Calling all Global Growth Companies

By Tim Brown*, Chief Executive Officer, IDEO, USA

At the inaugural Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian just five years ago, a new category of member was introduced to the World Economic Forum, the Global Growth Companies (GGC's). These fast charging, rapidly growing, future global companies with significant membership from Asia, Eastern Europe, South America and Africa have been haled as the drivers of the next generation of growth for the global economy.

While the Annual Summer Meeting has been a useful forum for GGC companies to come learn and network and regional meetings have been an opportunity to discuss more focused issues, much remains to be explored if this impressive group is to have the impact on the global stage that was forecast.

This year at Dalian there is the intention to initiate that exploration in a more serious way. Dialog will be happening around what it takes to create sustainable growth in the 21st Century. What are the pillars that must be addressed for fast growing companies to succeed? Can the GGC companies forge an identity based on innovation, talent and thoughtful leadership? As a community can the GGC's become far more than an annual gathering of CEO's and instead be a force for progress in the global economy?

As a member of the GGC community, I hope that this year will see a step up in the level of engagement from and with GGC members. I hope to see CEO's getting to know each other and discussing issues of growth and leadership throughout the week. I hope that as many GGC members as possible will attend the Welcome Reception on the evening of September 13th to hear about future plans for the GGC community. Finally I hope as many GGC CEO's as possible will attend the GGC Framework brainstorming session on Friday to contribute directly to the dialog we will be having over the next year.

I look forward to many interesting conversations and to meeting many other GGC members over the next few days.

*Tim Brown, Chief Executive Officer, IDEO, USA. He is attending the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions held in Dalian, China 14-16 September 2011.