Dubai: Ready to innovate; Ready to lead

Dubai has the potential to be the Middle East's leader in innovation according to some leading global innovators.

The extensive range of inspirational projects and pioneering developments that are taking place in the Emirate, from the world's tallest tower to the world's largest airport, highlight Dubai's bold, forward-thinking attitude towards innovation, setting it as the region's most innovative city.

"Based on a bold vision and devotion to encourage the growth of the innovation culture, Dubai is definitely emerging as a regional leader in innovation and creativity," says Malek Inja, the group chief Marketing Officer at Dubai Holding.

"What drives innovation in Dubai is the introduction of a number of government policies which allow and facilitate innovative ideas to fuel the growth of the economy."

"Innovation is all about taking risks, trying different models of innovation, exploring avenues and breaking down barriers. Dubai has been part of all of this. I can see that the mindset of Dubai now is one that is open to innovation, agile and adaptable," says Matt Kingdon, Chairman of ?What If! The Innovation Company. "Of course the visionary leadership of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al- Maktoum, has a lot to do with the emirate's readiness to lead the region's innovation future."

Kingdon stresses that in order to create an innovative culture within a society one should start at the top adding that leaders establish the spirit and drive required to innovate.

They therefore need to act as role models and streamline behaviors within their societies towards innovation by 'walking the talk.' "To promote innovation, what all leaders should hold is a passion to unremittingly communicate the vision and live the values," he adds.

Clive Grinyer, the European Director of Customer Experience at Cisco, agrees that leadership is the key to innovation. "To be able to lead, Dubai has to create a culture that places people at the centre of innovation, a culture that rewards creativity and gives the space to think, research and experiment. Dubai is a very exciting place that attracts talent and could be a hot bed for new ideas, services and innovation."

Although Kindgon, Grinyer and many others see Dubai as an innovative city, others claim that Dubai in fact 'buys' innovation - but that's not necessarily a negative. Rowan Gibson, co-author of Innovation to the Core, (written in close collaboration with Gary Hamel) states that "Whether you come up with a new idea yourself, or you pay someone else to do that, or you simply import an existing idea from another place, the important thing is that you are inventing ways to create value, and thereby wealth. Dubai is already taking the lead in the Middle East when it comes to innovation, and I am very excited about what we are likely to see over the next decade."

John Ford, the CEO of The One Centre, a world branding agency operating out of Sydney, argues that what sets Dubai apart from other countries in the regionis its ability to use its wealth to do something of itself.

"Dubai has succeeded in creating attractions and progressive projects and developments that are mostly unique in terms of their context. That is innovative. The decision to do what it has done is innovative. The rest is history."

Adrian Hayes, Dubai-based British corporate coach who recently became the 15th person in the world, and the fastest person in history to walk to the North & South Poles and summit Mt Everest, emphasizes that the reason why Dubai has a great deal of innovation is because the city has a 'can do' attitude in built into its whole fabric of society.

"It's true that money plays an enormous part in encouraging and prompting innovation. Dubai, however, has spurred innovation beyond its monetary foundations into an 'anything is possible' mindset.

I think Dubai would be in a good position to lead innovation in the Middle East if it continued to nurture and reward a culture of responsibility, empowerment and thinking outside the box."

Inja, Kingdon, Grinyer, Ford, Gibson and Hayes are part of the expert speaker line up at this years Management Innovation Forum produced by the team behind Leaders in Dubai.

The four-day event will cover both regional and international perspectives on management innovation and the challenges and trends in the current economic climate.

Taking place from the 22 - 25 June in Dubai, the acclaimed event will delve into cutting-edge strategies and practical implementation. The event is sponsored by Etisalat and AIS BrandLab.