Queensland is on course to become Australia’s most digitally interactive state, opening up Government information and services for more Queenslanders, with the release of GoDigitalQld. Information Technology Minister Ian Walker said the Queensland Digital Economy Strategy and Action Plan mapped how Queensland would move ahead and stake its claim in the global digital market place. “This is about helping Queenslanders, particularly in rural and remote communities, to connect with their friends, family and broader communities, and to grow their businesses. It’s also about developing our local digital industry and creating a modern Queensland Government. “Developing the digital economy is integral to…

Nominations for the Hills Young Innovator Award are now open to outstanding achievers in the ICT industry under 25 years of age. The award recognises the most innovative ICT solutions and ideas with the greatest potential for impact in Mobile, Big Data and Cloud.  Cash prizes of $5000 are awarded to the winner in each of these three categories. Nominate here: http://ow.ly/y9Ymt Submissions close Friday, 1 August 2014.  Up to 15 lucky finalists will be selected and mentored by the industry’s top employers. They will work together to develop and refine their innovation or idea and then deliver a final pitch to judges at…

Most companies that live and breathe the online revolution are smart smaller firms that use online tools to run their core business better to cut costs, reach customers and suppliers, innovate and get more control. Many others, however, are falling behind, according to a new Grattan Institute discussion paper. If advanced online technology becomes the norm among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) - which employ two-thirds of private sector workers and contribute more than half of Australia’s private sector GDP - the productivity gains will spread through the whole economy. Businesses need to explore and exploit four online toolsets to…

Article by Paul F Nunes and Larry Downes As business costs are driven ever lower, some companies are creating disruptive products that, right out of the gate, are simultaneously better and cheaper than existing products. The upshot? Success for those who play by the new rules of strategy and competition - and disaster for incumbents who can’t adapt fast enough. Nearly everything you think you know about strategy and innovation is wrong. The most recent round of improvements in information technologies has changed the game once again, driving down costs and prices over time. The challenge now for innovators is…