A Bigger Perspective Please for #BigIdeas2016

Did you read the big ideas post today? I did and I was disturbed by it. Yes, sleep deprivation is a problem, more industries will join the gig economy which is nice and yes, virtual reality might disrupt sports, entertainment. But what do these mean for 2016 where we are faced with a once-in-a-generation type of challenges and moral dilemmas.

Anyway, I went to read the brief from LinkedIn one more time and it says: Name the one innovation, social cause, business shift or event that you believe will define 2016. Tell us: What problem will be solved, or what industry will be disrupted by your Big Idea?

The brief is clear so I was figuring out why I was disturbed. I realised that while many of these ideas are great and amazing, they did not seem to take into account how they will shape or solve pressing global events and issues. Some challenges like the threat of ISIL are like tornadoes that are growing in strength and will sweep everything up in its path, affecting the way we live, work and play.

I believe LinkedIn is the perfect place to discuss the big ideas that can change the world into a better place. But to do that, we need to highlight the uncomfortable questions. So as you pen down your big idea for 2016, it might be good to take note of the issues that are coming our way where we desperately need big ideas. I have only listed a few so please add on:

1) Need a big idea for the largest refugee crisis since the 2nd World War

We now have the largest refugee crisis since the 2nd World War and our choice of either welcoming them or building new walls will affect our definition of human rights and may set dangerous precedents for global development. If you have time, take a look at this well-researched presentation by John Oliver. It is no laughing matter and a big idea is needed right now.

2) What will become of America's big idea as the land of the free if this man did win

Huffington Post initially treated Donald Trump as an entertainment sideshow. But when you have a candidate who has consistently held a poll lead among candidates of a leading political party then it is no laughing matter. So hopefully, someone is treating Donald Trump seriously before he brings about an early demise of America's big idea of a free world.

3) The world came together at Paris but who has a big idea to change our economic model of consumption

World leaders breathed a sign of relief that they could finally pose before cameras with arms raised to show that they have got a deal. But I am not convinced that we can solve the challenges of the earth if the goals of business are not designed towards sustainability. We need a seriously big idea to change our economic system that is currently based on generating more and more demand to buy the goods that are being produced in staggering numbers.

4) Who has a big idea for Facebook and Twitter as they deal with the implications of removing ISIL content?

Facebook and other social media platforms have recently stepped up their efforts to weed out ISIL content from their platforms which is great. This, however, puts them in a position of accountability which affects how they manage the platforms as neutral grounds. What are the implications of such a move and how will technology evolve to recognise hate speech or recruitment tactics. Whatever happens, once these platforms start to intervene more, expectations will rise, pushing them to do more policing and this will have implications for the business models of such companies and how we use them.

5) Who has a big idea to bring religions and governments together to confront religious extremism?

The topic of religion is always an uncomfortable one. But from the stalled peace process in the Middle East to the rise of fundamentalism within the major faiths, it seems timely for governments and religious leaders to come together and confront this issue. The task is urgent but the question is how. The current forums tend to have religious leaders appear as a sideshow when global leaders meet. But no substantive channel exists between political and religious leaders to discuss concrete actions to confront religious extremism.

6) What will happen to Obama's big idea of extending a hand to welcome pariah states into the modern world?

In 2016, three formerly pariah countries, Iran, Cuba and Myanmar will join back the global community. In just two terms, Obama has reshaped America's foreign policy and bring almost 150 million people into the embrace of the world community, giving them access to global development. But will this policy be a one-time wonder or will America sustain it? History has shown that when America was merciful to its enemies during the previous world war, it was richly rewarded. How this idea will play out, has implications for global security and development.

7) What is China's big idea?

At Paris, China was an ally to the US which helped to secure the climate change deal. But in South-east Asia, China has drawn red lines that it considers the entire South China Sea as part of its sprawling claim of sovereign territory. No one denies China's economic might and power but what kind of power will China become is the question. Will China reveal more in 2016?

There are many more big issues such as healthcare and poverty that will need big ideas to help solve them. I hope the next time, I get a summary of big ideas from LinkedIn, it will be ideas that will not just make us feel good but give us confidence that they can help secure our children's future.

Looking forward to that big idea of yours. 

About Consulus

We are a global innovation and design consultancy with business management and multi-disciplinary creative capabilities. Since 2004, we have helped companies, governments and non-profit groups achieve sustainable profit and growth by redesigning their organisations, business models and brand experiences. Our competitive advantage comes from the insights gleaned from reviewing companies in 18 cities throughout the Asia Pacific regarding their business and organisational models. Read about our PurposeCore programme if your organisation is looking for an effective transformation to meet the complex challenges of the 21st century.

Follow us on Linkedin and Facebook

Consulus is the convener for Shape the World Conference, a creative thought-leadership event aimed at providing design-led strategies to inspire companies to transform and shape the world. In 2013, Consulus launched the World Company Day initiative to inspire companies to shape the world creatively into a better place through daily work.

The Consulus Partnership is present in Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Italy, Argentina

About Lawrence Chong

He is the Co-founder and CEO of Consulus, an innovation consultancy with business management and multi-disciplinary design capabilities. He is a featured Speaker at global events such as World Marketing Summit and World Brand Congress. He served as the Immediate Past President of Design Business Chamber Singapore. His thoughts on Asian innovation and creativity appear in regional media such as Business Insider, Business Times, Marketing Magazine, Newsbase TheEdge and VTC10. In his personal capacity, he is a member of Religions for Peace and the Focolare, working for peace through dialogue among people of other faiths.