Innovative firms show how to succeed in global economy

FutureStory Newcastle and the North East forms part of a series of six books made up of a collection of local case studies, with accompanying DVDs, tracing how people and businesses in cities and regions across the country are adapting to the global economy.

The book is aimed at a variety of audiences but there are three key groups to which it will be of particular interest:

Key influencers who are charged with creating strategic direction for the city/region

Young people who are growing up in the age of the global economy

Businesses and entrepreneurs who compete on a global scale

The project highlights how businesses in regions across the UK can take best advantage of the opportunities offered by the global marketplace. The FutureStory book launched today aims to puts a human face on globlisation how it is working in Newcastle and the North East.

Produced with the help of innovative enterprises, education providers and other organisations across Newcastle, FutureStorys Local Heroes tell the story of their city. The book explores its past, present and future and how the traditional jobs of coal, shipbuilding and heavy industry in the region have been replaced by innovation, science and research as well as entrepreneurial businesses operating on a global platform.

This event will emphasise the entrepreneurial spirit and industrial skills that characterise the region. In addition, a panel discussion hosted by Newcastle University Business School will see some of the Local Heroes bring to life what it takes to succeed on the global stage.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said:

Ten years ago, too much of the talk about our great industrial cities was about what had been lost. These days, its increasingly about whats new, the new jobs and industries, the new links to the global economy.

That renaissance is being led by our people, backed up by with public investment and a strong commitment to enterprise. One of the clearest messages of the FutureStory initiative is that we cant let the recent global financial crisis derail that progress.

Lucy Parker, Chair, Talent < Enterprise Taskforce, says

Britains cities have always depended on enterprising people and innovative businesses for their success. With increasing global competition, this is more true than ever. So the future story of Newcastle and the rest of the North East is all abut finding new ways to build on their strengths and developing new ones.

Newcastle University Business Schools Visiting Distinguished International Scholar, Professor Scott Shane will also talk at the event, focusing on his extensive research into entrepreneurship and innovation.

Professor Shane comments:

This event is important because it is indicative of Newcastle and the North Easts commitment to focusing its attention on building high potential, high growth companies.

Tagged as: economy businesses, globlisation, innovative enterprises, local heroes, newcastle university, university business school, Webnews Wire