Change, Leadership, and the Economy

Change is never ending, calling for us as individuals and our organizations to adapt - to be vigilant, to embrace innovation, and commit to continuous learning. Prosperity means adapting and whether your are leading an organization or profession, industry or government, family or just a student preparing for the future, the challenges have rarely been more daunting. Generative Ai as a recent disruptor is one example that we are continuing to test as we unravel the results of our recent survey. But there is more, much more.

Wanted - Managers Not Administrators. HERE  Hierarchial organizational structures - think government and institutions, are designed for administrators to maintain the status quo. They are designed for control, and resist innovation and change. To be nimble in adapting to change, organizations need to allocate decision making authority. Quoting the article "We are moving from an era of individual leaders to an era of networked leadership teams that steer the organization. The old hierarchical model of leadership is increasingly seen as an obstacle to meeting the complex demands facing today’s organizations." 

Anticipating a recession - Read on HERE World economic growth is slowing. The forecast recession when it arrives will be the most anticipated one in history. Supply problems are viewed as the cause of inflation, not unrestrained spending. The recent decline in inflation is attributed to the easing of Covid induced supply problems. So what is the problem? The economic slowdown is attributed to uniquely rapid increases in interest rates that have reduced bank lending and corporate investing. Also contributing are constraints on energy production namely oil and gas impeding growth particularly in the developing world - a supply problem. The forecast - "stagflation", an economic slow-down, but higher prices for energy - namely oil and gas.

Limits to Growth - The 30-year Update HERE The authors update their 1972 forecast that the world's capacity to accommodate growth is limited and that "overshooting" that limit would lead to a population decline. Worth a read on the unintended consequences of abusing the environment calling for considering "sustainablity" in investing and setting of public policy.

Developing an Innovation Ecosystem HERE The U.A.E. is committed to diversifying its fossil fuel based economy, building an Innovation Ecosystem including well-defined roles for local and international scientists, corporate sponsors, investors and academic research partners. It is a full-court press driven by a leadership determined to use national wealth derived from fossil fuels to prepare itself, and the world, for a future without them.

Who wants everlasting life? HERE  We've asked over and over again if people want to live forever and the answer is "No". The allure and elusive quest for immortality has no market. Yet the urge to "know", to research, is overwhelming and is attracting BIG investment.

Generative AI - cause for caution but no slowdown! HERE ChatGPT, OpenAI’s text-generating AI chatbot, has taken the world by storm. It’s able to write essays, code and more given short text prompts, hyper-charging productivity. But it also has a more… nefarious side. In any case, AI tools are not going away — and indeed have expanded dramatically since its launch just a few months ago. Here’s a timeline of ChatGPT product updates and releases and answers to the most common FAQs.

Each week in May we will be discussing and conferring with ChatGPT about the KEI Network's surveyed assessment of 20,000 contacts on the status of Alberta's economic resilience and the effectiveness of it's innovation ecosystem: May 11th - the Province and Regions, May 18th - the Industries and Professions, and May 25th Recommendations - just in time for the election May 29th. - [email protected]

WEBINAR Episode #2. Alberta's Economic Resilience and Regional Innovation

The status of the economy matters as the source of jobs and security, as does innovation contributing to economic diversification. The election campaign is underway and there is much talk of a pending recession BOTH may again be testing Alberta and it's Regions economic resilience and capacity to recover. This week's webinar will feature a discussion of the survey results assessing the status of - and progress in, achieving Economic Resilience and Regional Innovation for the Province and its Regions. The objective is to gain clarity, insight and explore recommendations.

Trevor Lewington will be the webinar's Commentator. He is the Chief Executive Officer for Economic Development Lethbridge, graduate of the Rothman School of Management - University of Toronto, with many years of executive leadership in the food processing industry and as a small business owner. Trevor will be serving as our Commentator. 

Webinar Invitation

11MAY23

Join us 4:00PM MST Thursday

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82390691947

WEBINAR Episode #1. What to ask ELECTION Candidates - about the economy

Last week's webinar Episode#1 of the Resilience and Innovation series, we discussed questions you - the KEI Network, posed for election candidates and the answers generated by ChatGPT4 and Bing on behalf of Alberta's NDP and UCP Parties. If you missed it - view the recording HERE  https://youtu.be/GUd4eYaxSwo Each of the 11 questions and a Summary were discussed. Print out the ATTACHED chart  for classroom, family, boardroom pre-election discussion. Get informed. The non-partisan session concluded with a Summary of the differences between the two parties:

• The UCP Party would cut taxes and regulations. The NDP Party would invest in public services and infrastructure.
• The NDP Party would support green and diverse sectors such as renewable energy, transit, broadband, and affordable housing. The UCP Party would boost key sectors such as energy, agriculture, technology, tourism, and minerals. 
• The UCP Party would reform public systems to introduce more choice and efficiency. The NDP Party would expand public health care to cover more services.
• the NDP Party would collaborate with other governments to find common ground and solutions that benefit all Canadians. The UCP Party would defend provincial interests against federal policies that are seen as detrimental.

Note. These are some possible key differences drawn from each of all the question Summaries. In this context, these differences generated by ChatGPT4 and Bing are not exhaustive or conclusive, and they may not reflect the actual positions or actions of the parties on various issues.

Comments? Questions? Ideas? Sponsors? Contact - [email protected]

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