SMART Communications

I wrapped up 2 days at the maiden Intelligent Communities conference in Moncton today with so many thoughts about where technology as taken us, the benefits and opportunities it provides and the absolute danger it presents at destroying society's ability to communicate effectively.


I listened to so many examples of IT solutions and innovative technologies implemented at corporate and societal levels that have improved the economy and created jobs.  These are valid and good things.   Just as quickly, however, presenter after presenter stated that organizations can't "rest on their laurels" and must continue to innovate and change.  They described the challenges on moving the bar forward and it became evidently clear to me that the biggest challenge organizations are facing with IT advancement as an economic efficiency tool is that most organizations have not figured out how to use the technology to communicate effectively with the very stakeholders who will ensure success or failure with proposed progress and advancement.


McLuhan was right when he stated that the medium is the message - if the true message is not effective enough to render the medium nothing more than a tool.  What I mean is that technology has actually gotten in the way of the purpose or meaning of the message with people more intrigued with the format of the message itself,  Manifested over and over, organization to organization and you create a society of people who have missed the point.  Instead of technology making it easier it has created challenges that face to face communications never had to deal with.


The other thing I heard over and over is that Leadership has been and continues to be a serious issue - not only for IT advancement but in general as we try and move North American societies and economies forward.  


Well no kidding.  That's been our issue for years and continues to be my preoccupation.  Good leaders aren't invented and can't be created with a good content programmer.  We need people who understand the role of technology and more importantly the role of people in reaching our goals and opportunities.

"The purpose of technology is neither to minimize labor nor to maximize profits. It is to serve and preserve the dignity and well-being of humanity."

–Joseph Pearce, Small is Still Beautiful: Economics as if Families Mattered (ISI Books: 2006), p. 75

Pearce gets it.  technology is there to help not lead.  We need people to do that.  People who can still look each other in the eye when speaking and creating and leading.

The search continues...

Life Is Like That Sometimes!

So let's see if this time I can commit to taking that little time out required to write down my thoughts and highlight the examples of leadership I witness (or don't) in my day to day life.

It's been months since my last Blog - actually it was the night we lost our house to fire.  To say life has been filled with ups and downs since then would be an understatement.

It's been so long that I'm not sure where to start.

Obama is doing the right thing but struggles because people hate change.

Ignatieff is unsure of the right thing and it could come back to haunt him.

Harper is avoiding people seeing the real him through great advice and guidance.

These are just some broad thoughts to bring us up to speed to today.  Now i'll be able to follow on a daily basis and provide some more interesting insight on real issues.

I know i've said this before and haven;t backed it up but I beg for forgiveness one more time as I try and find my way through this topsy Turvy world we call life...

The last few months have produced amazing highs and soul destroying lows.

I've seen heaven and hell and have discovered that sometimes it's a fine line between the two.

That old saying - "be careful what you wish for because it may come true" is wise and should be listened to.

Someone asked me the other day if after the last few months I would be ok.

I pray every day that the answer will be yes.

I have too much to be thankful for not to be.

It's time to start the journey again and not stop this time until we find what we're looking for.

I've said it before and I'll say it again....

"it's going to be a bumpy ride...."

A Matter of Perspective

Tonight my family lost our home and all worldly possessions in a fire that also took the lives of our beloved cats sailor and leo.

We will never be able to replace the memories contained in picture frames and in pieces of art collected from trips of a lifetime over our lifetime. We won't be to bring back the "stuff" that differentiated us from others.

What I learned tonight though is - its all just stuff. It really doesn't mean anything without the family you have around you and the love you receive from relatives, neighbors and friends - and even the strangers who reach out to you in your time of need. The love shown to us tonight is worth more than all those worldly possessions. The kindness from strangers has reaffirmed my belief in mankind.

Tonight was the worst night of my life. Tonight, as my family lies sleeping safely is also the best night.

God speed sailor and leo - you will always be in our hearts.
Mike Randall
Mike Randall Communications|506-878-3025|mike.randall@rogers.com|www.mikerandallcommunications.com|

Letter To The Editor

The following recently appeared as 'Letter of the Day' in the Moncton Times and Transcript. (More proof I have been writing!!!)

