Speaking at a dinner to celebrate the first decade of the Australian Business Foundation, Professor Michael Enright gave an intriguing presentation which traversed globalisation, the real 'knowledge economy', the rise of China and India, and the unique ability of Australia to be 'Western' in the East.  He certainly provided food for thought to a genuinely diverse audience of scholars, business leaders and government officials.

Reflecting on how an economy such as Australia might make its way in future global markets, Professor Enright observed that: 'Competitiveness for firms and locations will be based on individual activities or subactivities rather than complete industries.'  This will provide openings, even for those located remotely in Australia, to partner with the best of breed from around the world, if firms have the skills to seek out those partners in the throng of the world market place.

Professor Enright also ran through some paradigm shifts that he sees unfolding around business in a global frame, not the least of which is the move away from affluent markets and towards accessible markets, and from selling to the world to learning from the world - the latter point resonating strongly with remarks from the Foundation's Chief Executive Narelle Kennedy about the importance of innovating by solving problems.

In wrapping up his presentation, and touching on globalisation itself, Professor Enright's crisp rhetorical insight was:'Is globalisation good or evil? I can't say, actually, but I would say get used to it!'