Creating Community by 13 Ways
By 13 Ways
Creating Community by 13 WaysJan 26, 2022
#28 Crazy Things Municipalities Say
We aren't talking about people who believe the Earth is flat, or that windmills cause cancer, but that doesn't mean there aren't some crazy things that municipal and community leaders don't say and believe that sounds pretty crazy. After so many years of working with communities we talk about some of those crazy things with moments of levity, frustration, confusion, and sometimes commiseration. Join us as we discuss the Crazy Things Municipalities Say.
#27 Let's Talk Downtowns
Are we asking the right question when it comes to the recovery of downtowns and main streets?
Join Heather and guests, Puneeta McBryan (Executive Director of the Edmonton Downtown Business Association) and Alex Hryciw (Chair of the Edmonton Downtown Recovery Coalition) for a conversation about how communities can create a place where people want to BE. It isn't about 'return to work' or mandating consumer behaviour to solve an economic crisis, it is about creating an ecosystem where humans want to participate and experience life.
#26 Community Marketing with Craig Hemingway and Jim Puffalt Master
Marketing is easy, right? Just buy a billboard or a magazine ad and people will flock to your community. Or at least that's how it works in theory. In reality, you need to know who your community really is and what it is selling, then identify who would be interested (businesses and people) in what you have to offer. If you get that far, you know who you are marketing to, where to find them, and what to say. Only then do you have a value proposition work spending marketing dollars on. In this episode we talk to one community with a cool hook.
#25 Collaboration The Portages - Leading the Way Master
We have long argued that the lack of collaboration and cooperation between, and within, communities is the plague of the 21st century. Communities that work together thrive, and those that fight and compete die. Even when we want to work together, we don't know how, and we don't know what to do. This episode dives into one example of a partnership that includes revenue sharing . . . yes, REVENUE SHARING. The best part is that this isn't new. These communities have been doing this, and growing their communities together, for over 20 years.
#24 The Future of Childcare with Special Guest KPSquared
This episode is about childcare; how it is evolving, what parents need these days, how important it is to the community, and how important it is to the economy. We ignored that last point until the pandemic confirmed when childcare was suddenly shut down and half the workforce couldn't come to work. Childcare is an economic issue, not just a social one. As well, we are going to talk about the need for QUALITY childcare, not just care. These places are not just there to 'watch' the children we leave with them, but to teach them too. I am joined by my favorite guest host, Heather Thomson.
#23 Kalen Anderson and Julian Faid
Ever think about what a suburb can do to your community? Kalen Anderson and Julian Faid joined Heather Thomson and Doug Griffiths to discuss the future of housing and communities.
#22 Rewarding Remote: Rethinking Resident & Business Attraction
The world is changing, and so too must the way in which we attract residents and businesses to our communities. Tulsa Remote is an innovative recruitment initiative that's embracing creative ways to attract new people and professionals while at the same time building vibrancy in the community. The results are now speaking for themselves. Listen in as Doug chats with Justin Harlan, Tulsa Remote's Managing Director, about the program's success so far.
Guest: Justin Harlan, Managing Director, Tulsa Remote
#21 Bridging Arts, Culture & Community
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, artists including musicians lost the ability to present their work and perform in a live setting. But it also created new digital opportunities for them to get their music out to a much larger audience. Find out how one community builder is using innovative ways of supporting music and the local arts scene — and how it's benefitting the community as a result.
Guest: Mitch Biggar
#20 Diversity, Inclusion & Long-Term Planning
The City of Wetaskiwin in Alberta, Canada, is leading by example when it comes to defining and working toward long-term prosperity and success. In the first Community Revival episode of 2022, members of the municipality’s leadership team discuss a recent communitywide effort to establish a 50-Year Community Vision. Listen in as they chat with Doug about the robust stakeholder engagement that informed the vision’s development — and the key influence of diversity and inclusion on it all.
Guests: Tyler Gandam, Sue Howard, Candace Coughlan, Ren Goode
#19 Opportunity in Disruption: The Role of Robotics & Automation in the Future of our Communities
On the Community Revival podcast, we regularly talk about community building, innovation, and some of the actions and initiatives communities are undertaking to adjust and adapt to a quickly changing world. In this episode, however, instead of speaking with a particular community and its solution to a specific challenge, we chat with an expert in the robotics industry who discusses some of the ways in which our communities are being disrupted by ongoing changes in technology — and the many opportunities those changes present. Listen in as Yarek Niedbala, VP of Sales for KUKA Robotics Canada, discusses with Doug how the robotics industry has grown and continues to play an increasingly important role in shaping and modernizing our communities.
#18 Change & Opportunity: Embracing a Proactive Approach to Community Economic Development
If a community isn't willing to invest in itself, then who will? That's the question posed by Mark Nikota, an Alberta-based economic developer and passionate community builder, in this week's podcast episode. Mark discusses with Doug the importance of leading by example and investing in your community's future — as opposed to waiting for change to happen organically. He also presents specific examples in which older, unused buildings have been demolished (in efforts led by local government) creating space for new investment to occur — and in doing so removing costly barriers that may be inhibiting future development from taking place. Listen in as the two discuss these items and a number of other ambitious initiatives being spearheaded to move a group of regional communities forward.
