52 July 2012 www.bahrainthismonth.com Creativity at work can often hit a roadblock, muzzled as it is by the established systems, processes and policy procedures at the workplace. However, the difference between a successful and an unsuccessful entrepreneur can often boil down to innovation, believes Osama Al Khajah, founder of Ebtikar Association, the first society dedicated to innovation in Bahrain. Osama became familiar with entrepreneurial stories in Bahrain around 15 years ago while he was working at Bahrain Development Bank (BDB). The insight he gained into the concerns of young entrepreneurs and their challenges inspired him to look for solutions. “I am convinced that innovation makes the difference between leaders and followers. I also realised that there is an acute need to enhance innovation programmes, especially at the level of students and young entrepreneurs in Bahrain. Students usually complete a project before graduation, often aimed at solving a problem, which then gathers dust on the shelves at the university for years — a classic example of how good ideas die. At the same time, thousands of identical business ideas are vying for space in the market, which is not feasible,” he notes. Ebtikar Association was formed earlier this year with a view to develop innovation in Bahrain through events, programmes, advocacy and projects to coordinate efforts and enhance cooperation. The association’s 13 founders are all seasoned professionals who have come together to work in their personal capacity. Through its strategic alliances with Arab Science and Technology Foundation, UNIDO, Tamkeen and the Project Management Institute (PMI), Ebtikar hopes to involve all stakeholders in Bahrain in an exploration of the challenges and opportunities in the sphere of business innovation. The Association will farm ideas by organising a National Innovation Strategy Roundtable in July, and its outcome will be submitted to the Economic Development Board. Osama has other aspirations for Ebtikar as well. “Innovation is a necessity and not a luxury for Bahrain. We'd like to see a national innovation fund set up in Bahrain to fuel this phenomenon. We want to foster original thinking and new ideas and watch them translate into new businesses,” adds Osama. “Also, we want Bahrain to be linked to sources of technology overseas so that applied technology can be transferred and localised here through joint ventures between investors and technology owners.” Simi Kamboj Ever wonder why good ideas tend to meet a premature death, while thousands of similar business ideas swirl around in the market, all waiting to fail? businessentrepreneur xxxxx I am convinced that innovation makes the difference between leaders and followers. I also realised that there is an acute need to enhance innovation programmes Osama Al Khajah Ebtikar will also establish an innovation ecosystem project that will guide students and entrepreneurs to gain better understanding of all components of the existing eco-system. It plans to hold frequent events such as the Youth and e-Commerce Forum to support technology-related initiatives. Osama maintains that Ebtikar should not be confused with organisations such as Tenmou and The Firm, which are working to facilitate entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship in Bahrain. “Each of these agencies have their own place and they are all doing good work, but there is a need for capacity building to develop innovation. Also, there isn’t sufficient mentoring for budding entrepreneurs and we hope to be active in this sphere,” he observes. Promoting ideas Nurturing Creativity
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