2.23.08
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I recommend this event from Craig & Sue James:
The potential for a new convention center, causes us to explore the additional uses for an infrastructure investment of this size.What if we could increase our community’s return on the ~ $0.5billion we may spend on a new Convention Center | Medical Mart?
A Challenge: * Develop incremental uses to fuel return-on-investment and community value How many additional uses can you imagine?
We will explore, discuss, & brainstorm:
* How a “convention center” can become a “more-than-conventions CENTER”
* Dream-up & vet incremental uses that could make the dream so
* Identify cool uses that could benefit both NEO & non-NEO users
* Produce 7×24 CENTER-use strategies
* Build on ideas that could get the CENTER (and its uses) recognized globallyThis fast-paced & participative experience will get you thinkn’ a-new… and will help us all connect & collaborate via an energizing “possibilities-based” process..
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We must be getting near the end of another economic bubble period if these folks are appearing on the scene again with their high-concept, low-substance events. They seem to go into hibernation in between.
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+1 | February 23, 2008 @ 7:06 pm
Tsk, tsk John. When was the last time you were at one of their events? I don’t seem to recall seeing you at the last two I was at, the latest being an intimate conversation with Susan Goldberg and John Butte at light bistro. I would hardly characterize it as a “high-concept, low-substance event”. I know it’s hard to believe, John, but people do learn and grow from their experiences/conversations.
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--2 | February 23, 2008 @ 7:20 pm
Ouch, John. Ease up. Community conversations are never bad. They range in their usefulness, though.
If I were advising Craig and Sue, I would have picked a stronger topic. The convention center/Med Mart — if that bad boy ever gets built — will simply reduce the County’s financial flexibility (think red ink). It’s a risky investment with a big downside. (There’s a reason, fans, that no one has built a Med Mart before.)
No idea that will come out of this session will change the underlying (bad) economics.
Instead, why not focus on what we could learn from the U.K.’s recent push to build creative industries? Learn more here, here, here, here and here.
Despite a lot of work on this issue that we did at REI — and ample evidence of the strong worldwide growth potential as we go digital — the PTB (Powers That Be) in Cleveland seem to be dozing in the balcony on this one.
Nothing from NorTech. Nothing from the GCP. No detectable progress on the Design District. No real University Circle strategy. No Euclid Corridor strategy. (BFD Readers: Correct me if I am wrong, please.)
A session by Craig and Sue could help shake the bed.
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+0 | February 23, 2008 @ 7:38 pm
I’m all for conversations, fellas. But the last time I checked, real conversations don’t have a toll booth, where someone is charging an admission. Real conversations are free. We’re all part of a thousand fascinating ongoing conversations (virtual and in the flesh) about a host of important things. Just how, precisely, does this latest round of Catalysts Strategies productions add anything new, especially since (to my original point) they went into hibernation for a number of years and dropped out of the conversation?
I prefer to continue my conversations with folks who sustain them over a number of years, without suddenly disappearing and re-appearing for no apparent reason. Again, that’s how authentic conversations work, as opposed to productions designed to showcase a consulting group. Isn’t this all fairly self-evident?
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+2 | February 24, 2008 @ 12:23 pm
Well, John, I can’t say I disagree. Open conversations are what matter. And we need some discipline mixed in, as well, to keep matters focused. Strategic doing is a new civic discipline that creates this focus.
Jack and George are working on an insightful model to explain the strategic role of conversations. And Valdis, as we know, has developed powerful tools to help us map networks emerging from these conversations.
Some folks with a more traditional mindset have trouble wrapping their heads around this new approach. In the traditional practice of economic development, conversations were a distraction; they slowed things down. They were dismissed as “just talk”.
In an economy driven by knowledge and networks, purposeful conversations play a different role. Through conversations with diverse voices we can make sense of the world. We learn to discern larger patterns.
Around the region, we’re starting to see this model take hold. We started at REI. Now there’s Midtown Brews and Meet the Bloggers. In Youngstown, a solid group of young professionals are integrating “strategic doing” into their activities, both with Third Thursday and Three and Thinkers and Drinkers. In Charleston, we have the Charleston Digital Corridor’s Fridays at the Corridor.
In Indianapolis, we launched Evenings at the House, which has given rise in the last couple of months to Smaller Indiana.
