Remember when I asked for beta readers for my Idea Friendly Guide? Y’all overwhelmed me! I ended up with double my goal for beta readers. Most were people working directly in small communities. Others were from regional organizations, nonprofits, businesses and academics who work across larger areas or everywhere. All these folks are experts at…
At a recent conference, a community leader approached me with a familiar frustration. His town has four downtown buildings with active businesses. “Only four,” he said with disappointment. “At least you have four,” I said. That’s actually something to build on. He went on, “We have four other buildings downtown sitting empty. The owners won’t…
And you can help with this round. The first round of beta readers—Rob, Stephanie, Bob, Kim and Deb—have just finished reading and commenting on my upcoming book on the Idea Friendly Method, and I couldn’t be happier with their feedback. The book shows how people like you can transform your communities using the Idea Friendly…
Store owners in downtown Russellville, Arkansas, opened up on Friday to find their intersection had been painted with retro flowers and “I heart Russellville.” “Who painted that intersection overnight??!” It was the Sketchy Ninjas. OK, that may not even be their name, because they’re still deciding what to call themselves. It’s just a few folks…
I just sat down to eat my sandwich at The Old Creamery Cooperative in Cummington, Massachusetts, when I spotted it: a few shelves right across from the tables, offering pottery, local books, handmade jewelry, and art prints for sale. A simple sign read “the little gallery.” I’m always looking for these tiny businesses inside another…
Today, you get a sneak preview of my upcoming book on the Idea Friendly Method. I’ve heard a lot from people all over struggling to create collaborations, and this story provides some practical insights in making collaboration last. In the late 1990s, Curtis Wynn stepped into the role of CEO at Roanoke Electric Cooperative in…
Linda is a economic development board member from a town of 5,000 people. Inspired by our stories, she and the board members want to create a Tiny Business Village, like the one above. They’ve been sharing their vision for the village project with the city council because they need permission to spend over a certain…
Kathryn Witherington says the Idea Friendly Method has rewritten her perfectionist brain! She’s working on an affordable housing project in Walla Walla, Washington. Lately, she’s been trying to rethink the way people can contribute to their organization without being expected to join a committee or become a formal member. Kathryn said she recently met a…
When Rebecca Undem interviewed me, she shared a story that helps explain why some people just don’t seem to get excited by your idea. Rebecca bought and rehabbed an old building in Oakes, North Dakota, (population 1800) to support and develop more local businesses with coworking, an event venue, conference space, training space and a…
Kathryn Witherington recently confessed that she’s been using Idea Friendly for 6 years! Truly cannot say enough about the Idea Friendly method for this – I’ve used it in the last 6 years to create two downtown public spaces, including millions in investment from the city, and am now using it to grow affordable housing…
In our 10 Years of Rural Insights webinar last week, Jaime Shanks said in the chat: We recently formed a group after ReImagine Rural sessions – very loose group that is more about action vs. meetings. We call ourselves the “Vigiplantes” (based on vigilantes but we are planting new ideas, beautification, actual trees and plants)….
The city council members are not your enemy. The code enforcement officials are not your enemy. The funding board members who keep giving money to other projects are not your enemy. On every round of our Survey of Rural Challenges, people tell us about leaders not moving forward, officials not acting on suggestions or new ideas,…
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