Greetings.  We all know that technology is a great enabler of personal and business success.  But sometimes we take it for granted instead of imagining all the new ways that it can be used to make exciting things possible.  Two recent experiences on this summer's trip to rural Sweden brought this idea to life.

The first occurred during  our visit to see the movie Avatar at the Nautic restaurant and biograph in the beautiful coastal town of Grebbestad.  This "major" metropolis is home to roughly 2,000 people and our closest movie theater.  And it's only 25 kilometers away from our village which makes it a short drive by rural standards.  Not to mention the fact that the 80-seat theater is modern,  quite comfortable, and a perfectly reasonable venue for watching a 3D film.  But that wasn't the most remarkable thing about this place.  Because I found out while waiting for our film to start that the Nautic is also home to the Metropolitan Opera and its fantastic 2010/2011 season.  Not in person.  But in high definition right here on their beautiful new screen.  Eight great works written by Wagner, Donizetti, Verdi, Pucini, Gluck, and Strauss, and performed by one of the world's greatest opera companies.  All for the enjoyment of fans living in a small town that is more than 58 degrees N and about 4,500 miles away from mid-town Manhattan.  And all for about $35, or $70 including dinner.  Talk about a great night on the town (assuming you're an opera fan) that is now available, through the wonder of technology in literally any village on the planet–and without the hassles of finding a parking place in the City.

The second experience or inspiration came during a drive along the E6 which is the major highway along the west coast of Sweden.  It is a beautiful road that winds its way along the North Sea and through beautiful stretches of the Swedish countryside.  And as I'm always trying to get better at Swedish (with modest success), I tend to turn on Swedish radio whenever I'm in the car to listen to music and hear the local DJs talk about artists, news, and the hot topics of the day.  But as I was listening one afternoon I was surprised to hear the station being interrupted by a traffic alert advising me that there was a major accident 20 kilometers up the road.  It was a traffic alert that was broadcast on every car radio on the west coast of Sweden no matter what station they were tuned to.  All because someone decided to use technology to connect with every radio listener in this part of the country when there was an important message to share.  Not just the ones tuned to traffic radio.

Driving content that excites and inspires everyone.  Think about the power of this idea when it comes to changing the relationship that your company or organization has with its customers,  employees, and partners.  No matter where they are in the entire world.

Delivering a message that matters to everyone who needs to know.  Think about the power of this idea in connecting with those you have the privilege to serve at the very moment when you could make their lives easier.

Two challenges to unlock greater innovation by combining what we know with what others take for granted!  Two ideas to spark greater collaboration with your colleagues in IT and technology.

We win in business and in life when we use technology to enable a world of possibilities that matter.  For opera fans in small villages, drivers far from home, and anyone else who might benefit from our genius and curiosity.

Cheers!