Ottawa: Leaders’ Views on Innovation and the Smart Community

Abstract

Eight CEOs of leading Ottawa companies were surveyed for their views on the ingredients that are most helpful in creating a commercially strong innovative company. All the leaders defined innovation in commercial terms: the addition of value to new or existing ideas, to redefine, improve, and create new opportunities. The key factors involved in success were identified as allocation of investment and resources, time, acceptance of calculated risk and failure, a clear and concise vision that is communicated, and the “right” people to create value. In addition to education and skill, these people needed initiative, judgment, creativity, curiosity, and the ability to apply and build upon knowledge and experiences. Ottawa’s leaders were unanimous in stating that innovation is not only affordable, but that it is impossible to move forward without being innovative.