The 'i' word - innovation. Everybody is talking about it, but what does it really mean?

When asked, a lot of businesses have a tendency to shy away from describing themselves as innovative.

“My business? Innovative? But I’m not a technology company...”

Certainly for many, the concept of innovation is intrinsically linked with technology, but is that really what innovation is about?

Talking to different people, it seems to me that, in its broadest sense, innovation is about moving forward, not standing still. It’s about improving, not resting on your laurels.

It’s about progress: learning new things and looking at how they can best be applied to deliver maximum benefit.

It’s about being open to doing things better, more effectively, more efficiently, which means that “innovation” is a concept that is relevant to every business that’s looking to survive, thrive, grow and develop.

The Psychological Advantage programme here at York St John is a good example. The programme, which applies psychological theory to key business issues to increase efficiency and effectiveness, has taken existing expertise within the university and applied it to business practice, to great effect.

So, let me ask the question again: are you working in or running an innovative business?

If so, your region needs you. As part of the Innovate York programme, the SCY innovation team is mapping innovative organisations in the Yorkshire area, with a view to creating a snapshot of innovation in the region and its ambitions for the future.

The aim is to harness the innovation that is taking place across all sectors in all parts of Yorkshire to find new and better solutions; from improving the way local authorities procure work from the private sector through to looking at enhancing the quality of life of elderly people who are keen to maintain independent living.

You can find out more and take part in the innovation mapping project by visiting the SCY website, and I would urge as many businesses as possible to get involved to help build a picture of innovation in the region.

I’m looking forward to seeing the outcome of the project. I think it will prove what many of us already sense from our experiences of doing business in this region: we are an innovative business community and a force to be reckoned with.

What I hope it will ultimately deliver are greater opportunities for sharing best practice to the economic benefit of the region as a whole.

• Sue Reece is Pro Vice-Chancellor (Development) at York St John University