Creating the blue ocean - in stead of finding it

Posted: November 17, 2010

It was the Danish government according to CEO Peter Straarup of Danske Bank, who saved the banks from complete meltdown ( blog). It shows that a strong public sector can save even the banks and that the governments can allocate money, demand, innovation, and jobs the way they want it. With two strong governments in the Øresund Region we can create the blue ocean.

If we have the courage and the ambitions we could act together in setting high demands for areas like agriculture, energy, public transportation, healthcare etc. Let us use Øresund to build more than a bridge.

Regions all over the world are in great competition. Catalunya has 15 embassies around the world to attract business places; in Shenzen, China offices from different regions in Europe are trying to get their part of the Chinese growth, and there is not a city, region or country which do not have an incubation environment and a Cleantech plan. And China keeps growing.

But we in the Øresund Region have one thing in common with China. We have strong governments that can set the goals for the industry and the people. But opposite China we are small and fast to adapt new technologies and demands. That is an advantage in the ultimate test; the market for B2B and B2C.

So let us use this in creating demands and laws that will force the industry and science to follow and develop.

Let us use the tax income to pay for Danish and Swedish companies and universities, and make the people use their adaptability to consume. But Blue Oceans turns Red; this means that we have to be fast. Let us be fast!

In 2020 we are going to have the most advanced spallation accelerator in the world, ESS, and for once we are ahead, but I am concerned. If we want to attract and retain skilled people we should start now, not in 2 years. We need to start educating people, and we need the sufficient resource base to do so and before 2020. We should start in elementary school. We should build now. If China in 2013 wants to build an even better ESS, they will succeed in doing so. So we really have to make sure we have to talent and knowledge in our region and to keep it here.

That also means creating the best scientific environment for scientist and their families. If we want to create the best, we have to have access to the best. Let us already now start in primary school to make the children aware of how to work with science instead of X-factor. Let them feel the thrill of exploring and creating.

I know nothing of what is best, but I know that if we put people together and aim for the highest standards for what should happen in Denmark and Sweden, we would be market leaders immediately.

As an example I will point out a few areas where we can be world leaders and some examples of milestones to incorporate in future laws and demands:

- It is forbidden from 2012 not to build houses that solve the following problems:

• Energy leading energy back to the grid
• Water for drinking, water for household
• 100 % recycling
• Etc.

- 85 % of all expenses in hospitals is going to chronic diseases

• We will use larger percentage to prevent instead of curing

- Recycling – this is going to be the most important area in the world

- Energy containing, and consumer managing, night prices etc.

- … and a few other places, where we can make a difference

These demands will create a market that other regions and countries have to follow, because they have the same problems as we have. And we have the money to do it. Of course it should be the Scandinavian countries who are first to stop using money on war, military etc., which is a waste of materials, science and human life.

So let us start now involving our schools in science; let us hype the creative people and remember one thing – there goes one Einstein, Bohr, and Curie for every 100 years and it would be a big mistake not having them here. It was a Danish professor Lene Vestergaard who stopped the light, but it was at Harvard and next time it should be here.

David Stray Jørgensen

Project Manager

5te & 5te Unit

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