The Main Thing:

Retirement has always been that time in your life when you are no longer willing to work, or people are tired of you and want you to leave. Your ideas are old; you come to the office late, you keep saying things like, “This is the way we have always done it,” or “Back in my day…,” and your hearing is so bad you can’t hear people saying negative things about you when you are standing right in front of them. It becomes a game for them.

Retirement can be an excellent transition for people after they have spent a near lifetime contributing to the work world and society. It should be well-deserved and exciting. Imagine not setting your alarm clock or needing to be placed at a particular time, excluding your tee time or bridge club.

But for many, including me, retirement age is a time of renewal and liberation. It is also when your best contributions can come to the fore. It can be a time when your wisdom becomes an asset that is not equal.

This week, I continue a series of ten tips for a successful transition in midlife. I help you determine whether you are a Sage or merely Aged.

​Read more here.​
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Focus on the Green Economy

Small Investment with Big Results in the Making

​Mayor Bruce Harrell Launches the Seattle Climate Innovation Hub to Boost Green Economy and Downtown Revitalization | The Mayor's Office

Seattle is one of my favorite Cities in the USA. It is surrounded by beauty and fresh air (usually), and the people there are laid-back. Now, Seattle is strategically moving to become a climate technology hub while reinvigorating its downtown core.

The newly launched Seattle Climate Innovation Hub combines the University of Washington's startup expertise, global climate community resources, and nonprofit funding in a $285,000 initiative to attract and nurture climate tech entrepreneurs. Located in university-owned downtown real estate, this partnership leverages Seattle's existing strengths in aerospace and technology while creating a physical nexus for climate innovation, positioning the city as a destination of choice for businesses focused on developing solutions to combat climate change. You can read about the program in this release:

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​Why This Matters to You: The Seattle Climate Innovation Hub's significance extends far beyond its local impact. The creation of the Hub offers a practical blueprint for cities nationwide. Seattle demonstrates how communities can leverage existing assets—educational institutions, available real estate, and regional industry strengths—to build new economic opportunities while addressing downtown revitalization. This model is particularly valuable for economic development leaders because it shows how to create an innovation ecosystem without massive capital investment, instead focusing on strategic partnerships between government, academia, private industry, and nonprofits without spending much money. Will it be enough? It is probably enough to get started.

The Pendulum Has Swung

​What to know about Trump’s first executive actions on climate and environment by Melina Walling | AP News

The era of gas guzzlers and abundant oil is a distant memory, and the stark reality of global warming is upon us. As a nation, we are at a critical juncture. So what do we do as a nation? This is our best according to the new admimistration:

Trump's recent energy policy decisions, including the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the declaration of an 'energy emergency ', mark a seismic shift in America's stance on climate change and clean energy. These changes have the potential to not only reshape environmental regulations but also to fundamentally alter the landscape of American energy economics and business opportunities.

Why This Matters to You -- These policy shifts have a profound impact on economic development leaders across the country. Many communities have heavily invested in the clean energy sector, and our withdrawal from the Paris Accords could jeopardize our competitiveness in the global green economy. The key message for economic developers is the urgent need to devise robust local strategies that can withstand federal policy changes while ensuring competitiveness in both traditional and emerging energy markets.

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You Won’t Need that Coat

​Too Hot to Handle: How Climate Change May Make Some Places Too Hot to Live by NASA Science Editorial Team.

For years, I avoided discussing the weather. My attitude was that we were either putting a coat on or taking one off. Based on numerous scientific observations, including those from NASA, I might as well leave that coat in the closet.

As our planet warms, scientists are tracking a critical but lesser-known metric that could mean the difference between life and death: wet-bulb temperature. This is a more precise measurement of heat stress than the commonly known heat index. It takes into account the cooling effect of water evaporation, providing a more accurate picture of the heat's impact on our bodies. While most of us are familiar with the heat index, understanding wet-bulb temperature is crucial as it reveals alarming trends about our ability to survive in an increasingly hot and humid world. Some regions are already briefly hitting the human survivability limit of 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

Why this Matters to You: The key takeaway for economic developers is the crucial role they play in incorporating heat resilience into both immediate planning and long-term strategy. Communities that prepare for these challenges by investing in appropriate infrastructure and developing heat-mitigation strategies will have a competitive advantage in business attraction and retention as these conditions become more frequent.

