blog - 2012

WORKshift gets a nod from the Martin Prosperity Institute

What do WORKshift and Richard Florida have in common? (Aside from general “awesomeness”?) This month the Martin Prosperity Institute (the world’s leading think-tank on the role of sub-national factors – location, place and city-regions – in global economic prosperity led by Richard Florida) blogged about telework . Specifically, the blog relates to how while Canadians are among the most creative labour forces in the world, we are lagging in productivity which will pose a long term issue for our countries sustainability and competitiveness. Not only that, the author argues beautifully (and accurately) that a lack of investment in ICT in Canada is in part to blame (and this despite our growing and impressive ICT industry). He then declares that a great example of the benefits of ICT investment is teleworking (of course, we knew this already which is why we have been investing in the program for 3 years!) Perhaps what is most exciting for CED however, is that the second half of the blog is entirely dedicated to WORKshift and Calgary as leaders in adoption of telework. He concludes with a call to action, asking Canadians to “get with the times” and telework. We have been reporting for the past year that Calgary (and telework) is at the “tipping point” and to see an institute like the one led by Richard Florida is showing such blatant enthusiasm for our program indicates the accuracy of our claims. If nothing else, this blog demonstrates that the WORKshift concept is here to stay, that the practice is a an urban strategy that thought leaders are taking seriously, and that its applicability is ubiquitous. I’m so pleased to see the word ‘Calgary’ associated with a blog that praises our investment in technology and innovative thinking- especially coming out of an institute based in eastern Canada. For those who don’t know, Richard Florida was just in Calgary for the Social Innovation Ideas Festival which is in and of itself exciting. To learn more about WORKshift, visit www.workshiftcalgary.com