Brewed Fresh Daily

Doug Henton is president of Collaborative Economics, a firm that advise civic entrepreneurs on how to spark economic transformation. In an Government Technology magazine article from May 2000 he writes:

Assets, networks, culture and the community quality of life are critical ingredients for regional innovation. As a result, regional leaders can and must take action to create a better regional environment for innovation and entrepreneurship. Outside investors can only contribute so much -- such as federal funds for enhancing university R&D assets. Regional leaders must attend to not only the assets but the networks and culture of innovation that translate assets into economic benefits. They must ensure that community quality of life is attractive and stimulating to the people who drive innovation. Regional leaders can come from business, government, education, private foundations and other segments of the community. In short, regional leaders make the difference. Innovative regions do not just happen because of outside forces; they are shaped by the actions of their regional leaders to connect their assets through collaborative initiatives. Many examples exist of regions that have successfully promoted innovation and transformed their economies and communities rapidly. Others places are falling behind either because they do not understand the imperative to innovate or cannot work together to make the changes necessary to create a more innovative region. In the end, regional leaders can change the underlying mindsets and regional environment that shape economic growth. If it is true that "it's the recipe, not the ingredients," then we can help support the chefs of the innovative economy -- those who create better environments for translating new ideas into powerful results for their communities.

Let me repeat: Innovative regions do not just happen because of outside forces; they are shaped by the actions of their regional leaders to connect their assets through collaborative initiatives. Here's my questions: - Who do you think of as a regional leader? - What are the qualities you look for in a regional leader? - How can our regional leaders "change the underlying mindsets and regional enviroment"? - What are the inside forces that are causing the region to become innovative? I look forward to your comments.