Caribbean BETA 2011: Keynote: Marc Canter – “How to Build a Digital City – that sparks startups, jobs and innovation”

After a refreshing networking session and some interaction with the booths present at Caribbean BETA 2011 Keynote Speaker Marc Canter, CEO of Digital City Mechanics delivered an address entitled “How to Build a Digital City – that sparks startups, jobs and innovation”.

The discussion touched on the topics of micro and macro economics using the metaphor of “A Digital City” a city made entirely of people online defined as “A system for creating jobs on a sustainable basis” an interdisciplinary approach to building a digital economy culture, a Silo. “The internet is the reality of the workforce of the future. Volunteerism and helping each other is a key part of the chain”. Canter states that the mission of creating a Digital City includes Job creation, Community Building, Education, and having an Open Platform that involves community engagement.

Canter makes an important point by stating that investors with the desire to build a Digital City first get people to see the value of online communication. This is how one will eventually get people to use the software and we can do this through Educational Methodology, Community Programs and Multimedia Projects. “Whenever you can connect the real world with the online world that’s where the magic happens”. He suggests that one match job skills to certain desired services, put people to work and make use of the pieces of the puzzle already at your fingertips.

What’s missing in current economic development efforts?
– Trust is elusive when dealing with non-interactive corporations and enterprises.

The Digital City is New Kind of Online Marketing which involves:

– Corporate budgets repurposed into multimedia projects.
– These projects educate customers on the sponsor’s industry.
– The projects create local jobs.
– Job skills are taught, open content created.

What Entrepreneurs can learn from Steve Jobs:

– The notion of “connecting the dots” ie. the importance of working together.
– Do something you love to do.
– You only live once, make it count.

Once you have infrastructure, what do you do with it?

– Train and support independent job holders
– Build trust
– Engage with different communities

Up Next: PANEL: “Show me the Money!”