The Hive@Mansfield is a programme delivered by Nottingham Trent University to help anyone with a good new business idea to evaluate the commercial potential of the idea before investing in it.
Unfortunately too many Innovative idea are developed without sufficient research, evaluation and planning and do not achieve the expected Return on Investment (ROI). Research shows the success rate to be less than 1 in 200!

My definition of Innovation is "Doing something new to the business that makes a significant difference to the business". This is always in terms of ROI. Thus to say that an idea is innovative has to be a retrospective statement when you look back and see the effect that it had on your business.
However you can minimise the risk of not achieving the require ROI by going through the Innovation process. This will reduce the risk of failure for the average 1 in 2oo to less than 1 in 5.
How? By showing you how and helping you to undertake the required research, evaluation & planning to achieve the ...

Recently came across "survey monkey" and was thinking of using it as a tool for a client services program. Gathering information about service performance, what products they would like to see us develop etc. Has anyone any experince and tips about using it?

I have created a test survey which I would be grateful if you would complete.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=SDTS_2fnWIEcK4IiJmYIYIVg_3d_3d

If anyone would like to see the results let me know.

Richard

>Attended Library House quarterly meeting in
>association
>with g2i (gateway2investments) where new early stage
>companies have the opportunity to present their
>companies to select audience of investors. Six
>companies were present.

>Summary of each company as follows:

>ConnectMeAnywhere

>Set up in 1995 - Mobile phone company which allows
>callers to make cheaper rate calls via the internet
>–
>similar to Skype. Need to log on to the website
>www.connectmeanywhere.com to register before dialing
>number via an access code, call are then channeled
>via
>local operators to reduce cost. The main attraction
>to
>the consumer is initially the cost of the call, i.e.
>calling USA would cost 9p using connectmeanywhere
>compared with 97p with the major telecom network.
>Long
>term the advanced functionality and web integration
>will set it apart from its main competitors. Had
>much
>success from advertising on Google and will use
>funding
>on PR and marketing. Sees itself as a strategic ...