Message From the Chair Emeritus—Richard Johanson
Our members and partners have already heard about the network of regional leaders that emerged from the Collaborative Regional Initiative (CRI) work that began over a decade ago. This movement championed the notion of three interdependent development spheres (economic, infrastructure and human) that must be advanced together to build prosperous and quality communities. While the work of the network has been described in our bulletin, the voices of our partners and information about their local initiatives have not. In today’s bulletin you will hear about the Economic Development Corporation of L.A. County and Valley Vision in Sacramento. Be inspired. Be hopeful. Get engaged. While on the surface CA is clearly struggling, underneath a new approach is well underway. Old ideas created institutions and systems that simply do not work in today’s reality. Sometimes the answer is to simply let go and begin again.
From the LA County Economic Development Corporation
“We are really pushing hard on the implementation of L.A. County’s consensus Strategic Plan for Economic Development. We recently secured the unanimous endorsements of four of our county’s six regional COGs, representing 79 of L.A. County’s 88 cities, and are expecting all five to come on as implementation champions shortly. On July 14th, the City of Los Angeles unanimously voted to support the plan and directed the City’s Chief Administrative Office to see how the plan’s recommendations can be integrated into the activities of (and supported by) the relevant City departments/agencies.
Most important, we continue to leverage and expand the consensus developed during the planning phase by reaching out to the broader public speaking at events, forums, town hall meetings, etc. not just here in Los Angeles, but up-and-down the state. We continue to “pound the table” on the same overarching message that it is time for us to take responsibility for the health and vibrancy of our communities; we cannot rely only on our public officials/electeds to effectuate the transformational change that is required.
It’s been very exciting b/c what started as just a “plan” really has become a developing grassroots movement to serve and transform our communities. (To check out the plan go to http://www.lacountystrategicplan.com)
Valley Vision—“Action Tank” for the Capital Region
Another partner in the regional network is Valley Vision--a vast network of people and organizations dedicated to securing the social, environmental and economic health of the Sacramento Region. The organization serves as a platform to research, plan and problem solve when community challenges require collaborative solutions. As we explore the restoration of the local food system, a continuing focus on agriculture, water and energy, and expand focus into rural communities, Valley Vision’s successful work offers us tools and insights we can build upon. Check out www.valleyvision.org.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
August 10, 2010
Message From the Chair Emeritus—Richard Johanson
What better time than the dog days of summer to step away from the hectic pace of our lives and take a look at the larger picture. Recently, I learned about a memorial installed on the New Jersey shoreline across from Manhattan honoring those who lost their lives in the Twin Towers tragedy of 9/11, a gift from the Russian people to Americans. I would urge that you check it out. Search for Tear Drop Memorial and read the story. You’ll come away impressed once again that despite all of the hate and violence in our world, there does exist a compassionate core of humanity. You will also come away feeling that in our local efforts, we are an integral part of universal efforts to make our world a better place. May we all be inspired to continue our quest by the aura of the Tear Drop Monument.
Lessons Learned—Collected by the Leadership of Duncan Ceramics
• When we focus on the things that unite us, we can resolve the things that divide us. When we focus on the things that divide us, we destroy those things that can unite us. Thomas Jefferson
• If you can get all the people in an organization rowing in the same direction, you can dominate any industry, in any market, against any competition, at any time.
• It’s not what you are that holds you back; it’s what you think you are not. Dennis Waitley
• INNOVATION is the foundation to a company’s competitive advantage.
• Imagination is more important than knowledge. Albert Einstein
• The opposite of excellence is the acceptance of mediocrity.
• Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome. Samuel Johnson
• Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently. Henry Ford
• You may be thinking great thoughts, but if you don’t get them across you have failed.
• A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner. English Proverb
• Don’t find fault, find the remedy. Henry Ford
• Be a thermostat, not a thermometer; made it happen, don’t just measure it.
• The way to develop self-confidence is to do the thing you fear. William Jennings Bryan
• Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress. Nicholas Murray Butler
• Tough times never last, tough people do. Robert Schuller
• A positive attitude is a magnet for positive results. Author Unknown
• Not failure, but a low aim is a crime. James Russell Lowell
• Change must be accepted as the rule rather than the exception. John Welch, Jr.
