Creativity urged at business conference

[28 January 2005 - The Californian] With a picture of a dinosaur projected behind him, Monterey Institute of International Studies associate professor Frederic Kropp said Friday business owners can learn a valuable lesson from the prehistoric animals. “You have to adapt or die,” Kropp said. “The moral of this is that innovation is really important.” Kropp and other speakers addressed listeners at the 11th Annual Tri-County Economic Conference, held at the Embassy Suites Hotel. This year’s event, “Catching the Next Wave of Entrepreneurship in the Monterey Bay Region,” targeted business owners looking for innovative ways to attract consumers. Fostering a creative environment can help businesses earn a competitive advantage, Kropp told the audience of about 100 business owners and city leaders from Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. More