#17 Supporting Success: Building Culture Through Empowerment & Innovation
Working at the City of Beaumont in Alberta, Canada is more than just a job; it's a lifestyle. To its Chief Administrative Officer Mike Schwirtz, building an authentic, supportive culture in which staff are mobilized and engaged is the most important task a municipal leader can undertake. But in order to do so, one must empower, encourage, and allow plenty of room for mistakes. They are, after all, how we all learn, adapt, and build resilience. Listen in as Mike chats with Doug about the value of building culture in the workplace — and as he explains how the municipality leveraged the COVID-19 pandemic as a means of bringing staff together, despite being further apart.
Check out some of the videos discussed throughout the episode at the YouTube link below:
www.youtube.com/c/BeaumontAbCaT4X
#16 Start with Twinkly Lights: The Economics of Ambiance
A recent urban revitalization initiative in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada) has seen the dramatic transformation of a large underutilized space in the city's downtown core into a bustling outdoor public gathering area. In today’s episode, Puneeta McBryan, Executive Director of the city's Downtown Business Association, discusses how the addition of a few simple outdoor features and amenities can both repurpose and rejuvenate an otherwise stagnant or neglected urban setting. Listen as she chats with Heather on the value of ambiance and aesthetics in economic development, and as the two discuss their shared love of what they describe as a ‘non-negotiable’ in any outdoor placemaking project — twinkly lights.
#15 Embracing Challenge as a Catalyst for Change
A community's ability to grow and succeed lies not in its size or its past, but in the spirit of those who understand what it truly can become. In community building, attitude is everything, and as Steve Langston — a passionate community builder from Manitoba, Canada — explains, anything is possible with a bit of vision, determination, and some solid community collaboration. Hear as he chats with Doug about the work, challenges, and seemingly endless opportunities associated with turning a community of less than 1,000 people into a model for innovative community collaboration.
#14 Stability & Sustainability: Succession Planning for Community Success
Small towns and main streets are doing all they can to reinvigorate themselves, and are dedicating considerable time and resources to enhancing socialization, walkability, aesthetics, and other aspects of a healthy and vibrant local commercial environment. Equally as important to community sustainability, however, is the existence of a carefully planned, well-thought-out succession strategy — and the availability of resources and capacity to support it. On today’s episode, we explore this notion further with Alison Anderson and Chelsea Lees of Succession Matching, who explain that prudent succession planning may be one of the most important, yet often-overlooked, aspects of community economic development.
#13 Preparing for the Modern Economy: A Discussion with Todd Hirsch
The Canadian government has announced a plan to offer $10/day childcare for parents nationwide within five years. This will have significant effects on parents and our economy as a whole. Recently, Doug and Heather caught up with Todd Hirsch, Vice President and Chief Economist of ATB Financial, for a chat around childcare and the future of economic development. Spoiler alert: they are inextricably linked to one another.
#12 Innisfail Solar: Leveraging Creative Collaboration to Build Capacity Within the Community
In the midst of an ongoing global pandemic, an array of solar panels — 25 megawatts' worth, to be exact — appeared on 100 acres of municipally owned land in the community of Innisfail, Alberta, Canada. And as new economic realities continued to force municipalities to discover innovative solutions and alternative sources of revenue, the Town of Innisfail partnered with the private developer of the project to explore and initiate a number of programs and initiatives that would ultimately create benefit for the entire Innisfail community.
As Town officials on today's episode explain, the ability to think outside the box and approach situations with an open mind can create opportunities that may otherwise be considered unfeasible — and perhaps even unrealistic. Now, however, the economic, social and environmental benefits to the community are already speaking for themselves.
Listen in to learn how a privately owned utility-scale renewable energy project is now acting as a source of long-term revenue for the municipality and helping build capacity within the Innisfail community.
#11 Community Building Recipe: Don't Forget to Add Companies
When we talk about community building, it's often assumed that it's up to elected officials, administration, and active citizens to get the job done. However, we often forget about the shared responsibility of companies to develop and grow the community they are apart of. In this episode, we are joined by Paul Kimmell from Avista, an award-winning US-based energy company that has baked community building into its business plan from the beginning with amazing results.
Tune in to hear more about how thriving companies and communities don't have to be mutually exclusive. And if you like to learn more about the work Paul and his team are doing at Avista, visit the link here -> https://www.myavista.com/about-us/our-community
#10 Free Range Communities: Why Everyone Loves The Town of Raymond
As a rural town with rich pioneer history and traditional values, Raymond isn't exactly your typical candidate for innovation and change. But they are leading the way in municipal innovation with net-zero operations, attainable housing, fiber optic for everyone, and even drive-in virtual concerts with Metallica!
