Once again, Information Today, Inc. has incubated a book that meets a need. Reading it is almost like attending one of its conferences—all the best speakers in one place. Creating a collection based on the theme of innovation risks two things: being too shallow or being too visionary. Either results in a nice read, but does little to point readers in the right direction with explicit advice and views you can use. You, however, are holding a book that is the culmination of a timely, brilliant concept and the hard-earned insights of its stable of contributors. Some advice: Read these chapters in any order. This book is the perfect airplane or commuter standby. After you’re finished with it, recommend it to others; pass this book around.
Books like this are meant to be more than read. They need to be experienced. Plan now to make the ideas in this book take flight. Pass chapters around and use them as launching pads for lunchtime brown bag discussions. There are no right answers. We do know, though, that the wrong answer is ignoring the potential changes in our world and not delving into the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities,and threats. Using the ideas and insights of these authors to have informed discussions at your shop is like creating your own 16-week mini-conference.