Scientist for a Day program for NZ businesses

A program offering the services of Industrial Research Ltd’s scientists and engineers aims to encourage New Zealand businesses to focus on how R&D can improve their producitivity and profitability.

From 11 May 2011, New Zealand businesses are invited to apply to take part in IRL’s Scientist for a Day program, designed to encourage them to think about what R&D can do for them, and whether their R&D is focused in the right areas.

Between August and 23 December, IRL experts will engage with successful applicants in a hands-on and face-to-face technical interaction that can take place either at their business location or at an IRL laboratory. IRL can follow up with a business potential for innovation report.

The visit can focus on anything: an existing problem, analysing and improving a product or process, developing an opportunity, evaluating the potential for innovation or any other specific, well-defined idea.

BusinessNZ Chief Executive Phil O’Reilly says, “Partnering science with business to turn ideas into profit is key to helping secure a brighter future for New Zealand and taking us up the OECD rankings.

“This is an extremely valuable opportunity for firms and I urge all businesses to investigate. It could unlock untapped potential that makes the difference between a great idea and securing a world-leading market position.”

“Key international studies demonstrate persuasively that there is a positive correlation between the level of R&D spend by a company and their sales growth, productivity and market value,” says Shaun Coffey, IRL’s Chief Executive.