Innovation E-newsletter Issue 48 May 2010    Transforming Ideas into Business Breakthrough Getting a great idea is the easy part! The hard part is successfully commercialising it - which is why the majority of new ideas and innovations never make it to market. In this issue, we pick up hints and tips to increase our chances of success and discover how a systematic approach to developing an idea paid dividends for one Welsh business. Top Tip from best-selling author and FT columnist Mike Southon Mike Southon writes a weekly column in the Financial Times and is co-author of several best-selling business books. In the 1980s, Mike built and sold his own company and worked on seventeen different start-ups in the 1990s. He is now one of the UK's leading entrepreneur mentors. Here Mike shares his top tip for success.    Further Information (15.4 KB) PDF The Yoke Shopper - Striking Gold in Geneva A simple, but clever device so shoppers can carry numerous carrier bags and remain hands-free, created considerable interest at this year's Geneva Exhibition of Inventions. Find out how inventor Matt Davies benefitted from specialist advice.    Further Information (16.9 KB) PDF Spotlight on WIN Innovation Manager Dr John Parkes The WIN Innovation Manager for North West Wales, Dr John Parkes supports individuals and start-ups and growing small businesses who want to successfully develop new products, services and technologies. Read more about John's specialist knowledge and views on innovation.    Further Information (23.8 KB) PDF Want to minimise the risks associated with NPD? Practical Innovation: Patent Searching Business Innovation – New Product Development helps businesses adopt a structured approach to innovation and R&D, greatly enhancing the chances for success – and saving you time and money.   You've got a great idea for a new and innovative product or process that you are sure is going to be very successful - and you want to protect it by taking out a patent. A good place to start is with a patent search.    Further Information (14.0 KB) PDF    Further Information (15.0 KB) PDF Top Tip from best-selling author and FT columnist Mike Southon The Yoke Shopper - Striking Gold in Geneva Spotlight on WIN Innovation Manager Dr John Parkes Want to minimise the risks associated with NPD? Practical Innovation: Patent Searching Know someone who's interested? Forward this email to up to 5 people in one go. NEW Wales Innovators Network (WIN) brochure   A guide to the support and advice available to individual innovators and small start-ups to develop their ideas and introduce them to the marketplace. Download your copy of the WIN brochure now  (1.3 MB) PDF Inside Welsh Industry Best Practice Visits   This programme of best practice visits, provides an opportunity for manufacturers to learn from successful businesses both large and small.   Visit the Inside Welsh Industry website Encourage the innovators and inventors of tomorrow - become a STEM Ambassador   Would you like to encourage the innovators and inventors of tomorrow and inspire young people in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM)? Techniquest is looking for more people to act as STEM Ambassadors and to help teachers across Wales to switch on the minds of young people to become the innovators and inventors of tomorrow through potential careers in STEM.   Find out more at www.techniquest.org and click on STEM Ambassadors. "Protecting Your Ideas and Inventions" on 23 June 2010 at Technium OpTIC St Asaph. "Trade Marks - Creating Brand Value From Your Business" on 29 June 2010 at Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Do you want to find out how to make the most of your business’s intellectual property? Would you like to better understand how to protect your ideas and inventions? This series of FREE events throughout Wales will provide an opportunity to hear from successful entrepreneurs, meet the experts in intellectual property and share experiences with other local businesses. Brought to you by the Intellectual Property Office and supported by Business Innovation, you can meet your Intellectual Property and Innovation Managers to get answers to your most burning questions.   Register now online at www.ipo.gov.uk/events or call call 0845 9 500 505. Places are limited so book NOW.       Unsubscribe   You are receiving this email because you subscribed via our website.                            You can unsubscribe instantly. Subscribe  If someone sent you this email and you like what you've seen, sign up. Forward   this email to up to 5 people who you think may benefit from this type of                     information. Contact Us  with any queries or questions. Please do not reply to this email. FS4B website  for the latest innovation support information. Info  Business Innovation, Welsh Assembly Government, Plas Glyndwr, Kingsway,            Cardiff CF10 3AH.