Business Sage Shares Wisdom While Pigeons File Formal Complaint About His Breadcrumb Distribution Strategy

The Wise Elders have once again emerged from their sacred rituals of golf and shuffleboard, their joints creaking like rusty door hinges in a haunted house. Despite their physical complaints, they’ve somehow managed to achieve golf scores that would make Tiger Woods jealous (though this might have something to do with their creative interpretation of “winter rules” and their increasingly imaginative approach to basic arithmetic).

Between adjusting their bifocals and searching for misplaced reading glasses, they pondered this burning question from a reader:

“With increasing technology tools and post-pandemic hangover, I find that people aren’t as interested in having me visit their business and sit for an hour for business retention and expansion calls. What other ways can I get the quality of information I once got from these visits? Also, by not visiting them in person, I lost the relationship connection I once had.”

For this particularly perplexing inquiry, we summoned the wisest of the wise, the sage of sages, the guru of gurus: Laith Wardi, CEO of Executive Pulse. We found him perched atop his mountain just outside Erie, Pennsylvania, wrapped in his elder robes (which suspiciously resembled a comfortable bathrobe), contemplating the mysteries of CRM software while feeding breadcrumbs to passing pigeons. His CRM system, Executive Pulse, is so widely used that even carrier pigeons are reportedly considering it for their message delivery tracking needs.

​You can read his enlightened response here (assuming we can figure out how to work this newfangled internet thing).

We cherish your questions, dear readers. The Wise Elders get so excited when contacted for their wisdom that they often create minor floods with their upturned tea cups and hot water bottles. Their excitement is particularly evident when someone under the age of 65 actually wants to hear what they have to say. The cleaning staff has requested we start using sippy cups during these consultation sessions.

Keep the questions coming! (But please send them electronically - the Wise Elders’ carrier pigeons are getting tired, and frankly, their aim isn’t what it used to be.)

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Other Articles of Interest this week:

Leadership-- Take 5: How to Increase Your Office’s Productivity by Michael Powell et al. | Kellogg Insight -- Research-backed tips for improving workflows and discouraging slacking.

Technology -- Jockeying intensifies for state quantum leadership by Chris Teale | Route Fifty --

New Mexico will open a major research and development center, while Maryland promised to invest $1 billion in the technology in the next five years.

AI -- Superagency in the workplace: Empowering people to unlock AI’s full potential by Hannah Mayer, Lareina Yee, Michael Chui, and Roger Roberts | McKinsey Digital. -- Almost all companies invest in AI, but just 1 percent believe they are at maturity. Our research finds the biggest barrier to scaling is not employees—who are ready—but leaders who are not steering fast enough.

Economic Development -- 7 tips for growing a successful local farmers market by Ryan Kushner | American City and County -- It’s an early spring morning on a Saturday in Madison, Wis., and the sunshine is still sipping up the dew. The capital square is already buzzing with people, and the long line for a local delicacy called “cheese bread” has begun to form. There are fresh-cut flowers and vegetables within arm’s reach, and, for a moment, all feels right with the world. Welcome to the Dane County Farmers’ Market (DCFM), billed as the country’s largest producer-only farmers market and a staple in downtown Madison for more than 53 years.

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​Mentoring-- Why Mentorship Is The Secret To Building Future-Ready Workplaces by Sheya Michaelides | allwork -- In celebration of National Mentoring Month (last month), here are seven reasons a mentoring program helps build future-ready teams.

Something You Should Read:

This newsletter aims not to get into politics. I certainly have opinions; maybe they work their way into some things I write and comment about. It’s not intentional. Okay, maybe it is. It would be similar if we were having a conversation. However, one cannot ignore the impact of our current President on our world, as highlighted in the relevant AP article above. Whether you like him or not, there is always the opportunity to disagree with the policy.

I strongly disagree with the Tariff policies the President has implemented. In an interconnected world like ours, these tariffs are not just restrictions, they are barriers to free trade, making it more expensive for everyone.

Tariffs may have worked in the 19th century when America was getting on its feet, but they don’t benefit us today. The marketplace has spoken, and corporate America has decided with its feet where to make the products we consume: overseas. Having tariffs in place for significant reshoring will take a very long time.

While I may not be an economist, I make a concerted effort to grasp the complexities of economic issues. Noah Smith, with his blog and newsletter, Noahpinion, is an excellent resource for understanding these matters. I encourage you to explore his insights.

In a recent post, “Trump Starts to Break Things,” he describes why tariffs are a terrible idea.

As you read his work, consider subscribing to his newsletter. The economic landscape constantly evolves, and staying informed is more crucial than ever.

Calling All Seasoned Leaders-Rising Stars

Announcing an Exclusive Mastermind Opportunity!

