Opportunities

The opportunities presented by digital technology are widely acknowledged.

The savings that can be made through shifting service to cheaper channels are hugely enticing. However, we believe that the other, less easliy quantifiable benefits will turn out to be far more significant. The ability to go beyond using the web to enable self-serve and into sustainable self-help networks and the changing relationships between service providers and consumers will lead to greater efficiency in services and more effectiveness in business supporting functions.

Economic development

Increased connectedness and visibility promote a more aware, more informed and more collaborative workforce & business community.

We believe that increasing the connectedness of individuals, companies and information will foster economic development, both by attracting investment ‘in’ (companies will move to the region to take advantage of a more engaged and creative workforce and a more informed and effective business community), and investment ‘out’ (a more connected information environment will allow new services and ventures to develop within the region and subsequently scale beyond it).

Leading the way

Benefits will accrue to regions that are at the forefront of the movement to reconcile online and offline behaviour.

Approaches such as the one outlined in this strategy are being implemented in cities and regions across the world, and while some are more advanced or more comprehensive in their approach than others, there is as yet no clear and successful precedent to draw on.

However, it is our belief that those places that manage to most comprehensively solve the social, cultural, technical and behavioural challenges that face them will gain profile and recognition nationally and globally, which will in turn present additional opportunities to accrue economic benefit and international standing.

The corollary is that regions which don’t, won’t.