Evidence based validation in needs led innovation

Improving outcomes from investment in innovation through evidence based needs validation.

People, Process, Organisation and Technology. Providing consultancy, advice, mentorship, training and implementation support to assure clients achieve their commercial and strategic objectives.From taking new products and services to market, to business process re-organisation, Quarter Past Five aims to maximise client value.Combining the sectoral appreciation of the information technology sector with the experience of advising and supporting hundreds of new and growing businesses through both private and public sector business development, allows a structured process to assure delivery while also drawing on diverse tools and ideas to broaden the opportunities available to client businesses.

Delivering and developing workshops on the subject of digital marketing to assist small business' exploitation of digital and online information resources.Providing individual client consultancy on digital marketing, innovation, market entry, new product / service and business development.

Developing and delivering GDPR, Digital, Innovation and IP workshops as well as one-to-one support for businesses seeking to grow through exploiting their own capabilities to the fullest as well as exploiting the latest technologies for commercial gain.Delivered the Bright Idea Scotland Project, identifying commercial potential in inventive ideas from throughout Scotland, helping turn those ideas into realistic commercial prospects.Delivering consultancy services, advice, information and assistance to start-up and growing businesses alike through a variety of local, national and European projects.Business development.

Delivering the Bright Idea Scotland Project, identifying commercial potential in inventive ideas from throughout Scotland, helping turn those ideas into realistic commercial prospects.

Having established Quarter Past Five Ltd in 2003 to address the needs of clients in law enforcement for systems to exploit intelligence and communication systems, Quarter Past Five evolved to provide information management services as well as developing products in the digital sector. Completed business process analysis, process design/definition and product specification for an innovative mobile technology start-up business and mentored the business principal.Researched supply chain and contract management current best practice for a benchmarking exercise.Developed a product specification from inventor’s idea, carried out a parallel analysis process on the specification, in conjunction with the software engineer (Agile development) to refine the specification. Subsequently project managed the development and delivery of the fully operational sequential auction process website.Delivered market analysis and sales development strategy for a newly developed fragrance technology. Implemented sales strategy and delivered initial sales to target customers.Developed training and awareness programmes for IT users in financial services.Designed and project managed the development and delivery of a prototype bespoke intelligence gathering solution for the Metropolitan Police and US DEA.

Completed Technology Due Diligence on Scottish Enterprise client companiesS.E. Dunbartonshire; Aspirational Growth Programme, intermediary relationship building: Developing and delivering a marketing plan and assisting clients with development of their business plans

Investigation and reporting on communication link between different elements of the Scottish Justice systemCompleted requirements gathering and functional specification for a large, distributed high availability IT system. Working alongside the system architect as well as managing the project and translating the technical functional specification into a version which was understood by the non technically literate members of the client's personnelFunctional Specification of an athlete information tracking system for a sports funding body

Responsible for ensuring product development was directed towards market requirementsDrafting and overseeing technical documentationDevelopment and implementation of the product marketing messageLiasing with pressPreparation and delivery of product sales presentationsDevelopment and delivery of end user, sales and reseller training coursesProject management of conference participation

Co development of the NetIntelligence product from initial idea through to commercial productInterim manager of the software development team prior to recruiting CTO.Market IdentificationRaising venture capital (£4M on a £16M valuation)Business planningCompany and management team formation and personnel recruitmentIntellectual property managementResponsibility for the operation of every aspect of the companyStrategic management of the company along with other senior management team members.

Improved software development processes (particularly in project risk assessment and management), by maintaining and evolving the company’s ISO 9001/2 Tickit standard quality management systemEstablished and grew the password recovery function, turning an ad hoc service into a sales and service delivery process within the companyPioneered the introduction of intranet technologies to client businesses, as one of the earliest re-sellers of NetDynamics in the UK.Management and delivery of software sales and technical support functions

Developed, administered and delivered training courses including:• Marketing for Business Growth• The Entrepreneurial Graduate• Graduate Development: Developing Commercial skillsAssisted in SQMS (Scottish Quality Management Systems) implementation

Managed the product development / engineering design /manufacture project for principal productPursued patent application process liaising with patent agentsWorked on all aspects of raising start-up capital from numerous private and public sources (£145K)Established and ran all office processes, including the company accounting system

Completed research for a directory of R&D activity in ScotlandAdministered and carried out early stage participant assessments for The John Logie Baird Awards for InnovationAdministered Department for Trade and Industry “Technical Action Line” providing subsidised technical consultancy to small businesses