Time out

Give all to love;
Obey thy heart

This last week The Open University and The Technology Partnership were kind enough to invite me along to their tables at some some major philanthropic events. In both cases the conversation at table was very interesting. These are great organizations that are deeply involved in changing our world. The Open University distance learning programmes are filled to capacity with students seeking to change their skills in the recession, and their researchers are applying their knowledge to do things like define the future of the internet and detect TB. The Technology Partnership develops new technologies like smartphones that can receive broadcast TV and nebulizers that make inhaling medicine more effective.

Conversations with people at the head of such innovative organizations trigger lots of thoughts about what we should be doing to help the community grow, and it was really time well spent. But in both cases the conversations were broken up by long periods while entertainers of different types performed. Events need to appeal to the lowest common denominator. Entertainers faced with an audience whose common thread was probably that they were in business somewhere in the East of England went for a blend of ribald humour, good music and sympathy for local causes: The Papworth Trust and The Prince's Trust. It was well done - and I found myself laughing and singing along with the rest. But I realized that actually I was lucky to have been invited to the table where I was sitting. Probably I would have had less to chat about if I had happened go to the other side of the room.

A friend from a major local company who aren't members of Cambridge Network had attended one of these philanthropic events, and she really enjoyed the company on her own table. She asked why her executive team should consider becoming members when these alternatives worked well. I could only say that I thought that the people involved in engineering and innovation inside her company would probably find a lot in common with the technical experts who come along to our events. Our members can look forward to a busy event calendar - or run back through the videos of the speakers who presented in the last 6 months if they want to remember the points made. They will meet a broad cross-section of local entrepreneurs and scientists affected by common issues such as Science Policy or leading clever people. More narrow topics are tackled by Special Interest Groups, like the Sales group I attended this week, which drew a strong crowd eager to learn how Red Gate and Trinamo motivate their people to get their products out and cash in.

These issues bring together members from across the whole of the Greater South East who are developing new technology, growing innovative companies and changing the world. Each person coming is taking time out from both work and from their home, because they love the topic and know they will meet kindred spirits. We're looking forward to seeing you this Autumn.

Comments

[Shai Vyakarnam]

Hi Matt, I think your sentiment about deeper purpose is very interesting. Sam Pitroda has given a great perspective on youtube about innovation that is lead by defence versus humanity's needs and also how to reach out to the "bottom of the pyramid">