Stop Studying Already!
Just what the Massachusetts tech economy needs to improve its competitive standing in the world: another study!
The IT Industry Study Group put out an important press release yesterday that says that they plan to produce an important report on how important the tech industry is to Massachusetts. That report, when it is finished, will no doubt be accompanied by yet another important press release.
Now, you know that I am a big cheerleader for innovation in Massachusetts, and the entire New England region.
But I think that rather than talking to ourselves... and our elected officials...and telling one another how important we are to the regional economy... we should actually be communicating with the rest of the world. We should be focusing on building our brand... and attracting investment and business activity (like Google's Cambridge office, or the giant Novartis presence in Central Square) from elsewhere. We should also be figuring out how to create a welcoming environment for all the students who come here to get an education, funneling them into start-ups and bigger companies here, or helping them launch ventures of their own.
Correct me if you think I'm wrong, but these studies serve no useful purpose that I can tell. (Here's a 2008 study on basically the same topic: how Massachusetts can remain competitive in the IT and defense sectors.)
Here's what this new very very very important study will focus on:
Have fun, guys.
The IT Industry Study Group put out an important press release yesterday that says that they plan to produce an important report on how important the tech industry is to Massachusetts. That report, when it is finished, will no doubt be accompanied by yet another important press release.
Now, you know that I am a big cheerleader for innovation in Massachusetts, and the entire New England region.
But I think that rather than talking to ourselves... and our elected officials...and telling one another how important we are to the regional economy... we should actually be communicating with the rest of the world. We should be focusing on building our brand... and attracting investment and business activity (like Google's Cambridge office, or the giant Novartis presence in Central Square) from elsewhere. We should also be figuring out how to create a welcoming environment for all the students who come here to get an education, funneling them into start-ups and bigger companies here, or helping them launch ventures of their own.
Correct me if you think I'm wrong, but these studies serve no useful purpose that I can tell. (Here's a 2008 study on basically the same topic: how Massachusetts can remain competitive in the IT and defense sectors.)
Here's what this new very very very important study will focus on:
The Institute will undertake in-depth research documenting the size and scope of activities of the major IT industry sectors in Massachusetts. It will analyze the extent to which the presence of IT firms contributes to the competitiveness of other Massachusetts industries. In addition, the report will explore opportunities for the local IT industry and investigate major obstacles to growth and expansion in Massachusetts. The $150,000 project is being underwritten by the consortium of private companies, in partnership with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s John Adams Innovation Institute.
Have fun, guys.
Labels: economic development, IT industry, John Adams Innovation Institute, Mass Technology Collaborative, Massachusetts, regional economy
posted by Scott Kirsner at
12:04 PM
5 Comments:
Well... someone (a researcher of some sort... a friend of someone obviuosly) found a way to help him/her self with $150,000 during these difficult times... :)
It will have the same effect that Gov Patrick's trip to the west coast to convince large tech companies to not layoff employees in Ma.
He or the government can't eveb keep the Ma. companies such as EMC , which is not suffering revenue wise" from laying off 7% of their workforce. How do they expect to have an impact on west coast companies.
I'm with you, Scott -- we've got the goods, we just don't have the brand.
Speaking of this stuff, why can't I access your excellent Globe story "Innovation City" at Boston.com any more?
All the best, your fellow ex-Globie,
Josh
Josh-
The original "Innovation City" essay is up on Google Books...
http://books.google.com/books?id=ILQ-vYFIga8C&pg=PA58&lpg=PA58&dq=innovation+city+kirsner&source=web&ots=2hfhd3ASpj&sig=mTU-fD7mCbmi3n1_cmNyBr3yalQ&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPA58,M1
I agree. I have always thought a campaign along the lines of: a parade of innovation company CEOs and regular business owners simply saying, "I'm innovator, that's why my company is in New England."
ending with:
"New England Means Innovation.
The place for today's innovators and the home of America's first innovators."
We would need some website to aggregate various business and gov't groups that boost business.
PS Weren't the Lowell Mills part of the start of the Industrial Revolution?
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