John Howkins

John Howkins

Creativity | Self-development

John Howkins is a leading figure in the global understanding of work and creativity. He is the author of the seminal The Creative Economy, which has been translated into 14 languages. He was previously chief adviser to HBO and Time Warner and chair of The London Film School, CREATEC, Tornado and BOP. In 2006, the Shanghai government set up the John Howkins Research Centre on the Creative Economy.

Howkins is a member of the United Nations Advisory Committee on the Creative Economy and advises governments on new concepts in work. He is in wide demand as a speaker and adviser on creativity and innovation, working with individuals, start-ups, companies and governments.

Invisible Work is a visionary framework for the new reality from an author whose work has shaped business and government policy on creativity and innovation in Europe, China and South America.

INVISIBLE WORK: THE FUTURE OF THE OFFICE IS IN YOUR HEAD

INVISIBLE WORK: THE FUTURE OF THE OFFICE IS IN YOUR HEAD

Very timely and eye opening

‘I bought this book to see if it would help define the way I work now – and how I work with other people. This book is a very smart and wise attempt to understand what that means for the individual, the economy and the future. Full of amazing stats and deep insights – I’ve started re-reading it so I can absorb them all. It’s especially relevant and helpful now with more people working from home. Highly recommended for a bit of refreshing insight and a new take on things.’

Mary

Timely, erudite and very entertaining

‘A must-read for all audiences: for parents of young people about to enter an unrecognisable workplace; for employees old enough to remember life before the internet; for graduates of every discipline; for career advisors, indeed for anyone trying to make sense of a changed world and our economic place in it.’

Reader
MORE READER REVIEWS

‘As succinct, authoritative and readable as one would expect from John Howkins. I’d recommend this as the first and, if time is short, the only book one should read about the future of work and the role of creativity.’

Simon

‘This book actually came out just before the pandemic struck, but many of the issues it raises – not least the waning logic of cramming hundreds of people together in office blocks – have moved to the forefront of public discourse. Anyone trying to imagine what a “new normal” may look and feel like should note that many of the trends described by Howkins were already visible to those willing to see: home-working; subcontracting; ad hoc team-building, teleconferencing etc. Advocating a universal basic income (to offset the impact of AI taking over an ever-growing share of routine jobs) may strike many readers as far-fetched, but Howkins cannot be faulted for suggesting that the future of work will not simply be a rerun of the past 40 years.’

Julia