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:
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
