Sunday, June 17, 2007
Northern Kentucky announced a regional plan about a year ago. In the interim, civic leaders say they are continuing to build momentum with some quick wins. Read more.
This article highlights the balance that any good strategy needs to strike. First, keep strategic outcomes in front of you. These outcomes need to be continuously refined and repeated.
Equally important, focus on next steps: some quick wins that translate ideas into action.
Quick wins provide two important side benefits. They build trust, and they isolate the "nay sayers".
In economies that have slowed down, you frequently find civic entrepreneurs -- people who are anxious to try something new -- engaging in extended conversations with "soreheads", people who are eternally skeptical about anything changing. Soreheads are all too eager to block or slow down progress.
Quick wins launch a different dynamic that tends to break these unproductive cycles.
posted by Ed Morrison |
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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.
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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.
The value of quick wins
