Innovation across borders

T+D, Jan, 2003

It's no secret that innovation is a popular topic within organizations all over the world. Innovation is also on the minds of government leaders. As part of his agenda for "good government," President Vicente Fox of Mexico created an office devoted to quality and innovation, led by his chief of staff.

For the second year running, officials in that office hosted 6000 government managers at a quality and innovation forum. These managers learned from experts from across the globe about quality, digital or e-government, creativity and innovation, professionalism, and more. I was honored to accept an invitation to speak to a group of HR, IT, and line managers about "The Power and the Promise of E-Learning."

During the conference, President Fox recognized 59 units and agencies that had accomplished innovative projects or processes. During my conversations with the President and his staff, I was struck by how committed they are to incorporating quality, innovation, and e-initiatives into the work of all agencies. Plans are already under way for the third quality and innovation forum in 2003.

I also spoke to workplace learning and performance professionals--many of them ASTD members--in Germany and Australia during the past several months of 2002. I found that everyone is struggling with similar issues--tying learning to business results, doing more with less, understanding the skills needed for new relationships and partnerships at work, and measuring the ROI of training--no matter where they live and work.

What sets apart ASTD is our vast, global community of thought leaders who willingly share their knowledge and expertise. In every one of the events I've attended, world-renowned experts and ASTD volunteer leaders passed along their insights to government leaders, business executives, and workplace learning and performance professionals.

Next month, I'll travel to Japan to speak at HRD Japan 2003, to an audience of thousands of HR and training professionals. I look forward to helping extend the reach of ASTD's content and expertise once again.