A Joint Initiative Between     Heart of Wisconsin     Business & Economic Alliance and     Community Foundation of     South Wood County

Home About Us B2B Club Breaking News Contact Donate Events / Programs Feedback Ideas Incubator Industry Clusters Links / Resources Progess Funds Progress Teams Public Art / Murals Publications		Breaking News May 17, 2006 - Positive Innovation key to community growth MY VIEW by Connie Loden, for the Daily Tribune Connie Loden is executive director of the Heart of Wisconsin Business and Economic Alliance in Wisconsin Rapids and one of the leaders of the Community Progress Initiative. At the end of March, Dave Pryor, Ann Lepak (both from the Paper and Forest Product cluster) and I attended the Wisconsin Innovates! conference in Milwaukee, sponsored by the Department of Commerce and the Wisconsin Technology Network. We tend to think of technology as only electronic, computer or telecommunications related, when it has a much broader application to how we do business. The Webster definition of technology is: 1. the practical application of knowledge especially in a particular area -- a capability given by the practical application of knowledge; 2. a manner of accomplishing a task especially using technical processes, methods or knowledge; 3. the specialized aspects of a particular field of endeavor. As you can see in the above definitions, technology is really about knowledge and the application of knowledge. In Industry Cluster oriented economic development, the knowledge base is one of the main ingredients providing the catalytic reaction for stimulating new business development opportunities, thereby creating new job growth. This is what is meant by moving to a knowledge-based economy. Those who survive and thrive will have found new ways to apply knowledge to operating their businesses smarter and more efficiently, and utilizing innovative thinking to achieve extraordinary results. Now let's look at innovation -- it is defined in the dictionary as the process of making changes to something established by introducing something new. The term innovation refers to both radical or incremental changes to products, processes or services. Innovation often is confused with the term "invent," which is defined in the dictionary as creating something new, something that never has existed before. Innovation is supposed to add value, but it also can be positive or negative. Positive innovation can be defined as he process of making changes to something established by introducing something new ... that adds value to customers. Customers who experience added value are likely to return and provide sustained growth for the organization or community. As well as value, the term growth is important since innovation might not only lead to increased turnover or profits but also can lead to growth in efficiency, productivity, quality, etc. All organizations can innovate, including hospitals, universities, local governments, etc. Since innovation also is considered a major driver of the economy, the factors that lead to innovation also are considered to be critical to policymakers. Spring elections are now over, and we have some new faces in some positions across the region. I look forward to the new officials approaching their new positions with positive application of technology and innovation -- all within the spirit of community and collaboration, working together in partnership for a better region. "Divided communities don't develop!" That recent statement by David Dodson, president of the nonprofit economic and work force research organization, MDC Inc. of Chapel Hill, N.C., is looking at how well many rural communities are prepared to make changes that will invigorate themselves. If we are divided -- we will experience negative innovation -- we will struggle and our new focus will be on conflicts versus solutions to address our common interests. Communities with conflict suffer economically as the business confidence level falls and the attractiveness diminishes for entrepreneurs seeking a home to develop their ideas. It is only with a strong sense of community spirit for working together and exploring our opportunities that we can have a whole and healthy community that supports business growth and development. This is the spirit of the Community Progress Initiative and the Industry Cluster teams, who live their commitment and responsibility to the community by giving of their knowledge to apply new innovation. I thank all of them for their involvement and acknowledge them for their contributions to our community. We "make it happen" together! Watch for additional Community Progress Initiative programming in the near future where we will take a look at some of the best in innovation and technology opportunities, to open up new possibilities to improve our economic future, including the recently initiated Technology Asset Study of the New e-Conomies Cluster, funded through the generous support of The Ford Foundation.
		Copyright © 2005, Community Progress Initiative, South Wood County & Town of Rome