Are we successful innovators?

We had an interesting discussion about this the other day at the business school. One interesting theory is that NZ is such as nice place to live there is not much motivation to succeed beyond the 3 B's:  'Bach', 'BMW' and 'Boat'.

I'd also add BBQ! especially 8+ burners :D

That is at least the received wisdom.  Economists bemoan theapparent lack of drive among our entrepreneurs that sees them relax once they have got the car, the boat and the batch.  Another way of looking it at the issue is that NZ entrepreneurs become content at a rational level of income and do not feel compelled to work towards ever-greater financial success.  That may not do a lot for GDP, but that simply underlines what a narrow measurement of a nation's health this is.

Some enlightened economists like Umair Haque challenge the traditional view of 'value' http://www.methemedia.com/archives/346 This changes the conversation completely..

Thanks for referring Umair,  Fantastic presentation David.
here are some of the notes I took relevant to healthcare:
1. Tomorrow is today - moving from exploiting resources to renewing: Health is a renewable resource and disease is an exploitable condition (with due respects to the industry :) . Investing in health is building resources for tomorrow. Can we innovate ways to move people from merely being "not ill" to "being well" and enjoy greater resilience?
2. People not product - moving from tyranny to democracy: Pills and procedures are not the only way to manage health. Involving patients in collaborative decision making, moving from autocratic prescriptive approach to democratic participation, assisting patients to access information, shared learning and self care. Can we innovate new ways to activate positive engagement?
3. Creativity not productivity - moving from profit to meaning: Is it enough to make PHOs and DHBs more efficient or can we think more creatively to leverage other existing resources? E.g.is it only healthcare system that is responsible for stopping risk behaviour? What about involving community elders, self improvement groups, religious, ethnic, spiritual and cultural resources? What about efficient infrastructure, environment, equitable and sustainable ways of living?
You can add more to it..
Cheers