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Ralph Solonitz Commentary: Crescent Star by I-Open Team.
Categorized as Branding Stories. Tagged with advocacy, art, cartoon, illustration and ralph solonitz.
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From Slashdot: More Climate Scientists Now Support Geoengineering by I-Open Team.
Categorized as Brainpower. Tagged with emissions and geoengineering.http://news.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/01/03/177228
ofcourseyouare writes "The Independent is a UK newspaper which has been pushing hard for cuts in CO2 emissions for years. It recently polled a group of 'the world's leading climate scientists,' revealing a 'growing support for geoengineering' in addition to cutting CO2 — not as a substitute. For example, Jim Lovelock, author of The Gaia Theory, comments: 'I disagree that geoengineering the climate is a dangerous distraction and I disagree that on no account should it ever be considered. I strongly agree that we now need a "plan B" where a geoengineering strategy is drawn up in parallel with other measures to curb CO2 emissions.' Professor Kerry Emanuel of MIT said, 'While a geoengineering solution is bound to be less than desirable, the probability of getting global agreement on emissions reductions before it is too late is very small.'"
Cleveland Solar Wind: Midtown Brews 2009 Partner by I-Open Team.
Categorized as Collaboration. Tagged with cleveland solar wind, solar power and wind power.Cleveland Solar Wind, owned by Bill MacDermott, will help to sponsor 2009 Midtown Brews conversations.
To learn more about this Cleveland company, visit their site here.
I-Open and Earth Watch Ohio Build Sustainable Networks for Enterprise Collaboration, by Susan Schaul by I-Open Team.
Categorized as Branding Stories. Tagged with earthwatch ohio, i-open and news release.According to Webster's Dictionary, "sustainable" describes a process, system, or practice that supports and maintains a given condition, such as economic growth or a human population, without destroying or depleting natural resources or polluting the environment.
Within the past eight years, the word "sustainability" has jumped into our vocabulary and quickly gained ground. Frequently used to describe the goals of environmental groups, sustainability has now expanded into the news headlines, green business advertising, and energy organizations. Sustainable principles have been adopted by companies advocating cost-efficient, sound business practices.
What is the next chapter in the sustainable journey? To build a stronger, sustainable community across the region supported by networks of people working together. EarthWatch Ohio, incorporating these core values into its foundation, is moving forward in 2009 by joining together with other like-minded partners supporting and promoting events. We can not accomplish this mission alone.
I-Open, The Institute for Open Economic Networks, is a not-for-profit economic development organization that accelerates innovation and economic transformation in local and regional economies. Their approach is founded on open source development, an effective innovation engine developed in the software industry. Open source development is based on voluntary communities of people contributing to common (often complex) projects. I-Open develops and deploys practical approaches to creating open innovation networks in neighborhoods, counties, and regions. Open networks accelerate collaborations and allow people to see opportunities faster.
You are cordially invited to join in this worthwhile network. I-Open hosts a monthly civic forum, Midtown Brews (www.MidtownBrews.net), in partnership with Meet The Bloggers, free and open to the public, which brings people together the first Thursday of every month from 5:30-7:00pm. Thought leaders from Northeast Ohio and the nation help guide open conversations focused on powerful topics affecting economic development in communities and regions. Midtown Brews accelerates enterprise development in the sectors of land, water, air, food and human health.
Everyone is encouraged to participate and contribute to the discussion. These events provide opportunities to build your networks, meet new people, and collaborate on new projects.
Be part of the solution and get involved! Attend the next 2009 Midtown Brews on Thursday, February 5 and Thursday, March 5 at 5:30pm. Check Midtown Brews for updated topics, locations and directions.
See you there!!
The Cleveland Social Media Experiment by Bill MacDermott.
Not categorized. Tagged with creative industries, digital culture, economic development, entrepreneurship, innovation and interactive technologies.
