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Innovation and emerging technologies

Alex Hartman: Innovator and entrepreneur

Alex Hartman was the Managing Director of Mytek Pty Ltd, Alex founded Mytek Pty Ltd in 2001. Mytek provided computer support services across Australia. In 1995 while still at school he established Amicus Software, a company which now has offices in Sydney, San Francisco and London. In 2000 he was awarded the Young Australian of the Year award for Career Achievement by the National Australia Day Council and in 2002 was awarded the Pearcey Award (NSW) for Young Achievers by the Australian Computer Society Foundation.

This tutorial provides you with a number of links to articles about Alex highlighting management and entrepreneurial activity.

Outcomes

This material addresses aspects of the following syllabus outcome:

H3.1 The student analyses the factors that influence innovation and the success of innovation.

Source: Board of Studies NSW, Stage 6 Design and Technology Syllabus, Preliminary and HSC Courses (1999)

Activity

  1. For an overview of Alex's achievements click here.
  2. In June 2000 Ninemsn in association with 60 Minutes presented a live interview with Alex Hartman. Spend some time reading through the transcript, there are a number of interesting points about getting an idea up and running. Record some of the ideas about management and entrepreneurial activity.
  3. "Innovation is an equaliser. Any person from any background who wakes up in the middle of the night with a good idea can change the world."
    (Alex Hartman in Handmer, A. (2002) Clever country or graveyard for invention?, Uninews, University of Sydney http://www.usyd.edu/publications/news/2405News/2405_clever.html.

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Answers

  1. Read the article Clever country or graveyard for invention?. What message is Alex trying to convey?
    Alex is trying to convey the message that anyone who has an idea about how to do something better can make a difference, whether it be high tech, marketing a small business or improving facilities for the community. However for ideas to become reality there needs to be support.

  2. Also read the article by Lydia Bell: Why is it so difficult to develop great ideas and inventions in Australia?. Identify some key factors which contribute to successful innovation.
    Successful large scale innovation requires:
    • commercial skills: to identify market needs, manage product development and optimise manufacture and distribution.
    • industry-based research and development
    • leadership
    • people with high level science and technology skills
    • venture and seed capital
    • appropriate economic and taxation settings by Government.

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