None of these efforts are particularly expensive to run. Our direct expenses at REI over three years totalled about $0.65 per participant. Our indirects added between $3.00 and $4.00. If you added Internet support, you might get to $10.00. (Compare Voices and Choices with a cost of about $150 per participant.)
The group in Youngstown came to a two day training at the Edward Lowe Foundation, where we taught the key concepts and tools of “strategic doing”. We’re having another session in April at Punderson and another workshop at the Lowe Foundation in June.
Community Renewal in Shreveport, LA — which has launched an impressive network-based model of inner city renewal — will be going through an I-Open workshop in March.
We are introducing these concepts nationally with our Internet partner, Near-Time. This platform has a monetization component, so people can support their community as it evolves.
So, I’m with you. It takes some focused effort, partnerships, and some discipline. But not a lot of money. These networks need open participation and some leadership guidance (to make sure stuff gets done).
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+0 | February 24, 2008 @ 1:04 pm
That’s ridiculous, John. Name an organization in this town that holds a free event,
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--3 | February 24, 2008 @ 9:49 pm
Guys, I think John is trying to make a distinction here between people who are involved from the outset and through and through, and opportunists who show up when it’s easier to see which way the wind blows, and then intentionally monetize the dialogue, and make it sort of tired and worn in the process. He’s also trying to begin to talk about who takes the risk, who doesn’t, and who’s genuine, and who’s artificial. I think it all bears scrutiny.
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+3 | February 25, 2008 @ 8:59 am
Tim, don’t put words in John’s mouth. If that’s what he’s doing, I’d appreciate him being either more diplomatic or more even handed. There’s tons of groups that charge for events and have ineffective, inauthentic conversations regarding all kinds of topics. If I didn’t know better, I’d say John has an ax to grind.
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--2 | February 25, 2008 @ 9:14 am
Here’s my $35 dollars worth:
- Let’s house homeless people in the convention center (and collect rent from the applicable gov’t agencies).
- Put up a Faneuil Hall Marketplace style enterprise (Boston’s well regarded food court) in the convention center. The daily lunch crowd can support the structure just like they support the Galleria.
- Devote the conv center space to warehousing the medical equipment that will be showcased in the adjoining Med Mart. Siemens, Philips, GE can use the location to house new stock, replacement parts, etc and use Cleveland as a transit hub for shipment to other markets.
I think, overall, the theme should be to diversify the spaces use to other areas than purely conventions.
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+0 | February 25, 2008 @ 9:23 am
Yes, I clearly do have an axe to grind, and it’s precisely against all the things Tim so wonderfully outlined. Couldn’t have said it better myself, Tim. “Monetizing the dialogue” is a brilliant phrase, and quite apt in this context.
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+1 | February 25, 2008 @ 10:14 am
@johnettorre: in comment number 5 I asked for organizations that aren’t “monetizing the dialogue”, John. Do you know of any?
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--3 | February 25, 2008 @ 12:57 pm
The Red Room Revolution had a cash bar…does that count…LOL!
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+1 | February 25, 2008 @ 12:57 pm
First of all, they’re not an organization, civic or otherwise. You’re mixing apples and oranges. They are a modest husband and wife consulting firm whose specialty–as far as anyone can seem to discern–is sales coaching. But I am kind of done with this subject for today, and probably for good. I don’t think what I’m saying is really too hard to grasp. Tim seemed to understand it perfectly well, and I’m guessing most other disinterested parties will too.
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+1 | February 25, 2008 @ 1:22 pm
I believe Voices & Choices never charged a fee.
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+0 | February 25, 2008 @ 1:46 pm
Nor did Community of Minds charge a fee, nor Ed’s ongoing sessions at REI back in the day, nor does Jim Cossler for the Youngstown Incubator’s monthly conversations, nor does Akron University’s quarterly angel investor forum charge. But then, those are and were serious, broadly based community initiatives by serious civic players, not thinly veiled opportunities for a consultant to drum up business by draping itself in the garb of disinterested civic dialogue. There’s nothing wrong with that, by the way–god bless them. But let’s just not pretend that an orange is an eggplant, shall we?
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+0 | February 25, 2008 @ 4:25 pm
Whatever happened to CoM?
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+0 | February 25, 2008 @ 5:23 pm
I keep meaning to ask Tom Z if it’s coming back, as I’d heard occasionally for some time it might. But now that it’s been gone for well over a year, I suppose it’s gone for good. Since he reads BFD, I hope he might address that.
