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Enterprise Research Centre
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Podcasts
Creativity vs. technology
Creativity vs. technology: Professor Stephen Roper of the Enterprise Research Centre asks what really drives innovation Innovation is often associated with new technology, but Professor Stephen Roper argues that this misses much of what actually happens inside businesses. Innovation can be a new product or service, but it can equally be a better process, a different business model or simply a more effective way of serving customers. For small and micro-businesses, creativity and practical probl...
AI – The Future or a Challenge
Professor Stephen Roper of the Enterprise Research Centre asks what it really means for small businesses Artificial intelligence could be one of the biggest opportunities ever offered to small and micro-businesses. It can help write marketing material, analyse information, manage administration, improve customer service and automate repetitive jobs that consume valuable time. For a micro-business owner who may already be the managing director, salesperson, marketer, bookkeeper and HR departmen...
Educational gaps in Britain fostering innovation
Educational gaps: Professor Stephen Roper of the Enterprise Research Centre asks whether we are teaching people how to innovate Britain talks constantly about innovation, but are we actually teaching people how to do it? Professor Stephen Roper argues that education has a vital role in developing the creativity, problem-solving and entrepreneurial skills businesses need. Universities matter, but so do schools, colleges and particularly further education, which can connect practical skills direc...
The missing millions: why government innovation surveys overlook micro-businesses
The UK's principal business innovation survey does not include businesses with fewer than 10 employees. That means the innovation taking place across millions of micro-businesses is largely missing from this important source of evidence. Yet these businesses are constantly innovating: developing new services, adopting AI, improving processes, finding new customers and changing how they work. Professor Stephen Roper of the Enterprise Research Centre warns that excluding the smallest firms creat...
The importance of support for micro-businesses: P
Professor Stephen Roper of the Enterprise Research Centre asks whether help is reaching the firms that need it Micro-businesses may be small, but their potential contribution to innovation and growth is significant. The problem is that the smallest firms often have the fewest resources to turn good ideas into commercial success. Limited time, finance and skills can all stand in the way. Professor Stephen Roper argues that effective support can help overcome these barriers, but it needs to ref...
Innovation and Economic Growth A Complex Link
Professor Stephen Roper of the Enterprise Research Centre explores a complex link Innovation is routinely presented as the key to economic growth, but the relationship is not always straightforward. New products, services and ways of working can increase productivity, create markets and make businesses more competitive, but innovation does not automatically translate into growth. Businesses also need skills, finance, effective marketing and the confidence to invest. For micro-businesses, th...
Does government policy recognise the importance of small businesses?
Ian Cass, Chair of the Micro Business Alliance, asks whether the smallest firms are being overlooked Government talks constantly about growth, productivity and innovation, but are micro-businesses really being heard? Ian Cass argues that too often policy is designed around larger businesses, while the realities facing the smallest firms are overlooked. Micro-business owners are dealing with regulation, tax, skills shortages and rising costs while simultaneously trying to find the time to inno...
The Future of Innovation - an ERC Podcast
Innovation isn't just technology The innovation myth: Why Britain is overlooking its most creative businesses Most people think innovation means science, technology and AI. Professor Stephen Roper explains why that definition is wrong, why creativity matters just as much as technology, and why innovation is essential for productivity, exports and economic growth. • What innovation actually means • Innovation versus invention • Why creativity is innovation • The role of service innovation • Why i...
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 2025 : 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐲
Visit Resource2025 was another challenging year for the UK’s small businesses and those working to support them. As we look ahead to 2026, action is needed to raise confidence, increase innovation activity and address the pressures that are constraining small business investment. It is also vital that decisive action is taken to ensure the long-term stability of the small business support landscape, which continues to be under severe pressure.
This report pulls together key research for all those seeking to understand how to better support the UK’s small businesses to achieve their full potential.
🔴𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦 𝘪𝘯 2025
🟢𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘵𝘩, 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵
🟣𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮 𝘐𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯
🔵𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘔𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨
🟡𝘜𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘳𝘰-𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴
Download the full report and infographic at https://lnkd.in/eF-v49Dq
Vicki Belt ,Stephen Roper, Mark Hart ,Jane Galsworthy ,Department for Business and Trade, University of Warwick - Warwick Business School Innovate UK, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, British Business Bank, Intellectual Property Office UK
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