BIF-4 is Here!

Posted by Chris Flanagan on October 14, 2008

All of the storytellers at this week's BIF-4 Summit share an irrepressible and near infectious trait - a passion for what they do. Over the next two days, we’ll hear first-hand accounts of what it takes to challenge the norm, resist tradition and drive innovation.

Time is precious and many of us just aren't in the position to travel the country and attend conferences. BIF-4 is different. Someone asked me recently why he should attend the summit. My answer is this: All too often, in both our personal and professional lives, we find ourselves playing defense. We defend our position, we defend against competition, we defend our intellectual property. Today, we're defending our economic livelihood.

Innovation is on the offense - it forces us to look outward. It depends on complex, continually changing streams of relationships and information; it breaks down barriers, silos and disciplines to deliver real change and big time value. BIF-4 is a rare opportunity to leave the confines of our nest and spend some time meeting crazy fascinating people from all walks of life. It's about the power of developing and nurturing interpersonal relationships. All company pitches and new product ideas are checked at the door. And don't expect to hear much of anything around business process either. BIF-4 is about great people telling great stories. That’s it.

Since I’m a sucker for well-written conference recaps, and not everyone in our community is able to attend this week, we’ve assembled a group of amazing bloggers who will help capture the stories and experiences here at BIF-4. Each is an experienced and insightful innovation practitioner who also wields a mighty pen. BIF bloggers include:

• Marty Baker of Creativity Central
• Erica Driver and Sam Driver of ThinkBalm
• Laura Fitton @ Pistachio Consulting
• Renee Hopkins Callahan of Innosight
• John Winsor of Cultural Radar

If there are any attendees out there planning on blogging the summit, please email me and I'll be sure to include links to your blog.

And finally, this year we're also twittering the conference. Please join us at twitter.com/bif4