Powering Business Potential

What will we rely on for future economic growth and jobs?

No one should under-estimate the importance of the knowledge economy to Queensland.

The success of the local Sunshine Coast economy going forward must be directed at innovation and technology – the knowledge economy – if we are to compete with our Asian neighbours.

The state’s mining and manufacturing industries can no longer sustain the necessary jobs and growth, so we need to focus our investment of time and money into creative thinking, both scientific and entrepreneurial.

SMEs are doing amazing things every day. Innovation helps them deliver more value to their customers, open new markets both domestically and internationally and employ more Queenslanders, which helps everyone.

Therefore, we are fully supportive of any new strategy aimed at investing in the state’s talent and keeping the bright ideas, innovators and entrepreneurs to benefit our economy, financially and in terms of knowledge.

But what does this mean for jobs now and in the future?

The type of jobs that will prosper will be outside more traditional industries known to Queensland. They will originate from start-ups and left-field ideas of our best and brightest entrepreneurs.

Many of these jobs would not have even been on the landscape five or 10 years ago. But they are where the resources must now be channelled – areas such as computer science, robotics, medical research.

Most significantly, it doesn’t mean

fewer jobs, just different jobs.

Many people, not just politicians, have recognised that the only way we can compete with our Asia-Pacific partners is to be brighter, smarter ... and do things smarter than them.

There are certain areas where the playing field is not level. We cannot compete on labour costs, we cannot match the cheaper materials, the prices of some goods and services.

But we can compete on quality.

CCIQ recognises the need to develop, attract and retain world-class talent, both scientific and entrepreneurial. There is a need to invest in priority industries and technologies with global growth potential.

And, from our point of view, we are fully behind any moves to increase Queensland startups and support the growth of SMEs.

Entrepreneurs and ambitious small businesses are, without doubt, going to be the key drivers of economic change and jobs growth in the future.

Governments at all levels, schools, universities, business and industry groups ... all must now recognise the need to invest heavily and create those future-orientated jobs.

Most importantly, they need to support new businesses, fresh new ideas, and a culture in which entrepreneurs can flourish. ca

Kimberley Lynch is the Regional Manager for the Sunshine Coast & Wide Bay Area for CCIQ, the peak industry body for businesses in Queensland. We exist to provide a powerful voice for small business and to power our members’ potential through providing access to essential tools, services, information and advice. Not a member? Join now. klynch@cciq.com.au // www.cciq.com.au

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