So if you're a community builder in need of a little pick me up, grab a coffee and maybe a pen - it's time to get inspired.
#9 Rethink the Chamber of Commerce Model
We are joined today by Greg Switenky and Stacey Benjamin from the Stettler Regional Board of Trade to discuss why boards of trade are the new way of keeping our local businesses healthy and prosperous, even in the face of a global pandemic.
To learn more about the project, visit the website www.stettlerboardoftrade.com/default.cfm
#8 Digital Main Street: A guide to community economic development
Among the many things COVID-19 has disrupted, none may be as public as the shift in consumer behaviour and the ripple effects on small businesses in our communities. Despite a rise in demand for local products and services, there has been a lack of coordinated support for business owners navigating immense change.
Enter Chris Rickett and his team from Digital Main Street, who created a community-led initiative to empower small business owners with the skills and knowledge needed to successfully navigate their digital transformation. The program has received national attention and is being used as a model for community economic development and main street transformation in the times of COIVD-19.
So join Doug, Heather, and Chris on this journey called digital transformation...
#7 Rural Reimagined: The Orbit
What would it be like to build a community from scratch? Our guests today from Innisfil, Ontario are doing exactly that.
The Orbit is a vision for the future of municipalities, one where the benefits of rural and urban living can co-exist together. The foundation of this project is centered around the different ways people live, travel, interact, play, and work in modern society. So if you want a glimpse into the future of municipalities, be sure to listen in and bring a notepad because this episode is packed with innovative ideas!
Thanks to Innisfil Mayor, Lynn Dollin and Director of Growth, Tim Cane for joining us on the podcast today. If you have ideas for the project, feel free to send them a line.
#6 Harriston Rising: Beauty is economic development
In a world where everything is Instagramable, it pays dividends to put beautification at the forefront of your community's economic development plans. Unfortunately, many communities across North America have yet to successfully adopt this strategy. That's why we have turned to Belinda and Taylor from Harriston Rising to learn the key takeaways and tips beneath their remarkable success in turning their town into an Instagramable destination. And if you're thinking this all sounds superficial, just wait until you hear about the substantial return on investment for the community.
#5 Connectivity: The future for rural municipalities
Embracing technology is essential for rural municipalities to level the playing field with large urban centres. But many fall victim to the roadblocks along the way to digital transformation such as lack of infrastructure, education, and acceptance by the public. Our very own Ashley Szakal, digital unicorn and certified robot programmer, joins Doug on the podcast today to discuss emerging trends related to connectivity and what it means for the future of your municipality.
Want to further discuss what specific technologies you can embrace to future-proof your municipality? Drop us a line here.
Host: Doug Griffiths
Guest: Ashley Szakal
Producer: Josh Radostits
#4 Your Small Business: The New Normal
They say the only constant in life is change - that couldn't be more true as a small business today. But you don't have to fear change and you don't have to go through it alone. Our guest today, Heather Thomson, is here to provide actionable support and guidance whether you are a local retailer, municipal leader, or proud local business supporter.
In today's episode, Heather shares her expertise in consumer behavior to explore the ways in which consumers are adapting to the new normal that is pandemic life and how local businesses can respond as a result. We dive into how to leverage your municipal resources for help, how to take your business online, and how to rally local support around your community's local businesses.
It's time to invest in your business today so you can ensure future longevity tomorrow.
#3 Don’t Panic: Leadership in Times of Crisis
Link to "Leadership in Times of Crisis" Document
Do you have further questions or concerns? Contact Doug by texting 1-587-335-0013 or by emailing doug@13ways.ca
Stay safe out there everyone.
#2 Faster Horses: Innovation Among Municipalities
The two chat about topics like innovation capital and how to slowly build it up, the power of experimentation and learning from failures, as well as examples of communities who are rethinking their problems through the lens of innovation and thriving as a result.
#1 Beer & Burgers: A Discussion on Regional Collaboration
Developing solid relationships is often the barrier holding municipalities back from working together and reaping the benefits of this collaboration. In our very first episode of Community Revival, Doug Griffiths is joined by Barry Morishita (Mayor of the City of Brooks and President of AUMA). The two chat about the importance of beer and burgers, how political self-interest hurts communities, and how to deal with the public fear of collaboration. So if you'd like to learn more about the benefits and challenges of regional collaboration, be sure to tune in to hear Doug and Barry share their insights from years of experience.
Want to send us feedback or ideas for future episodes? Leave us a voice message below!
Community Revival Trailer
Well, the secret is out... we are officially launching our podcast called Community Revival! What's it all about you ask? It's about everything community. Your town. Your organization. Your neighborhood. Because strong communities ensure leadership is successful, businesses are profitable, and families can take care of each other. So if you are passionate about your community, be sure to subscribe and check back on Tuesday, February 11th for our first official episode! We will be sitting down with Barry Morishita, President of AUMA (Alberta Urban Municipalities Association) and Mayor for the City of Brooks, to chat about Regional Collaboration. See you then!
Want to hear something specific on the podcast? Send us an audio message below.