Since its inception, SIRDC has demonstrated its capability to fulfill its obligation to the Zimbabwe society through its enduring mission: to assist the local and regional industrial sectors in developing and sustaining viable enterprises through innovative research, development and technological services to these sectors and other stakeholders. With my recent assumption of duty as Chief Executive Officer of SIRDC, I pledged to support and continue with its agenda. SIRDC's Vision: to Convert Ideas into Commercial Successes

Chief Executive Officer

The ideas and innovations that have emerged from the Centre since its inception are very impressive. In keeping with SIRDC ’s agenda, and considering the current state of affairs in Zimbabwe, the Center's primary driver is now to convert these innovations into commercial successes. This means we need to engage ourselves in product development and commercialization.

We cannot afford to ignore the reality that product development is one of today’s most critical business processes. Forward-thinking organizations are moving aggressively to make the right choices to improve innovation and product development.

Importance of Product Development and Commercialization

Product development is an innovation engine which can drive profitable growth for our national industry. It is a long-term cost reduction lever. Nowadays, organizations without a high performing product development and commercialization drive are significantly disadvantaged. There is no doubt that the product development environment is more challenging now than it was a few years ago. The imperative of bringing new products to market at ever-shorter intervals is driven by multiple factors, all interwoven with increased competition occurring in many industries. Globalization, communication, and rapid changes in technology are all factors in the increasingly competitive climate. The capacity for innovation plays a critical and probably dominant role, and as such SIRDC is in the process of setting its self up with the necessary financial and human resources to achieve this goal.

Tools

The adopted business approach will be anchored by the Stage Gate Process which places emphasis on team work, culture of effective communication, rapid product development, market assurance, financial independence and excellent compensation for employees. It also places emphasis on value generation. The Center has also crafted a 3-year strategic plan that emphasizes "reduction to practice" of technological interventions and resultant products and processes. The business approach will also follow and factor Zimbabwe's pressing economic needs. Thus every product developed by the Center will have a Stage Gate team backed by a thoroughly prepared business plan. Production plans, separate or integrated; market plans; sales plans and process flow maps will be other tools though they may be incorporated into business plans.

Even as we are in the process of acclimatizing to our new vision, plans are at an advanced stage to set up manufacturing plants and sales offices first in Harare and, later in the year, selected strategic locations around the country.