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: There have been times when I have seen an employee retire or quit their job, and many were happy to see them go. Why? Perhaps they were the reason progress was stymied, or their recalcitrance caused disruption among the other team members. Other times, the reaction was, "What are we going to do now? Mary/Bob knows everything about how to [ fill-in-the-blank ], and no one else knows how to do it." This could be a critical process in the organization, a unique skill set, or just how things have always been done. Other times, the person has a presence or gravitas that helps the organization function better. They may have wisdom and historical knowledge about why initiatives or ideas worked or were put aside. This is the theme of this week's post: How do we mine the knowledge, wisdom, and history of those who have gone before us and the imperative to do so? Culture, operational functionality, and sometimes reputation are tied up in our elders. So, how can we maintain the good parts, the parts that are crucial for our organization's success? Sure, Bob refused to give up his flip phone and didn't know how to text, but he also maintained the organization's DNA. Readers of Curated Morning often ask me what platform I use to send this gem of a newsletter. When I started this newsletter, I looked at a number of platforms, including all the usual suspects, but the people who knew what they were talking about said that KIT is the way to go. KIT allows you to do much more than just send emails. You can get started at a reduced cost through their special sale. If you are interested in KIT, you can get a Black Friday-Cyber Monday deal by clicking here. Affiliate disclosure: If you take advantage of this offer, I will receive a small percentage of the investment you make. This helps me defray the cost of the weekly Curated Morning Newsletter. Thanks in advance! Focus on TechnologyWhere to Start With AI? Cities and States Offer Use Cases by Julia Edinger | Government Technology The integration of artificial intelligence into government operations is not just a trend, but a significant milestone in public sector modernization. It's a journey that government entities across the United States, from major metropolitan areas to small municipalities, are embarking on. This comprehensive analysis unveils how jurisdictions like Santa Cruz County and Boston are pioneering innovative frameworks to leverage AI's potential while ensuring essential safeguards. As agencies grapple with questions of regulation, privacy, and practical application, their early experiences offer valuable insights into how artificial intelligence can enhance public service delivery without compromising security or public trust. Their successes and challenges not only provide a roadmap but also empower government bodies nationwide as they work to transform theoretical AI possibilities into practical governance tools. Robots Are Taking Over Low-skilled Jobs — and Changing Votes by Pinar Yildirim | Knowledge at Wharton The intersection of automation and socioeconomic mobility presents a stark reality for America's workforce, particularly among low-skilled workers. A comprehensive new study from Wharton, analyzing 16 million career trajectories over 16 years, reveals how robotics and automation fundamentally reshape career pathways and economic opportunities, with long-term implications. The research quantifies the precise impact: each additional robot per 1,000 workers decreased local market career value by thousands of dollars, with ripple effects extending far beyond manufacturing into service sectors and retail. More provocatively, these technological disruptions influence economic outcomes, educational investments, housing markets, and political alignments in affected regions. Sixty years of innovation: Key moments in business technology by McKinsey Insights The other day, at a conference, we discussed technology, and I said I have witnessed every major technological revolution in the past 60 years. I consider myself lucky not only to have seen it but also to have been clever enough to adopt many of these technological advances. These technological shifts occur at a faster pace each year. How do we keep up, and what can we foresee as the major impact of new technological changes like AI and Quantum computing? Most of us can't tell, but for the most part, we hope that they will add value to our lives. To understand the significant technological shifts in our world over the past sixty years, this article will provide a quick view. Many things we now take for granted, like GPS and our smartphones/cameras/computers, were ideas a decade ago. Who knew what changes these discoveries would impact? Other Articles of Interest this week: Leadership -- Igniting individual purpose in times of crisis by Naina Dhingra, Jonathan Emmett, Andrew Samo, and Bill Schaninger | McKinsey Quarterly -- (From 2020 but still applicable) Creating strong links to an individual purpose benefits individuals and companies alike—and could be vital in managing the postpandemic uncertainties that lie ahead. Economic Development -- Downtown Omaha’s Economy Is Recovering Quicker Than Other Cities by Naomi Delkamiller | Flatwater Free Press -- The pandemic prompted many downtowns to rethink their futures. Omaha’s evolution beyond a traditional business district was already underway. City/Rural -- How ‘floating car data’ can help cities tackle traffic by Dan Zukowski | SmartCitiesDive -- Smart city technology can save transportation agencies money and inform conversations with the public, says a white paper by consulting firm Frost & Sullivan. Green Economy-- Take 5: Doing Business in a Warming