Martin Karl Vanags
Join business owners and leaders, entrepreneurs, community and economic development professionals in learning about the latest trends impacting your future today. Today, more than ever, technology, the green economy, leadership and human performance intersect. Gaining knowledge and wisdom in these ares make for a well-informed leader. Every Thursday I curate these topics as well as articles about the quirky and fun things in life (think music, food and drink).
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The Main Thing: ‘Tis the season for giving, and you know what always makes me chuckle? When someone offers a “free gift.” I mean, has anyone ever received a gift they had to pay for? That would just be… shopping. And while Santa’s elves are busy wrapping up their holiday preparations, I’m wrapping up something special for you that won’t require a single reindeer to deliver. As a loyal reader of Curated Morning, I’m stuffing your digital stocking with a genuinely free gift (see what I did there?) – a focused 10-week email series starting January 7th that will transform how you think about community business growth. Think of it as a post-holiday present to help your community thrive in the new year. Drawing from my popular LinkedIn series “Ninety Days of Small Business Nurturing,” I’ve distilled the most impactful initiatives into a concentrated program you can implement in your own community. Did I mention it’s completely free? Because, like the best Christmas cookies at a holiday party, it absolutely is. Each week, you’ll receive one actionable initiative, carefully selected to create lasting positive change. From launching a local business storytelling campaign that humanizes neighborhood enterprises, to establishing community investment trusts that empower residents to invest in their own commercial spaces – these aren’t just ideas, they’re proven strategies that build stronger, more resilient local economies. What makes this free series unique? Like a perfectly decorated Christmas tree, each piece has its purpose:
Whether you’re a business owner, community leader, or someone passionate about local economic development, these next 10 weeks starting January 7th could help shape your community’s success in 2025 and beyond. Think of it as a New Year’s resolution that actually sticks! Subscribe now to join us on this journey – and yes, I’ll say it one more time: it’s free. The first edition launches January 7th (after you’ve taken down the holiday decorations) with our opening initiative on Local Business Storytelling – a powerful tool for deepening community connections. Want to stay informed without spending a dime? Join us for this limited-run series today because the best gifts in life are free (and actually gifts) – whether they come down the chimney or straight to your inbox. You can sign up to get the limited-run newsletter here. Focus on City/Rural Can libraries help solve our connection crisis? A conversation with author and library expert Shamichael Hallman | Reimagining the Civic Commons -- Do you have a library card? I love Libraries, but I need to frequent my library more or as much as I would like to. According to this article, it could be a place to connect. In an era of increasing social disconnection, can your local library be the key to rebuilding community bonds? Shamichael Hallman thinks so. As Senior Library Manager at Memphis' historic Cossitt Library, he envisions libraries as more than just book repositories - they're spaces where people can bridge differences of race, income, and belief. In a fascinating exploration of libraries' evolving role, Hallman shares how innovative programming, intentional design, and community engagement transform these institutions into vital hubs of civic renewal and human connection. His insights couldn't be more timely as America grapples with rising loneliness and declining social trust. Removing the walls between us by Bridget Marquis | Medium My personal journey with Belfast's transformation began in the '60s and '70s, when I, like many others, was captivated by Walter Conkrite's reports on the violence in Northern Ireland. As a young observer, I struggled to comprehend the intense conflicts that were tearing communities apart. However, as I grew older, I became more invested in the story, and was heartened to witness the eventual arrival of peace. Today, Belfast stands as a beacon of hope, demonstrating what a once-divided city can achieve in the pursuit of unity. There are invaluable lessons that American cities can glean from Belfast's journey towards unity. A compelling new report shows us how Northern Ireland has leveraged innovative public spaces to heal deep-seated divisions. From reimagined parks and greenways to community centers that transcend sectarian lines, Belfast presents a wealth of insights for U.S. cities contending with their own social and physical barriers. The striking similarities between Belfast's peace walls and America's highways, crumbling sidewalks, and unwelcoming public spaces underscore the transformative potential of our built environment in fostering unity or perpetuating division. Atlanta creates AI commission to explore tech’s potential in city government by Ysabelle Kempe | SmartCitiesDive The world of AI is moving so fast that it is hard to keep up. What are you doing about it? Is your community or organization managing the issue of AI and how it can positively impact your work and life? Atlanta is taking a bold step into the AI frontier, becoming one of the first major U.S. cities to establish a dedicated AI commission. The unanimous city council vote signals a thoughtful approach to integrating artificial intelligence into municipal operations. While the city already uses AI for tasks like detecting water main leaks, this new commission will chart a comprehensive roadmap