I'm taken with this research from the folks at Atlas of Ideas about how Brazil has the potential to self-consciously develop itself further as an innovation economy. It sets out the current state of the state in Brazil, which has innovation in its DNA far more than I understood, and offers a projection of science and technology-based innovation there over the next 10 years. (I'm having a bit of a disconnect as I think about how the "B" has virtually fallen out of the "BRIC" conversation lately, and this research indicates maybe it shouldn't have.)
Because they underscore how critical communications and storytelling are to the heart of innovation, these two recommendations particularly resonated with me:
- (Brazil needs to) tell a new innovation story. Part of this process of engagement needs to be focused on creating a new national conversation about innovation. Brazil needs the confidence to write a new chapter in its innovation story...We heard earlier about the cynicism that still lingers from earlier attempts to write such a story--the techno-optimism of earlier periods giving way to a cynicism that "Brazil is the country of the future and always will be." Policy makers, NGOs, business leaders and academics need to confront that cynicism head on.
- Make the most of the global limelight. Brazil needs a stronger national "elevator pitch" to potential collaborators in science and innovation
Story as a driver of vision formation has been behind social change movements as well as business innovations over the years. Story can create possibility, leading to belief, and belief can drive actions. We've often suggested to our clients--"be the story you want to tell"--it's a more right-brain way of helping them organize their actions, think about other players (characters) and voices, and begin to move forward.