T4G's Leading Thinkers series at AGO attracts some of North America's best

Bright minds to push boundaries on innovation, Canada's competitiveness, productivity and more

TORONTO , Jan. 7 /CNW/ - T4G Limited's Leading Thinkers series comes to the Art Gallery of Ontario January 12 and 13 with a dozen of North America's leading "Thinkers" and "Doers" exchanging ideas to lay foundation for corporate and social change.

"We think, naively or not, that yes we can do things to help change the world, help make Canada an even better place," says the event's host Geoff Flood, president of T4G. "In fact, we sense the future will embrace smaller, mid-size companies with progressive ideas and ideals to effect meaningful change that will make Canada even more competitive on the global stage.

"Undoubtedly, the bar to compete globally is to perform at the highest levels of sustainability and responsibility going forward. We believe an ecosystem of the good, smart companies will be the wellspring towards keeping Canada ahead of the pack internationally. We know we can do it and listening to smart people with inventive ideas is an important first step."

Over two days of meetings, these Leading Thinkers will talk and interact with a select group of senior Canadian business executives and public policy officials. The list of renowned thinkers includes: politician-turned-banker Frank McKenna; international social architect Bill Strickland ; futurist Paul Saffo ; ethical marketing guru Peggy Cunningham ; and "predictably irrational behavioural economist" Dan Ariely. A complete list of Leading Thinkers and Doers is available at www.leadingthinkers.t4g.com.

This is the second - but by far the biggest - Leading Thinkers event in the series. The first was held in Halifax in November.

"People ask, 'why is a mid-sized technology company like T4G staging these events'?", says Mr. Flood . "And the answer is simple: Our 220 employees from Nova Scotia to British Columbia know the strength of our business and quality of our lives depends on raising productivity on many fronts. We all want to make a difference. We believe Leading Thinkers can help make a difference."

And exchanging ideas can make a difference in so many areas; from business organization, competitiveness, and research and development to sustainability and a greener environment. As Leading Thinker Jeff Rubin , an economist turned best-selling author, writes: "You know you are at the bottom of the ninth when you are schlepping a tonne of sand to get a barrel of oil."

We may not be down to our last bat in Canada , but many things can be improved to strengthen our communities and our corporate landscape. "As they say, some people are born on third base and think they've hit a triple. We know we've been fortunate in Canada , but we've got to keep scoring runs when it comes to leadership, sustainability, innovation, international competitiveness and social responsibility," Mr. Flood says.

Leading Thinkers events will spread further across Canada to any place where action-oriented, community-building people wish to explore and push the boundaries on social and corporate issues. Events can range from luncheon speakers to two-day conferences.

Media interviews with many of the Leading Thinkers can be arranged before or during the conference.

ABOUT T4G

T4G is a national, project-based, full-service professional services company founded in 1996. We believe in building high-performing teams and breaking conventional wisdom. We believe in our people and true participation in each and every project we undertake. We believe in The Intelligent Application of Technology(TM) where less can be more, where innovation leads to opportunity, and where a culture of commitment always strives to exceed customers' expectations. For more information: www.t4g.com.

For further information: Media Contacts: Cathy Simpson, Vice-President, Marketing, T4G Limited, [phone] (cell), [email protected]; Bob Brehl, abc2 communications, [phone], [email protected]