Brewed Fresh Daily

Even innovative organizations have to evaluate their product portfolios and long/short terms goals before making growth decisions. Not all growth can or has to come from new projects � you need cash to support shooting stars that can fizzle. Now, cash can either come from built up internal reserves (cash cows) or a surfeit of outside capital. When the internal situation is poor � and the external environment is clearly barren � the same strategy of fostering risky stars cannot work. Not clear thinking for organizations or cities. Meetings and NEO organizations to talk about it may appear to be cost free but they have an opportunity cost.. worthy alternatives are not being considered. For some related and unrelated thinking, here are some stories from cities the size of Cleveland�.. �fresh� beans�roast and brew them as you choose� - Harvard Business Review Dec '03 interview with the Mayor of Atlanta - A story this week from another city - http://newsobserver.com/business/story/3116916p-2823309c.html And.. when time is short - short-term growth strategies should be the focus - not the epemeral long term. So, the two key priorities are battening down the hatches (keep the existing cash cows) - and growing through acquisitions - a time honored, short-term growth strategy where Cleveland can compete instantly - not 15 years from today. The true innovators will continue to foster and they should be helped, during all this. But, the focus should be on securing the working person's lunch that is about to be stolen...not on painting visions of grand suppers...