"Transformation comes from entering new markets and leaving old ones. Companies rarely transform themselves through cost cutting or improved operational effectiveness. Operational effectiveness is necessary to compete, and world-class operators can create competitive advantage, but in almost all cases, operational effectiveness is insufficient to stave off disruption and drive long-term competitive advantage." - Scott AnthonyWe read a lot, and in many cases see people celebrate, the idea of "creative destruction". This notion is most popularly … [Read more...]
Archives for May 2010
Next American Suburb: Carmel, Indiana
The fate of the suburb is one of the most important issues facing Americas metro areas. While many have decried their environmental unsustainability, even those who don't agree on that should worry greatly about their demographic, economic, and fiscal sustainability. As early inner ring suburbs across America increasingly face decay, poverty, and crime, it is clear that the allure wears off these places once they are no longer shiny and new and people can simply move to another, newer suburb on the fringe that is. If most of today's boomburgs … [Read more...]
People for Urban Progress and the New Grass Roots
I'm starting a new feature on the blog today in which I'll periodically profile great examples of positive urban change coming from the new grass roots. Today I'm featuring People for Urban Progress (PUP) from Indianapolis. In case you don't read this entire post, please be sure to click over to their Pepsi Refresh challenge page and vote for them to get a $250,000 grant. One day back when I had an apartment in Indy's Fountain Square neighborhood, I popped into the local bike shop, Joe's Cycles, and saw two people having a conversation with … [Read more...]
Louisville – The Case for 8664
Tuesday is Louisville's mayoral primary. This is one of the issues that matter for the city's future. 8664 has published the results of a candidate questionnaire on their web site. Also note that 8664 co-founder Tyler Allen is running for mayor. If I still lived in Louisville, it would be a sure thing he'd have my vote! - Aaron. ] A few weeks ago, JC Stites, co-founder of 8664 invited me down to Louisville to talk about the proposal and take a first hand tour of the riverfront. Even as a Louisville native, I had never really walked around … [Read more...]
The Great Reset
Richard Florida takes a lot of heat in certain quarters. As one of the most widely known economics writers, that makes some sense. Pretty much anyone who achieves a certain level of popularity acquires haters along the way. But most of the criticisms of Florida seem wide of the mark to me. Consider the one that he's in it for the fame and rock star lifestyle. Well, let's assume so. What's your point? Who doesn't want to be famous, or at least at some level well known in their field? I'll admit I'd like to be much more widely recognized that … [Read more...]
Failure to Communicate: Beyond Starbucks Urbanism
This post is not about policies per se, but about how they are marketed. Progressive urban policies such as improved transit, density, quality of space, excellence in design, and green friendliness often run into significant resistance in cities where there is not a long history of urbanism. This is because too often they are poorly positioned, packaged, and sold to the public. Advocates for these policies attempt to lift and drop a solution such as a Portland-style streetcar into a very different environment. Getting a transit line approved in … [Read more...]