“The test for innovation will be its success in new global markets.”

This quote is from the article, “Principles For Social Innovation In 2012: Follow Emerging Economies,” from Fast Company’s blog Co.EXIST. It provides an insightful analysis of the emerging global middle class and is a call to action for social innovators, designers and businesses to “aggregate consumer and citizen power to create change.”

Other highlights from the article:

“What does that mean as we plan for the year ahead? As a starting point, your organization should ask itself this: where are we looking for our future growth and impact? Are our priorities shaped by the growth patterns of the past, or by the growth trajectories of the future? Understanding the dynamics of this major global change can ensure that our organizations stay relevant.”

“Just as companies like Groupon and Gilt have aggregated consumer power for discounts, social innovators will aggregate consumer and citizen power for change. That might involve demanding changes to environmental or commercial practices. It might involve shifting large numbers away from businesses that won’t stop causing harm to the environment or specific communities. It might mean bringing pressure to bear on governments. Whatever its form, it will see the development of a new breed of “movement entrepreneurs,” who use mobile and Internet platforms to aggregate and organize action.”