Climate based on research by Jacopo Ponticelli, Aaron Yoon, Brayden King, Adam Waytz, Meghan Busse | Kellogg Insight -- With climate change bearing down, this article rounds up recent research and ideas on sustainability. It looks at how climate change is already hurting U.S. manufacturers, as well impacting companies’ supply chains. It also addresses how companies can work productively with activists, how climate inertia can be combatted with successes from afar, and the importance of adopting a “climate-capable” mindset Something You Should Read: KPMG, a trusted name in the accounting and consultancy industry, consistently delivers insightful reports and newsletters. Their periodic analysis, known for its reliability and non-biased approach, is a valuable resource for understanding the economy. In their recent Economic Compass, KPMG describes what impact the new administration's stated policies might have on the economy in the future. They, like many economists, say that tariffs, which the president-elect has proposed, are a tax, plain and simple. It's a regressive tax paid by the product's consumer or the company that makes them. It does not punish the country that makes the product. While the policies may have some immediate challenges, they also hold the potential for positive long-term effects. President Biden's decision to maintain the tariffs initiated by President Trump on China has already led to some reshoring, a trend that could significantly boost the USA's GNP in the future. The bottom line: A combination of tariffs, immigrant deportation limitations, and deregulation, which could lead to a reduction in government oversight and potentially increase business activities, may increase inflation by 2026. We will have to wait and see what happens. In the interim, read KMPGs' report and consider subscribing for up-to-date analysis. A Webinar You Should Attend:My friend Katrina Kibben recently sent this email to some folks. I wanted to share their invitation to join them in a webinar in December. While it may not be for everyone, many of you will pick up some essential tips from this pro. Here is what Katrina wrote: “I know what it feels like to work on a resume only to submit it into a black hole. I understand what it feels like to get your hopes up only to feel let down. It has inspired a lot of my work on improving the candidate experience.
Thanks Kat! Overheard : "The first panacea for a mismanaged nation is inflation of the currency; the second is war. Both bring a temporary prosperity; both bring a permanent ruin. But both are the refuge of political and economic opportunists." Listen, Eat, Drink, Watch, READ, Living in New York State, as I once did, you come to appreciate its sheer size, especially if you've spent time in 'the city.' The City of New York, to be precise. But did you realize that New York's economy is on par with that of Canada? Yes, the entire country of Canada is matched by the economy of New York State. Here in my state of Illinois, we have an economy equal to that of Saudi Arabia, and we don't pump nearly as much oil. Yes, Illinois has over 23,000 production oil and gas wells, but our economy is not solely reliant on this industry. It's a diverse and robust economy that rivals that of a major oil-producing nation. Listen, Eat, Drink, Watch, READ, View A couple of years ago, I spent part of my December in the Baja of Mexico, watching whales breech along the coastline as they traveled to their breeding grounds in the lagoons off the coast of the peninsula. It was an amazing sight. Earlier that same year, I found myself in a boat on the coast of Maine watching whales swim by. Whales are amazing creatures, and their enormity makes them even more mesmerizing. Whales, at least certain breeds, also hold the record for being among the loudest animals on the planet. Of course, we don't hear them because their communication occurs underwater. While humans have evolved to speak and communicate through our voices and words (and music), many animals have developed diverse and sometimes remarkably loud forms of communication. This article describes the loudest animals in the animal kingdom, except us humans amplifying our music at Coachella or some other festival. Curious to learn more about these amazing animals? Read the full article here. Listen, Eat, Drink, Watch, READ View We all know that walking is good for us. It is an activity in which many people can participate. In fact, "getting our steps in" has become a common phrase as we check our smart watches and phones to see if we have achieved our daily steps goal every day. Walking in the woods can bring peace and calm to our busy world. However, sometimes, that isn't achievable, and we have to walk through parts of our city. This can also be interesting, depending on the city's commitment to ensuring the importance of pedestrian and non-automobile modes of mobility. The article featured here ranked the top ten most walkable US cities. As with all media rankings, there are flaws, as this one seems to concentrate on the largest cities, such as New York and Chicago, and ignore the mid-sized and smaller ones. For example, Indianapolis is very walkable. Many other cities likely should be on this list and ranked by size. It's an intriguing thought, and I'm sure some hidden gems are waiting to be discovered. I will let someone else tackle that. Personally, I have explored the downtowns and neighborhoods of eight of the ten cities listed here. How many have you walked? Walking from one gate to the next at the airport doesn't count. I still have Pittsburgh and Los Angeles on my walking bucket list. Read the full article and the rankings 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).