The Main Thing:

I don’t gamble much. If I am at a conference at a casino, I might play some Blackjack or throw some coins at a slot machine (you can no longer use coins, and the slots are for paper currency and vouchers, which tell you how much money you have won). We even have a new Hard Rock Casino in Rockford that has been open for six months, and I have yet to venture into it.

I will admit that I signed up for a sports betting site when I was in New York. The company recently reminded me that I have $20 in my account, and I either need to bet or withdraw it. I bet on a game and won $2.20!

Just as I've never gambled on the future of the communities I've worked in, I've never bet that a program or innovation I believed in wouldn’t result in more prosperity for the community. For instance, introducing a small business mentoring program was a bet I was willing to make, and it paid off in spades.
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That is why, over the years, I realized how important business retention and expansion were, as well as the creation and nurturing of small businesses in the community as the foundation for attraction. It was a super safe bet—a bet that always wins and holds a promising future.
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​Please read about my bet on a tool to help you understand how small business mentoring can change your community.

Focus on AI :

Above all, be Ethical

What if you and your economic development team truly understood the transformation in the private sector with AI? Your attraction targeting and business retention efforts would be even more knowledge-driven.

The integration of artificial intelligence demands a strategic reassessment of organizational structures. In the article, Rewiring the Workplace and Deploying AI Responsibly (McKinsey Quarterly), the authors confront the reality of workplace transformation, emphasizing that mere technological implementation is insufficient. The article details the imperative to address ethical considerations, ensuring responsible AI deployment. Failure to adapt to these shifts poses significant risks to operational efficiency and competitive advantage. Explore how proactive rewiring and ethical governance are critical for navigating the AI-driven future.

Why this matters -- For economic and community development leaders, the AI-driven workplace transformation impacts local business vitality and workforce development. As businesses within your community adapt to AI, understanding the ethical deployment of AI is paramount. This knowledge enables you to provide targeted support and resources for upskilling initiatives, ensuring your local workforce remains competitive. Addressing ethical considerations in AI deployment will foster trust and attract businesses seeking responsible innovation, ultimately strengthening your community's economic resilience."

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Alibaba Gets in the Game

Competition in the AI Space is more intense than a Elite Eight March Madness game. In this article by CNN, Alibaba launches DeepSeek rival, sending stock surging, we see the Chinese company Alibaba getting onto the game with a new AI model, positioning it as a competitor to existing models like ChatGPT. The article/report highlights the strategic importance of AI development for China, both technologically and economically. This new platform and development will do nothing but continue to intensify global competition in the AI sector, with potential implications for international relations and technological dominance.

Why this matters -- For economic and community development leaders, the global race in AI development, exemplified by Alibaba's DeepSeek Chat, presents both opportunities and challenges. Understanding the advancements and strategic priorities of global technology players allows you to anticipate potential disruptions and leverage emerging opportunities. This knowledge is crucial for attracting innovative businesses, fostering local tech ecosystems, and ensuring your community remains competitive in an increasingly AI-driven world. Furthermore, being aware of the geopolitical implications of AI development can inform your strategies for international partnerships and attracting foreign investment."

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Microsoft Urges Trump to Ease AI Chip Export Restriction

Microsoft has called on President Trump to reconsider the export restrictions on advanced computer chips crucial for AI technology ( Microsoft warns Trump against ‘strategic misstep’ in AI race by Ellen Jennings-Trace | TechRadar), that the previous administration implemented. The tech giant argues that these limitations extend "beyond what's needed" and inadvertently push U.S. allies like Taiwan, South Korea, India, and Switzerland to seek AI infrastructure elsewhere—likely from China. Microsoft warns this could give China a "strategic advantage" in distributing its AI technology globally, undermining America's technological leadership and worsening its trade deficit.

Why this Matters -- These export restrictions directly impact economic development strategies at both national and local levels by potentially shifting the global AI technology landscape. For economic development practitioners, this situation highlights the delicate balance between national security concerns and maintaining competitive advantage in emerging tech sectors. Communities that have developed strategies around tech infrastructure and AI capabilities may need to reassess their approaches based on how these international trade policies evolve.

