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Leading consultant heaps praise on Southland businesses positive approach to embracing new concepts and product innovation. Saskia van der Geest has fronted three of the four business innovation breakfasts facilitated by Venture Southland.
The breakfasts have proved popular with Southland businesses wanting to progress new product concepts. Saskia van der Geest says the enthusiasm to embrace innovation around product development is evident within the Southland business community.
“Southlanders have a very positive and forward thinking approach to product innovation, there’s no problem with taking advice or trying something new. Southland businesses have a progressive can do attitude that is often lacking elsewhere.”
“Venture Southland is to be applauded for the work being undertaken to promote diversification and product development within the southern business sector.”
Alex Hardy & Lincoln Smith Photo: supplied
One of the businesses directly benefiting from the direction of Saskia van der Geest is Zenitec. The Invercargill based business specialise in safety garment production for the domestic and international market. Products include the world’s lightest chainsaw safety pants through to snake proof gaiters for export to Australia.
Zenitec Research and Development manager Alex Hardy has been working with Saskia van der Geest to streamline and best adapt Zenitec’s approach to bringing new products to market.
“Saskia has provided us with a fixed development process where product concepts are taken through predetermined steps to ensure that if they make it to market they’re as fit for purpose as possible.”
“Saskia highlighted the importance of listening to feedback from clients and seeing and experiencing for ourselves the environment in which they operate.”
Saskia van der Geest & Alistair Adam Photo: supplied
Venture Southland Business Services Manager Alistair Adam says it’s been great to see so many business learn about innovation and design thinking. This series is a progression of the work that Venture Southland has undertaken over the past 3 years to introduce new innovation and development pathways for businesses.
“These programmes tie in well with the R&D grants and support programmes that Venture Southland delivers in partnership with Callaghan Innovation. On the back of this success, Venture Southland is now looking at extending the programme to provide more education and direct learning and support for Southland Businesses.”