Distillation

The final session for the day was facilitated by Dr Richard Hames.

The aim of the session was to give shape to the insights and ideas that emerged during all sessions of the conference.

A free flowing conversation between facilitator and delegates helped to give substance to the three key areas of inquiry

1. Infrastructure

2. Culture

3. Capability

Please click here for a downloadable sound file of this session

Afternoon Open Space Sessions

The afternoon program comprised of a series of open space dialogues. Delegates broke into groups self-selected on the basis of the questions being tackled.

For a sound file on the summary of the first series of conversations, please download this file

Click here for a downloadable file for the second series of conversations

Click here for a sound file of the third session

A written summary of some of the many points recorded during the open space sessions can be found here

Plenary Dialogue

At the end of the interactive and panel discussions, Richard Hames Invited delegates to identify issues that had emerged during the morning's sessions.

The issues formed the basis of a series of 'open space' discussions in the afternoon
sessions.

For a summary of the main questions raised please click here

Innovation and People Capability

Thought leader Tom Bentley  - Executive Director for Policy and Cabinet, Department of Premier and Cabinet Victoria - led a discussion of the 'people' element of innovation.

He was joined by Brenda Read - General Manager of the Hunter Business Centre and 2006 Telstra New South Wales Business Woman of the Year (Community and Government)  - and Grant Kearney  - CEO, InnovativeXChange Network and Fast Thinking Magazine.

For a written precis of Tom's major point, please click here
Click here for a recording of Tom Bentley's address

Brenda Read's contribution to the discussion is here
Click here for a written summary of Brenda's talk.

Click here for a sound file of Grant Kearney's presentation
A written summary of Grant's comments is here

A recording of the Question and Answer Session can be found here

Innovation Economies

Professor Roy Green, Dean and Professor of Management at the Macquarie Graduate School of Management, led the post-break discussion on the topic ‘Innovation Economies’

Professor Green set the scene by posing the question, 'Australia. What lies beyond the resources boom? Let’s enjoy, but also prepare for the future'  

He suggested that there is much potential to to learn and adapt 
from successful overseas models of innovation.

Joined by Terry Polkinghorn, Executive Director of REDcentre and Gus Balbontin, Production Manager of the Lonely Planet, a lively conversation ensued around a number of case studies
on the development of an innovation base in the countries studied

Listen to a recording of Professor Green's presentation here
For a written summary of Roy Green's points, please click here

For a sound file of Terry Polkinghorn's comments please click here

Click here for a sound file of Gus Balbontin's contribution
A written summary of Gus Balbontin's comments is here

Leadership and Innovation

Following Dr Hames’ setting the context of the day’s proceedings, the first of the ‘Thought Leader’ sessions got underway.

Thought Leader, Heather Ridout (CEO, Australian Industry Group) lead the session with a panel members Steve Wood (CEO, Tennis Australia) and Professor Andy Smith (Professor of Human Resources Management, Director Development Charles Sturt University Centre for Organisational Performance, Ethics and Leadership) on the topic of 'Leadership'

PLease click here for a synopsis of Heather Ridout's points.

For a sound file of the Heather's address, please click here

For a sound file of Steve Wood's contribution to the discussion, please click here

Professor Andy Smith's points are available on a sound file here

Setting the Context: Dr Richard Hames

Conference facilitator Dr. Richard Hames outlined the context of innovation in a globalised economy and introduced a series of challenges to those present.

"We are together here today at what we hope will be a defining moment in the future direction of our country - a day when we put our heads together to determine what must be done to reclaim our pre-eminence as one of the world’s most innovative economies."

The conference is divided into two parts. The morning session featuring a range of thought-provoking panel discussions and interactive conversations between specialists and delegates.

The afternoon session is devoted to adding flesh and focus to the major topics emerging around the morning conversations - to explore the topics and develop emergent themes.

At the end of the day, a draft manifesto will be produced that outlinines the ideas and actions that delegates really believe will make a difference in promoting a culture and practice of innovation in Australian industry, government and business.

Click here for a sound recording of Richard's presentation

For a full transcript of Dr Hames' presentation please click here

Conference Opening: Thursday March 2nd, 2007

John Vines, the Chair of Innovation and Business Skills Australia welcomed more than 100 invited contributors to the conference. In giving an overview of the conference, John stressed, "We have targeted participants for the conference so as to tap a broad range of industry, government sector and business insights."

The purpose of the conference, he said, was to "Gain some strategic outcomes from our conversations today that will inform IBSA's future strategic approach."

The conference offer a great opportunity, he said, "To distil industry's views, not only about skill requirements, but also about business drivers and the infrastructure necessary to support 'innovation economies'."

"This high-powered gathering of thought leaders and delegates allows us to capture the essence of what needs to be done to enable a culture of innovation to flourish in this country"
John introduced an opening address video from the Minister for Vocational and Further Education, the Honourable Andrew Robb AO, MP.

Please click here for a sound recording of the address.