The Cleveland Social Media Experiment
I am personally reminded of my work in the early days of my tenure as “Tech Czar” at the City of Cleveland, when David Moss (then of the Cleveland Institute of Art), myself and a courageous band of young leaders worked diligently on an Gaming Center of Excellence grant application. I still have the documents and architectural drawings of a living citadel of gaming engineering and programming to be built in Downtown Cleveland. The drawings were gorgeous and the document to the State of Ohio detailed a laundry list of why Cleveland could become a gaming center (and by gaming I mean of course the PlayStation’s, the Wii’s, the X-Box’s and all other commercial gaming applications). I remember David and I being called down to NorTech to meet with its leadership about “this Gaming Center.” (I believe David will support my memory when I suggest to you that the President of NorTech fell asleep during our presentation…so much for NorTech being on the cutting edge of thought leadership and technology). Needless to say, the grant application to the State for this Gaming Center was denied primarily due to “lack of civic support from NorTech.”
That is why I am suggesting to everyone that we cannot allow this to happen to Cleveland’s rich and growing knowledge of social media, especially in the context of growing this expertise into a thriving and fast-growing industry. I was one of the early members of the Cleveland Social Media Club. And I pray that social media becomes one of, if not the most, promising of technology sectors in Cleveland. To accomplish this, I am offering a five-point plan to quickly establish Cleveland as the center of the social media experience. (Not to mention that this is perhaps the hottest sector in the Internet universe.)
I. Cleveland Social Media Speakers’ Guide – Listen, a little self-promotion always does a body good. A strong compilation of experts in the social media expanse with bios, levels of expertise, contact information and a social network design of these experts created and marketed towards the local and national media can only bring the right type of attention to this area’s massive relevance in social media. Every quarter the Speakers’ Guide is updated and sent out to local/national media. All articles and interviews are then logged into a searchable database and promoted through various social media outlets. Reinforce our strength – knowledge.
II. Social Media eBook – There has been much discussion at the Cleveland Social Media Club about crafting an eBook on social media strategies and case studies. I think it is brilliant that we position Cleveland as the Center of the Social Media Universe. Think of Cleveland as the Library at Alexandria for all things social media.
III. The Cleveland Social Media Center – I have been tinkering for some time on the creation of a Social Media Center along Euclid Avenue, preferably in my mind to be built out in Playhouse Square. This Social Media Center would be an open venue for the general public to visit and try new social media outlets (i.e. – Twitter, FaceBook, and LinkedIn) with the help of staff. Lessons to the public on how to use such social media tools would be created. Open terminals and sponsorship from the local titans of social media as well as national social media brands would be crafted at a street level venue along Euclid Avenue. Now we have the physical presence of our social media expertise. As a group, I hope we can craft a strong business plan that we, as a community, can take to the Civic Innovation Lab and Fund for Our Economic Future and get funded. We must create a Center of Excellence that promotes national influence.
IV. Cleveland Social Media Ventures – I believe it behooves us to develop a small but viable venture fund for new social media ventures. Let’s support our homegrown talent and finally have national business plans and social media companies gravitate to Cleveland. I realize it is a trying time for such a fund – but it is IMPERATIVE that we, as Cleveland - as the region, begin investing in such a worthwhile industry. I personally have reviewed at least a half-dozen social media start-up companies in the last six months – all Cleveland based. A fund of $500,000 to $1,000,000 would prove one of the largest wealth creators in Cleveland in the past 50 years. I believe this to my core. To my soul.
V. The Social Media Learning Continuum – What a better way to create deals for the Cleveland Social Media Fund and to generate the next generation of experts than to create an educational plan for the K – 12 universe in Cleveland. There is no greater gift than the resident knowledge we have given to those who could create more with it than we ever could. Let’s connect with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and any other local school district that will work with us to establish a working curriculum for students.