• We must first risk going too far if we are ever to know how far we can go.
• Falling isn’t failing unless you fail to get up. Mary Pickford
• Our greatest accomplishments are realized through the help of others. Althea Gibson
• You’ve got to believe it before you see it. Robert Schuller
• Never give up, never give up, never give up. Winston Churchill
What better time than the dog days of summer to step away from the hectic pace of our lives and take a look at the larger picture. Recently, I learned about a memorial installed on the New Jersey shoreline across from Manhattan honoring those who lost their lives in the Twin Towers tragedy of 9/11, a gift from the Russian people to Americans. I would urge that you check it out. Search for Tear Drop Memorial and read the story. You’ll come away impressed once again that despite all of the hate and violence in our world, there does exist a compassionate core of humanity. You will also come away feeling that in our local efforts, we are an integral part of universal efforts to make our world a better place. May we all be inspired to continue our quest by the aura of the Tear Drop Monument.
Lessons Learned—Collected by the Leadership of Duncan Ceramics
• When we focus on the things that unite us, we can resolve the things that divide us. When we focus on the things that divide us, we destroy those things that can unite us. Thomas Jefferson
• If you can get all the people in an organization rowing in the same direction, you can dominate any industry, in any market, against any competition, at any time.
• It’s not what you are that holds you back; it’s what you think you are not. Dennis Waitley
• INNOVATION is the foundation to a company’s competitive advantage.
• Imagination is more important than knowledge. Albert Einstein
• The opposite of excellence is the acceptance of mediocrity.
• Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome. Samuel Johnson
• Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently. Henry Ford
• You may be thinking great thoughts, but if you don’t get them across you have failed.
• A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner. English Proverb
• Don’t find fault, find the remedy. Henry Ford
• Be a thermostat, not a thermometer; made it happen, don’t just measure it.
• The way to develop self-confidence is to do the thing you fear. William Jennings Bryan
• Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress. Nicholas Murray Butler
• Tough times never last, tough people do. Robert Schuller
• A positive attitude is a magnet for positive results. Author Unknown
• Not failure, but a low aim is a crime. James Russell Lowell
• Change must be accepted as the rule rather than the exception. John Welch, Jr.
• We must first risk going too far if we are ever to know how far we can go.
• Falling isn’t failing unless you fail to get up. Mary Pickford
• Our greatest accomplishments are realized through the help of others. Althea Gibson
• You’ve got to believe it before you see it. Robert Schuller
• Never give up, never give up, never give up. Winston Churchill
Thursday, July 8, 2010
July 6, 2010
Message From the Chair Emeritus—Richard Johanson
Recently I had the opportunity to study a white paper explaining where our region and country could be within the next couple of years if we came together and to maximize the human resources available to us. High among the stated priorities is the need to put aside dogmatic political posturing and agreeing upon common solutions to major problems. One way the paper proposes to do this is through the creation of private sector “Solutions Councils” to work with all levels of civic administration. Clearly, some regions have already taken bold and enduring steps in this direction. The Fresno Business Council, founded in 1993, was launched with this approach in mind. The California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley is another example. Our partners in the network of regional stewards across California offer additional models. Each sector and discipline has strengths and weaknesses. By aligning our assets (the Asset-Based Approach) and maintaining a Commitment to Outcomes and the Resolution of Conflicts, our future is rich with promise. The choice is ours.
A Job, A Better Job, A Career—Personal and Workforce Development
In many meetings, Assemblymember Juan Arambula has talked about an individual’s path to prosperity—a job, a better job and a career. While some are satisfied with the first step, others are motivated to rise to the highest level of development they can achieve. As a community, our prosperity is tied to the same trajectory. How do we create environments where individuals discover their unique talents and have the tools and opportunities they need to develop to their highest potential?
