While private firms such as BT continue to work with the Scottish Government’s Digital Agenda to achieve world class connectivity in Scotland, Mr. Dick believes regional business communities can be too focused on using digital technology to outperform neighbouring counterparts to seize the opportunities it offers on a global scale.
BT is a partner in the Scottish Government’s Step Change infrastructure programme to deliver next generation broadband connections across the country.
Brendan Dick said: “If you look at the way and rate technology is changing the hard part for business people is understanding how it can be used to grow and develop their own enterprises. We know that organisations who are embracing technology do better in business and research has shown that if the rest of industry followed suit, the urban and rural economies could benefit by up to an additional 0.3% - 0.5% GVA growth per annum1.
“There’s certainly lots going on in business hubs such as Glasgow and Edinburgh to embrace new, digital technologies, however, the old rivalries that exist between these cities sometimes mean they are too focused competing with each other to see the bigger picture. It’s time to look beyond the borders of Scotland and the UK and channel this energy to succeed in a global marketplace.
“From Falkirk’s perspective, it is an area that prides itself in being at the heart of the economy in Scotland, but what’s to stop itself from thinking it’s at the centre of the international economy? The challenge is for the local business community to address this, using digital technology to help them evolve.”