The nature of innovation is changing at a pace unheard of in modern history -- it is now increasingly open, collaborative, multi-disciplinary and global. And to reap the benefits of this evolution, an organization's processes and practices must adapt.
Enter the Global Innovation Outlook (GIO), where we have opened up our technical and business forecasting processes to include external leaders from business, academia, the public sector, NGOs and other influential constituents of the world community. The GIO takes a deep look at some of the most pressing issues facing the world and works toward providing solutions to those needs.
Now in its second iteration, the GIO has significantly expanded its efforts to seek the most fertile ground for innovation and attention, and is continuing to work with a wide array of participants to identify potential projects and initiatives to change business, society and the world for the better.
In 2005 and 2006, the GIO 2.0 gathered 248 thought leaders from nearly three dozen countries and regions, representing 178 organizations across four continents for 15 "deep dive" sessions to discuss three focus areas and the emerging trends, challenges and opportunities that affect business and society:
- The future of the enterprise
- Energy and the environment
- Transportation and mobility
Rather than thinking of these topics in terms of established sectors or vertical markets, the deep dive sessions approached them as broad, horizontal issues that could affect virtually every enterprise and organization on the planet.
The fascinating insights from these discussions will be released in March 2006 at two GIO Innovations Salons in New York City and San Francisco.
This initiative represents something that is uniquely IBM: A combination of world-class technology leadership and deep expertise in business and industry. Deep relationships with a broad range of clients, governments, universities and other ecosystem members around the world. A willingness to elevate the dialogue around important issues and examine the broad implications for the world. |