COMMENT, New Zealand –A Gen-Xer, John Key, self-made man, has got the top job as leader of New Zealand. Read more from Tony Wright in The Age.
Trends in Generational Renewal.
It started in Australia. With an almost Gen-X Kevin Rudd, and a decidedly Gen-X Julia Gillard, as deputy.
One year later, it was Obama, in the USA, another Gen-Xer. And significantly self-made. Not another white man, son-of-privilege type.
Now came New Zealand, with self-made money-man, John Key. Like Obama, 47.
Politics still continues to alternate between left-and-right. With New Zealand Left making America’s Obama …

COMMENT, China — Chinese leadership in Beijing must be wishing the Olympics would come around soon.
The significance of these 8 good news stories, is that the Beijing government often signals it’s shift in strategic thinking, and engagement, by actions rather than rhetoric.

China’s actions indicate some possibly shift in policies, and increasing inclination in Beijing top openness.
Few understand, the significance of these events, except perhaps Australia Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, and some European Union heavyweights.
Lucky 8
Here are 8 (8 is, of course, lucky in China), mostly positive news stories (including one …

ANALYSIS, Australia — Tonight, in Australia, Wayne Swan as Australian Treasurer delivered the first budget of the new Rudd Centre-Left Labor Government.
The budget was solid, economically and fiscally-responsible according to ABC commentators like Alan Kohler. The budget was also politically astute, delivering on the promises made in the last election.

2thinknow Building Innovation Textbook
The budget read from the 2thinknow textbook on economic growth in challenging times, and nation-building of innovation cities and regions:
1) Infrastructure investment – ports, rail, institutions, broadband and roads
2) Productivity driven economics – childcare, flexible industrial relations, education
3) …

Rudd’s 2020 summit is a good idea, but will it fulfil its promise?

ANALYSIS, Australia – In the first 70 days of Australia’s new leadership, the 2thinknow assessment is that things look promising for innovation under new Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
The 2thinknow scorecard on Rudd and innovation is an 8 out of 10.

Why?
The main reason, is that unlike some politicians he is actually personally championing change. And it’s not change of ideology or dogma, but the sort of practical change Australia needs.
Shortly, I will list the 7 steps Rudd took towards innovation in the 70 days.
But first some background.
The Howard Year’s …

ANALYSIS, Australia — The significance of Kevin Rudd beating substantively John Howard as Australia’s leader cannot be overstated in terms of global politics.
Background for our global readers: Rudd is from the Left, although a moderate. Howard was from the Right, and part of a NSW branches of the Right that are increasingly moving far-Right, by Australian standards (although not yet Neo-Conservative).
And Australia generally prefers moderates and punishes radicalism.
The true significance of this win, has been lost on some commentators. Here’s why…

COMMENT, Global – When I say global I mean English-speaking countries, like USA, UK & Australia. Here there is a rise of info-tainment disguised as journalism.
As an example: In Australia we have a program called Sunrise. It’s morning current affairs, sort of – really more about social issues and controversy.
The 2 presenters are:
Koch: A balding ex-Finance guy, who started as a leading Finance guru.
Mel: And a parochial Canberra reporter who somehow can read an auto-prompter.
And a team of mostly nice presenters who get shuffled around like a deck of cards, …

ANALYSIS, Melbourne, Australia — We have to look at technology as something to utilize for a practical outcome.
Australia needs new ICT policies.
Why we don’t have an ICT Export industry!
According to the AIIA, domestic production of ICT is worth between 4 and 5% of GDP.
ICT exports were once around $7.8 billion per annum, in 2000, according to AIIA.
Now, under Howard, these have declined to $5.4 Billion according to Austrade.
There’s no reason we cannot more than double ICT exports in 5-10 years through government policy.
Canada is a country closes to Australia in …

COMMENT, Global – Today we are coming into a world where the ability to yell loudest counts for more than the structuring of logic in an argument.

Australia is having an Election on November 24. The rhetoric is thick and fast.
The Australian televised political debate, and subsequent wrap-up; has been full of the usual political shenanigans.

COMMENT, Global – 24/7 may be good for some individuals, but the majority of us still work some version of 9 to 5.
Our sleep and lives cannot help be impacted by the people around us who work night-shifts.
Society’s need some standards. Rampant individualism impacts the whole.
In last nights hotel I was woken by round-the-clock traffic not there 10 years ago.
At home, in the space of 3 years, there has been a rapid increase in the amount of traffic going to and from work at all hours. Our formerly quiet place …

COMMENT, Australia — Normally I don’t do this.
Make predictions, that is (in public, yet!).
However I am testing innovation models used for prediction. My innovation analysis though shows 3 likely outcomes for Australia.

(Photo by Ester Inbar )

ANALYSIS — I don’t like Left and Right. They are increasingly irrelevant to political elections like the US political race or Australian federal race.
Try engagement and inevitability as the key distinctions to examine elections.
In my time working for various government departments I could tell you some stories, but then the saying goes, I (or someone else) really would have to kill you.
But I can tell you as someone who has seen things first hand that Left & Right alliances, factions and segmentation are more about alliance and …