Your Curated Morning (#131) for March 21, 2024 is here!
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The Main Thing: In my third post in a series about the essential glue for a positive economic development culture in your community, I discuss the concept of a shared future. Without a shared future that everyone agrees to and believes in, a positive culture can’t exist. I have seen this in several communities. While the community postures as one that wants and sees economic development as a positive thing, some in the community would work to disrupt things. They would gladly tip over the proverbial apple cart to get their way. Leadership This week's newsletter focuses on leadership. Included are articles about leadership or its many ancillary subtopics. Economic development organizations are often front and center in a community's leadership dynamics. Understanding leadership principles, working towards being an effective leader, and improving your productivity and skills are essential. Hopefully, these articles will help: Is going to bed at 9 pm the secret to happiness? My week of sleeping like a Gen Zer by Tim Dowling | The Guardian These days, wake-up routines and early rising are the things. However, you can only rise early if you go to bed early. I have always been an early riser, although of late, I find myself lingering in bed when I have told myself I would be sitting down writing by 6:00 am. Whether you are an early riser or someone who only fully engages once you have had your third cup of coffee, you will find this account of early-rising funny and entertaining. Leaders are early risers too(?) Leaders can tackle team loneliness with a simple code: 0.6-1-5 by Ryan Jenkins and Steven Van Cohen. | Big Think Connectedness has been a recent theme of great interest to me (see the blog post above). It is one of the keys to a positive and successful organization. Feeling connected results in happier employees and more effective organizations. The authors of this article provide a formula for how you can make your team feel more connected in a short amount of time. Extreme brainstorming questions to trigger new, better ideas | A Smart Bear Brainstorming is a concept familiar to anyone who has worked in an environment to solve problems or engaged in any strategic planning process. There are many models to choose from. I like the model taught to us by improv comedy: “No ‘buts’ allowed.” While brainstorming, saying, “Yeah, but…” is forbidden. Instead, after an idea is presented, someone can say, “Yeah, and…” It changes the conversation entirely. Try it. Or try the ideas in this article, which offers more ideas on brainstorming using innovative prompts. My favorites are “Flipped Business Model” and “No Website.” Which one is your favorite? Other Articles of Interest this week: Green Economy -- A cargo ship’s ‘WindWing’ sails saved it up to 12 tons of fuel per day | Popular Science Technology -- This flying-car startup that's backed by SpaceX has almost 3,000 preorders | Business Insider Economic Development - Closing the Black Employer gap: Insights from the latest data on Black-owned businesses | Brookings City/Rural -- Chattanooga reduced its homeless population by almost 50% last year. Here’s how. | SmartCities Dive Guest Blog Post I have seen and advised several organizations and communities on the value of merging the local or regional Chamber of Commerce with the local or regional Economic Development organization. Generally, I advise against it, but many factors come into play when considering whether a merger should occur. One of the most significant factors is the strength of leadership. A strong executive leader for the economic development organization who can communicate the intrinsic value of the separate economic development orgainzation and how it differs from the activities of the Chamber is one factor. Without the differentiation effectively communicated, there is a tendency to want to merge. The same goes for the Chamber executive. If they can effectively and forcefully differentiate their value from the ED function, both can coexist and be funded adequately. Tulsa comes to mind when I think of an organization that can effectively promote its community for economic development and operates a membership-based chamber. Some examples of communities are very successful, with two separate organizations operating side-by-side. Bloomington-Normal, my former stomping grounds, is a good example. Once combined, they split the two organizations in 2003, and both found success in advocating for the community. National Community Development Services (NCDS) has written a white paper about this topic. It provides excellent examples of thriving communities and weighs the pros and cons of merging or not merging. Overheard : “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” – Harry Truman Listen, Eat, Drink, Watch, READ, View "What will it take for you to take home this beautiful model home today?" Is that the car salesman talking to you at the local dealership? Nope. The humanoid robot sales guy is trying to get you to purchase the latest model. The company FIGURE promotes using humanoid robots as a positive moral choice for people. From their website: 'The goal of Figure is to develop general-purpose humanoids that make a positive impact on humanity and create a better life for future generations. These robots can eliminate the need for unsafe and undesirable jobs, ultimately allowing us to live happier, more purposeful lives.' Here is a television ad running on your local news program or late-night television in about five years: "The 2024 models are selling fast! Come on down today to Lou's Robot Sales! No credit, no problem, we finance everyone! Our prices can't be beat!" Listen, Eat, Drink, WATCH, Read, View You may remember Mythbusters, a television show on the Discovery Channel that aired from 2003 to 2016. I enjoyed watching the show and its hosts, Jaymie Hyneman and Adam Savage. They explored all types of common myths or assumptions. One of my favorite episodes involved testing the impact of an active cell phone on a commercial airliner's navigation system. The result: no effect. However, don't let this be a license for not turning your cell phone off while flying. Please follow the flight attendant's directions! Adam Savage now has a YouTube channel called Adam Savage's Tested. This show, at least the one I saw, is fun and interesting if you are into building things, learning how things work, and scientific stuff (I am). In the episode below, Savage creates a series of drawers to keep his parts, nuts and bolts, and other materials straight and organized. It sounds simple, but you have to watch it to appreciate it. Listen, Eat, Drink, WATCH, Read, View Sergio Reis is a choreographer in the Netherlands and part of a collective called CDK. His choreography is a series of jerky robotics, and harsh movements made collectively with large groups of individuals. It generates a lot of energy and creates a collective unity of chaos while watching. Am I a dance critic? No, but I love finding unique and highly visual artists who can create intrigue and curiosity within me. Reis does this. Many newsletters ago, I wrote about my favorite drink, the Manhattan. I said there was only one way to make a Manhattan, and was I wrong? Several readers responded by telling me about a Black Manhattan. Since that time, I have had one and found it quite tasty. Recently, I discovered this article about the Black Manhattan. It includes a bit of history as to how it came about and, of course, a recipe. I hope you try one out. Read about the Black Manhattan here. Thanks for Reading If you liked this email, pay it forward. Share it with someone you think might benefit. Did someone share with you? Sign up here. For previous editions, click here. Whenever you’re ready, there are several ways I can help you: 1. Economic Development: If you are looking to supercharge your economic development organization, I can help by strategizing and developing a roadmap to success. Set up a time to talk to me here. 2. Culture Change; Is your organization changing? Would you like to create an asset out of your culture? Do you know how to assess team strengths? Let me help you. I'm a certified culture change practitioner. Set up a time to talk to me here. 3. The Green Economy; The world is changing. Some of it is positive, and some of the change is not. Let me help you develop green economy opportunities for your community. Set up some time to talk about here. 4. Mentoring Programs: Circles of Seven (C7) is a proven and award-winning model for mentoring. Whether it is for business or your community leadership program, I can develop a mentoring program for you. Let's talk about your situation. Set up a time here. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding any articles in this newsletter please feel free to contact me through email at martin@martinkarlconsulting.com. You can review my services and offerings at www.martinkarlconsulting.com |