It’s a word that has almost as many definitions as it does applications: creativity. The Cambridge Dictionary calls it “the ability to produce or use original and unusual ideas.” According to Wikipedia, it’s a “phenomenon whereby something somehow new and somehow valuable is formed.” To Merriam-Webster, it’s simply “the ability to create.” Here at RBC, we consider it the marriage of novelty and value. But regardless of how you define it, one thing is clear: creativity could be the next ‘it’ skill of our time, critical to Canada’s economic prosperity in the decades ahead. This episode of Disruptors, an RBC podcast, is the first in a special, two-part series on the “Creativity Economy” in which we now find ourselves as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic accelerating technological and societal changes already underway due to the 4th Industrial Revolution. Join host John Stackhouse and co-host Trinh Theresa Do as they sit down for a series of conversations with a dynamic and inspirational array of guests including the CEO of Cirque du Soleil, Daniel Lamarre, Professor Ajay Agrawal from the Rotman School of Management’s Creative Destruction Lab, Kyla Lee from Vancouver’s Acumen Law, Sara Diamond, the President Emerita of OCAD University, and Gil Moore, drummer and vocalist for the legendary rock band Triumph, and founder of Metalworks Institute. Together, they engage in a thorough exploration of the importance of creativity, its role in business and innovation, and why it matters now more than ever. They also discuss which companies are fostering it well, what lessons we could learn from them, and how we can all inject a little more creativity into our lives. Be sure to check back for part two of the series, featuring conversations with Lululemon, Shopify, Ubisoft, I-Think, and more.
Click the following links to learn more about Cirque du Soleil and its creative process. You can find details on the programs and streams offered by The Creative Destruction Lab HERE, or visit the Rotman School’s page on the University of Toronto’s website. Acumen Law’s homepage is vancouvercriminallaw.com, and you can also follow Kyla Lee on Twitter @IRPLawyer. Learn more about the programs offered by OCAD University on the school’s website. Arrange a tour, or find details about the Metalworks Institute in Mississauga HERE. Theresa referenced a previous episode of Disruptors about NEXT Canada, and the next generation of Canadian entrepreneurs.