Triangle adds more than the Tech T in Creative Class 4 T's

Featured link of the post
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1226/p02s01-ussc.html

Joel Kotkin once called Raleigh "A nice place to be if you are a computer". A Nerdistan.

The Triangle of North Carolina, my new home, has recently been VERY good at the Technology T in the Tech, Talent, Tolerance and Territorial Assets of the Creative Class.

But as a new resident weary of the reputation of lack of culture, I have been pleasantly surprised with the cultural offerings. ( More than just the #1 ranked Tar Heels in basketball.)

Now my definition of culture may be different than yours, but for years of business travel to the Triangle coming from Charlotte and Asheville, I could never see the quality of restaurants offered because there is no signage visible from the roads while on my way to the hotels.

The Goodnights of SAS Software fame, (the wealthiest people in NC) have built a new five star hotel and spa in Cary.
http://www.theumstead.com/

SouthPointe has improved the quality of shopping options in the Triangle when added to CrabTree Valley and Cameron Village.

And well, I am now a golf addict. There are lots of excellent courses here and we are close to Pinehurst and a course called Tobacco Road, one of the 10 toughest in US....Anyone up for a challenge? Very affordable in winter.

And according to the featured link article, the artists are beginning to take root in the Triangle too.

Let's hope the added culture will attract more seasoned management and their spouses to the Triangle.

Featured link of the Post
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1226/p02s01-ussc.html

Be Part of the Solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

A business story of generosity towards the people who have earned the right to be helped. Is Goldman Sachs listening?

Featured link of the post
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22370503/

Nebraska businesses chip in to fly soldiers home from the war.
20 business people in Nebraska raise the money to fly 40 soldiers home.
Money was raised in two days!

And how much did the guy from Goldman Sachs get in his annual bonus? ($68 million!)

Just a thought for Mr. Gordon Gecko.
(Calm down, I LOVED the movie too!)

Make it an aim to do good and do well in 2008!

Featured link of the post
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22370503/

Be part of the Solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

KMART proves branding theory

Featured link of the post
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/environment/2007-12-16-light-bulbs_N.htm

Kmart shows branding really does show what people think about your company.
(Think Volvo and safety)

Kmart's new campaign shows an incandescent light bulb that talks to consumers about new bright ideas for people to buy as gifts for loved ones during the holidays.

Problem is that even Congress is considering banning the old incandescent light bulbs in favor of more "green" energy conserving Compact Fluorescent light bulbs.

From the USA Today article...
A little-noticed provision of the energy bill, which is expected to become law, phases out the 125-year-old bulb in the next four to 12 years in favor of a new generation of energy-efficient lights that will cost consumers more but return their investment in a few months.

Further proof that Kmart is out of touch with consumer wants and needs.

Featured link of the post
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/environment/2007-12-16-light-bulbs_N.htm

Be Part of the Solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

Is this on your Holiday wish list?

Featured link of the post
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/01/60minutes/main3442193.shtml

Two things to add to your wish list
1. A 300 foot long yacht
2. A book by the owner of the football field sized yacht.

Okay all of us can only afford the book by Tom Perkins, one of the founders of Kleiner Perkins, one of the most influential venture capital firms in the WORLD.

Valley Boy
Here is the link to buy the book for your favorite entrepreneur
http://www.amazon.com/Valley-Boy-Education-Tom-Perkins/dp/1592403131/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197554359&sr=1-1

Be Part of the solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

An entrepreneur from my past hits the big time (Product of the Year in National Geographic Adventure Magazine)

Featured link for this post
http://www.sylvansport.com/index.html

Product of the Year for National Geographic Adventure magazine
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/best-of-adventure-2008/gear/road-trip.html

From the Magazine
2. The Base Camp
Coolest. Camper. Ever. The SylvanSport GO is the camp trailer for people who've never even thought about camp trailers. Light enough to be pulled by a Mini Cooper, the GO unfolds into a Kelty tent that sleeps four and has some seven feet of headroom, screened windows, and a dining table. It also features 24 cubic feet (1 cubic meter) of internal gear storage and the ability to host a roof rack for bikes, boats, and anything else ($7,900; www.sylvansport.com).


Here is a video
http://www.advantagewest.com/about-us/multimedia.cfm/section/about

(Says it all)

Be Part of the Solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

Featured link for this post
http://www.sylvansport.com/index.html

A new 5 layer pyramid from Richard Florida of Creative Class fame

Featured Link of the Post
http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/saporta/stories/2007/12/05/saporta_1206.html

An argument for a new creative age

The Midtown Alliance got a message about creativity at its annual meeting Tuesday. Richard Florida, author of "The Rise of the Creative Class," called the transformation of Midtown in the last two decades "remarkable."

Florida made a case that we're moving from the industrial age to the creative age — a change that defies the assumptions we've had about economic development.

Florida said people traditionally followed jobs, so all efforts were to get companies to locate in communities. Now jobs are moving to where employers can tap into pools of talented workers, so the thrust should be to attract the creative class.

The best people to interview are college seniors to find out where they plan to live, and why, Florida said.

In his research on how to woo this group, Florida described a pyramid with five layers. At the bottom are basic services — sewers, streets, trash pick-up, schools.

The next layer is opportunity. Does a place offer residents an opportunity to succeed? Next is leadership — does an area have strong civic participation with people who seek progress?

The top two levels were a surprise to Florida. A community needs to be tolerant and welcome diversity. And at the apex of the pyramid is "quality of place." That includes great parks, aesthetics, the arts and public spaces.

Florida said Midtown is on the right track.

Be Part of the Solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!
Featured Link of the Post
http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/saporta/stories/2007/12/05/saporta_1206.html

The (CFC) light bulb moment and how you know

Featured link of the day.
http://darmano.typepad.com/logic_emotion/2007/12/signs-you-might.html


About four months ago, I tripped across an article from this guy and have been tuning into the blog ever since.
http://darmano.typepad.com/logic_emotion/business/index.html

Here is a recent post.

From Logic+Emotion

Signs You Might Be On To Something

1. You can't stop thinking about it.

2. You draw stuff with whatever materials you have available.

3. You talk about it with anyone who is willing to humor you.

4. You build different versions of it in your head.

5. You blog about it from your iPhone.

Be part of the Solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

Featured link of the day.
http://darmano.typepad.com/logic_emotion/2007/12/signs-you-might.html