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Ambition key to success
A SENIOR figure from computer giant IBM has urged Yorkshire business people to be ‘masters of the game’.
Steve Wood, IBM’s vice president of strategy for UK & Ireland, said innovative companies would be the ones to succeed.
He was speaking to 400 guests at Friday’s annual dinner of the Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce at the Queen’s Hotel.
Mr Wood said: “We are in a new era of computer science – an era of new capabilities, complex ecosystems, new knowledge.
“In this new era all things will change, all businesses, all professions, all walks of life – and will do so for years to come. It will drive global prosperity. And we are not leading it. And we must. We must be masters of this game.”
He added: “The winners will not be those who merely weather the storm but those who truly grasp the power of the new era to leapfrog the competition.
“The winners will be those who pioneer new business models, who master collaboration, those who own the capital, who command the intellectual property, those with the power to make the strategic decisions.
“The winners will be those who inspire their home talent, ignite in the generations who follow the self belief to compete at the highest level – and to win.”
Nigel Foster, president of Leeds Chamber, was also positive about the future. He said: “If businesses are to be successful in achieving their ambitions then our city must also be ambitious.
“A creative and innovative approach to urban development can transform how the rest of the world perceives a place.”
He added: “If we are to attract investment, the brightest minds and the most ambitious businesses and entrepreneurs then Leeds must stand out.
“We share and support the council’s goal to make Leeds the best city in the UK by 2030 and we will work with them to attract investment and create a diverse economy in the city.”
yep.businessdesk@ypn.co.uk
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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