Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Stephen Byers today backed an important new Design Council report which encourages business to wake up to the opportunities of the new, knowledge-driven economy.
‘Design in the new economy’ offers the necessary warning that no business can afford to stand still in today’s fast-moving, fast-changing commercial environment and points out that only those businesses which realise the importance of design will stay ahead of the competitive game.
The message was supported by Mr Byers, as the report was presented to CBI Director General Adair Turner at the CBI National Conference today.
‘Design is one of the key skills which businesses need to turn innovation into successful products and services,’ said Mr Byers. ‘As Gary Hamel put it last year: companies who live by the sword will be shot by those who don't. A thought I would commend to every company in the UK. Our nation's prosperity depends upon businesses being innovative and creative and using design to turn this into world beating products and services.’
Commenting on the report, Mr Turner said: ‘In a world where price alone is no longer enough to give you a competitive edge, design is one of the key ways to differentiate and achieve success.’
Design Council Chief Executive Andrew Summers added: ‘I am delighted to have the support of Stephen Byers and Adair Turner and endorse their recognition that there is a vitally important role for design in the new economy.’
