Applaud the thought, but be wary of the application.
Do we really need another set of innovation awards? Probably not. The proliferation of awards devalues the existing ones. And the government's new iawards appear to not only miss the mark intems of innovation, but also threaten to undermine the Queen's Awards.
First off, let's look at the list of awards:
- The iaward for life sciences – This category is for innovation in any life sciences area which supports society in terms of healthcare and the national challenge of an ageing population.
- The iaward for transport – This category is for innovation in any area of transportation which supports society in terms of moving people, products and service delivery.
- The iaward for energy and environment – This category is for innovation in any area of energy and environment which supports society in terms of the challenge of providing/conserving energy and our responsibilities ensuing from climate change.
- The iaward for places to live and work – This category is for innovation in any area which supports society in terms of places to live and work.
- The iaward for digital communications – This category is for innovation in any area which supports society in terms of communications and how our economy is driven by pace of change.
- The iaward for entertainment/media – This category is for innovation in any area which supports society in terms of the creative industries and how this is a key economic driver for our nation.
- The iaward for a consumer product – This category is for innovation in any area which supports our society and has provided a product or service which has most positively impacted the lives of mass consumers.
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The iaward for the cross-application of technology – This category is for innovation in any area which supports our society in terms of one of the key national challenges.
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The iaward for best collaboration – This category is for innovation in any area which supports our society in terms of one of the key national challenges.
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The iaward for British inside – This category is for innovation in any area which supports our society in terms of one of the key national challenges.
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The iaward for inward investment – This category is for innovation in any area which supports our society in terms of one of the key national challenges.
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The iaward for the next big thing – This category is for innovation in any area which supports our society and is yet to be fully commercialised in its widest potential.
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The iaward for best technology start up.
Where to begin.
What does "British inside" mean? And why does it get an award?
And why the bias to technology? Surely (as the govt's own innovation white paper points out) innovation is much wider than just technology or products.
And how can you judge the quality of innovation collaborations?
And I know inward investment is important, but why does it get its own award, while innovative exporters are treated like a red-headed step child?
Lord Drayson tweets that these are the BAFTAS for innovation, while iawards.org.uk says these are the first awards of their kind to be backed by the British Government.
But the Queen's Awards for Enterprise, handed out by the Queen, are made on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Queen's Awards are very prestigous. Will the iawards dilute there impact?
All the best to the awards - the more recognition for innovation, the better - but this smacks of activity, rather than productivity.
PS - Are you a hard-working manufacturer looking for you award? Enter EEF's Future Manufacturing Awards and get the recognition you deserve.