Keynote Case Study: 14th Annual KIRA Awards — The Need For Speed Is The Need To Innovate

At New Brunswick’s 2012 Knowledge Industry Recognition Awards, futurist Jim Carroll challenged more than 300 technology and business leaders to think bigger as the pace of innovation accelerated.

The Need For Speed Is The Need To Innovate

A knowledge economy cannot rely on past success when technology cycles, skills and market expectations keep accelerating. Jim’s keynote made the case, simply: speed, scope, opportunity — the future belongs to those who are fast.

Six trends are shaping that shift.

• Speed. Innovation cycles are compressing. Waiting for the perfect moment can mean missing the opportunity.
• Scope. Technology-driven change is spreading into industries once assumed to be timeless and stable.
• Opportunity. Rapid change creates openings for regions, entrepreneurs and organizations willing to think bigger.
• Creativity. The market demands a higher level of creativity as products, services and expectations evolve faster.
• Knowledge Velocity. Technical knowledge ages quickly, raising the value of continuous learning and new skills.
• Innovation Culture. Celebrating innovators helps create the confidence and ambition that keep a technology ecosystem moving.

In a fast knowledge economy, innovation is not a ceremony, Jim told the KIRA Awards audience — it is the engine of continued growth.

It reframed an awards night into a challenge every honoree carried back to their own organization. Explore more keynote case studies.