Sunday, March 19, 2006
Making the transition from an older industrial economy -- focused on hierarchical organizations and moving materials -- to the new networked economy is not easy. Here's an article from Minesota that outlines the challenges in making the shift. Read more.
A good quote: "If we are going to be successful, we have to embrace change. Change and disruption are good. We can leverage and grow from it. Yes, things are hard but with that hardship comes opportunity."
We see the same difficult transition happening in Detroit. There, Quicken Loans is considering building a headquarters downtown.
A newspaper commentator highlights the different way Quicken does business compared to lumbering auto companies: "I mean, this is a company whose credo and real-world feel is all about excitement, execution and empowering employees to fix what's broken, doesn't work or is communicated incorrectly -- and doing it NOW -- because that's what delights consumers, builds business and then the money follows."
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.
Shifting to a new mindset in the Midwest
