Leaders Presents bring the world's best to promote innovation-based growth in the Middle East

Although ranked as the 14th most innovative country in the world according to the World Global Innovation Index 2007, the UAE was the only Middle Eastern country on the list.

In a world that links competitiveness and growth with innovation, what are the barriers to innovation in the region? How can leaders create a culture of innovation in their societies? Is cash enough to drive innovation? Can countries in the region innovate at par with global innovation leaders?

These questions and many more will be answered during the 'Management Innovation Forum,' which will be held for the second year in Dubai from the 22nd to the 25th of June. The forum,- organized by the team behind Leaders in Dubai - will focus on how companies from across the region can drive growth and profits through innovation.

The forum will feature a variety of world famous business leaders including Tom Kelley, Kjell A. Nordström, Matt Kingdon, Mehmood Khan, Clive Grinyer, Adrian Hayes, Rowan Gibson and Stefan Jenzowsky in addition to Malek Inja from Dubai Holdings and Simon Ford from Blue Banana. The speakers will highlight a number of truly revolutionary and innovative management styles and explore the latest concepts being discussed worldwide including; disruptive innovation, sustainable innovation, collaboration and co-creation. They will also cover a number of topics ranging from how to manage, drive and integrate innovation into business and how to 'think' innovatively and build innovation into resource management.

"In today's competitive global environment, regional companies wanting to keep ahead of the curve know that innovation is fundamental to winning and retaining both customers and employees," Purva Hassomal, Conference Director. "Although businesses are recognizing the role that innovation plays in achieving financial success, they still need to be more open to the radical change that innovation can bring. Change is never easy for individuals and companies alike. People and organizations must be prepared to take more risk."

According to a 'Leaders Management Innovation' survey conducted by the Leaders Presents team last year, 77% of companies in the Middle East had implemented innovative business solutions in the last two years. 58 of the companies surveyed said that they encourage a culture of business innovation and 44% of these companies added that they have a department dedicated to handling innovation.

As part of the activities leading up to the forum, Leaders launched an innovation challenge to develop an advertisement concept for the Forum. For the second year, a team of students from the Visual Communications Department at the American University Dubai (AUD) won the challenge. The 30-second advert, which utilizes stop motion photography, will be soon aired on both BCC and CNBC Arabiya.

The Management Innovation Forum is proudly supported by its Telecom Partner, Etisalat, and Associate Sponsor AIS BrandLab.