This may be an opportunity for you if you are a veteran in economic development seeking to stay abreast of new developments and bridge the generational divide OR a new economic development leader yearning for wise counsel and wisdom.

I've organized a new Mastermind and am looking for five seasoned economic development professional leaders (12+ years of experience) and five newly minted economic development professionals (5 + years)

For Our Seasoned Leaders:

You've spent decades building our communities, navigating complex deals, and fostering relationships that have shaped economic landscapes. But our field is evolving rapidly. Today's emerging technologies, shifting workforce dynamics, and new approaches to community engagement are reshaping how we work. Through this mastermind, you'll:

• Gain fresh perspectives on digital transformation and emerging economic trends.
• Connect with the next generation's innovative approaches to community development.
• Create a lasting legacy by shaping tomorrow's economic development leaders.
• Stay current with evolving tools and methodologies in our field.
• Build relationships with professionals who can carry forward your projects and vision.

For Our Rising Stars:

You bring energy, tech-savvy approaches, and fresh perspectives to economic development. But in a field where relationships and experience matter deeply, you need more than just theoretical knowledge. Through this mastermind, you'll:

• Learn from real-world experiences of successful economic developers
• Gain access to decades of accumulated wisdom and relationship networks
• Understand how to navigate political landscapes and complex stakeholder relationships
• Accelerate your career growth through direct mentorship
• Develop confidence in dealing with high-stakes projects and negotiations

This isn't just another networking group. It's an intimate, carefully curated community where:

• Each member commits to both teaching and learning.
• Honest challenges are discussed and solved collaboratively.
• Lasting relationships are built across generational lines.
• Innovation meets proven experience.
• The future of economic development is shaped.

If this is something you are interested in, here are the following steps:

​Click on this link to fill out an interest form. This does not OBLIGATE you; it is simply a way for me to see who is interested. I will follow up with you after you have filled out the form.

This intense and highly informative experience could positively change and significantly enhance career growth.

I am committed to giving you an unparalleled experience, as there is no other place you can experience something like this.

Take the next step and go to the interest form.​

Overheard :

I am a tariff man, standing on a tariff platform.

William McKinley, 25th President of The United States

(Note: Mt. McKinley, renamed Denali, per executive order by President Obama, is now Mt. McKinley again per the executive order of President Trump)

Rabbit Hole:

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Eat Healthy, Eat Kimchi

Who likes Kimchi? This Korean pickled cabbage delicacy is gaining ground here in the United States as a likable food. I enjoyed buying Kimchi at a farmer's market in New York. It was yummy and spicy, but it was not for everyone.

Robert Roy Britt's article​ "The 28 Best Things to Eat, According to 10 Nutrition Experts"​ lists Kimchi among many other foods that I enjoy, as do I'm sure many of you do.

Blueberries, Beets, Cheese, Cherries, Coffee, Mushroom, Oats, Sweet Potato, Tomatoes, Walnuts, and Greek yogurt are some of the foods listed, all of which agree with my discerning palate.

Eat to your health by checking out the list in the article above.

Sly, “The Song” and Sundance

The Sundance Resort, started by the actor Robert Redford, is near Park City, Utah, and inspired the Sundance Film Festival. I have been to the resort and Park City, Utah (unfortunately, not for the festival) for an economic development conference. After the festival quickly outgrew the resort, it moved to Park City in 1981.

The first year saw many movies that we now know today as classics. Movies such as

​Deliverance,​ A Streetcar Named Desire, Midnight Cowboy, and Mean Streets were part of the original lineup.

As the festival has finished its 2025 run, we have a lineup of the best movies from this year's festival.

One movie I am interested in seeing is the documentary about Sly and the Family Stone. They pioneered the funk rock scene, and their music is iconic. I love music documentaries, especially after seeing "The Song Remains the Same" and "Woodstock" as a teenager.

It reminds me to get tickets for the new, officially authorized documentary Becoming Led Zeppelin.​

​See the article here.​

All by Myself 🎶🎶

In this article, The 12 Best Places for Solo Travel in the United States, you can learn about all the unique things that make these destinations the places you must visit. One of my favorite places in the world, Santa Fe, is on the list. In addition, other places I've been to on the list include Healdsburg, California (wine country), New Orleans, Cape Cod, and Key West.

Also on the list is a cruise, which I would normally be reticent to go on, but a transatlantic cruise ending in Lisbon might be the ticket.

Also, I didn't realize the "literary chops" of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

I hope you get to one of these places. Safe travels.

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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