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CONTRIBUTORS

Regina Curry 

Chief Diversity Officer

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices drive growth and groundbreaking innovation by integrating people’s backgrounds and unique identities. As business change accelerates, deploying intentional DEI actions develops diverse thinking and new ideas that can break new ground and build business resiliency. Recently, I discussed these topics with Frans Johansson, CEO of The Medici Group, author of The Medici Effect, and entrepreneur; and Franklin Templeton Head of Digital Assets Roger Bayston. A few highlights from our conversation:

  • DEI practices cultivate innovation by providing the best chance for creating better combinations of existing ideas or new ideas, particularly when combining far apart, unlikely, or unpredictable ideas and influences.
  • Creativity of thought will carry through the changing seasons or the technological dynamics of an industry. Diversity and intentional inclusion can expand creativity and skills that will separate humans from software and hardware engineered to solve problems.
  • Decentralized finance, digital assets, and blockchain ecosystems compel inclusivity by increasing access and equity to more investors, participants, and communities. Diverse and intentional inclusive practices increase the capabilities of participants, communities, networks, and teams to solve ever-changing problems.

As the economy grows and progresses, a creative outlet or skill that participants and workers foster may help set apart digital asset participants in their business and economic endeavors. These talents add value, can help better outcomes, boost creativity, and may help performance amongst industry disruptions. For more, please watch our conversation "How to drive innovation and growth from everywhere" and read some selected excerpts in the full PDF.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and investors may not get back the full amount invested. Stock prices fluctuate, sometimes rapidly and dramatically, due to factors affecting individual companies, particular industries or sectors, or general market conditions. Investments in fast-growing industries like the technology sector (which historically has been volatile) could result in increased price fluctuation, especially over the short term, due to the rapid pace of product change and development and changes in government regulation of companies emphasizing scientific or technological advancement or regulatory approval for new drugs and medical instruments.

Buying and using blockchain-enabled digital currency carries risks, including the loss of principal. Speculative trading in bitcoins and other forms of cryptocurrencies, many of which have exhibited extreme price volatility, carries significant risk. Among other risks, interactions with companies claiming to offer cryptocurrency payment platforms or other cryptocurrency-related products and services may expose users to fraud. Blockchain technology is a new and relatively untested technology and may never be implemented to a scale that provides identifiable benefits. Investing in cryptocurrencies and ICOs is highly speculative and an investor can lose the entire amount of their investment. If a cryptocurrency is deemed a security, it may be deemed to violate federal securities laws. There may be a limited or no secondary market for cryptocurrencies. The opinions are intended solely to provide insight into how securities are analyzed. The information provided is not a recommendation or individual investment advice for any particular security, strategy, or investment product and is not an indication of the trading intent of any Franklin Templeton managed portfolio. This is not a complete analysis of every material fact regarding any industry, security or investment and should not be viewed as an investment recommendation. This is intended to provide insight into the portfolio selection and research process. Factual statements are taken from sources considered reliable but have not been independently verified for completeness or accuracy. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice or as an offer for any particular security.

Any companies and/or case studies referenced herein are used solely for illustrative purposes; any investment may or may not be currently held by any portfolio advised by Franklin Templeton. The information provided is not a recommendation or individual investment advice for any particular security, strategy, or investment product and is not an indication of the trading intent of any Franklin Templeton managed portfolio.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFORMATION

This material is intended to be of general interest only and should not be construed as individual investment advice or a recommendation or solicitation to buy, sell or hold any security or to adopt any investment strategy. All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. There is no guarantee that a strategy will meet its objective. Performance may also be affected by currency fluctuations. Reduced liquidity may have a negative impact on the price of the assets. Currency fluctuations may affect the value of overseas investments. Where a strategy invests in emerging markets, the risks can be greater than in developed markets. Where a strategy invests in derivative instruments, this entails specific risks that may increase the risk profile of the strategy. Where a strategy invests in a specific sector or geographical area, the returns may be more volatile than a more diversified strategy.

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