Technology is evolving at such a rate that many businesses are finding it hard to keep up. That’s according to the University of Lincoln which is keen to help firms take advantage of digital technology and the opportunities it provides.

The Lincoln Business School is hosting an event on 24th September to showcase some of the projects academics and local businesses have already been working on and the expertise they can provide.

As part of the onlincolnshire project, which has brought high-speed fibre broadband to more than 100,000 homes and businesses, staff at the university have been working with a number of firms across the county.

These projects are now coming to an end and Ted Fuller, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategic Foresight at the university, said he’s keen to share what they have learnt.

“All of the businesses had very different needs – some wanted help raising their profile online and finding new customers online while others wanted to find out more about 3D printing and prototyping.

“Collectively they’ve helped us to discover what is necessary to further generate the growth of both urban and rural enterprises in Lincolnshire and we, along with the businesses themselves, will be sharing our experiences at the event later this month.”

Called Competing in the Digital Age, the half-day session from 9.30am until 1pm will also feature talks on the rural digital economy as well as the challenges we may face in the future.

Leanne Townsend from the University of Aberdeen, who also works in the Research Councils UK Digital Economy Hub, will give an insight into the rural-urban digital divide while Jimmy McLoughlin from the Institute of Directors will discuss the ‘new’ economy.

Professor Fuller concluded: “Broadband is very important to our economy but some businesses are failing to seize the opportunities it brings. This could be down to poor connectivity or a lack of skills and experience.

“Conversely there are some really innovative businesses out there which are adapting well to change and embracing emerging technologies.

“However, no one firm will have all the knowledge they need, which is why we are keen to encourage collaboration between the business community and the university to support innovation during this time of rapid technological change.”

For more information about Competing in the Digital Age, which will be held from 9.30am until 1.30pm at the Lincoln Leadership & Management Centre (LLMC) on 24th September and to book your free place, please contact Jane Deville on jdeville@lincoln.ac.uk

To find out more about onlincolnshire, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, please visit www.onlincolnshire.org

Ends

Notes to Editors:

About onlincolnshire
• onlincolnshire is a Lincolnshire County Council-run project which is part-funded by the East Midlands European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013.
• In March 2013, the council signed a £48 million contract with BT to provide superfast broadband to at least 88% of county properties by 2016, with the remaining properties having access to at least of 2Mbps broadband. A further investment of £2.8 million was announced in February 2014 which has increased the number of properties to 89%.
• The contract with BT concentrates on an intervention area of over 150,000 premises where existing or planned commercial roll outs would not deliver superfast speeds.
• The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf
• Some internet users in rural Lincolnshire experience speeds of less than 1 Mbps. The UK’s average broadband speed is 12 Mbps, according to Ofcom.

For further information or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Kate Strawson
Shooting Star
kate@weareshootingstar.co.uk
01522 528540
07733 230293
@KateStrawson