Brewed Fresh Daily

Economic development is nether a process nor an event - its an outcome. Which means there is a goal, a decision, a program, and action to be taken -with measurable outcomes. Good processes are necessary drivers of outcomes. However, focusing on process can lead to processes being mistaken as outcomes. So dialogs, talk-fests, collaborative technologies (which support) dialog are likely to be counted as an ends rather than a means. Hence the ongoing paralysis - and unending talk of networks, collaborations, connections...all just means... Without power and money in the networks they will exist in a parallel universe with action and never intersect. Here's hoping and praying for good outcomes in Cleveland.

J Galt, you knock process but want to "hope and pray"??? You should visit Athens, OH [yes THAT Athens] and see how networks, collaboration, process is put into action with measurable results such as new businesses and new jobs all forming on top of a learning/knowledge/social network. In Athens they don't argue about words and phrases, and concepts, they JUST DO IT!

My statement said �Good processes are necessary drivers of outcomes�. Quite a twist to suggest this was knocking process. I only �knocked� misplaced priorities that focus on processes as outcomes. So, sponsored talk-fests, collaborative talk-fests, coffee enabled talk-fests are fine as long as they involve people/firms with money/resources to invest. Else, they could lead to a succession of talk-fests, which then become an end in themselves...as if they are an outcome, rather than an means. And what�s wrong with praying and hoping for a good outcome? And how is that contradicting with the above sentiment? Lacking a strong, rational, cognition-based sense of confidence that good outcomes will be achieved, I am resorting to affect-laden, faith-based, appeals to a higher power - as a well-wisher of your city.