Big thinking in small places

There's a possible guide for B.C. communities devastated by changes in the resource economy in a New York Times article about the rebirth of Bellows Falls, Vermont,

The “gritty river village” is, like many other towns, caught in a downward spiral of economic decline.
But townspeople decided they wouldn't simply use off-the-shelf solutions like most impoverished towns,who usually reach into the same “best practices” basket.

Instead, Bellow Falls put its collective thinking hat on and became more creative. To do so, it drew upon the very things that made it vibrant several centuries ago—its river and railroad, which it would use in new ways. As an example, one man bought (over the Internet) an abandoned paper mill and is turning it into a totally sustainable eco-resort for “green marriages, green bar mitzvahs and carbon-neutral vacations”.

The lesson from Bellow Falls is that you have to—and I hesitate to use this hoary old cliché, but it fits—step outside the box for a change.

When towns lose their job base, armies of government advisors usually swarm in and provide “economic aid” and retraining for townspeople. This usually takes two forms: attracting new versions of old industries or converting workers to service business entrepreneurs. It rarely works well because governments are process oriented and so aren't typically very creative or innovative.

The usual result is a kind of templated process in which everybody is trained to do the same old thing. And because there aren't enough customers for their service, many of the businesses struggle.

So, maybe, like in Bellow Falls, it's time for big thinking in small towns. Stop doing what every other smaller community is doing and start walking your own path. There are opportunities out there, but you have to think in different ways to see them.

Since innovation should be a democratic pursuit, I'd like to hear your thoughts on this. How can we revive our declining communities?

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Watching out for Palinistas

As most media-watchers know, Sarah Palin defied low expectations in last Tuesday's Vice Presidential debate. She didn't say anything appallingly dumb, or anything appallingly inappropriate. The problem, at least for GOP supporters, is that she didn't say much of anything. She dutifully forewent any real engagement with moderator Gwen Ifill's questions, instead swinging the conversation around to well-rehearsed (and details-poor) set pieces on Iraq, gay marriage, her ticket's "maverickness," and taxes.

You can accuse her supporters—if that's what they are—of no such vagueness. They've been direct, if largely unpleasant. Local religious-affairs columnist Douglas Todd has taken a particular interest in Palin on his Vancouver Sun blog, The Search, laying out Palin's evangelical credentials and arguing that her "Christian values" may be skin deep. And for this, Todd has had an unholy amount of vitriol aimed at him.

A full collection of Palin videos and utterings

He writes: "When I asked if [pursuing vendettas and firing officials who crossed her] would be the behaviour of a Christian, one emailer responded: 'You are a sad little pathetic man who does not have a shred of decency and cannot support his beliefs with the truth, so must make up 'facts.' Someday you will be judged for this, and I hope that day comes soon. You deserve what you get.'

Another wrote to the blog to tell me to shut up and just ask Jesus Christ for forgiveness. Otherwise, she said, 'You are headed to Hell, the eternal Lake of Fire, originally created for Satan and his angels.'

A third called me a 'perpetually embittered' atheist (for the record, I'm not an atheist) who will be gnashing his teeth after McCain and Palin win the 2008 presidential elections. His advice to me: 'Try again in 2012, Lucifer.'"

And perhaps my favorite. Todd again: "Religion and U.S. politics is a touchy subject, to be sure. That may be why many Americans have expressed their scorn that any Canadian would dare, through the borderless Internet, express opinions about it.

As one wrote to my blog: 'Thank God (not 'my' god" or 'a god,' but THE GOD) that you troglodytes have no say in American politics (in French or English, eh). In this, the only civilized part of the American continent, we have to tolerate sub-human grunters like you Canadiots complaining about OUR President, as if anyone in your prehistoric slab of semi-paved wilderness had half the brains or balls that George W. Bush has.'"

In other news, Saturday Night Live is continuing to make a grand argument for its own cultural relevance. Tina Fey's latest Sarah Palin spoof is top drawer. My favourite bits are her rants of stitched-together non sequiturs; this skit has a good one that ends with "...and the great Ronald Reagan."

It's the second Presidential debate tonight. Predictions?

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BizGib, as it's spoken

As a multi-skilled individual with an eye for the bottom line and who collaborates extensively, I'm always open to opportunities.

Particularly the opportunity presented by bad jargon. Like the above, which I'm sure most of you have now guessed means, roughly: For money, I'll do anything for anybody.

Yes folks, we're talking about authentic business gibberish (BizGib), that verbal shorthand that is everywhere because no one wants to put an obstacle in their career path by displaying bandwidth deficiency when it comes to thought leadership.

Here's some of the latest BizGib, all of which I have caught myself using in weak moments.

Future Proofing: As in, OK, let's future proof this plan. Or this economy. Or this portfolio. Which I think means assessing risk and then forming a plan to deal with it. Maybe. Like much jargon, it sounds cool, but doesn't make sense. How do you avoid the future?

Best Practice. It's been around for a while, but it's still popular. Supposedly, this means you'll survey others in your area and pluck the best from each. Usually, it means you'll copy a mishmash of “solutions” in your business. Which then will safely be like every other one.

Results-driven. On every resume I've seen. And, probably in half the pitches I've been subjected to. Supposed to indicate that you're a tough guy who produces. But really indicates nothing. Is anyone driven to produce nothing?

Monetize. Yep, it's everywhere. Especially among consultants and venture capitalists, as in how are you going to monetize that social media play? It means convincing someone to actually pay for it.

