Transparency21 February, 2012 Las Vegas, Nevada

Dave Williams @explorateurven @dcwvegas

Transparency is an integral part of our community:

• Establishes a standard

• Builds trust

• Reliance

• Fosters effective and open communications

Transparency

•“As used in science, engineering, business, the humanities and in a social context…implies openness, communication, and accountability. Transparency is operating in such a way that it is easy for others to see what actions are performed….”

•“All organizations have a transparency culture…but few have a culture of transparency, i.e., a culture of being aware of transparency and incorporating it routinely into how things are done….”

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transparency_(behavior)

Transparency is also:• An important element in community growth and

outreach

• Daily interaction between established community members and groups

• A critical factor as the community ecosystem desires to expand and progress

Our Challenge: How do we continue transparency as the community grows and evolves?

To where do we look for guidance?

Transparency > International Context

• Absence of incentives normally present where corruption and malfeasance exist

• How can we measure?

TI’s 2011 Corruption Perception Index

1. New Zealand2. Denmark2. Finland4. Sweden5. Singapore6. Norway7. Netherlands8. Australia8. Switzerland10. Canada

22. Chile22. Qatar24. United States

Source: http://cpi.transparency.org/cpi2011/results/#CountryResults

Hmmm…interesting.

What is a common thread in these top ten-rated countries?

Small national populations.

Coincidence? I think not.

Engaging in non-transparent behaviours not an option for fundamental survival of the sovereign state.

2011 Population

1. New Zealand – 4.4mm2. Denmark – 5.6mm2. Finland – 5.4mm4. Sweden – 9.5mm5. Singapore – 5.2mm6. Norway – 5mm7. Netherlands – 16.7mm8. Australia – 22.8mm8. Switzerland – 7.9mm10. Canada – 33.5mm

22. Chile – 17.3mm22. Qatar – 1.7mm24. United States – 313mm

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_population

A Tale of Two Transparencies

Finland Chile

Finland • Population of 5.4 million

• Territory of Sweden, later Russia before gaining independence in 1917

• How to sustain itself economically? Natural resources Technology, mobile – commitment

made in education, business, public sector, trade and entrepreneurship

Finnish Transparency Successes

• Nokia - from 19th century VC roots to conglomerate manufacturer of rain boots, tires etc to become leading mobile phone handset maker in the world

• Open-source (transparent) programming languages = Linux

• Mobile Monday – global volunteer-based organization with focus on all things mobile

Republic of Chile• Population of 17.3 million

Brazil (192 million)*

Argentina (40 million) Peru (29 million)

• Economic sustainability? Natural resources, agriculture,

tourism Longstanding emphasis on

free-market economics Significant commitment to

technology and entrepreneurship

*Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_population

Chilean Transparency Successes

• Top global exporter of grapes, wine, salmon and copper

• Tourism

• Startup Chile

A Culture of Transparency - Findings

• Smaller-populated nations simply do not have another option than to be transparent.

• Allowed these top-transparent nations to receive long-term foreign direct investment and forge productive trade agreements.

• Wisely used as a competitive, productive advantage relative to other nations to spread their positive influence in the greater global community.

Let us return to the USA

• Are we ok with #24?

Of course not.

• How are we able to effect this change?

We cannot change everywhere, although we can change our own community….

Back here at The Beat in Las Vegas…• Global case studies are validation of the conscious decision

made to create a cohesive technology and startup ecosystem in Southern Nevada (population of two million).

• To be sustainable, it is incumbent upon us to encourage a transparent community with open communication.

Back here at The Beat in Las Vegas…• We are already doing this…need to be vigilant and carry on

and manage the present course…our impact now recognized outside our community - worldwide.

• Contagious effect; encourages others from elsewhere to want to be part of building this ecosystem.

So let us keep moving forward…

Thank You!