Other Articles of Interest this week:

Economic Development -- TSMC to invest $100B more in US chip plants by Maria Deutscher | SiliconAngle -- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. today announced plans to invest an additional $100 billion in its U.S. manufacturing facilities. The investment comes on top of the $65 billion the chipmaker has already committed to building three fabs in Arizona.

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Green Economy-- An 8-point compass for building business resilience by Sally Uren | Trellis -- With the sustainability movement in uncharted territory, here’s how to continue making progress.

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Leadership-- McKinsey Quarterly Classics special issue on leadership -- This bonus collection of 15 classic McKinsey Quarterly articles accompanies “The future of leadership,” the second of four issues celebrating the Quarterly’s 60th birthday. These timeless insights—previously only available in archival print issues—trace how leadership ideas and attitudes have evolved over the past six decades.

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Technology -- Meta unveils plan for ambitious five-continent-spanning subsea cable project by Brian Monsanto | IT Brew -- The tech giant announced its plan, which it dubbed Project Waterworth, in a Feb. 14 blog post. Meta said the cable will run between the US, South Africa, India, and Brazil—among other regions—and span 50,000 km once completed. (That’s a little more than 164 million Subway footlong sandwiches or longer than Earth’s circumference.)

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​Mentoring-- How Leaders Champion Culture: Six Essential Lessons by Donald Sull and Charles Sull -- The bad news about “core” cultural values: In most organizations, employees say leaders don’t walk the talk. Learn from six well-known leaders who know how to do better.

Introducing: The C7 Program ROI Calculator

In my conversations with economic development professionals over the past 30 years, one question consistently arises: "How do we quantify the impact of small business support programs?"

Today, I'm excited to share a new tool that answers this question for our Circles of Seven (C7) mentorship program.

Our new interactive calculator allows you to estimate the potential economic benefits of implementing the C7 program in your specific community. Simply input a few key metrics about your area, and instantly see projections for:

• Direct revenue growth for participating businesses
• Total economic impact through multiplier effects
• New jobs created and existing jobs retained
• Business survival improvement rates
• Return on investment for program dollars

Beyond the Numbers: Building a Stronger Business Ecosystem

While the calculator focuses on quantifiable metrics, remember that C7 delivers benefits that extend beyond what we can measure:

• Creating a self-sustaining culture of mentorship
• Building stronger connections between business leaders
• Developing leadership skills that benefit the entire community
• Enhancing your community's appeal to prospective businesses

A Special Opportunity for Five Communities

In conjunction with this new tool, I'm announcing a special Community Partnership Model for the C7 program. This new approach allows communities to implement the complete program at just 30% of the standard investment for Year One.

Only five communities will be selected for this partnership opportunity. The application window closes soon, so I encourage you to:

1. Try the calculator to see your potential ROI
2. Schedule a 30-minute consultation to discuss your results
3. Determine if your community is a good fit for one of these limited spots

​Calculate Your C7 Economic Impact →​

As always, I welcome your questions and feedback. Simply reply to this email to start a conversation.

P.S. If you know colleagues in other communities who might benefit from this opportunity, please forward this newsletter. The calculator is freely available to anyone interested in exploring the economic impact of structured mentorship programs.

Get Rid of Your Misery

One of the most heinous characteristics of the internet, and more specifically, social media platforms, is that those who participate regularly can fall into the trap of constantly comparing themselves with those posting.

We hear people tell us how they have made millions of dollars after they ‘discovered’ a secret that no one else could find, and you are a bum for not buying his program so you, too, can make ‘seven figures.’

Then there are weight loss gurus, dopamine detox programs (there is no such thing as detoxing from dopamine), and people who look a lot better than us. Many people, sometimes without realizing it, begin to compare themselves and become depressed because they can’t achieve ‘seven figures,’ let alone a low five.

