THE ULTIMATE GOAL:
STARTING BACKWARDS FROM
The region currently known as “The Corridor� becomes internationally recognized as a hub for innovation, education, entrepreneurship and culture. A place where people want to live, companies want to locate and from which globally relevant ideas spring.
Who are the role models for us?
COMMON THEME??
Smarter People?
COMMON THEME = CULTURE These areas have cultivated a culture of openness, collaboration, entrepreneurship, calculated risk taking and creativity. In short: Connected Community They have learned to embrace non-traditional thought at the personal, organizational, educational and governmental levels and accepted the status quo is not sufficient to be recognized as a leader.
TAKING STOCK OF OUR REGIONAL ASSETS Strong economy with low unemployment One of the highest educational attainment levels Diverse mix of international people & industry Major research university Top tier community college Writer’s Workshop / City of Literature Vibrant art and cultural scene Low cost of living Safe, engaging communities Metro and rural living options Midwestern values, civic pride, compassion Logistics and location Awesome weather (at least 20 days a year)
a culture of innovation
Embrace the best of our Midwestern culture, while moving past its limiting factors.
LIMITING FACTORS OF OUR CULTURE • We resist change and fear risk • Our concern for each other can be overly protective and parental • Many times we jump to the “How” before we grasp the potential of the “Why” • Often we see our turf as mutually exclusive and needing to be protected • Symptom vs. Cause problem solving • We tend to create un-inclusive ‘bubbles’ or silos which limit our spheres of influence
EXAMPLES OF OUR MACRO BUBBLES
Education
Non profit Sector Art
Government Industry
More separation than overlap
EXAMPLES OF OUR MICRO BUBBLES
Non profit Sector
UI
Education K-12 Kirkwood How much potential do we squander with separation?
THEN WE HAVE REGIONAL BUBBLES
Rural
Cedar Rapids Region Iowa City
We still look at driving 25 minutes as an
We need to change how people interact, engage and collaborate
MIDWESTERN MIND CHECK: Raise your hand if some variation of the following thoughts / questions occurred to you? BUT HOW??? You can’t change culture… There’s no way Do we have to start some new organization now to do this? What does this have to do with economic development? This is long term stuff, we need to focus on the immediate What is this going to cost? I thought there would be a real breakfast Things are just fine the way they are, why mess with it This guy is a dreamer, we need a practical approach We should hire a consultant to help with this And.. This is all a load of garbage (because I really don’t get it)
WE START TO CHANGE THE CULTURE IN THREE SIMPLE WAYS 1: Encouraging innovative ways for people to connect and engage 2: Leverage existing connections to foster meaningful relationships 3: Create physical spaces within the region which embody this new mindset where people can interact
FIRST TASK: CREATE AND MANAGE ONE UNIFIED BRAND WHICH EMBODIES OUR QUEST TO REALIZE A NEW CULTURE OF INNOVATION, COLLABORATION, OPENNESS, ENTREPRENEURIAL THINKING, AND CONNECTEDNESS. THIS BRAND CUTS ACROSS ALL BUBBLES AND BECOMES THE MASTER DISTRIBUTION LIST FOR EVERYTHING INNOVATING AND COOL IN THE REGION.
ENGAGEMENT
IQ Events- Exemplified by their ability to bring diverse minds together for enriching, interactive experiences. Unlike submissive, one sided presentations, these gatherings will create opportunities for idea sharing, collaboration and exposure to innovative and unique concepts and ideas. Some will be novel local endeavors, others will build on nationally known platforms such as Jelly’s, Ignite, Tech Brews, BarCamp, Fishbowls and ultimately our area will hold internationally recognized events such as Startup Weekend and TEDx. When an activity is recognized as an IQuest Event – it will be innovative engagement of the highest quality. If done right, Clay Jones, Sally Mason, the guy with tattoos Still need to think in bubbles?? all over his face, students, retirees and other open minds IQ becomes the overarching will attend these events because they genuinely want to, mega bubble for all the not because they feel obligated to do so. innovative efforts of the area.
CONNECTIONS
IQ Sherpa – A collaborative environment is characterized by individuals who are willing to help others make linkages and open doors. Sherpa will know: the who, what and where in the corridor; they will embody the culture of innovation spirit. Experts at the local terrain, individuals earning the Sherpa designation will help build the collaborative networks necessary for our region remain relevant in an increasingly unforgiving global economy.
Think High School: Sherpas are the Cool Kids, everyone wants to be a part of what the cool kids are doing. Sherpas will drive interest and excitement while connecting people to others in the region they will benefit from knowing.
SPACE
IQ CoLabs – Physical spaces in the region where innovation will live on a daily basis. CoLabs will play host to nontraditional incubation efforts, coworking spaces and be the home for a wide array of work styles, events, people and ideas. Linked by novel and existing social networking platforms, these spaces will model new ways of engagement, collaboration and productivity. Located around the region, they will serve as the bridge connecting traditional economic development efforts to next level opportunities and business growth. These spaces accelerate serendipity by providing a daily environment for people to work, meet and share.
WHAT IS THE IQ PURPOSE OF THE IQ STEERING COUNCIL? Brand Management: The independent body which will help define and determine which events in the corridor can be marketed as IQ events and what qualifies a person to be recognized as an IQ Sherpa. Goal: One unified sphere of influence (supported by CBA orgs. yet owned by none) which cuts across all the bubbles to reach those individuals interested in participating in this culture of influence and making them feel connected, supported, informed and engaged. Outcomes: Topophilia is strengthened, innovative thinking strengthens our organizations, businesses, governments and cultural entities, new companies form, outside industry locates here, people recognize the region globally and want to be a part of what we have built.
Topophilia= the bond between people and place. Examples: That longing you have for your grandmother’s kitchen when you were six and she was baking, that corner booth in the bar you hung out in college, the spot someone proposed, or the way people talk about living in NYC.
We need people to have this feeling about the corridor.
LETS GET TO WORK
a.
How will we define the criteria for an event to utilize the IQ Logo and be marketed as such? b. What is the best process for this group to make these decisions as entities make requests? c. What are the qualifications a person should meet to be recognized as a “Sherpa�?