How Chicago embodies the ideals of innovation
Tonight's awards honor the people who make it all come together
Monterrey, Mexico -- where I was working recently with a client on product innovation strategy -- is a city striving to establish itself as the "city of knowledge," a city where economic growth is a result of innovation through an alliance of the city and its businesses, academic and government leaders.
It struck me that Chicago and its surrounding region are the embodiment of that goal and the spirit of innovation that will be celebrated at the Chicago Innovation Awards tonight at the Goodman Theatre.
This region has much to celebrate when it comes to innovation. Our business and nonprofit sectors are constantly growing and changing, adapting to new technologies and new challenges. The results are new products and services that have a direct impact on our daily lives.
We've been known for generations as the city of broad shoulders. Today, we should call Chicago the City of Innovation.
As a co-founder of the Chicago Innovation Awards, I am privileged each year to honor and recognize many of Chicago's best and brightest businesses and nonprofit organizations. Some of the honorees are large, well- established companies. Others are smaller firms. Some, such as the Abbott RealTime HIV-1 Assay and the m2000 System, are high-tech. Others, such as the reinvented Radio Flyer Ultimate Family Wagon, are decidedly low-tech.
The awards remind us that innovation in this region cuts across the economy, so that we are not overly dependent on the success of just one sector. Recognizing the importance of innovations such as Chicago's Green Alleys Program reminds us of the vital role the public and nonprofit sectors play.
I am not alone in my perception of Chicago's inventive spirit. Mayor Daley has proclaimed the week of Oct. 21 to be Innovation Week in Chicago. He recognizes that the development and implementation of new ideas and new ways of doing things leads to increased business activity and economic growth.
As he did last year, Mayor Daley will meet personally with the 10 Chicago Innovation Award winners.
This recognition of innovation reflects the work of individuals as well as their firms.
Mario Rebello, Janet Kennedy and Shelley Stern at Microsoft, Surinder Kumar at Wrigley, and Charles Carey at CME Group are long-time supporters and sponsors of the Chicago Innovation Awards. Their companies recognize and benefit from innovation in the public and private sectors.
On Wednesday, Microsoft will host its Innovation Day at Navy Pier, and the following day the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and World Business Chicago will focus on the implementation of innovation during their day-long Innovate Now Forum at Navy Pier (www.innovatenow.us).
So join in the innovative spirit that is swirling through our city this week. Reflect on what you and the place where you work can do to advance innovation in the city and this region.
Innovation can start with a single good idea. It can grow into a process that we call the Innovation Mindset. Be among those who take the initiative to generate new businesses, products and services. Help us spread innovation even deeper into the roots of Chicago's culture. It will be part of the effort that goes into the strong and steady progress of this city and region that we call home.
Thomas D. Kuczmarski is name partner at new-product consultancy Kuczmarski & Associates, and a co-founder, with the Chicago Sun-Times, of the Chicago Innovation Awards program. He can be reached at tkuczmarski@kuczmarski.com