I believe these are all actionable items that can parlay this City’s and region’s growing expertise in social media to an all together new level. I cannot suggest to any of you how all of this will play out but I can tell you it will bring forth a new sense of pride, it will establish new investments and create an industry that will truly be “brain gain” centric. I stand ready to help implement this plan. Cleveland, more than ever, needs a win. Cleveland needs to establish a new sense of that championship spirit that will propel us to national (international) success. There has never been a better industry than social media to make this happen and in the most profound way.
Ralph Solonitz Commentary: 2009 New Year's Greetings by I-Open Team.
Categorized as Multimedia. Tagged with cartoon, illustration and ralph solonitz.
Midtown Brews 2009 0108: "Quality, Connected Places: Shrinking A Community's Carbon Footprint with Water Efficiency" by I-Open Team.
Categorized as Branding Stories. Tagged with communities, efficiency, sustainability and water.
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Join us for Midtown Brews with Meet The Bloggers... "Quality, Connected Places: Shrinking a Community's Carbon Footprint with Water Efficiency" Date: Thurs Jan 8, 2009 Time: 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Live Video Broadcast and Chat Conversation 6:00PM - 7:00PM (EST) Location: Insivia, 1900 Superior Avenue, Suite 105, Cleveland, Ohio 44114 Ph: (216) 373-1080 Register: Upcoming.org Donation: $5.00 and your favorite beverage Moderator: I-Open And You...Everyone is welcome. Small steps are powerful tools to large change. Learn how small steps from each of us can reduce our carbon footprint, improve water quality and revitalize communities. Watch "A Simple Solution for Back to Nature in 3- 5
Days," with Bruce Missig, Environmental Specialist (below and also available on You Tube). Bruce talks about
simple steps citizens and communities can take to restore aquifers. Join Midtown Brews for more information and to build your networks. Learn from civic leaders defining economic development priorities for Northeast Ohio: "2008 Presidential Campaign Issues: Growing the Economic Viability of Women" Part 2: Where Do We Go From Here, Mr. President?" Live Show Sat Nov 8, 2008 broadcast from the Cleveland Heights Library. Listen to the conversation on Mogulus. Questions? Contact: Betsey Merkel, The Institute for Open Economic Networks (I-Open), 4415 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44113 Ph: 216-246-2447 | ||
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Meet.The.Bloggers continues to build a national reputation for supporting freedom of speech, citizen dialogue and strengthening transparent political process - keystones of Democracy. | ||||
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Electronic and print communication strategies that help businesses reach more customers...and keep them. | ||||
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Conversations that Build Community by Ruth Ann Barrett.
Not categorized. Tagged with conversations, narrative and stories.http://radicaltransitions.net/a-free-pdf-of-instructions/
New book, you can download it, from the Radical Transitions blog, above.
Radical Transitions is the companion of Instructions from the Cook, a new book by George Nemeth and Jack Ricchiuto about conversations that build community. More info at www.IntentionalModel.com
Another story site, www.storywise.com, the Center for Narrative Studies (CNS)
CNS is made up of a multi-disciplinary team dedicated to applying narrative theory to the practical renewal of leadership in culture and communities.
Working with groups and organizations, we train people to become leaders by teaching them to
- understand the power
of stories,
- to weigh the real effects stories have in shaping
our identity and destiny,
- to apply these narrative approaches to engage creatively with conflict and change.
Cleveland Heights Democrats hosts Ed Morrison by Betsey Merkel.
Categorized as Brainpower. Tagged with ed morrison, open source economic development and special guest.
Cleveland Heights Democrates
Welcomes
Ed Morrison
Director and Co-Founder, Institute for Open Economic Networks (I-Open)
Publisher, “EDPro” Economic Development Blog
Economic Policy Advisor, Center for Regional Development at Purdue University
Speaking on
"Promoting Regional Economic Development Through Strategic Doing and Open Innovation Networks"
Ed Morrison developed Open Source Economic Development, a new model for economic development that promotes open innovation systems ("clusters") to accelerate regional development. He is currently applying this model in Indiana, Northeast Ohio, and the Bluegrass region of Kentucky. For over nineteen years, he has been conducting strategy projects with economic developers in the U.S. His work won the first Arthur D. Little Award for excellence in economic development presented by the American Economic Development Council.