Recently, many of us involved in the Regional Jobs Initiative had an opportunity to meet with representatives of the Ford Motor Company Fund. They have launched a partnership with educators, employers and community leaders “to develop a generation of young people who will graduate from high school both college and career ready—an emerging workforce prepared to compete successfully in the 21st century economy.” While clearly, high level technical skills are needed, their approach blends many disciplines in order to prepare students to think critically, solve problems, communicate effectively, work well on teams, innovate and look through a global lens. Woven together, this package of abilities will yield a productive and innovative workforce and engaged citizens and effective parents. For more info: www.fordpas.org or www.fordnglc.com. This is the shift from industrial view of education to a customized and sustaining one.
The work focuses on three learning initiatives:
1. Transform Teaching and Learning (project based and applied learning)
2. Redesign High Schools (collaborate across sectors and disciplines)
3. Sustain Change Through Business and Civic Leadership (Political will requires a shared agenda and strategies)
Recently I had the opportunity to study a white paper explaining where our region and country could be within the next couple of years if we came together and to maximize the human resources available to us. High among the stated priorities is the need to put aside dogmatic political posturing and agreeing upon common solutions to major problems. One way the paper proposes to do this is through the creation of private sector “Solutions Councils” to work with all levels of civic administration. Clearly, some regions have already taken bold and enduring steps in this direction. The Fresno Business Council, founded in 1993, was launched with this approach in mind. The California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley is another example. Our partners in the network of regional stewards across California offer additional models. Each sector and discipline has strengths and weaknesses. By aligning our assets (the Asset-Based Approach) and maintaining a Commitment to Outcomes and the Resolution of Conflicts, our future is rich with promise. The choice is ours.
A Job, A Better Job, A Career—Personal and Workforce Development
In many meetings, Assemblymember Juan Arambula has talked about an individual’s path to prosperity—a job, a better job and a career. While some are satisfied with the first step, others are motivated to rise to the highest level of development they can achieve. As a community, our prosperity is tied to the same trajectory. How do we create environments where individuals discover their unique talents and have the tools and opportunities they need to develop to their highest potential?
Recently, many of us involved in the Regional Jobs Initiative had an opportunity to meet with representatives of the Ford Motor Company Fund. They have launched a partnership with educators, employers and community leaders “to develop a generation of young people who will graduate from high school both college and career ready—an emerging workforce prepared to compete successfully in the 21st century economy.” While clearly, high level technical skills are needed, their approach blends many disciplines in order to prepare students to think critically, solve problems, communicate effectively, work well on teams, innovate and look through a global lens. Woven together, this package of abilities will yield a productive and innovative workforce and engaged citizens and effective parents. For more info: www.fordpas.org or www.fordnglc.com. This is the shift from industrial view of education to a customized and sustaining one.
The work focuses on three learning initiatives:
1. Transform Teaching and Learning (project based and applied learning)
2. Redesign High Schools (collaborate across sectors and disciplines)
3. Sustain Change Through Business and Civic Leadership (Political will requires a shared agenda and strategies)
Thursday, June 17, 2010
June 14, 2010
Message From the Chair Emeritus—Richard Johanson
Has it occurred to you that one of the greatest frustrations we face as we try to transform this place from Good to Great is being among those who cannot disagree without being disagreeable? Many of the just concluded election campaigns are a case in point. For those of you who are members of the FBC or interested in becoming one, I encourage you to attend our membership meeting this Wednesday morning in the Alice Peters Auditorium at the CSUF Craig School of Business. Be sure to park in the space marked by UBC flags. I predict you will depart inspired by all that is happening. Transformation surrounds us. Be there and get a first-hand report. If you have not already, please let Deb know you are coming at Deborah.Nankivell@fresnobc.org.
The Future of Leadership—John Chambers, CEO of Cisco Systems
As every sector and organization has struggled to adapt to rapid, multi-dimensional change, the pressure on leaders is intense. The training most received is dated and the culture where they once thrived is gone. Now what? In a recent column in Newsweek, John Chambers, the CEO of Cisco Systems offered his thoughts. His insights clearly apply to our work as we partner with others to build a great community.