for AI's role in Atlanta's future. With government, academia, and tech sector representatives collaborating to balance innovation with responsibility, Atlanta's approach could become a model for other cities navigating the AI revolution. Other Articles of Interest this week: Leadership - The 3 most common leadership myths by By Claudius A. Hildebrand and Robert J. Stark | Fast Company -- Leadership experts analyzed the performance of every 21st-century CEO of every S&P 500 company and found three common leadership myths. Technology -- NVIDIA's new AI model, Fugatto, can create audio from text prompts by Mariella Moon | Engadget -- NVIDIA has debuted a new experimental generative AI model, which is described as "a Swiss Army knife for sound." The model can also modify existing sound files. Economic Development -- After Prison, Opportunities Are Hard to Come By. Enter Entrepreneurship. By Kylie Hwang and Damon Phillips -- Labor-market discrimination is driving many formerly incarcerated people, particularly Black individuals, toward entrepreneurship. Green Economy-- ‘We’ve been here before’: What Trump’s win could mean for local climate action by Ysabelle Kempe | SmartCitiesDive -- City leaders are preparing for a president who has cast doubt on the scientific consensus around climate change and threatened to rescind unspent Inflation Reduction Act dollars. Mentoring-- Why mentoring matters: A conversation with Carlos Lejnieks by McKinsey & Company Insights -- A leader of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America talks about how successful mentors help others see qualities in themselves that they might not otherwise see. Something You Should Read:Our friends at McKinsey continually provide us with information crucial to the successful operation of economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, cities, and businesses. And th best part about it is most of it is free. The report that is linked here is a great example. In their World Economic Outlook Report released in October, McKinsey shares their view of the economy and where it is going. The global economy's keywords are stable and slow despite all the saber-rattling and actual conflicts happening around the globe. Global GDP is around 3%, and developing economies are growing faster. Check out this article about the global economy to see how persistent structural challenges, such as an aging population and low productivity, are impacting some economies. Read the World Economic Outlook Report here. Overheard : “Getting old is like climbing a mountain; you get a little out of breath, but the view is much better!” - Ingrid Bergman Listen, Eat, Drink, Watch READ, View This past summer here in Illinois was the 'Summer of Cicadas.' However, after numerous trips to our nearby State Park (Rock Cut), I did not hear or witness this invasion. I was disappointed, as I had been eagerly anticipating the unique sound and sight of these creatures. However, farther south in Illinois, I understand that the Cicadas were ubiquitous. The picture from the National Geographic series shows Cicadas hanging around in Springfield, IL. The link to this site also gives you what National Geographic cites as its 'Pictures of the Year.' Check out this amazing close-up of the Cicadas, where you can see their intricate patterns and vibrant colors, and a bunch of other amazing photographs. I hope the penguin survived. Listen, Eat, Drink, Watch, READ, View This Christmas could be the start of a new family tradition, with your kids and grandchildren spending time with the “other” in-laws. Or perhaps you're ready to break free from the consumer-frenzied, loud, big Christmas and seek some peace and quiet. Whatever your situation, there's an opportunity for a fresh start this holiday season. If you were traveling for Christmas, which would you prefer, a wintery location or someplace where you can dig your toes into the sand? LISTEN, Eat, Drink, WATCH, Read, View Ageist is an online magazine I enjoy reading. Its platform is a celebration of the wisdom and knowledge of elders, a group we often overlook in our fast-paced society. We gather a treasure trove of ideas, habits, and wisdom as we age. Some enrich us, while others can lead to overthinking and sadness. The online magazine's mission is to focus on the lessons we've learned and distill them into nuggets of wisdom that can fuel our personal growth. The understanding and knowledge we accumulate over the years are like a warm, soothing bath for our tired muscles. That is the essence of Ageist. Whether in your thirties, forties, fifties, or beyond, this magazine provides practical advice and insights on navigating the aging process comfortably and gracefully, without the noise of consumer-driven, social media-centric chatter. It's a resource that's relevant and valuable to all ages. People are living longer these days, and in the sixth decade of life, people 'retired' and spent the rest of their lives volunteering at the library or working part-time as the starter at the golf course, so green fees were free or discounted. Read the interview with David Applebaum in Ageist Magazine here. Thanks for Reading If you liked this email, pay it forward. Share it with someone you think might benefit. Did someone share with you? Sign up here. For previous editions, click here. 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 |
Martin Karl Vanags
Join business owners and leaders, entrepreneurs, community and economic development professionals in learning about the latest trends impacting your future today. Today, more than ever, technology, the green economy, leadership and human performance intersect. Gaining knowledge and wisdom in these ares make for a well-informed leader. Every Thursday I curate these topics as well as articles about the quirky and fun things in life (think music, food and drink).