I heard a comment the other day in one of our area cities, something to the effect of “Now, we can go to work attracting the companies with the good jobs to our city so we can be prosperous again.” I’ve heard this kind of notion fairly regularly over the last couple of years. Either “If we could only do this or that…” or “We need to do this or that….” we attract the companies with the good jobs to come here.
For the most part, gone are the days of big carrots attracting companies to move into our region, bringing high paying jobs. Today, economic development is no longer going to work the way it did over that last 40 to 50 years.
The key to having the good jobs “return” to our region is to develop and grow our existing businesses and encourage the creation of new businesses from within. We need to grow 50 businesses to each add 10 jobs instead of waiting for some big company to ride into town with 500 new jobs.
This growth can happen by developing new methods of Innovation within each company; Innovation that creates and brings new products and services to the market in much faster and more prolific ways.
Companies can develop these new methods and there are people now going around the country and world demonstrating how to use Innovation for growth and jobs.
It’s time for those of us in this region to begin a conversation about how the new Innovation methods can grow our existing businesses and create a demand for new businesses, and the good jobs that come along with that growth.
The Southeast Kansas Innovation summit is an event designed to stimulate such a conversation. On September 22 and 23, 2010 in Independence, Kansas, Praveen Gupta, world renowned Innovation leader will demonstrate to business, community, educational and government leaders of our region how this can work. Several other national and regional leaders will add to the discussion.
The new methods of Innovation are not limited to business. Community groups, educational institutions and local governmental units can use the techniques to create new, more efficient ways to provide their services.
It’s time for all of us in the region to have a discussion about how Innovation can be the key to surviving and thriving in the future. Please see the special web site created for the event at http://www.innovatesek.org/ or call me at 620-332-5470 for more information and to register to attend.
Jim Correll, Facilitator, Successful Entrepreneur Program, Independence Community College
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About the SEK Innovation Summit
This first annual summit is a joint venture between Independence Community College's Successful Entrepreneur Program and the Independence Business Resource Center, and will be a combination of full-group and break-out sessions designed to share innovative ideas with fellow business, civic and governmental organization leaders.
The 2-day summit will include:
Keynote address and workshops lead by world renowned innovator Praveen Gupta
Multiple presentations and workshops to choose from designed to inspire innovation
Networking opportunities with up to 200 regional business and organization leaders
And 3 meals… all for $49! Register online at http://www.innovatesek.org/
Imagine helping your organization be ahead of the curve instead of always trying to play catch-up. The ideas that will be shared can be used to transform your group into one that fosters innovation, giving you a much better opportunity for growth.
Don't just wait for those "ah ha” moments. Stand out. Be an innovator. Join us for the SEK Innovation Summit September 22nd and 23rd. Call Jim Correll at ICC at 620-332-5470 or visit our website at http://www.innovationsek.org/ for more information. If you sign up for our email list, we'll be sure to send you the latest updates.
Sign up for the SEK Innovation Summit-2010 email update list.
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