Friday, August 06, 2004
Civic leaders in Baytown, TX are confronting a difficult challenge: Combatting an image that does not line up with reality. Read more.
The challenge focuses on a major dimension of economic development that we rarely explore: framing (or, cognitions). How we think about a situation limits our range of actions. If we see manufacturing as a dying industry, for example, it's unlikely that we will see the opportunities that arise at the intersection of manufacturing and medical instrumentation.
If we see our Main Street as dying, it is unlikely that we will see the value of heritage tourism.
How we think determines how we feel, and how we feel drives our capacity to act. What is true for individuals, also holds for communities. The stories we tell each other about our community define the scope of our actions.
Equaally important, our communities will move in the direction in which we have conversations. If our conversations focus on finding problems, we will find them. Chances are, we will move in a downward and endless cycle of linking problem to problem to problem.
At the same time, if we have conversations about opportunities and collaboration, chances are we will find them.
Some Background on EDPro Weblog
The purpose of this weblog is to help economic development professionals -- EDPros -- keep up with the changes sweeping our profession. Strap on your goggles. It's a whole new game. There are no experts any more. The only place to learn about economic development is from other EDPros who are doing it.
One other point: the prevaling approach (paradigm, if you like) in economic development is shifting from competition to collaboration. There are a lot of reaasons underlying this shift, but here's the important insight: You, your community, and your region will do better by collaborating and sharing information.
If you are using a news reader, here is the link to syndicate this site:
Here's the link if you are a bloglines subscriber:
Speaking and workshops on Open Source Economic Development
As the idea of Open Source Economic Development starts spreading, more people are asking about it. Visit the I-Open web site to learn more. My colleagues and I are happy to explain the basic concepts in a talk or a workshop. E-mail Susan Alshuler if you'd like to learn more about workshops and speaking.
Background on Ed Morrison
Download some background information on me here.
Battling an image problem