From top down to collaboration:
When asked how he has changed since he assumed the CEO spot in 1995, Chambers explained that when he started he thought his job was about vision, strategy, team building and communication. Within 5 years he understood the critical role of culture and his responsibility to drive and reinforce a great one. He spoke to the dramatic shift underway…. “from command and control to collaboration and teamwork. It sounds easy to do, but it’s hard, because you are trained the old way in business and law school. Today, 80 to 90% of the job is how we work together toward common goals, which requires a different skill set.”
From siloes to multi-disciplinary teams:“..there’s a fundamental change that may be really important to the future of business in this country and the world…we are moving to collaborative teams and training leaders to think across siloes. We’re going to train a generalist group of leaders who know how to learn and operate in collaboration teamwork. I think that is the future of leadership.”
Implications For Our Community and Region
Since the planning began for the Collaborative Regional Initiative in 1999, an increasing number of people have become committed to operating in accordance with a set of ten community values. Many have become literate in three areas of work—economic, infrastructure and human development. They understand how the pieces fit together and that they are interdependent and equally important. Stewardship of the whole and collaboration across boundaries are at the heart of the work. We have rediscovered the fine art of barn raising and one by one major issues have been added to the “to do” list as champions have emerged to tackle them. These champions know how to think across disciplines and leverage the knowledge and resources that are already in play. Life-long learning is a must no matter what position one holds.
Has it occurred to you that one of the greatest frustrations we face as we try to transform this place from Good to Great is being among those who cannot disagree without being disagreeable? Many of the just concluded election campaigns are a case in point. For those of you who are members of the FBC or interested in becoming one, I encourage you to attend our membership meeting this Wednesday morning in the Alice Peters Auditorium at the CSUF Craig School of Business. Be sure to park in the space marked by UBC flags. I predict you will depart inspired by all that is happening. Transformation surrounds us. Be there and get a first-hand report. If you have not already, please let Deb know you are coming at Deborah.Nankivell@fresnobc.org.
The Future of Leadership—John Chambers, CEO of Cisco Systems
As every sector and organization has struggled to adapt to rapid, multi-dimensional change, the pressure on leaders is intense. The training most received is dated and the culture where they once thrived is gone. Now what? In a recent column in Newsweek, John Chambers, the CEO of Cisco Systems offered his thoughts. His insights clearly apply to our work as we partner with others to build a great community.
From top down to collaboration:
When asked how he has changed since he assumed the CEO spot in 1995, Chambers explained that when he started he thought his job was about vision, strategy, team building and communication. Within 5 years he understood the critical role of culture and his responsibility to drive and reinforce a great one. He spoke to the dramatic shift underway…. “from command and control to collaboration and teamwork. It sounds easy to do, but it’s hard, because you are trained the old way in business and law school. Today, 80 to 90% of the job is how we work together toward common goals, which requires a different skill set.”
From siloes to multi-disciplinary teams:“..there’s a fundamental change that may be really important to the future of business in this country and the world…we are moving to collaborative teams and training leaders to think across siloes. We’re going to train a generalist group of leaders who know how to learn and operate in collaboration teamwork. I think that is the future of leadership.”
Implications For Our Community and Region
Since the planning began for the Collaborative Regional Initiative in 1999, an increasing number of people have become committed to operating in accordance with a set of ten community values. Many have become literate in three areas of work—economic, infrastructure and human development. They understand how the pieces fit together and that they are interdependent and equally important. Stewardship of the whole and collaboration across boundaries are at the heart of the work. We have rediscovered the fine art of barn raising and one by one major issues have been added to the “to do” list as champions have emerged to tackle them. These champions know how to think across disciplines and leverage the knowledge and resources that are already in play. Life-long learning is a must no matter what position one holds.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Message From the Chair Emeritus—Richard Johanson
One of my greatest privileges is being able to attend meetings of folks committed to the future of our kids. The first was an inspiring meeting of Street Saints, a faith-based peer to peer group making a positive and expanding impact on young people primarily focused in west Fresno. The second was the San Joaquin Valley Business Leader Summit on Early Care and Education. There is a growing community awareness that the K-12 system cannot successfully educate students if they have not received appropriate pre-school training either at home or in a more formal setting. A Chinese proverb sums it up this way: “The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is today.” Let us all be tree planters.
