Catalyst and entrepreneur Nick Gerritsen will talk about ‘Adapting to a silent radical change’ at this year’s Survive & Thrive.

He is one of three speakers holding Moa Moments sessions at the creative sector forum in Auckland on July 14.

As he says in this special Survive &Thrive TBI QnA, his next big idea is for “New Zealand to really rise up to its potential as one of the leading and most innovative sexy little countries in the world.”

During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?

Depends on the weather and my environment – daylight hours rather than night. I like sleep.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?

Reasonably Intellectual. Contemporary. Victorian, and slightly quirky.

What aspect of your creative work gives you the biggest thrill?

All of it.

How does your environment affect your work?

It has a huge impact – I find that I can think better in some places and not in others.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?

In a weird way I have to, and actually do both the big picture as well as the detail.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?

They all do in their own way – which one does vary – they sort of share the kudos amongst them and share it around.

Who or what has inspired you recently?

Dinner conversation with a Geneva based Industrialist – giving his view of the World.

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?

Focus on things that are FUN.

Tell us a bit about your background.

Escaped lawyer – entrepreneur from late teens and focused on making things happen.

Tell us a bit about your session at Survive and Thrive.

It is about a reality check and the new space that is opening up is a structural change that is going to alter everything. So new highly creative inputs and leadership is required and this is where we will all be relying on the Creative Industries to provide this. It is going to be a great time for creativity.  

One of the key questions being explored at Survive & Thrive is 'will she'll be right serve you right?' What is your reaction to this?

We can see where a 'she’ll be right' attitude leaves us if you look at the state of the western economies. It isn’t sustainable and this attitude will not take us into the future.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received that's relevant to your career today?

Experience as much as you can and then decide what you enjoy/ what you like. Focus on the FUN of it all.

Why are artists and creative people important to New Zealand right now?

They are fundamental because we will need to exercise all of our creative asset to try and deal with the range of issues that we are going to have to deal with going forward.

What’s your big idea for 2012?

For New Zealand to really rise up to its potential as one of the leading and most innovative sexy little countries in the World.

Further Information:

Nick is a Marlborough-based catalyst and entrepreneur. He specialises in commercialising New Zealand technology propositions from the ground up, and has been leading New Zealand's contribution to the global clean tech revolution. He is also involved in projects in the internet /online, and screen production sectors.

He operates within a global network across the innovation and capital markets. He has been a consultant to New Zealand On Air, Radio New Zealand, Te Mangai Paho (the Maori Broadcasting Funding Agency), and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Nick Gerritsen | Adapt to a silent radical change
Survive & Thrive Moa Moments - July 14

New Zealand’s economic challenge - understand more about what’s going on, see how you can adapt to the new challenges and find out how you can make a big difference.

Almost silently the World has shifted into a time of radical change. Exponential population growth, the associated contraction of fossil and water resources, increasing volatility of weather patterns and a shift of economic power to the East all combine to create a time of change that human society has not experienced for many hundreds of years. Our systems of thinking, planning and governance are coming under increasing pressure. A re-ordering is necessary and no holds barred openness to new ideas, new ways of thinking and new actions. More than ever we will be relying on creativity to uncover and provide the threads and ability to build new solutions. Understanding, motivating and empowering individuals, communities and societies requires ‘artful’ practice. We are approaching the time of a value shift towards our arts practitioners – are you ready?