These are challenging times, a world in flux and with increasing complexity, which can no longer be met with linear solutions. And it is no longer just companies that have to initiate transformation processes and reposition themselves for the future, but also entire regions. Thus, with its Future Academy, the province of Upper Austria has set out to make the economic and living model of the people of Upper Austria fit for the future.
In order to achieve a holistic perspective that takes into account all subsystems and interactions, those responsible have brought on board an interdisciplinary advisory board, a Future Panel, including our team member Norbert Hillinger as a trend and innovation consultant. The initial meeting took place in June. The aim is to discuss future topics and analyze trends with experts from business, science and futurology. The spectrum is diverse and ranges from the topics of energy and sustainability, to securing skilled workers and new approaches in education, to digitization and technical innovations.
For the most part, these are the same challenges that most other regions in the D-A-CH area have to contend with, but they require different approaches to solving them depending on the region.
One topic at the initial meeting was therefore to define so-called “blind spots”. What needs to be considered specifically for this region, what should not be disregarded?
And probably the most important aspect for a successful transformation: How can we succeed in taking people along with us on this journey?
The answers to all these questions and challenges will be discussed and worked out in regular meetings over the next five years.