Economist and Nobel Prize Winner Explains ROI and Kids
Many have made the case for investing in young children. What we haven’t done is get strategic about how to do it to scale recognizing that the people most responsible for doing so are the parents. However, if they cannot or will not, communities must decide whether or not they will step up. An economics professor at the University of Chicago, James Heckman, decided to study the impacts of school readiness programs for children growing up in disadvantaged homes. He learned that our major economic and social problems—crime, teenage pregnancy, drop outs and poor health—are largely the result of low levels of social ability. Attentiveness, persistence and impulse control are essential skills that must be developed intentionally when role models who have mastered them are lacking. Neuroscience underscores this finding and emphasizes the importance of brain development ages 0 to 5. We have a lot of assets and committed people interested in filling this gap by changing the underlying conditions and meeting the needs of children today. We must align the tactics behind a shared strategy to succeed. “I’d rather pay now to open the door of opportunity for our kids than pay later to shut a jail door behind them.” Chief Jerry Dyer.
Often Overlooked Community Asset—Air National Guard (ANG) Fresno
You may have seen the planes fly overhead but not have given a thought to the implications. The National Guard is the oldest armed service in America, originally formed as a militia to protect the colonies. Since then the Guard has played a major role in every war. The base in Fresno uses local infrastructure, including the airport runways, and is one of the most cost effective bases in the US. Its mission is to provide air defense for California using the F-16 Fighting Falcon. They protect ports, nuclear plants, and airports from Mexico to Ukiah. The Guard also responds to state emergencies when called up by the Governor. During 911, the Fresno base responded 3 hours faster than any other base. The ANG provides nearly half of the Air Force’s tactical airlift support, combat communications, aero-medical evacuations and aerial refueling. It bears full responsibility for the air defense of the entire United States. Most of the members of live and work in Fresno. They participate in local philanthropic efforts, provide outstanding job opportunities and help build the local economy. To find out more, go to www.144fw.ang.af.mil. Thank you to Mike Budd, both for your service in the ANG and for providing the opportunity for us to tour the base and learn about the essential role the Guard plays locally, nationally and internationally.
Full Membership Meeting Scheduled for Wednesday, June 16 from 7:30 to 9:00 AM
Please Save the Date
One of my greatest privileges is being able to attend meetings of folks committed to the future of our kids. The first was an inspiring meeting of Street Saints, a faith-based peer to peer group making a positive and expanding impact on young people primarily focused in west Fresno. The second was the San Joaquin Valley Business Leader Summit on Early Care and Education. There is a growing community awareness that the K-12 system cannot successfully educate students if they have not received appropriate pre-school training either at home or in a more formal setting. A Chinese proverb sums it up this way: “The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is today.” Let us all be tree planters.
Economist and Nobel Prize Winner Explains ROI and Kids
Many have made the case for investing in young children. What we haven’t done is get strategic about how to do it to scale recognizing that the people most responsible for doing so are the parents. However, if they cannot or will not, communities must decide whether or not they will step up. An economics professor at the University of Chicago, James Heckman, decided to study the impacts of school readiness programs for children growing up in disadvantaged homes. He learned that our major economic and social problems—crime, teenage pregnancy, drop outs and poor health—are largely the result of low levels of social ability. Attentiveness, persistence and impulse control are essential skills that must be developed intentionally when role models who have mastered them are lacking. Neuroscience underscores this finding and emphasizes the importance of brain development ages 0 to 5. We have a lot of assets and committed people interested in filling this gap by changing the underlying conditions and meeting the needs of children today. We must align the tactics behind a shared strategy to succeed. “I’d rather pay now to open the door of opportunity for our kids than pay later to shut a jail door behind them.” Chief Jerry Dyer.
