“In the mid-late 1970s, intangibles was 17% of the S&P 500. Now, it is over 91% and climbing.”
Over the past few decades, we’ve seen a new kind of economy emerge—one that has been borne out of and continue to be driven by innovation and digital transformation.
As our global economy continues to shift its focus from the tangible assets (machinery, equipment, etc.) to those more intangible (ideas, intellectual property, etc.), governments and policy makers around the world have put significant effort in developing plans, frameworks, and investments into harnessing and commercializing the ideas, insights, and intelligence of its people to provide the world with solutions to some of its biggest challenges.
So, as the focus on innovation intensifies and countries are ramping up their support of innovation-focus strategies, how well does Canada’s approach stack up?
As the former CEO of Research in Motion (Blackberry) to now leading several organizations solely focused on developing and supporting a strong innovation culture within Canada, Jim Balsillie knows a thing or two about innovation.
On the episode, Balsillie joins host Adam Legge to break down innovation—what it is and what it isn’t—and how Canada can whip its innovation program into shape and become a major player in a world of intangibles.
In this episode:
- Innovation vs. invention and technology
- Shift from a tangible economy to an intangible one
- Canada’s policy environment for innovation
- Marketplace frameworks
- Intellectual property and privacy
- Competition and anti-trust
Resources mentioned:
- Institute for New Economic Thinking
- Council of Canadian Innovators
- Centre for International Governance Innovation
- Centre for Digital Rights
- CIO Strategy Council
- Opinion: Jim Balsillie: Liberal privacy bill fails to curtail surveillance economy or protect Canadians
- Submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology
- Ocean Tomo Intangible Asset Market Value Study
About The Brief
In this series, co-hosts Scott Crockatt and Brittany Brander explore the big challenges we face as Albertans; celebrate stories of growth, innovation, and prosperity; and discover bold ideas to make life better for Albertans.
Check us out on social media
Twitter: @BizCouncilAB
Facebook: @BizCouncilAB
LinkedIn: @businesscouncilofalberta
YouTube: Business Council of Alberta
