...and a buzzword

The new buzzword in the business world is “innovation.” Every business venture, from start-ups to multi-billion-dollar corporations, is continually challenged to create something new and unique that will have financial value. Israel is a world leader of this philosophy for the many reasons that have been publicized and promoted by journalists and business analysts.

Innovation has also reached the academic world here. All the universities and many private colleges offer courses in innovation and entrepreneurship. Ben-Gurion University of the Negev was one of the pioneers in this field almost 20 years ago. At that time, there was no Google, Amazon or Facebook. Now each of these giants is worth more than the total value all the companies quoted on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange!

Innovation might even provide a solution or partial solution to the political problems in this country. The conflict between secular Jews and religious Jews on the one hand, and Jews and Arabs on the other, seems to be an insoluble problem. But nothing succeeds better than success.

By encouraging and facilitating all population groups to partake in the innovation ecosystem, the government might alleviate a lot the friction, and the country would be a lot richer. Something to think about!

ARNOLD BENGIS Tel Aviv

The writer is a long-time backer of BGU and was instrumental in creating its Bengis Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.