"In the future, all companies will be technology companies." The Technorati leapt on this comment from Silicon Valley angel investor Marc Andreessen as further confirmation of the notion that 'geeks will rule the world'.
Actually the point is that we all need to become geeks of one kind or another. There's no opting out. Obviously not everyone will code in five languages – just as not everyone now can speak Italian – but ultimately we need to be prepared to adopt new ways of doing things smarter and faster than ever before.
The UK is doing better than most in staying ahead of the curve. The digital economy already contributes a hefty 8% to UK GDP, more than any other G20 nation. It's one of our biggest competitive advantages as a country, and a powerful fertiliser for the green shoots that are finally starting to appear in the economy. But it's going to get tougher to stay ahead. The digital economy is not predicated on more of the same – it thrives on innovation. So what can we do as a country to stay in pole position? And what can tech innovators do to succeed?
Focus on the small things
People often associate tech innovations with esoteric, status quo-shattering ideas. Really, all you need is a simple idea that can make our everyday lives a little bit easier. Three Over Seven is the latest tech startup that caught my eye thanks to Three New Things, our initiative to offer three digital startups mentoring with Richard Branson and a package of free business telecoms. The company makes printed-to-measure shoes by asking people to scan their feet with their phones. Using 3D printing, they then craft shoes that are an exact fit for your feet. For all those people with one foot bigger than the other, or who are just tired of the old-fashioned foot-measuring gauge in shops, this could make a huge difference.
Look beyond our small island
The ideas most likely to get the backing of big businesses are those that have an obviously scalable impact. Buffalo Grid, another finalist from our innovation search, provides solar-powered charging units for mobile phones, aimed at African businesses that live in off-grid areas. With around 750 million potential customers in Africa alone, this kind of idea could bring huge socio-political changes to the developing world. If the UK is serious about becoming an international hub, we need to we look beyond our own shores.
Recognise your strengths (and weaknesses)
Just because you're a high-flying tech entrepreneur, it doesn't mean you have to be an expert in everything. It's important to recognise where your strengths lie and not be afraid to ask for help where it's needed. Whether it's setting up a new office, introducing cloud services, or finding a smarter way for half of your employees to work from home, you need to hook up with the people that can make that happen sooner rather than later. This means you can play to your strengths and spend more time doing the things that really matter.
A braver new world
Yet most importantly, if Britain is to expand its tech scene – and it needs to – there's got to be stronger support from businesses in seeking out the new generation of entrepreneurs, finding those big ideas and giving them a platform to grow. Even as we edge our way through the recovery, many businesses are still reluctant about being the first mover – and they shouldn't be.
There's more at stake than the ambitions of our entrepreneurs – the UK must continue to build is competitive digital advantage. With the right advice and the right support, these digital innovators have the power to lead Britain's path to recovery, driving jobs and boosting GDP.
Peter Kelly is managing director of Virgin Media Business.
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