As a “value-add” offering to the members of the TT100 community, Da Vinci will, from time to time, host interesting and useful workshops to keep participants abreast of the fast paced developments within the technology and innovation fields, as well as to give more insight into the thinking which goes into finding that special entity which is a “TT100” company.

Friday the 5th of June 2009 saw the "acorn of the TT100 Master Class oak tree" being planted!
THANK YOU to all who attended and for your participation and input. A particularly big thank you to Lorris Duncker and his team from Advanced Technologies Engineering Co. (Pty) Ltd for being such splendid hosts and fantastic tour guides!

Every year during our adjudication process, TT100 recognises that an opportunity exists to share identified, business process information with the entrants and to facilitate networking opportunities between like-minded people.  In recognising this need, the TT100 team decided to develop and host an ongoing series of workshops, through a vehicle to be called THE TT100 MASTER CLASS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION (TT100 Master Class). June 2009 saw the birth of the first Master Class, which was specifically focused on unpacking the TIPS model on which TT100 entrants are adjudicated. This model focuses on sustainability and the “Management” of Technology, Innovation, People and Systems, where:  

  T = using technology to enhance business performance

  I = how does your business create and manage the innovation space

  P = human/technology interface

  S = systemic thinking, the core of the model

In using the TIPS model, we strive to go beyond the historical financial data of entrant organisations and investigate “organisational ecology” (what companies do for their communities, environmental issues, public/private partnerships etc.). "Lessons Learnt" included some attending entrants being asked to briefly share their experiences. Brief comments were:

I-Slices: Kerryne Krause-Neufeldt
Took a redundant CSIR product and through sheer determination, made the product work in SA and globally.

Shield Technologies:Wayne Holdt
Intellectual property is the key to success on international levels.

Altech Netstar: Lee McFayden
Minimise risk through a rigid 'stage gate' decision making process.

ATE: Sakkie van der Westhuizen
Approach risk as a project and if the product is successful, only then will it be put into production.

DebTech: Nico van Zyl
Successfully extended their product range into a completely different field.

Feedback from participants tells us we are on the right track, BUT we know that our entrants are THE people who must keep us on our toes. Whilst we sincerely hope that the participants found the experience as fruitful as we did, we implore ALL entrants to share needs and ideas with us on future possible Master Classes.

The presentation, and some photos, from this first Master Class are available for your reference – do feel free to contact us is the event that you want further information.  Please also note the proposed future Master Class topics, although we do invite you to submit your suggestions for our attention!