VisionWorks' Breakthrough Solutions
Harnessing the Forces of Change
Breakthrough Solutions Featured at May 3 Conference at Clinton Presidential Center
- April June 2005
I refuse to be
part of a generation that fails to compete in the global economy and
so condemns America to a life of struggle without reward or
security.
Former President Bill Clinton,
October 3, 1991
(His speech announcing his candidacy President of
the U.S.)
This quote by former President Bill Clinton is
significant, not only because the Breakthrough Solutions Conference
took place at the Clinton Presidential Center, but because it
expresses a theme that is central to what the Breakthrough Solutions
Conference and the Breakthrough Solutions Program are all about -
learning how to successfully compete in the global, knowledge-based
economy.
On May 3, 185 community leaders, community and
economic development professionals, local elected officials, and
VisionWorks partners came together at the Clinton Presidential
Center to hear about breakthrough solutions that will equip
communities and regions to succeed in this new era. Here are some
insights from the conference speakers:
"The changes confronting us in Arkansas are the same changes
confronting other communities in the nation. Our
competition is not Texas, Alabama, or Missouri. Our
competition is Ireland, Germany, and Japan. We are quickly
being left behind. If we don’t start now, we will never
get there."
Stacey McCollough, Executive Director,
Booneville Development
Corporation
"There are now 3 Japanese auto parts plants in eastern
Arkansas. How do we embrace the new cultures that are coming
into our communities? Globalization is here to stay, and we
need to strategically work through our workforce issues."
Andre Stephens, Executive
Director,
St. Francis County Community Development Corporation
"If we were settling Arkansas now rather than 150 years ago,
we wouldn’t have as many places. We don’t need as many
centers of commerce as we used to, because of transportation and
communication improvements."
Gwen Moritz, Editor, Arkansas Business
"Outsourcing is not going away, but we can on-shore."
Henry Torres, Director, Rural
Sourcing Center, a company in
Jonesboro that creates high tech jobs in rural communities
"If you are working on a project and not measuring what is
going on, it is not worth doing."
Jim Haguewood, Executive
Director,
Clallam County Economic Development
Council,
Port Angeles, WA
"Don’t give up! The ivory billed woodpecker is back 60
years after it was last sighted!"
Monieca West, Coordinator of Federal Programs,
Arkansas
Department of Higher Education
Breakthrough Solutions, a program of the
University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service with
VisionWorks partners in the public, private and non-profit sectors,
was presented by Dr. Mark Peterson. The program is designed to equip
communities, organizations, and regions to harness the forces of
change. Breakthrough Solutions incorporates 10 principles for
strategic leadership and innovation, drawing on concepts from
multiple disciplines and experience with successful communities.
The program will soon be offered in four formats: Community
Blueprints, Strategic Leadership, Connected Communities, and
Regional Breakthrough Solutions. More details will be shared in
upcoming issues of VisionWorks News.
Jim Haguewood told the story of how the Clallam
County Economic Development Council turned around the economy, with
an increase of 1325 jobs, an impact of $605 million, and higher
average wage rates. Key elements of their initiative include
connecting resources, communication, collaboration, changed
spending, and commitment over the long term. Haguewood described
their work with strategic clusters, which is being incorporated into
the Breakthrough Solutions Program.
After the conference, participants toured the
Clinton Library.
We especially appreciate support from our VisionWorks Partners and from our Breakthrough Solutions Program and Conference
Sponsors:
- Pinnacle Sponsor - CenturyTel
- Gold Sponsors - Arkansas Community
Development Society, SBC Arkansas
- Silver Sponsor - Arkansas Electric
Cooperatives
- Bronze Sponsors - Bank of the Ozarks,
Cromwell Architects Engineers
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Harnessing the Forces of Change
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