SLIM empowers inventors

Wednesday, 4 June 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) recently organised the Inventors’ Forum for the third consecutive year with the aim of developing the marketing skills of local inventors and enabling them to realise the full potential of their inventions to the world. The Inventors’ Forum 2014 was organised by SLIM trainings as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Inventors Commission (SLIC) and was carried under the theme of ‘How to market your inventions’.

A group of award-winning inventors were selected for this forum and were educated on the most effective methods of marketing their inventions by well-known marketing consultant and lecturer Tharaka Dias. They were also provided valuable information on securing the funds necessary to develop their inventions to international standards. Dias presented the technical program which enlightened the participants about obtaining financial support through Lanka Angels Network (LAN) and Venture Engine (VE) under a special program supporting Sri Lankan inventors. He also shared his knowledge on essential analytical tools and evaluation methods that are used in marketing, market segmentation, target markets and pledged his personal assistance to the inventors. SLIM President Kalana Rathnayaka stated: “It fills me with pride to see the impact Sri Lankan inventions have made on the world stage. Therefore it is especially pleasing that SLIM is at the forefront of empowering the inventors to carry their products to the market locally and internationally.”

SLIM Vice President Dhanesh R. Jayathilake participated at the forum as the Guest Speaker and commented: “Creativity and inventing is an asset a person can gain and SLIM helping these inventors through an annual Inventors’ forum is of great value to inventors, entrepreneurs and marketers alike. It is our duty to uplift their courage and creativity to the world. I would like to extend my fullest support to the entrepreneurs to assist them in realising their true potential.” SLIM CEO Sanath Senanayake said: “As the national body for marketing we consider it as our responsibility to uplift the marketing talents of Sri Lankan entrepreneurs and educate them by providing the necessary support and this programme is an important part of that vision.” Sri Lanka Inventors Commission Director (Duty Cover-up) Deepika Kahatapitiya noted: “I highly appreciate this program conducted by SLIM to familiarise the inventors in the subject of marketing. It is the area we conceive to be the most difficult that the inventors have to step into when they arrive at the product commercialisation stage. We hope to expose inventors to further programs of this type in the future in order to expand their knowledge in each aspect of marketing.” The inventors who participated provided absolutely positive feedback on the forum.

“The Sri Lanka Inventors Commission (SLIC) has gone beyond its traditional role of identifying and awarding the inventors by engaging all relevant parties such as venture capitalists and marketers who are stakeholders of the fruits of our inventions. This is a very encouraging trend and I thank SLIM and SLIC for contributing to the success of the program,” said P. M Sunil Premadasa Perera, inventor of floor system for dry and cold trucks. “The SLIM forum was awesome and provided us ample knowledge and courage to move forward and we look forward to commercialising our products. We are happy that SLIC and SLIM arranged this meeting about branding and marketing of an invention and suggest that it be carried out each year,” said M. Parthipan and R. Sujeevan, inventors of textured leaf protein.