Issue 9: Ever wonder how people from around the world view innovation in the spa and wellness industry?

Steinhauer Thomas 150x150 Issue 9: Ever wonder how people from around the world view innovation in the spa and wellness industry?In preparation for the upcoming Global Spa and Wellness Summit (GSWS), which will take place in less than 45 days in Aspen, Colorado, registered delegates are asked to submit short briefing papers on exactly that topic. Each two-page briefing answers five questions and is aggregated into a printed report that each delegate receives at the Summit. (Each briefing can be viewed on the GSWS website beginning in June.) Continue reading

Issue 8: What is Disruptive Innovation?

Question for the week:
Is “incremental” innovation superior to “disruptive” innovation?

debate Issue 8:  What is Disruptive Innovation?The “debate” about “incremental” versus “disruptive” innovation in this issue of the Economist is an excellent read and well worth your time this weekend.

Here are a few thoughts from the debates’ moderator, the person arguing that “incremental” innovation is superior and the person arguing that “disruptive” innovation is superior. We hope it helps spark your interest. Continue reading

Issue 7: A Quick Intro to Pinterest (an Innovation)

ShelleyBerc AlejandroFogel 150x150 Issue 7: A Quick Intro to Pinterest (an Innovation)Shelley Berc and Alejandro Fogel are the founders and directors of the very popular Creativity Workshop, which is exactly what it sounds like: a workshop on creativity. They conduct these programs all over the world (the duo is currently in Prague, followed by Dubai). Last week, they were in New York, and I was fortunate enough to be a participant in one of their workshops. Shelley and Alejandro will be joining us at the 2012 Global Spa & Wellness Summit in Aspen this Continue reading

Issue 6: Top 10 Most Innovative Companies

stevejobs1 Issue 6: Top 10 Most Innovative Companies

Check out the “Top 10 Most Innovative Companies”

In the last Weekender, we looked at two Top 10 lists of the most innovative COUNTRIES. There were some differences between the World Economic Forum’s and INSEAD’S lists, but there were also many similarities. Continue reading

Issue 5: Did you know each country has an “innovation” score?

globalcompetitiveness Issue 5: Did you know each country has an innovation score?

Innovation: it’s just as important to countries as it is to businesses and organizations.

For countries around the world, innovation can be a central driver of economic growth, development and jobs.

Did you know each country has as an “innovation” score? The World Economic Forum’s 500+ page “Global Competitiveness Report 2011-2012” ranks 142 countries according to a variety of factors such as “Innovation and Sophistication Factors.” The “Global Innovation Index” by INSEAD (an international graduate business school and research institution) is a collaborative document exceeding 300 pages that ranks 125 countries.

Take a look at these two top 10 lists. Can we learn a thing or two from these countries? Do they also excel in health and wellness innovation? Or in hospitality innovation? Which countries are the most innovative when it comes to spa? (A point of discussion planned for the Global Spa & Wellness Summit this June in Aspen, Colorado.) It’s all up for discussion this weekend. What do you think?

World Economic Forum’s “Innovation and Sophistication Factor” ranking 2011-2012Top 10:
1. Switzerland
2. Sweden
3. Japan
4. Finland
5. Germany
6. United States
7. Israel
8. Denmark
9. Netherlands
10. Taiwan (China)
INSEAD “Global Innovation Index” ranking 2011Top 10:
1. Switzerland
2. Sweden
3. Singapore
4. Hong Kong (China)
5. Finland
6. Denmark
7. United States
8. Canada
9. Netherlands
10. United Kingdom

Check out these reports in more detail:

World Economic Forum’s “Global Competitiveness Report 2011-2012″
In 500+ pages, the word innovation is used 1022 times. Wellness is mentioned once.

“Global Innovation Index” by INSEAD

This report covers 125 economies, which account for 93.2% of the world’s population and 98.0% of the world’s Gross Domestic Product. Talk about comprehensive.

You talked TED. We listened. And made a list.

In the last issue of the Weekender, we asked about your favorite TED talks. Check out who your peers are watching:

Judy Chapman, Wellness & Spa Curator, Karma Resorts
Thandie Newton’s Embracing Otherness, embracing myself
Shawn Anchor’s Happy Secret to better work

Sallie Fraenkel, EVP – Corporate Development Relations, SpaFinder, Inc.
Nigel Marsh’s How to Make Work-Life Balance Work
Peter Diamondis’ Abundance is Our Future

Jesper, Managing Director, Serena Spa Pvt. Ltd.
Paul Gliding’s The Earth is Full

Farida Chettab Brouwer, Managing Director, Salamander Lifestyle
Jane Fonda’s Life’s 3rd Act

Adria Lake, Founder, AW Lake Spa Concepts
Itay Talgam’s Lead like the great conductors

Krishna Walker, Owner, Krishna Blu Body Studio
Jill Bolte Taylor’s A Stroke of Insight

Diana Mestre, Mestre & Mestre
Bunker Roy’s Lecciones de un Movimiento de Descalzos

Sylvia Gonzalez, Manager, Miami Life Center
Simon Sinek’s How Great Leaders Inspire Action

Jess Grippo, Employee at Mac
Alisa Vitti’s Loving Your Lady Parts as a Path to Success

Jeremy McCarthy, Director, Global Spa Development and Operations
Neil Pasricha’s 1000 Awesome Things
Matt Ridley’s When Ideas Have Sex
Dan Buettner’s How to Live to Be 100
Daniel Kahneman’s Experiencing Self vs. Remembering Self

Michael Bartura, East West Learning Centre, Singapore
Sir Ken Robinson’s Bring On The Learning Revolution!
Simon Sinek’s How Great Leaders Inspire Action

Lori Hutchinson, Hutchinson Consulting
Brene Brown’s The Power of Vulnerability