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Awards Event |
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TECHNOLOGY TOP 100
MASTER CLASS IN
INNOVATION |
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“Analogy (noun) a comparison between two things that are similar in some way,
often used to help explain something or make it easier to understand.”
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We invite you to a new world of the “music analogy” where we will take you on an
enjoyable journey of discovery.
The world of Technology Top 100 organisations is punctuated with complexity.
Their secret is how they manage these complexities to gain competitive advantage.
Our challenge is how best to portray these unique attributes so that you, our guest,
can truly appreciate the significance of their achievements as the winners of the
2007 Technology Top 100 programme.
The world of music as portrayed through an orchestra in the hands of a noteworthy
conductor, provides a platform to communicate those outstanding attributes which
distinguish the Technology Top 100 Winners and Qualifiers from the rest of the pack.
The music analogy is performed by the Johannesburg Chamber Orchestra conducted
by Kutlwano Masote.
Kutlwano Masote was born into a musical family and was awarded a music
scholarship to attend St. John’s College, Johannesburg. He then furthered his studies
at the University of the Witwatersrand and later at the International Menuhin
Music Academy in Switzerland. Masote was instrumental in the founding of the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra in 2000 and in 2006 made his debut as a
conductor at the Opening Mayoral Function of Joburg Arts Alive.
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Excellence in the
Management of Research
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Managing the research process is a key foundational competence. The challenges
facing an organisation in this arena are complex and require a unique set of skills.
Successful organisations place significant emphasis on aligning research objectives
to the strategic intent of the organisation. Further, the efficiency of the process is
high on the manager’s agenda. A key measurement of the true commitment to
research, is the annual spend. Technology Top 100 winners are recognised by the
fact that they commit significant resources to the research process.
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Music: Scherzo (Mendelssohn)
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Excellence in the
Management of Technology
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The adjudication process probes deeply into the processes which an organisation
deploys in the management of technology. Of key interest are the processes
which are deployed to develop, implement and monitor the technology strategy.
A winning company devotes attention to the technology life cycle ensuring
that they have a healthy mix of Emerging, Pacing, Key and Base Technologies.
Fundamental to the effective management of technology are the tools deployed to
maintain and enhance competitive advantage. Technology Top 100 winners focus
on improvement of quality and productivity, higher flexibility, cost leadership and
new market exploitation.
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Music: Concerto for 2 trumpet (Vivaldi)
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Excellence in the
Management of Innovation |
Measuring the innovative capacity of the organisation embraces a spectrum of
quantitative and qualitative metrics. The adjudication process interrogates the
innovative capacity in three areas: Product, Process and Organisational. An
important indicator is the percentage of revenue generated from products which are
less than 3 years old. Further, the Return on Investment (ROI) from the innovation
process gives a good indication of the methods used to monitor the innovation
process. Innovation is linked to knowledge management and how the organisation manages the dissemination of information. Winning organisations are concerned
with integration and leveraging their effectiveness through strategic alliances, joint
ventures, outsourcing and partnerships.
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Music: Ke tswa hole (traditional kwela)
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Excellence in the
Management of People
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Winning organisations have recognised the critical role which people play in
enhancing their competitive dvantage. The adjudication process probes a number
of variables, in an attempt to gain an indication as to how organisations are able
to maximise the effectiveness of their employees whilst creating an harmonious
working environment. TT100 organisations are appraised on their value system
and organisational climate with the emphasis being placed on mentoring and
coaching. Issues relating to staff retention, staff training and development and
most importantly, how staff are incentivised and encouraged to become part of
the innovation process, are uppermost in the minds of management. Winning
companies do not pay lip service to their staff. They are measured in terms of staff
turnover, growth in the number of employees and the percentage of revenue spent
on training and development.
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Music: Radedtsky March
Sicilliene (Faure)
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Excellence in the
Management of Systems |
In a growing world of complexity, managing an organisation using a Systems
Approach is no longer a luxury, but an essential element if an organisation wishes
to be in the race. Emphasis is placed on testing the validity of the strategic intent,
applying basic systems thinking. These organisations spend quality time upfront,
debating the merits of new processes, products and systems, before making an
investment, changing the product mix, or even discounting. The culture that
pervades the organisation is one of constructive engagement and recognition that every person in the organisation, irrespective of their position, has an important
contribution to make. It is evident that these organisations are better prepared to
solve problems in a more elegant way and find that they have fewer fall outs due to
knee-jerk decision making.
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Music: Una poco voce fa (Rossini)
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Excellence in the Management of
Technology, Innovation and People |
Finalists in this category have been assessed in terms of their ability to manage
all four portfolios in an elegant manner. They are characterised through their
restlessness to constantly seek improvement. They are steadfast in measuring key
performance areas and have an intimate knowledge of their internal and external
environments. Management has a deep understanding of the business drivers and
are attuned to the need to keep on innovating to retain their market position. Year
on year growth is an important indicator and in all the portfolios there is evidence
of a sense of dynamism. They are fully aware of their core competencies and bolster
their shortcomings through partnerships and alliances.
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Music: Symphony no. 41 (Mozart)
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The 2007 minister’s award
for overall excellence |
The ultimate accolade for any organisation is to be accorded this award. This
organisation does not only deliver superior financial results, but displays all rounded
excellence. From the development of their strategy, to the way they interact with their
internal and external environment, the organisation displays an important attribute
in the form of a “fractal quality”. As such, irrespective of where you engage with
the organisation, the same rofessionalism and commitment to their stakeholders
will pervade. In addition to sound innovation management processes and a constant
re-evaluation of their market offerings, the overall winner addresses all the other
elements of Corporate Social Investment, Black Economic Empowerment, and
a growing international market base. Their growth is derived organically, and
through sound acquisitions.
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Music: Kgomo (Jonas Gwangwa)
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BUSINESS SECTOR NETWORKING
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Our current business reality demands of us that we are able to respond innovatively
and efficiently to market demands – JUST TO STAY IN THE GAME. Hence
much emphasis is being placed on collaborative partnerships in business.
Technology Top 100 recognises this imperative and wants to take this Award
opportunity to enable our SPONSORS, ENTRANTS and WINNERS to network
with fellow TT100 entrants.
Each name card is colour coded to reflect a business sector, for ease of identification
of participants, either in the same sector or in a particular sector you may wish to
interact with. Please make use of this opportunity by introducing yourself or by
requesting your Business Sector Host to assist with an introduction.
The finger dinner after the event will further facilitate this ‘meeting and greeting’
– merely look out for the required Business Sector colour of the food table and
migrate in that direction!
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SHARED KNOWLEDGE IS INCREASED KNOWLEDGE
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Partners in this Event for 2007 include:
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- University of Johannesburg
- Classic FM
- Chamber Orchestra of Johannesburg
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