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+0 | February 25, 2008 @ 5:36 pm
Oh, George, to heck with “more diplomatic” ande “even-handed.” I really liked comment #1–piquant, to the point, all full of pith and vinegar. No thit.
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+0 | February 26, 2008 @ 12:05 am
Back off, Tim. John’s comment is about as negative as it gets, and it comes a day after one of my authors complained that they made an effort to write a post about something positive and all they got were negative comments. I’m using it as a teachable moment (again) to point out that your buddy Ettorre (among others) has a tendency not say anything positive for long periods of time, then rip into something with a vengeance. It’s the wrong tone for BFD.
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--1 | February 26, 2008 @ 5:39 am
All:
Community of Minds was a great experience and I believe a very successful event. Eventually, we decided that it had served its purpose and run its course, and that it didn’t need to be a permanent institution. Then again, if folks would like to talk about another forum where we can meet informally without agendas and pitches, I’m all ears.
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+0 | February 26, 2008 @ 9:02 am
By all means, Tom, let’s talk about that then. CoM was a uniquely interesting and open conversational forum.
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+0 | February 26, 2008 @ 9:16 am
I have a forum where people meet informally. It’s called meet.the.bloggers. people don’t want to come to meeting where they can’t set aside their pitches and agendas. I personally don’t want to isten to speakers who talk on and on when there’s plenty of other people at an event to talk to.
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+0 | February 26, 2008 @ 9:34 am
That was one of the main enduring attractions of Community of Minds. No “I’s,” just a bunch of “we’s” Which of course serves as a marvelous segueway back to my original point in this thread. And that’s officially my last word on this topic.
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+0 | February 26, 2008 @ 10:21 am
Hey all - - Thanks for weighing-in - - for the feedback - - and the thoughts. Harsh comments or otherwise. It’s helpful & welcomed.
Here’s a few quick points (hopefully not sounding to defensive)
- - Unfortunately, it’s true. Sue & I have dipped in, and then out, of this kind of activity… at times, out of necessity. A lot of people don’t believe it - - but, when we’ve done this kind of stuff in the past (principally under the “ConnectionSeries”) it was out-of-pocket time & money wise. Basically nobody made money it - - and, over time (to avoid becoming one of the foreclosure statistics) - - we had to circle-back to our basic consulting business and survive.
- - This said; we found that this is what we love to do. It’s a passion and a “calling”. So - we recently said ‘no’ to our traditional business opportunities (ones we could have used) and are focusing on this type of conversation work; 100%
- - The business, at the moment, is break-even at best. And will likely lose money on the Mar 7 Convo. Not your problem - but perhaps relevant to the monetizing comments/questions.
- - Thatttt said; we’re not afraid to admit that; since this will be our only source of income - - we will charge fees for most of what we provide; we will look for sponsors - - and will have a membership program… so that we can emerge out of break-even. (that darn habit of eating!
Of course, this dictates that we need to provide clear value for that money. So - we’re *all-ears* on specific recommendations RE: how to provide that value & earn-our-keep - Otherwise; we will become a “statistic”. We’re putting ourselves out there.
Why not go non-profit? We have a “provide-market-value” market + love and want to do work that contributes to our/the community. We feel in our case, that such a model is better than a non-profit donor-based process. So; instead of dedicating our lives to a 501 and have, say, a salary with that org… Instead; we’re holding ourselves personally accountable… ultimately want to pay ourselves a salary at some point - - and then pay our taxes.
- - Why the Convention Center Med Mart topic? Well, we were challenged to do so - - at one of our roundtables in December - - Someone suggested that we should all dream big and contribute to the notion of 7×24 possibilities for a CENTER. MedMart or not. As you all know $38M/year is coming form our tax payers - possibly for 20 years… Even a 1% better ROI/improvement on $.5B is $5M in value - So; a little creative ideation might-maybe go a long way.
- - Product in the process: Always tough to describe this idea ‘cuz we all-so-badly want specific outputs. But - - we feel that there is a need (and a value) to brining people together in unique ways - - ask questions we sometimes avoid - - Create access and connections that might not happen otherwise - - and provide people with a little bit of an experience & fun…
Sometimes when one goes to an event - - it’s the experience itself that matters…
OK - - That’s the quick “1-2″ from a guy who doesn’t BLOG too often - so - you’re helpn’ me grow!
