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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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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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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Hats on to the pols

Are you struck by the sameness of it all in this federal election? I know I am.

For years, Canada has been sliding comfortably toward absolute economic mediocrity, seemingly incapable of doing more than clipping the coupons of our natural wealth. Some creativity is sorely needed if we are to stop this slide.

And this system is topped by the same old politicians who dish out the same old bromides and can't seem to raise a whit of inspiration.

This is revealed by the exciting election race going on in the US. Despite the celebrity trappings, there seems to be some creative thinking down there.

So I'm viewing this Canadian election through the lens of Edward DeBono's famous decision making and creativity method, Six Thinking Hats.

White Hats are the data driven thinkers, Red Hats are intuitive, Black Hats are cautious and defensive, Yellow Hats are optimistic, Green Hats are creative, Blue Hats are all about process.

Here's how the pols stack up in my books:

Conservatives: Black Hat. Stephen Harper emphasizes “steady leadership in tough economic times”. In other words, nothing. Tough economic times always provide a cover for the fact that you haven't an iota of an idea.

Liberals: White Hat, leaning to Blue. Supposedly, Stephane Dion's pollsters devised his Green Shift environmental plan to touch a feeling in “the people." But it's really just a limp taxation scheme.

NDP: Blue Hat. Jack Layton talks about “the kitchen table instead of the boardroom table.” Is this 1980? Sounds like a rehash of the same tired working man rhetoric they've been using for years.

Green Party: Green Hat. The Greens are the only party showing any kind of creativity. I'm not being cute. At least they're forming half a plan to harness green thinking to create new industries and new futures. In other words, a semblance of a strategy. Not great, but a beginning.

If they only had a chance, we just might come up with an idea in this country.

Agree or disagree?

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We're all gonna die!

That was the basic attitude swirling this week as US investment and financial firms began toppling in the wake of the subprime mortgage crisis.

Holy cow! Venerable Lehman Brothers went down? Must be really serious.

The fact that Lehman wasn't the same company started by a prudent German immigrant 158 years ago didn't seem to matter. It was simply one of several Wall Street firms that got greedy and plunged head first into a large banking Ponzi scheme.

Financial systems are complex, but simple at the same time. Stock markets crash like clockwork – they're all about excess, on the way up and on the way down. But the noise that comes from this inevitable righting of the system has everyone running around screaming that – yes indeedy – this time it's definitely different. This is the big one. A financial earthquake of Great Depression proportions.

Aiding and abetting this panic are media operations. Despite what people think, journalism isn't about news or information, it's about emotions, usually raw, which attract readers or viewers. So most news is better swallowed with a large helping of Prozac.

Do you now go to the nearest bar and drink yourself into oblivion? Not a bad idea, but there isn't any real need to.

Sure, the global financial crisis is of great interest to economists who love to study economic entrails and soothsay. But to you and me, it's meaningless and probably irrelevant.

In B.C., the economy, while slowing from its frantic pace of last year, is still operating. Money is still being made, businesses are still starting and growing, and generally everything is okay, albeit more muted. Howe street habitues might not be happy, but who cares about them anyway?

In Canada, our financial institutions are pretty conservative, so they're weathering this kind of storm. Their stock might be hit, but that's a good thing. Now I can buy cheaper and ride the inevitable updraft.

And it will come. It always does.

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