Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/83317
… The Earth's mass is constant. What makes up that mass, however, is in constant flux. That change, and how we manage it, is the essence of innovation. The Earth's mass is constant. What makes up that mass, however, is in constant flux. That change, and how we manage it, is the essence of innovation. In 2003, Florida invested more than $300 million to lure Scripps and other life sciences giants in hopes their labs would attract others and a cluster of researchers would transform an economy long based on tourism and agriculture. In 2003, Florida invested more than $300 million to lure Scripps and other life sciences giants in hopes their labs would attract others and a cluster of researchers would transform an economy long based on tourism and agriculture. a "We made a good start, but we have to realize this is a long-term proposition and keep rearranging those elements. Florida needs an innovation mindset at every level … from the labs of life sciences leaders to private labs in companies as diverse as Siemens, IBM, Lockheed Martin and others, to institutions like Moffitt to the research centers throughout our university system," says FRC's Sullivan. "That takes a broad constituency and ongoing investment," Sullivan contends, "and that is why we've partnered with the Florida High Tech Corridor Council to launch FloridaIS … a campaign to enlist and engage Floridians in an all-out commitment to make Florida the Innovation State. A core characteristic of innovative economies worldwide is excellence in a broad spectrum of higher education disciplines to include traditional liberal arts, business, law, science, technology, engineering and math. This excellence powers an innovation economy with exceptional creative talent and new recipes for higher value, sustainable combinations of the earth's raw materials." "We made a good start, but we have to realize this is a long-term proposition and keep rearranging those elements. Florida needs an innovation mindset at every level … from the labs of life sciences leaders to private labs in companies as diverse as Siemens, IBM, Lockheed Martin and others, to institutions like Moffitt to the research centers throughout our university system," says FRC's Sullivan. "That takes a broad constituency and ongoing investment," Sullivan contends, "and that is why we've partnered with the Florida High Tech Corridor Council to launch FloridaIS … a campaign to enlist and engage Floridians in an all-out commitment to make Florida the Innovation State. A core characteristic of innovative economies worldwide is excellence in a broad spectrum of higher education disciplines to include traditional liberal arts, business, law, science, technology, engineering and math. This excellence powers an innovation economy with exceptional creative talent and new recipes for higher value, sustainable combinations of the earth's raw materials." The Florida Chamber of Commerce Foundation's "Florida Scorecard" ranks the state's economy on "the metrics that help Florida leaders secure Florida's future," including talent supply and education, innovation and economic development, infrastructure and growth leadership, business climate and competitiveness, civic and governance systems, and quality of life and quality places. The Florida Chamber of Commerce Foundation's "Florida Scorecard" ranks the state's economy on "the metrics that help Florida leaders secure Florida's future," including talent supply and education, innovation and economic development, infrastructure and growth leadership, business climate and competitiveness, civic and governance systems, and quality of life and quality places. Of 15 indicators measured to gauge innovation and economic development, a third have declined, including high-tech industry growth, venture capital, entrepreneurial activity and trade exports. Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush said it well: Of 15 indicators measured to gauge innovation and economic development, a third have declined, including high-tech industry growth, venture capital, entrepreneurial activity and trade exports. Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush said it well: "If Florida wants to attract the high-wage jobs needed to be more competitive, the state needs to adjust to rapidly changing technology and to press hard on education. That requires the business innovation that allows entrepreneurs to look ahead. "If Florida wants to attract the high-wage jobs needed to be more competitive, the state needs to adjust to rapidly changing technology and to press hard on education. That requires the business innovation that allows entrepreneurs to look ahead. "Create an environment that can adjust and adapt to what the world is five years from now, 10 years from now – I think that is incredibly important. What exists today won't exist tomorrow," said Bush. "A focus on diversity, I think, is important." "Create an environment that can adjust and adapt to what the world is five years from now, 10 years from now – I think that is incredibly important. What exists today won't exist tomorrow," said Bush. "A focus on diversity, I think, is important." Become a part of the Innovation Solution. Join with us at www.FloridaIS.org. Become a part of the Innovation Solution. Join with us at www.FloridaIS.org.