Thank you - - and keep the ideas and comments comin’ We want to do the best we can - - for the community - - and yes, for ourselves too…
Comments via BFD or direct to cjames@cat-strat.com are welcomed.
- - Maybe we’ll see you on Mar 7?
- - If we need to comp a few people. We will do so.
… Just let us know.
Best,
Craig James
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+3 | February 28, 2008 @ 4:28 pm
Thanks for commenting, Craig. Too bad Ettorre already had his official last word. I’m not sure how one reconciles advocating for real, free, open conversations then abruptly ending the dialogue, but maybe he had to circle back to his main business…
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--2 | February 29, 2008 @ 7:32 am
You can always tell when George’s moods toward people have turned stormy when he begins using their last names. And yes, I do try to tend first to the paid side of my hugely growing writing practice before turning my attention to the pro bono portion, and I also try to occasionally tend to my kids and wife and mortgage too. But I’ve also responded to Craig’s email to me yesterday that I’d be happy to meet with him and (presumably) learn why I’m so mistaken in my impression of him and his larger intentions. Conversations take many forms, George, and the hundreds of uninterupted ones I carry on over many years take a mix of virtual and in-person, private and semi-public, as the time and situation demands and the subjects warrant.
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+0 | February 29, 2008 @ 10:59 am
I am going to back George up on this dddebate. John, it seems that you stop by BFD to disrupt things, and they usually have to do with capitalism. In my book, non-profits have there place, and for-profits have theirs. I happen to enjoy helping people get into business, and make a nice living doing just that. There are a lot of NEO folks who help others in many ways, some making money while they do it, and some not. I happen to know a guy who makes like no $$ in his quest to save our little part of the planet from sinking into Lake Erie.. I keep telling him that his time and effort are worth money. C’mon John…we all have mortgages, crazily high taxes, and pay $3.25 a gallon for gas. Money comes and money goes. If this team wants to charge $$, that is their choice. Slamming them does not add value to BFD. Slamming George, really doesn’t add ANY value.
Joel Libava
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--1 | February 29, 2008 @ 12:33 pm
Joel,
Of course we can disagree. That’s how these things work. But first of all, I’ve been an ongoing part of this regional conversation about innovation and entrepreneurism via general journalistic writing for 20 years now, and next month it’ll be five year via blogging. So I think I’ve got plenty of uninterrupted time with plenty of skin in the game. Secondly, what some would call “disruptions” others might call “debate.” I’m sorry that I can’t always be a reflexive fan and supporter of everything I see, hear and read (here and elsewhere), but that’s just kind of how debate, conversation, criticism and journalism work, and BFD is a blend of all those things, a uniquely interesting and wonderful blend. It’s come to be an essential part of the regional conversation, and so I add my two cents when I can.
And I don’t think I slammed George at all, but of course that’s in the eye of the beholder. I’ve known, studied and come to understand him in ways perhaps well beyond most, and he understands me better than most. So we fence with each other, occasionally push each other’s buttons, challenge each other (sometimes publicly, other times privately), try to hold counter “teachable moments” for each other, as he called it the other day. When you’ve known someone for a long time, care about many of the same things and seek to influence them and others to see things your way, differences are bound to arise. But those differences, when explored, debated, articulated, traded, etc., lead to deeper understandings even if they sometimes come off as something else to bystanders. I know that George gets most of my meanings, as do perhaps a few dozen others who have taken part in the conversation at the same breadth, depth and length as we have. I’m glad you’ve joined in too. You’re a welcome addition.
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+0 | February 29, 2008 @ 2:32 pm
John,
Thank you pointing things out to me concerning your part in the debate of our regional issues. So what can folks like you and I do to change things, besides debating? And thank you for welcoming me…
Joel
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+0 | February 29, 2008 @ 3:51 pm
I think debating in a public environment is a fundamental element of change, because by the very nature of the contest of ideas, the best ideas rise to the top and get refined, sharpened and battle-tested. That’s even the fundamental concept behind democracy itself. And it’s ideas that eventually form the basis for action, as the conservative revolution in America was supported by years of idea-shaping by conservative think tanks such as the Heritage Foundation. So that’s an essential structural component of change, in my view.
