When Field of Dreams was released two decades ago, I remember stories of men in their 40s and older, in tears, as they streamed out of theaters. Now that I’m almost 40, I think I need to go back and take a look at this movie again, because to me the premise seems flawed. Of course, the movie played on the concept “If You Build It, They Will Come.” If experience tells me anything, it’s that building it is the beginning and not the end. In fact, in almost all worthwhile efforts, the hard work begins after the thing is built. Even with the strongest planning, the best of intentions, and the right relationships in place, getting people in the door takes intense bottom-up, grassroots effort. Getting them to come requires hand-holding and time. In other words, after the planning work takes place in sterile conference rooms, and the trough is built after descending from the ivory tower, visionaries need to take the final step of gathering people together and leading them to the water.
Tags: bottom up, community building, grassroots, hard work, Leadership, linkedin, vision, volunteering
Got out on the bike Saturday with Mike Myers. We did a bit over 30 miles. A kind of uncomfortable day for a couple of weekend warriors that like to get a couple of century rides in through the year. Temperature was around 40 on a very humid and overcast day, the kind of day where it’s difficult staying warm. But we got out. And that’s the point.
Tags: chilly, cycling, lebanon, mike myers, monroe
Gotta hand it to Elizabeth Edwards. She’s pushing innovation efforts in our city to the forefront again. Now, it’s not just Elizabeth. I had a conversation with her last week where she mentioned the effort to me. I don’t know who else is involved yet, but pay attention to CincinnatiInnovates.com. The idea is to run some funding grant opportunities by some very innovative concepts. The competition runs from May through September for innovation happening in a 15 county region around Cincinnati. Visitors to the site will vote on ideas with progress moving towards a $25K 1st place grant.
Tags: Cincinnati, entrepreneurship, innovation, linkedin
Got out on the bike for about 42 miles yesterday. The dynamic conditions made the ride exhilarating and difficult at the same time. And of course it was my first ride of the year, so I managed to make stupid mistakes, like forgetting sunscreen. My calves burned, and when that happens, they hurt for days. It’s hard to complain, though, with 70 degrees and sunny conditions. The wind was killer at times. With sustained 20mph to 30mph winds, sometimes I found myself leaning into the crosswind just to stay upright. On the country roads, the winds just whipped up against me, that is, until a car or truck passed. Then I found myself struggling not to suddenly swerve into the middle of the road. I had to really fight for the last 5 miles against a headwind and a slight up hill. Maintaining even 10mph took tremedous effort. But then again, I do this for fun, and I’m no bike racer. A beautiful ride, some great scenery along the way. A shower and a 2-hour nap immediately after, and I’m nearly recovered Sunday afternoon.
Tags: country roads, cycling, Fitness
The other day I mentioned the UC Center of Innovation for Entrepreneurship in IT (COI) to Jody Detzel. We were brainstorming a bit in a conversation over coffee at the Rookwood Starbucks. Why? Because that’s where pretty much everybody has conversations in this city. Seriously. You ever walk in that place? You’d think every business deal in this city takes place at that Starbucks. But enough of that.
Tags: entrepreneurship, information technology, linkedin, OTR, vitalization
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