Often Overlooked Community Asset—Air National Guard (ANG) Fresno
You may have seen the planes fly overhead but not have given a thought to the implications. The National Guard is the oldest armed service in America, originally formed as a militia to protect the colonies. Since then the Guard has played a major role in every war. The base in Fresno uses local infrastructure, including the airport runways, and is one of the most cost effective bases in the US. Its mission is to provide air defense for California using the F-16 Fighting Falcon. They protect ports, nuclear plants, and airports from Mexico to Ukiah. The Guard also responds to state emergencies when called up by the Governor. During 911, the Fresno base responded 3 hours faster than any other base. The ANG provides nearly half of the Air Force’s tactical airlift support, combat communications, aero-medical evacuations and aerial refueling. It bears full responsibility for the air defense of the entire United States. Most of the members of live and work in Fresno. They participate in local philanthropic efforts, provide outstanding job opportunities and help build the local economy. To find out more, go to www.144fw.ang.af.mil. Thank you to Mike Budd, both for your service in the ANG and for providing the opportunity for us to tour the base and learn about the essential role the Guard plays locally, nationally and internationally.
Full Membership Meeting Scheduled for Wednesday, June 16 from 7:30 to 9:00 AM
Please Save the Date
Monday, April 26, 2010
April 26, 2010
Message From the Chair Emeritus—Richard Johanson
The longer I attend Board meetings of the Fresno Business Council, the more convinced I become that we face no challenge larger than creating awareness among our membership and broader community of the scope of our collective successes and opportunities. Unless one is exposed to the diversity and the depth of the work going on, it is difficult to understand the impact of these efforts and the reasons for optimism. Leaders of institutions and organizations are learning the skills of collaborative stewardship as we work together to address challenges so complex and multi-dimensional that no one working alone could fully understand or resolve them.
What Have We Learned
As a number of us are putting “lessons learned” to paper, one of them is the value of exploring best practices from other communities. The reality of the global economy, decentralization of power and shifting demographics was anticipated decades ago. Cities and regions across the country have been experimenting with new ways of doing the community’s business for years. In some communities, pioneers went out early to map new approaches while in others the status quo futilely tried to deny change, seeking to patch rather innovate and are lagging far behind.
The FBC is committed to active learning across many disciplines. Along with other communities, we are on the hunt for a new civic DNA. A number of my longtime mentors wrote a book entitled: Boundary Crossers: Community Leadership for a Global Age in 1997. They distilled ten lessons from civic efforts across the country. Knowledge becomes wisdom when you experience it as true and begin to live it. As many of us are experiencing these lessons, I thought you would find them useful:
1. The table gets larger……and rounder.
2. The only thing more challenging then a crisis may be its absence.
3. The agenda gets tougher.
4. There is no magical leadership structure—just people and relationships.
5. No one’s excused.
6. Sometimes the old ways still work.
7. Collaboration is messy, frustrating and indispensable.
8. Government always needs reforming, but all reforms need government.
9. Place matters.
10. It’s never over.
To Sum It Up—John W. Gardner
“What we need, and what seems to be emerging in some of our communities, is something new—networks of responsibility drawn from all segments, coming together to create a wholeness that incorporates diversity. The participants are at home with change and exhibit a measure of shared values, a sense of mutual obligation and trust. Above all, they have a sense of responsibility for the future of the whole city and region.” In Fresno, the Four Spheres and the Community Values provide a framework and operating system reflective of the lessons we have learned through doing.
Monday, April 19, 2010
April 19, 2010
Message From the Chair Emeritus—Richard Johanson
Recently I heard a marvelous presentation on conflict resolution and mediation. The focus was on the way we espouse our position on public policies and personas. How do we overcome the temptation of distortion and alienation in promoting our desires on sensitive ballot issues and candidates for public office? What was most interesting is that research has now established that some people have a generic deviation in their frontal lobe which contributes to their vocal combativeness. My conclusion, therefore, is that as we go through our bi-annual election year process with all of its oftentimes abrasive rhetoric, we each place a greater emphasis on what we believe is deeply rooted in the proponent’s conscience rather than what we read, see or hear as part of the overt campaign process. That compassionate distinction, it seems to me, defines Democracy.