Ryan Holiday pins down this problem in this column he recently wrote. He argues that constant comparison to others—specifically, the relentless pursuit of perceived 'success'—leads to misery. It warns against fixating on external validation and the illusion of perfect outcomes.

Holiday highlights how this habit distracts from genuine progress and personal fulfillment. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on your path and measuring success by your standards, rather than through the distorted lens of social comparison.

This post is a stark reminder of the dangers of chasing superficial metrics and external validation. Many of us and our loved ones are driven by competition for investment and recognition, and it's easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others. This incessant comparison can lead to misdirected efforts, a lack of genuine innovation, and ultimately, a decline in well-being.

The same could be applied to economic development; focusing solely on attracting the next 'big win' while neglecting the foundational needs of existing businesses and residents creates an unsustainable and ultimately miserable environment. True economic development lies in fostering a resilient, inclusive, and self-sufficient community, not in chasing fleeting headlines.

​Read the complete post here.

Overheard :

Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.

-- Mark Twain

The Rabbit Hole

If You Need Your 10,000 Steps, Try This.

If you have never heard of the Camino de Santiago, you should check it out, especially if you enjoy hiking long trails. Millions of people have taken this pilgrimage for various reasons. While many are religious pilgrims, a number of people are not.

It is said that a long walk in the woods is good for the soul. The Camino is more than a walk in the woods. It is a journey across northern Spain through woods, pastures, mountain trails, highways, and village streets.

Similar to the Camino, one walker decided to create their own spiritual and meaningful walk, this one across Canada. The Camino can be conquered in about 40 days. The TransCanada Trail took this intrepid soul six years, and she also made a documentary about it too.

Here is an article about her journey. You can see the movie website and watch the trailer here.

“Live, from New York, It’s …”

I bet you can finish the line.

I am old enough to remember watching the first season of Saturday Night Live. I was just starting high school, and if you weren’t trying to figure out how to be an awkward freshman at an upperclassmen party, you stayed home to watch television. In 1975, there weren’t a lot of late-night viewing choices, so SNL was a fresh, radical choice.

With the recent 50th anniversary of the show, there is a renewed interest in its longevity and the many stars it has spawned. I found this fun video of the behind-the-scenes tour of the SNL stage and studio, where all the magic happens.

​As you watch this video, you begin to realize the amount of work that goes into putting on a production like SNL.

Citrus in my IPA or Cider?

I certainly like my craft beer, especially a citrusy and bitter IPA. I like to say, “The bitter, the better.” I’d rather channel life’s bitterness into a beer instead of exhibiting an outward expression of this attitude towards the world. We have enough bitterness in this world.

When I am not in the mood for a beer, a cocktail will do. My go-to is a Manhattan with a rock ( a big single ice cube). However, I have also enjoyed Mead (New Day Craft in Indianapolis is a great place to try Mead) and Cider.

There are many commercial ciders to try, but this article will help you find some Ciders that are rated at the top. Ciders are often associated with the Fall season due to the Apple season being in full mode. However, as this article suggests, spring can also be a good time to try Ciders.

​Check out the article here.

Thanks for Reading

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Whenever you’re ready, there are several ways I can help you:

1. Economic Development: If you are looking to supercharge your economic development organization, I can help by strategizing and developing a roadmap to success. Set up a time to talk to me here.

2. Culture Change; Is your organization changing? Would you like to create an asset out of your culture? Do you know how to assess team strengths? Let me help you. I'm a certified culture change practitioner. Set up a time to talk to me here.

3. The Green Economy; The world is changing. Some of it is positive, and some of the change is not. Let me help you develop green economy opportunities for your community. Set up some time to talk about here.​

4. Mentoring Programs: Circles of Seven (C7) is a proven and award-winning model for mentoring. Whether it is for business or your community leadership program, I can develop a mentoring program for you. Let's talk about your situation. Set up a time here. ​

If you have any thoughts or comments regarding any articles in this newsletter please feel free to contact me through email at martin@martinkarlconsulting.com.​

You can review my services and offerings at www.martinkarlconsulting.com​

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