Innovation is about the creation of new knowledge and the use of that knowledge.

It's about ideas, and the transformation of those ideas into value creating outcomes – into products, processes and services. Innovations include breakthrough ideas that lead to new products or services, and incremental ideas which improve the way processes are undertaken, or products are manufactured or marketed.

Innovation is the key to future business prosperity and can take place in all areas of the business process. Innovation has been linked to increased market share, higher growth rate and greater profitability for businesses.

There are a number of different types of innovation, including:

Production Innovation	The development of new products, technologies and services. This may be a high risk undertaking which requires substantial investment in people, time and funds.
Product Improvement	Refers to improvements made to existing products or services, such as new packaging methods for food. Improving current systems may need minimal investment but may result in substantial profit increases.
Process Improvements	This includes improvements in business processes such as Internet banking, manufacturing processes such as changes to production facilities, or organisational processes such as more efficient ways of undertaking work or advanced management techniques.

(Source: Australian Government Innovation website)

Innovation is not only for new or high-tech industries, but is also essential to the future of many of Australia's traditional sectors. The current business environment is highly competitive and new competitors are always on the horizon. Companies that do not see investment in innovation as important may be putting their future at risk.

The City of Marion has compiled a list of those organisations that currently fund and/or support innovation in Australia.


Centre for Innovation

As businesses we operate in a time of constant turbulence. Change is continually driven by competition, markets reshaped through new innovations and a re-writing of business thinking. Success relies on the ability to innovate; to do things better and to create new markets via products and services we have not yet imagined.

Our ability to think of new ideas is unlimited, putting them into action and realising commercial success is a much more complicated and challenging path. South Australia's Centre for Innovation can help you find opportunities to use innovation to improve your business or take a unique new product to market. It can provide you with the tools and help you form the networks you need to meet the challenges of being a successful innovator. If you are running your own business or are part of an organisation that is demonstrating solid business growth with the potential for export and innovation, then the experienced team at South Australia's Centre for Innovation can help you.

Contact:

Sharon Thomas
Industry Development Manager
Phone: (08) 8201 7523
sharon.thomas@sacentreforinnovation.org.au

Bob Jones
Manager
Phone: (08) 201 7522
robert.jones@sacentreforinnovation.org.au

For further information please contact Bridget Ransome on (08) 8375 6897 or by email bridget.ransome@marion.sa.gov.au, and after hours, contact Bridget Ransome on 0403 008 331