Beyond that, of course, we can all in our own fields, professions and callings work for the kinds of changes we want. While I haven’t written about it yet (in part because of my inevitable conflicts between my marketing copywriting practice and my journalistic writing practice, which I bend over backwards to keep separate and pure from each other) I have in recent months focused increasingly on helping some key economic development organizations in the region to better formulate their message and more easily reach and engage their audiences, internal and external. I hope to be at liberty to talk and write about some of that soon. I expect I will be. So that would be the second track of my answer, which I hope addressed your question, Joel. And journalistically, when I draw attention to such heroes of ED in the region as Jim Cookinham, as I did not long ago in Crain’s, I’m also trying to model good behavior and send a message that others could follow in those tracks.
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+0 | February 29, 2008 @ 5:36 pm
I’ll try to shift the conversation back to the topic of the post. I think the possibilities based process that Craig plans to use is pretty interesting.
It’s high time we looked at the possibilities. For the last 20 plus years Cleveland has tried its hand at being the only city in North America without a functioning convention center (instead of building a new one Voinovich remodeled an obsolete center and left it as it was…obsolete). We can all see what being without a convention center has contributed to the health and vibrancy of downtown. Perhaps, we can finally explore the possibilities of what a functioning center could contribute to downtown Cleveland. Certainly the ideas raised in the initial post would seem to make the center a little more justifiable.
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+0 | February 29, 2008 @ 9:11 pm
Chris:
What would an empty, gleaming convention center contribute to downtown?
Underlying market dynamics make this outcome a realistic possibility and a high risk bet for the County. (Read this report: Convention Centers: Is the Industry Overbuilt? 2008 Update.)
Consider some alternatives. Place a series of smaller bets, not one big one.
Here’s one alternative: Use public funds to create stronger linkages between our old downtown and our new downtown (University Circle) by seeding anchor developments along the avenue. (Check out Mike DeAloia’s proposals and Ned Hill’s Design District.)
Here’s another alternative: Build a smaller Medical Mart/Conference Center complex to tie together the two campuses of the Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve University. Co-locating with existing medical campuses create stronger dynamics.
Merchandise Mart Properties (which may be on the verge of dropping out) understands a reality that the political leaders often miss: Markets don’t lie.
Forcing a project on weak markets is a recipe for failure: Build it or we’ll find someone who will, say Cuyahoga commissioners)
Here’s another alternative: Invest in innovation zones around our County’s college and university campuses.
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+0 | March 1, 2008 @ 5:27 am
John,
Thank you for responding..I was at a little get together last week, and met Lois Moss, who does the Walk and Roll Event. We were talking to a couple of gents about their plans to bring entrepreneurial courses online in a big way, for people of all ages, to get more people thinking about becoming small business owners. My ears perked towards the historical looking ceiling at Moko {or Moka} downtown, and I listened to a fellow entrepreneur talk about his vision. But not only was he talking, he was doing. He is going all over town interviewing other entrepreneurs to get a feel about what is going on, small business wise in NEO. He has hooked up with a huge computer networking equipment company, and will have the ability to take this national, in a big way. Lois said out loud, “WOW! Instead of talking, you are doing.” Lois and I agreed that there is always a lot of talk in NEO about ED, but the action part was sometimes missing.
The point of this dual paragraph post is to challenge all of us to join in a civilized debate, short term, and start helping each other actually move forward and do things. I will continue to do my part, which will include helping Northeast Ohio residents find appropriate opportunities in small business/franchise ownership options, making sure they are keeping their personal and $$ risk on the low end, and introducing them to the best NEO has to offer, when they need legal,financial, and marketing/PR advice. That way, when they decide to pull the trigger, and invest in a business of their own, they will be ready to rock! In this scenario, everyone locally, wins. A person starts a new business in NEO. The person leases a space{Sometimes}, adds a few new jobs to NEO {Most of the time}, spreads a little of his or her own money around NEO, {By taking on a business loan with a LOCAL lender..I insist on that, paying some legal and accounting fees..also locally of course}, paying into the tax revenue bucket, and adding value to his or her local marketing area in NEO. Joel and his family also benefit, as I get a finder’s fee from the franchise company for placing this person into a business of their own, and I can put away some $$ for my child’s education, invest in upgrading my home, paying into the tax revenue bucket, and buying a lunch or 2 in NEO, which helps keep the wheels turning.
Good stuff.
As you pointed out, debate is necessary, but we can all get stuck talking, and talking, and well you know. Let’s start doing, too.
Joel Libava
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+0 | March 1, 2008 @ 9:53 am