In a day of real economic challenges, it’s difficult to stop and look beyond the horizon and the current economy.
Practically speaking, even in a good economy, during an era of cell phones, email, text messaging, instant playbacks, and our desire for instant, “microwave results”, it’s difficult for individuals, organizations and communities to see beyond current or short term issues and needs. Too often, we just want slow down long enough to imagine the possibilities, use our creativity, and look beyond the horizon.
However, we do need to pause and remind ourselves, as the quote goes, that “sometimes all it takes is a little imagination, sometimes simply a change of perspectives; and suddenly, you can see a whole new horizon of possibilities. The secret is not to ask ‘what it is’ but rather, ‘what it could be’.” In other words, what could Tuscaloosa County and West Alabama become once the economy turns?
We are blessed to live, work and raise our families in an exceptional, quality, prosperous community, but at the same time, we should never be content, but rather always striving to move to the next level of quality and economic vitality. We are a community full of promise and hope, but we must continue to reach for the stars and expect new levels of achievement, competitiveness and equity. And there are key questions to ask.
Can our community achieve a new standard of economic vitality, competitiveness and quality that is equal to or beyond that enjoyed by other successful areas? Can we develop the range of quality diverse educational and economic opportunities needed to move our community to new heights of achievement? Can we maintain a laser-like focus on visions and strategies that will indeed contribute to a higher standard of living for all citizens? Can we work together to meet challenges and solve problems that benefit the whole community?
These and other questions are important. And the answers and solutions require leadership at every level of the public, private and non-profit sectors. Our marketplace is challenged and is changing, which creates new demands and new opportunities. Are we positioned to effectively address these dynamics?
To a great degree, we are, but it will take a new spirit of cooperation, consensus building and bold leadership to meet the new opportunities that are over the horizon and on the other side of this current economy. We’ve got to understand that if we work together, we win!
And working together, there are key, critical issues that must be addressed consistently over the long term. For example, the public, private and educational sectors have to work together to build the workforce of the future. We have all got to come together and insure that we have the healthiest environment possible for our children. We need to unite the public and private sectors, break down barriers, and reach across jurisdictional boundaries to solve problems, increase cooperation, and build on the strengths of our region.
Now, I’ll admit that this may all sound “pie in the sky”, but then again, there are communities all across America that are seeking higher levels of excellence with less resources, both human and financial, than we possess. We have so many quality parts of the puzzle. We just need leadership and civic cooperation at all levels to turn the puzzle into a clear, exciting portrait of excellence.
Recently, I was reading an article from the National Civic League that pointed out some interesting ideas and characteristics of a healthy community. And a few of them provided good food for thought.
One of the points emphasized that healthy communities recognize that times change and they do not cling to old ideas. Nobody feels obligated to defend the status quo. But instead, there is an environment that encourages collaboration and recognition that we are all interdependent.
The author of the book World Class, Rossabeth Moss Kanter, challenges us when she writes that “communities cannot afford complacency – they must actively create their own futures.”
And the great singer Otis Redding in his classic, Sitting On the Dock of the Bay, looked at it this way: “Looks like nothing gonna change, everything still remains the same; I can’t do what ten people tell me to do, so I guess I’ll just remain the same.” And it’s easy to have or accept that feeling.
From a Chamber perspective, our leadership has decided to look beyond the horizon and accept the challenges of change and a new, dynamic marketplace. Our leadership has said yes, we can achieve new levels of performance, a competitive spirit, and provide bold, innovative leadership.
The Chamber’s newly adopted “Directions 2012” strategic plan reflects in many ways our leadership’s creativity, commitment and civic responsibility to build on a solid community foundation and strive for new heights of productivity and competitiveness. We can foster a sense of community and unity if we want to! But we need to reach out to each other.
To review The Chamber’s strategic plan, go to our website at www.tuscaloosachamber.com.
