Incorporating a supportive and consistent culture for innovation into the business framework was the central theme at the fifth edition of INSEAD’s Global Business Leaders Conference held at Abu Dhabi’s ‘Jumeirah at Etihad Towers’ hotel earlier today.
Under the patronage and presence of H.E. Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman, Department of Transport and the presence of H.E Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, with support from the Abu Dhabi Education Council, INSEAD, one of the world’s leading and largest graduate business schools, brought together top industry executives and innovation experts to act as keynote speakers and panelists on a C-suite roundtable and media forum.
Citing UAE 2021 Vision and Abu Dhabi 2030 Vision as prime examples of innovation incorporated into strategy for the country’s future and long-term economic security, H.E. Al Nahyan said, “Talent institutions can play a prominent role in supporting the UAE’s drive to build a knowledge-based 21st century economy where talented and well-educated manpower plays a great role. Further to establishing world-class academic facilities, the government has made huge investments to grow economic sectors such as technology, engineering, avionics, energy, healthcare and also in preparing future generations to lead businesses. The private sector is also contributing to this diversified economy in its own way.”
In his address to the conference, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Yousif Baniyas, Executive Director and Higher Education Advisor, Abu Dhabi Education Council, emphasised the educational backing required to drive innovative thinking and leverage capabilities for positive change. “There is a need for the system to recognise, respect, and reward creative grassroots innovation,” Baniyas said, noting, “Proper education and empowerment can enable the conversion of ideas into reality, combining real-world technical skills with aspects such as capital management.”
Speaker, Liri Andersson, founder of global business and marketing consultancy, ‘this fluid world’, used powerful examples spanning regions, industries and brands to highlight the ways and degree to which digital innovation is transforming business, organisations and customer engagement.
For innovation to have the maximum impact ongoing collaboration is vital, Andreas Jacobs (MBA’90D), Chairman of INSEAD, Chairman of Barry Callebaut AG and Member of the Board at Jacobs Holding AG observed. “This conference provides a crucial impetus that can inspire entrepreneurship potential to manifold growth. I am certain that the best—practice examples, groundbreaking operating models and success stories on offer will motivate the next big enterprise or startup.”
Ilian Mihov, Dean of INSEAD, Professor of Economics, The Rausing Chaired Professor of Economic and Business Transformation, INSEAD agreed. “Knowledge sharing is a key contributor to innovation. Through this conference series INSEAD is shining a light on organisations and inspirational figures who have made a positive change in the world.”
Currently part of an international research project on the Millennial generation, Henrik Bresman, Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour, Academic Director of INSEAD Global Leadership Centre, spoke about how Millennials from the region can set themselves apart from the rest of the world and use this differentiation as inspiration. The project results so far have found that 76 per cent of Millennials from the region aspire to be leaders, against the global average of 69 per cent. How well companies understand and develop this Millenial talent and the innovative thinking they bring will influence their success in the future.
