Guiding conversations

Sunday, June 10, 2007

One of the challenges for every EDPro is elevating the community discussion on innovation. By guiding these discussions, we can move this issue to the center of the economic development agenda in this country.

Here's an example of how to do that. In Delaware, the university is conducitng a workshop, "How Innovation Drives our Economy". Read more.

Notice how the workshop is structured around some compelling questions: "Can we create a “flight simulator for the surgeon” that will enable surgeons to practice complex medical procedures before they even touch the patient? Can we explore molecular details of biological processes in an interactive, immersive environment where we can literally fly through the molecules?"

People will move in the direction of their conversations. EDPros can guide these conversations by continuously asking the engaging questions.

We need to use our imagination to develop these questions. "What would our downtown look like as the center of a vibrant arts community"" "Could our local food producers develop a regional brand?" "Could we create an entrepreneurship program with a business plan competition in every high school in our region?"

posted by Ed Morrison |

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