Michael Nelson

The world has seen less than 20% of the impact potential of the Internet. The Cloud is the third phase of the Internet and will be even more disruptive–and powerful–than the World Wide Web. How can companies harness the power of the Cloud? What are the key technical, organizational, policy, and cultural challenges they need to address? For almost 25 years, Michael Nelson has been shaping the evolution of the Internet and helping businesses and governments realize its full potential.

Innovation is much more than just invention.  It requires much more than just a good idea.  It requires finding new ways to combine existing ideas, products, and services into something that customers (or citizens) will want.  Organizations that foster innovation foster collaboration between employees with different backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints.  They provide the information infrastructure and tools needed to “harness the wisdom of crowds” and tap into the knowledge scattered throughout the organization.  They motivate employees, encourage life-long learning, and encourage them to take risks inherent in trying new things.

There’s evidence that America may be losing its edge and that its “innovation engine” is sputtering.  What can be done to address these problems?  What can organizations do to foster collaboration and innovative thinking?  What are the obvious (and not-so-obvious) barriers to innovation?  How can countries adopt policies that will provide the building blocks of innovation?  What can individuals do to promote innovation among their co-workers and colleagues?

Dr. Nelson’s perspective on innovation has developed over the last 20 years:  5 years on Capitol Hill, 4 years at the White House, a year and a half at the FCC, almost 10 years at IBM, and the past four years at Georgetown University.

Never before has the pace of change–particularly technological change–been so rapid.  And never has the impact of technological change been so profound and pervasive–for businesses, for governments, and for individuals.  How can leaders, managers, and others prepare for such an uncertain future?  What can we learn from forecasts made in the past?  How can  techniques such as scenario planning, Delphi polling, prediction markets, and, even science fiction, help us define and prepare for possible futures?  Dr. Nelson has spent almost 25 years studying and shaping the evolution of the Internet.  Over that time, he has made several successful forecasts about the growth of the Internet and potential impact.  Today, he teaches students at Georgetown University and Kent State University on forecasting tools and techniques.