Innovative. Modern version of “new and improved”. As in this innovative new product will change the customer experience. Despite the prevalence of this modern marketing buzzword, innovation is still a process to commercialize a new (and useful) idea – emphasis on idea -- not simply tweaking something to boost sales.

Send me your favorite piece of business gibberish.

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Watching Palin

John Bucher is digital editor of BCBusiness Online.

For schadenfreude junkies, it has been a delicious fortnight.

Two weeks ago, Sarah Palin, the fresh Republican vice-presidential nominee, was a political star ascending. Huge crowds came out to see her wherever she went, she delivered a caustic Convention speech that energized a listless Republican base, and she made Barack Obama, who was slipping into a pull-away stride, look suddenly vulnerable and very much in reach.

Democrats began to worry: Is it possible that, even in this perfect-storm political season, we could lose again?

Well, they might still. But if they do it won't be for a lack of public censure of Sarah Palin. She's on fire, yes. Two weeks ago it was in the good way; now it's in the melting-down dripping-at-the-edges way. And all it took, it seems, was a few media interviews to ignite the flame.

Angry Palin supporters attack Mr. Todd

My media cup hath been running over. Here are the last two weeks' finer statements by and about Palin, in no particular order.

"In what respect, Charlie? What, his world view?"
     —Palin responds to a question by ABC's Charlie Gibson: "Do you agree with the Bush Doctrine?"

"For a seventy-two-year-old cancer survivor to have placed this person directly behind himself in line for the Presidency was an act of almost incomprehensible cynicism and irresponsibility."
     —New Yorker essayist Hendrik Hertzberg, writing after Palin's wandering, fragmented, occasionally incoherent interview with CBS's Katie Couric.

"Alaska has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and, on our other side, the land-boundary that we have with Canada. It’s funny that a comment like that was kinda made to…I don’t know, you know…reporters."
     —Sarah Palin, expanding on why she believes Alaska's proximity to Russia gives her foreign-policy experience, in that interview with Katie Couric.

"I can see Russia from my house!"
     —SNL's Tina Fey, impersonating Sarah Palin discussing with Hillary Clinton the progress women have made in this 2008 election, an immediate sketch-comedy classic.

"Frankly, I have had it. The sexist treatment of Sarah Palin has to end."
     —CNN's Campbell Brown inveighs against the McCain campaign.

"I need to know if she really thinks dinosaurs were here 4000 years ago. I want to know that, I really do. Because she's going to have the nuclear codes."
     —Actor Matt Damon, in a CBS interview, compares Palin's nomination to a "bad Disney movie."

"Well, Alaska and Russia are only separated by a narrow maritime border. You've got Alaska right here, and this right here's water, and up there is Russia."
     —SNL's Tina Fey, again impersonating Sarah Palin, this time – ouch – using the Governor's actual words.

"I know that many times, in my life, while living it, someone would come up and, because of I had good readiness, in terms of how I was wired, when they asked that—whatever they asked—I would just not blink, because, knowing that, if I did blink, or even wink, that is weakness, therefore you can’t, you just don’t. You could, but no—you aren’t."
     —New Yorker humourist George Saunders poking imitative fun at Palin's answer (from the Gibson interview) about her willingness to be John McCain's running mate.


"Ideologically, she is their hardcore pornographic centerfold spread, revealing the ugliest underside of Republican ambitions – their insanely zealous and cynical drive to win power by any means necessary, even at the cost of actual leadership."
     —Salon's Cintra Wilson delivers a blistering diatribe on the "political Viagra" that is Sarah Palin.

"Palin appeals to the white trash vote with her toned-down version of the porn actress look."
     —Heather Mallick, lobbing at a similar criticism at Palin in a September 5th column that was ultimately removed from CBC.ca and apologized for.

And now two days remain before Palin's vice-presidential debate showdown with Democratic VP candidate Joe Biden. Will the meltdown continue? What's your call?

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Your business personality

What’s type are you? Psychologists say your personality type can define the character and direction of your business. So let’s look at some distinct business types in BC.

The Digital Nomad
Electronic office on your back, you work mostly in cafes or any place you can find wi-fi. You may actually run a company, but who would know. People are always asking you what exactly you do. Suitable sectors: design, entertainment; Internet.

The Implementer
Making order out of chaos is your forte, and caution is your middle name. There’s nothing you can’t deliver if you put your mind to it. And what you deliver will be measured, thought through, checked, double-checked and on budget. Suitable sectors: Government, Mid-tier CFO.

The Influencer
You are an anchor in rough seas because you’ve been there. Conscientious, consistent and controlled in all you do, you sport a massive rolodex, so people always seek you out. Suitable sectors: Consulting, venture capital, investment.

The Hunter
You’re great at spotting new opportunities. You thrive on pressure and uncertainty, like to search out new possibilities and thrive on hard work. But you bore easily. Suitable sectors: mining exploration, sales and marketing, entrepreneurship.

The Navigator
No matter what business you’re in, you’ll grow it because you know how to identify the right people, and you’re ambitious as all get out. Oodles of talent, but you need to understand people better. Suitable sectors: sales and marketing; media; technology.


The Mad Scientist
You analyse. If you’re not taking something apart to see how it works, you’re busy figuring out how to make it work better. But nobody gets it but you. Suitable sectors: design; IT, biotech.

The Enthusiast
You work to live rather than live to work. Given the chance to deliver on a brand promise, you’ll opt to go sailing or skiing. You’re half the population of BC. Suitable sectors: leisure, travel and entertainment; sales and marketing; retail.

Know of another type? Let me know. 


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