RJI Annual Meeting—May 26: Staying Ahead of the Curve—Save the Date
Kudos to RJI cluster leaders and participants who are making steady progress in learning how to leverage public and private resources to strengthen companies and industries. There are currently 11 clusters—Construction, Clean Energy, Manufacturing, Logistics & Distribution, Tourism, Food Processing, Public Sector, Arts & Culture, Software and Water. On May 26 from 7:30 to 9:30 AM, you will have an opportunity to learn about specific accomplishments and future initiatives. In addition, there will be a financial panel to explain how to access capital through various programs. Our keynote will be Dr. Serve Pierre Besanger. He is an economist and strategist with 26 years of experience in 20 countries. He has chaired numbers boards and served as an advisor to over 50 leading companies and institutions on three continents.
Smart Valley Places
Issue by issue we are learning how interdependent solutions to critical problems are. The foundation for a strong economy and healthy neighborhoods is infrastructure—how it is designed and developed. As many issues have regional impacts, the notion of Smart Valley Places has emerged. Smart Valley Places is being developed as a regional sustainable communities network in the Central Valley. By using smart tools, plans, polices, and practices the intention is to integrate economic growth, social equity, environmental quality and resource stewardship in planning and acting. Through a deeper understanding of long term ramifications, we can be more intentional about the community’s business and achieve greater success in all spheres of work.
Fact-Based Decision Making
At the beginning of each board meeting, we discuss one of the ten community values to keep them top of mind. As science continues to reduce facts to myths and assumptions, the importance of humility has grown. While often unconscious, how we think and our motivational biases can prevent us from seeing the obvious or being open to equally valid, yet different perceptions. Like the blind men describing an elephant, what you believe may have more to do with where you are standing than what is true.
Recently I heard a marvelous presentation on conflict resolution and mediation. The focus was on the way we espouse our position on public policies and personas. How do we overcome the temptation of distortion and alienation in promoting our desires on sensitive ballot issues and candidates for public office? What was most interesting is that research has now established that some people have a generic deviation in their frontal lobe which contributes to their vocal combativeness. My conclusion, therefore, is that as we go through our bi-annual election year process with all of its oftentimes abrasive rhetoric, we each place a greater emphasis on what we believe is deeply rooted in the proponent’s conscience rather than what we read, see or hear as part of the overt campaign process. That compassionate distinction, it seems to me, defines Democracy.
RJI Annual Meeting—May 26: Staying Ahead of the Curve—Save the Date
Kudos to RJI cluster leaders and participants who are making steady progress in learning how to leverage public and private resources to strengthen companies and industries. There are currently 11 clusters—Construction, Clean Energy, Manufacturing, Logistics & Distribution, Tourism, Food Processing, Public Sector, Arts & Culture, Software and Water. On May 26 from 7:30 to 9:30 AM, you will have an opportunity to learn about specific accomplishments and future initiatives. In addition, there will be a financial panel to explain how to access capital through various programs. Our keynote will be Dr. Serve Pierre Besanger. He is an economist and strategist with 26 years of experience in 20 countries. He has chaired numbers boards and served as an advisor to over 50 leading companies and institutions on three continents.
Smart Valley Places
Issue by issue we are learning how interdependent solutions to critical problems are. The foundation for a strong economy and healthy neighborhoods is infrastructure—how it is designed and developed. As many issues have regional impacts, the notion of Smart Valley Places has emerged. Smart Valley Places is being developed as a regional sustainable communities network in the Central Valley. By using smart tools, plans, polices, and practices the intention is to integrate economic growth, social equity, environmental quality and resource stewardship in planning and acting. Through a deeper understanding of long term ramifications, we can be more intentional about the community’s business and achieve greater success in all spheres of work.
Fact-Based Decision Making
At the beginning of each board meeting, we discuss one of the ten community values to keep them top of mind. As science continues to reduce facts to myths and assumptions, the importance of humility has grown. While often unconscious, how we think and our motivational biases can prevent us from seeing the obvious or being open to equally valid, yet different perceptions. Like the blind men describing an elephant, what you believe may have more to do with where you are standing than what is true.
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