Conclusion

It has often been said that information is power, and this is especially true in the networked world of the twenty-first century ”but only if we can turn this information into innovation.

In the emerging new economy, we can no longer consider innovation as only a corporate convenience ”it must become a key core competency. Success in the networked world of the twenty-first century will only come from competing through continuous corporate innovation.

In the Industrial Age, the new technologies of mechanical power greatly enhanced our physical capabilities, and we were able to use entirely new manufacturing methods to produce more, better and cheaper products. This totally changed the world in which we lived and worked, and greatly improved our standard of living and quality of life.

Today we are in the same situation. The new technologies of the Information Age have greatly enhanced our mental capabilities, and we are able to think in totally different ways, to produce more and better ideas. Just as we had to change our ways of manufacturing to grasp the full potential of the Industrial Age, so we have to change our ways of thinking to grasp the full potential of the Information Age.

We need to develop and coordinate all of the strategies outlined above if we are to create the corporate culture that encourages diversity of thought and generates a spirit of innovation. The right egological environment in an organisation will develop and promote the enthusiasm , motivation and passion that drive successful innovation.

The potential is there in all of us to build and cross our mental bridge into the future. All it takes is a change of mindset, and a change of mindset is free of charge. We can t trade-in our brains , but we can change our minds!

Tips for creating a new mindset in the networked world

1. What is your future?

   You now live and work in the totally new world of cyberspace . Your future will be totally different to that of the past. What do you want it to be?

2. Your future, your choice ”you choose

   The future you will have tomorrow depends on the decisions you make today. What vision have you chosen for your future? Without a vision you have no direction and with no direction you are lost before you start.

3. The best way to predict the future is to create it

   Create the future through your values, vision, and proactive strategic innovation and you will lead the change that creates the future.

4. Think with imagination about the future and its possibilities

   Learn about the future and use your imagination to develop a panoramic picture of its many possibilities.

5. Innovation is the practical application of imagination

   Turn your imagination into reality through innovation.

6. Consider the simplicity of complexity and the significance of insignificance

   Don t be overwhelmed by information overload, speed of change or size of organisation. Look back from the future of your imagination. By adopting a long- term panoramic perspective, you will see how it all fits together and where you fit in.

7. Wisdom is combining hindsight with insight to create foresight

   Decisions about the future require foresight and wisdom, not statistical proof and scientific thought. Wisdom is having the foresight not only to do well and but also to do good; not only to do things right, but also to do the right things.

8. You can t trade in your brain, but you can change your mind

   We all possess a huge amount of unused mental potential that the networked world will allow us to unlock. All you need is a change of mindset . . . and a change of mindset is free of charge!