The Big Question - Is the Australian workforce creative and innovative?

The Creative Leadership Forum to-day launched a major on-line survey nationally with the purpose of answering the question "Is the Australian work force creative and innovative?

Recent surveys conducted globally by major consulting organisations all point to the importance of creativity and innovation as major economic drivers over the next 10 years. As global investment markets move quickly seeking well-educated, skilled and flexible work forces, those countries investing in creativity and innovation skills training will become highly attractive economies in which to invest. To determine whether Australia is on track to become one of those countries, the Creative Leadership Forum is asking respondents views on creative leadership, creativity and innovation and the vocational, educational and training experiences that have influenced their views on these topics. 

When questioned about the value of such a survey, Christopher Bell, CEO, the Leadership Consortium said "Creativity and innovation are the key factors that underpin the success of both developed and developing economies. Building on the ground breaking work of Richard Florida, Malcolm Gladwell and Daniel Pink, this nation wide survey will greatly assist Australian organisations, in both the private and public sector, in building the capabilities that will enable them to respond effectively to the challenges of the 21st Century". Jane Drake Brockman, Executive Director of the Australian Services Roundtable claims the survey will provide new insights into the drivers of innovation especially in the knowledge-intensive services sector.

With participating organisations including top 500 companies, some of Australia's peak industry bodies and State and Federal Government departments, it is expected that the survey questionnaire will reach upwards of 30,000 workers. The survey has been deliberately designed not to target industry or market segments, more to reflect the opinions and practices surrounding creativity and innovation in the Australian work force as a whole. "What is unique about this survey is its use of on-line technology to reach a mass audience very quickly to determine emerging patterns and attitudes around vital economic issues such as creativity and innovation. It has enormous potential to influence policy decision making in a profound way, particularly in areas such as executive education and training" says Dean Harris, Group Managing Director, of Synovate, one of Australia's leading market research organisations.

The answers to the survey will provide

• a clear understanding of how a good cross section of the Australian workforce understands and experiences creative leadership, creativity and innovation both professionally and personally
• an understanding of the perceived needs and requirements in the Australian economy for creativity and innovation executive education and training to meet future global investment needs
• a meaningful summary of the types and content of executive education and training programmes that the Australian workforce has experienced at the senior, middle and junior levels of organisations
• a blueprint for designing and developing executive education and training programmes on creative leadership, creativity and innovation that will have instant application for the common good and that will provide real value for the Australian economy in future years.

Click here to participate in the survey.