2001 Conference Wrap Up

IRAP…Putting Innovation in Motion in Ontario East

Presented by Harriet Waterman, Industrial Technology Advisor
Industrial Research Assistance Program

As all of us attending know that small companies have a big impact on Industrial Innovation. Today I will be describing IRAP's role in this process as part of the larger CTN network.

First a quick overview of where IRAP fits into the Federal Government.

Then a quick review of who we are, who we can help and some of our programs.

The types of companies we provide assistance to and some examples.

To give you a sense of who Industrial Technology Advisors are and why we do this work, my background is similar to many of my colleagues, so I that is where I'll start: an engineer, experience in Industrial Engineering with a major oil company, then my MBA, then banking to practice my finance skills. Then I became an entrepreneur, found angel financing and started two companies. One died quickly, the other became what we term 'the living dead' or going nowhere fast, so I sold it. Both were technology companies and I was an IRAP user for 8 years, so when a job with IRAP opened up 4 years ago, I was happy to join the IRAP team. We all have diverse, long term backgrounds in technology and business which allows us to assist small and medium sized companies with their short and longer term business challenges

Our focus is stimulating innovation in small-incorporated companies up to 500 employees. Our assistance with Technology projects and linkages to the many CTN resources in non-technical areas provide a central focus for assistance in the jungle of 'programs' out there.

The first step is to meet the client and find out what their needs are. We also may add suggestions for other areas of improvement. Then we set out to find the fastest, most effective and cost effective means to do so. It many involve some technology projects, linkages to the CMC or other CTN members, linkages to other government programs (Federal, Provincial, Municipal) and other strategic business partners. The key point to remember is the client is in the driver's seat; it is their company, their money, so we provide advice only. What they choose to do with it determines the outcome for them. Meaning they are accountable for their own results! We try to assist in their business path but on a complementary basis only. As such it is difficult to accurately 'measure' our performance, just ask the Auditor General who tried a year ago! Most clients come to us for money but leave thanking us for the advice (focus and project planning) and linkages provided to other organizations.

Typical pitfalls when clients approach us are outlined in one of my slides. Frequently a client requests marketing assistance, primarily in the form of money, which neither we, nor few other agencies provide. Some limited export assistance is available through Federal and Provincial government programs. Strategic market planning assistance may be provided through our CTN network.

I welcome your business cards to provide an information package by mail and/or a copy of the slides presented.

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