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Thursday, January 8th, 2009
7:15 p.m. - Coffee and Sign-in
7:30 p.m. - Program
Grace Lutheran Church
13001 Cedar Road (between Cottage Grove and Coventry), Cleveland Heights
West Entrance (except special assistance use East Entrance)
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The next Executive Board meeting will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 10th, at Tommy's Restaurant, 1824 Coventry Road. Please RSVP to Jeff Coryell at president@clevelandheightsdems.com or 216-337-3780.
IPG: Digital Will Impact 5 Key Areas Next Year by Betsey Merkel.
Categorized as Innovation. Tagged with trends and web interactivity.IPG: Digital Will Impact 5 Key Areas Next Year
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticleHomePage&art_aid=97052
The digital interactive marketplace will
continue to take shape and even make strides in 2009. IPG Emerging
Media Labs identifies five trend areas to watch next year related to
browsers, conversation, transmission, retail and consumer tech.
As the browser becomes the new operating system for all things
digital--complete with applications and content--interactivity will
grow more powerful in the Internet cloud, as exemplified in Google's
new Chrome browser. The Semantic Web will create more sophisticated,
intuitive, refined ways to filter information and services, based on
users' personal preferences. It is digital intelligence to the next
degree. Early attempts include Stumbleupon and Twine. Other browser
extensions can be redefining, such as a fully immersive cinematic slide
show facilitated by Cooliris.
Conversation is king in 2009 because Web presence alone no longer is
enough for individuals or brands. "Now it's about engaging customers in
conversation and managing relationships online," IPG contends in a new
slide show forecast. For individuals, it is all about "personal
branding." How you represent yourself online determines how friends,
employers and the world in general view you. Primary tools include
personal Web sites and blogs, social networks and Twitter. Special
interest, connected communities will create and support expert users.
One of the most dramatic examples of late--the top three online
activities of Gen X Moms (using photo sites, rating, reviewing products
and shopping for peers) and Gen Y Moms (reading blogs, participating in
online peer communities, creating and sharing videos).
Savvy companies and brand marketers are starting to trust consumers and
enlist their assistance in product design and development. "Brands are
learning to listen to conversations wherever they are occurring, giving
them an opportunity to respond and improve service and products," IPG
observes. Social media is becoming the new CRM. The new ROI is Return
on Involvement.
The third notable trend is the transmission effect, or the speed with
which conversations and content spread everywhere like rapid-fire--
beyond the reach of editorial controls, sites or institutions. For
instance, Twitter has influenced the format for breaking news. News
from live events is transmitted instantaneously through blogging and
live mobile video facilitated by Flixwagon, Livecast and other
providers. Group-to-group communications (from Wikipedia to Digg to
Reddit) also can be powerful with their own personalities, etiquette
and jargon.
Brands must keep pace with consumers with a presence at every stage of
the conversation (where they can respond, not react) and formulate a
Web reputation strategy to manage viral insurrections. They also should
be developing their content and other strategies across all platforms:
mobile, digital, out-of-home, broadcast, broadband and social media.
Quote from the New York Times Today by Susan Altshuler.
Categorized as Brainpower, Collaboration and Ethics and Integrity. Tagged with conversations, innovation, networks, online collaborative communities, open source economic development, regional collaboration, sustainability and workforce development."In elevating
to a level of demiworship people with big bucks, we have been
destroying the values of our future generation. We need a total
rethinking of who the heroes are, who the role models are, who we
should be honoring."
RABBI BENJAMIN BLECH,
professor of philosophy of law at Yeshiva University, on the downfall of disgraced financier Bernard Madoff.
I think Rabbi Blech is right on. How do we leave a healthy and prosperous economy to our grandchildren if we do not stop and put our trust into people like Bernard Madoff.