water

Global Water Thought Leaders Meet in Washington, D.C.

Posted by Constance Ward on November 11, 2013   |   Comments Off on Global Water Thought Leaders Meet in Washington, D.C.

speakers at american water summit 2013Thought leadership in the water industry was on full display at the fourth annual American Water Summit, organized by Global Water Intelligence (GWI), from 5-6 November 2013 in Washington, D.C.

Several hundred global water leaders attended sessions with US mayors and other elected leaders, Environmental Protection Agency and US Army leaders, trade association leaders, industry specialists, venture capitalists, private equity analysts, etc.

Highlights of the full water conference can be found in this “Top Tweets” list from the Twitter feed #aws13.

On the night before the conference, a CEO-level roundtable dinner was sponsored by GWI. Christopher Gasson, publisher of GWI, welcomed about three dozen members of the Global Water Leaders Group (GWLG).

William Muhairwe, head of the GWLG and former director of the Uganda water utility, opened with a comparison of operational performance of utilities with that of an airline. Both try for perfect performance and public safety depends on that success.

Among the goals of this particular roundtable dinner were the following:

*to provide a networking opportunity for thought leaders in the industry *to create a body of influence for promoting and communicating the value of water *to debate ways to improve operational performance among utilities

For further information about the Global Water Leaders Group and the findings from its qualitative research, click here.

Are you as a thought leader concerned about communicating positive messages about your operational performance? Ask, assess, then act. We’re here to help!

 

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Top Tweets from American Water Summit 2013 in Washington, DC

Posted by Constance Ward on November 11, 2013   |   Comments Off on Top Tweets from American Water Summit 2013 in Washington, DC

Continue Reading…

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Global Thought Leaders Tackle Tough Water Issues

Posted by Constance Ward on November 23, 2012   |   Comments Off on Global Thought Leaders Tackle Tough Water Issues

Global Water Leaders Group LogoOn the eve of the American Water Summit, about 40 global water leaders met in Chicago on 13 November 2012 to discuss how best to communicate the value of water to the public. The CEO-level roundtable dinner was sponsored by the renowned trade publication Global Water Intelligence and its sister publication American Water Intelligence.

Among the goals of the roundtable dinner were the following:

  • to provide a networking opportunity for thought leaders in the industry
  • to create a body of influence for promoting and communicating the value of water
  • to determine the best path forward for the group

One additional question posed at my table yielded some interesting answers: What makes a water leader a leader?

Water leaders, according to participants, are or should be conservative, compelling and clear ambassadors for the value of water. 

This question prompted a discussion of the specific skill set needed for water leaders, but the description applied equally to all thought leaders.

Water leaders, according to participants, are or should be conservative, compelling and clear ambassadors for the value of water (or their own value proposition.) They need courage and confidence as they champion the cause of water (or their company’s cause), and they should do so with an authentic voice (as all thought leaders should).

Collaboration and alignment of interests will help build a stronger sense of community as water leaders (or any other thought leader). A partnering mindset will help break down silos, which will be necessary to move the water industry (and any industry) forward with one voice.

Highlights of the full water conference can be found in this ”Top Tweets” post from the Twitter feed #aws2012.

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Top Tweets from American Water Summit, Chicago, 2012

Posted by Constance Ward on November 23, 2012   |   1 Comment

American Water Summit Chicago 2012Key question at the conference is embedded in theme ”Business Models of the Future”: How do we advance the state of water? #aws2012

Bob Bailey, CH2M Hill, opened water conference with observation that the future is closer to now than ever before. #aws2012

Bob Bailey, CH2M Hill, explained the challenges of water industry that’s complex, fragmented and slow to react. #aws2012 Continue Reading…

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A Wave of Water Thought Leadership: 2012 World Water Forum at Marseille, France

Posted by Constance Ward on March 18, 2012   |   Comments Off on A Wave of Water Thought Leadership: 2012 World Water Forum at Marseille, France

world water forum 6Thought leadership in the water industry was on full display last week at the World Water Forum 6, held from 11-17 March in Marseille, France. Inspiring speeches, interesting reports and innovative exhibitions provided a showcase for some well-known and lesser-known water thought leaders.

About 20,000 people attended the event, which is held every three years; but the forum was not without its detractors, many of whom sponsored an “alternative event” nearby.

Also coinciding with the World Water Forum was the premiere of Last Call at the Oasis, the new water documentary by the producers of An Inconvenient Truth, Food Inc. and Waiting for Superman, for example. It will debut in selected cities in the United States on 4 May, and the viral launch of the related water issue awareness campaign on www.TakePart.com/LastCall and Twitter feed #knowyourwater.

Making an appearance alongside luminaries like Erin Brockovich and Jack Black were key thought leaders in the water industry, such as Pat Mulroy of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, Khoo Teng Chye of Singapore’s PUB and Professor Robert Glennon, the author of Unquenchable: America’s Thirst for Water and How to Deal with It, which has been featured on Jon Stewart’s Daily Show.

Highlights of some of the thought leaders’ ideas presented during the World Water Forum’s sessions can be found on the Twitter feed #waterforum6 and @theadiwas, including many of the Quotable Quotes that can be found here.

When you attend similar high-profile industry events, are you maximizing your exposure there as a thought leader? Are you getting the highest return on your investment at such conferences by ensuring your reputation as a thought leader is being reinforced there? Ask, assess, then act.

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