The first event, a breakfast held yesterday in Brisbane, was part of the Productivity Equation, where keynote speakers and panellists from corporate, academic and entrepreneurial backgrounds present ideas for increasing competitiveness and how to position businesses for success in the post-global financial crisis world.

Keynote speakers yesterday included John Holland Group’s Katie Bickford, Terry White Group founder Rhonda White and vice-chancellor of the University of Queensland Professor Peter Høj.

Rio Tinto’s global practice leader, technology delivery, innovation Dr Jenny Purdie, who made a presentation at the forum, said the series was important because all businesses were looking for ways to be more efficient, competitive and effective in the currently volatile world market.

“Rio Tinto is no different,” she said. “Mining is cyclical and like all miners we’re operating in a challenging environment of lower commodity prices, a high Australian dollar and high input costs.”

According to Purdie, encouraging innovation is one of the keys to improving productivity.

Chief executive of the Brisbane Institute Karyn Brinkley said the forums would bring together some of Queensland’s top talent to help participants leave with the tools to help contribute to their organisations’ success.

“Productivity is the buzzword for 2013 and for good reason,” she said. “We need to take advantage of this period to improve the productivity of our workforces by reshaping our organisations’ leadership, people, products and services.”

Brinkley said Queensland companies were well-positioned to be even more competitive and effective than they were before the financial crisis.