Vantage Point

---

Stefan Sagmeister is a graphic designer in New York City. In a recent interview with Chase Jarvis, Stefan made the comment; “you develop a personal style by not worrying about it.” Stefan also explained how he deals with creative block, that inevitable point when what you are producing fails to move you. Referencing the thoughts of Edward De Bono, Stefan explained that he focuses on an entirely unrelated object and approaches the design challenge from the vantage point of this object. I find both comments to be very germane to the challenges we face in advancing the economies of our communities. I stated in a previous post that the profession of economic development is in serious need of a reboot. The practice of economic development exemplifies isomorphic behaviors that are a consequence of political leaders who lack creativity and a vision beyond their elected term, governmental funding sources that change at a speed that makes a turtle look supersonic, and professionals that are either too lazy to think or lack the capacity to think creatively. Us economic developers like to use terminology that is in style to demonstrate our relevance and intelligence. If you look behind the window dressing though you’ll see the same old stale principles by which we think the economy operates.

I argue that we need an entirely new vantage point to view the challenges of economic growth. That new vantage point is that of people, not businesses. Lets call it for what it is; most of the businesses that receive significant public incentives (i.e. bribes) have little loyalty to the communities they are located in. This statement may offend some but the financial bottom-line rules the roost. This is not to say that a robust business community is not important, of course it is! But what drives business success? I argue demographic success. A populace that is happy, educated and healthy is the most important infrastructure to a local economy’s health. Sure, people need jobs to be happy-it’s the proverbial chicken and egg thing. My opinion is that if we focus on demographic success, the business community will flourish.

My strategy for economic success is to ensure that local regulatory and taxing policies are responsive and accountable to the business community. But when it comes to investing limited public resources, invest them in people. People are our most important asset. To walk and talk a different way can be scary, but being true to your professional and creative self demands that you not care about how other’s see you. The greatest leaders showed such courage. Its time economic developers do as well. Change your vantage point!

#VantagePoint #Economy