Ready or not, time marches on (Sorry about the dangling preposition, nothing else works)! Just when we began to feel that we had comfortably made the transition from the Industrial Age to the Information Age and its Telecommunication Highway, we are told to make way for the Creative Economy. Today, the Creativity Economy is a popular theme at many seminars and conferences that target professional audiences from a wide spectrum of expertise. It is not just a new way to talk about creative financing or how to turn ideas into money. It is the inevitable recognition that creativity is the new force spearheading the truly extraordinary changes in the world’s economy. In practical terms this recognition is an acknowledgement by the business community that its future successes are dependent on the generation of ideas and creativity. We are going beyond civil, structural and biomechanical engineering to a more Disneyesque imagineering, celebrating the incredible potential of the human mind.
In February, at a Senior Executive Orientation held at Nova Southeastern University, the panel presentation on the Creative Economy generated the most interest and excitement. My fellow panelists included: Elizabeth Wentworth, Film Commissioner for the Broward Alliance; Anthony Abbate, an Associate Professor at FAU and recipient of seventeen awards for excellence in design from the American Institute of Architects; and Mark Nerenhausen, President and CEO of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Elizabeth talked about the significant role of the motion picture and film in Broward County and its overall impact on us. The motion picture and television industry stimulates tourism interest and generates millions of dollars to our local economy through direct employment opportunities for actors, audio visual technicians, and the local construction industry (to make the scenery or remodel a facility) as well as for our restaurants and hotels. Anthony spoke on the importance of design as a critical component of new urbanism and a “green” and a sustainable living environment, such as we envision for our City. Mark stressed the vital role of the performing arts, arts and cultural organizations in society and urban development. He pointed out that the mission of the Center for the Performing Arts was to be a leader in promoting artistic offerings to our increasingly diverse community with an emphasis in fostering a cooperative spirit to positively impact the local community and economy (On a micro-level, we see that positive impact when we host student art recognition at City Commission meetings). I was selected to represent the City that is recognized as a leading model for successes in pursuing “green” and sustainable development in South Florida. The focus was to show how we are progressively translating theory into practice in our ambitious 400 acre “Creek Commons” project. While I did cover that objective, I wanted to emphasize that there was a larger and more important underpinning to our success and that is the three T’s.
Professor Richard Florida, considered to be one of the world’s leading intellectuals on the subject of economic competitiveness and cultural innovation, suggests that there are three cornerstones to the Creative Economy. The three T’s are: Technology, Talent, and Tolerance. Technology is an obvious building block. So too is talent. And while talent and technology have mutual attraction for each other, it is tolerance that provides the real synergy that enables the three to work so well together. An open culture attracts talented people to work for it. Apple and Google and Microsoft are prime examples but a work force doesn’t have to belong to an Internet giant to enjoy a positive and supportive work environment. It takes vision, determination, and trust. We are fortunate to have such an environment here and it is a prime reason that we have been able to attract and retain such a wonderfully diverse and multi-talented employee base. We will need all their skills and talents to prepare us for the future.
If Picasso had simply conformed to accepted norms he might have become a good painter. Instead he broke the rules and established himself as a great artist. In the business world, however, it is not enough to become successful. The challenge is to stay successful. To do that requires that a company have a vision and the willingness to adapt and, if necessary, reinvent itself. John F. Kennedy reminded us that “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future”. That applies to local government as well as to the business community. This City will change and must change. It is our responsibility to anticipate and plan for it. Our destiny awaits.
Slainte!