Anheuser-Busch Briefing Center, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
1615 H St NW, Washington, D.C.
Registration and Breakfast: 8:00 a.m.-8:30 a.m.
BHQ
“In a dynamic world, there is no single way to approach an issue, and we must learn from one another in the process of trying to move the debate forward.” – Margaret Spellings, President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
The Business Horizon Quarterly (BHQ) is the Forum for Innovation's signature publication. Its purpose is to share informed insights on emerging issues facing the American business community. By asking questions like “what is growth?” and “what is innovation?”, the Forum aims to inform and to spur debate.
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BHQ Editions
March 18, 2013
March 15, 2013
By: John Raidt
The terrorist attack and hostage crisis in Algeria and the conflict with Islamist insurgents in Mali have spotlighted the security problems that bedevil troubled hotspots in Africa. Behind these tragic and troubling events, however, a more encouraging phenomenon is emerging—the breakthrough of Africa as a budding economic powerhouse and strategic trading partner. This development has the potential to reshape the global economic landscape, especially if spoilers such as insecurity, poor governance, and weak rule of law can be defeated.
Africa’s vigorous GDP growth and surging construction, investment, telecommunications, and retail sectors have seized the world’s attention. To put this stark turnaround in perspective, in May 2000 The Economist magazine called Africa “The Hopeless Continent.” Just over one year ago, the magazine’s cover had a quite different take on Africa, celebrating “The Hopeful Continent.”[i]
March 14, 2013
By: Bret Swanson
Several years ago, when our four children were ages five, three, and two, along with a newborn, we spent a lot of time at the doctor’s office. Way too much, in fact. We would detect an ear infection coming on, make an appointment with the pediatrician, bundle the four in snowsuits, load them in the minivan, and then unload, unbundle, and wait 45 minutes for the doctor to perform a three-minute exam. On perhaps a dozen occasions, the doctor told us the ears were fine—only for us to return, bundled, locked, and loaded, two days later with an unhappy child with an obviously full-blown infection.
The health care system didn’t reward our intuition. Tomorrow’s parents and children, however, may not have to endure two days, two visits, and two sleepless nights before getting treatment. They will have help from, among other things, their smartphones. Plug in a scope to your phone, peer into your child’s ear, and let your phone’s camera and an app analyze what it sees and senses. Amoxicillin to the rescue, without leaving the house.
March 11, 2013
By: Tom Vilsack
Technological breakthroughs have always been critical to the economic success of rural areas. Today, this innovation holds promise for the entire American economy.
Our farmers and ranchers have consistently found through innovation new ways to grow more with less. American researchers and agronomists are responsible for some of the most amazing and groundbreaking discoveries of the 20th century. And since the time of President Lincoln, we as a nation have found it important to support such innovation at the Federal level.
We are uniquely poised today to continue our traditions of innovation, partnership, and investment. To achieve this, we must understand the evolving importance of rural areas to our nation. As a part of that discussion we must recognize the willingness of Americans to innovate and adapt to changing circumstances. We must appreciate our potential as a society to further invest in new markets, and always be looking for new partnerships that translate innovation into business success.
A Productive Rural America and a History of Innovation
Rural America provides a great deal to all of us—an abundant food supply, clean water, renewable energy, outdoor recreation, and much more.