability to reinvent what we do and give a more sophisticated.

Ultimately, a series of "art" that more than one will rethink their business model and explore new opportunities.

Thanks Alfons and Antonia. Congratulations.

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