To The Editor

As the global economic crisis continues to weigh on the minds of Canadians I know many are going through exercises of belt tightening and evaluating what it is necessary versus discretionary spending. As a small business owner I understand the realities of making tough choices. The other thing I understand is that, even in tough economic times, we need to continue to strategically invest in areas that will pay dividends both now and into the future.

So imagine my surprise late Wednesday when, returning from a business trip in Toronto, I grabbed my copy of the Times and Transcript to see yet another article on Riveriew Councillor Sherry Wilson describing the Capitol Theatre as a “luxury” stating that “the money for these things doesn’t all have to come from government,” and the article's author referred to the Capitol as a tri-community “sacred cow.”

As someone who has been a supporter of the Greater Moncton arts community for many years it still amazes me when I hear this very narrow view that arts and culture is a luxury that we can do without in tough economic times.

Put aside the fact that the Capitol Theatre has played a pivotal role in my life. (I’ve had the pleasure of performing on the Stage of the Capitol on a number of occasions and my wife Karen is a regular instructor at the summer theatre program which my son has attended for 4 years consecutively.) Put aside the performances I have attended over the past 15 years that have inspired new ways of seeing the world and new ways of thinking. Put aside the importance the facility has played in keeping a vibrant cultural diversity that is the envy of communities across the country.

Let’s just address the tough economic choices we are currently faced with and where arts and culture fits into that.

The arts and cultural sector makes a very significant contribution to the Canadian economy and it employs hundreds of thousands of skilled workers. According to the federal government the direct impact of the arts and cultural sector in Canada – as measured by its contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) – was close to $40 billion in 2003-04, with total direct employment reaching an estimated 600,000 jobs (roughly the same as agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, oil & gas and utilities combined). That number has risen in the past 4 years.

The Capitol Theatre is no exception. Employing 45 full and part-time, it has an annual operating budget of 1.2 million – only 40% of which comes from local municipal governments (not all!). That translates into a significant economic impact on our local economy.

As well, the Capitol Theatre is a key piece of infrastructure in the ongoing attempt to attract new business and investment to our region. Having had the opportunity to work with companies who have decided to invest in this region, there are a number of factors in their decision to locate here. Good tax rates, strong business acumen, a government committed to working with new growth opportunities and a quality of life that will attract the necessary workforce. This includes the necessary infrastructure including parks, sports facilities and a center dedicated to the performing arts.

As a resident of Riverview I’m excited Riverview has taken steps to better formalize an arts and cultural presence in the community with the Riverview Arts Center, but at the end of the day it’s a school facility that will not end up contributing to the local economy.

We need the Capitol Theatre to ensure Greater Moncton, and Riverview in particular, continues to be a place that is considered by companies looking to expand, relocate and invest – particularly during these tough economic times.

We also need the Capitol theatre because it helps define who we are as a people.

The Capitol Theatre is no more a luxury than any other component of our municipal infrastructure. I urge the critics to re-evaluate their positions and expand their thinking on the fundamental importance of arts and culture in our community.

Perhaps attending some performances at the Capitol would help.

Mike Randall
Riverview

Mid Winter Blues

Okay - I've actually had calls from people giving me crap (justifiably) on so much time since my last blog.

In my defence I have come close so many times to putting the preverbial pen to paper but life just tends to get in the way.

I've also taken a bit of a leadership and political hiatis following the federal campaign.

I'm making my way back and as our elected federal MPs beginning packing their toothbrushes for Ottawa its probably time for all of us to begin thinking about our political system once again.

With all the drama of the pre Christmas Dionne Coup Attempt over and Michael Ignatieff firmly in charge of the new direction Liberals I expect we will see a kinder, gentler and more cooperative House of Commons for the forseable future.

No one in Canada wants an election and No one in Canada wants more silliness and school yard antics that we have seen from Ottawa leading up to the Holiday Season. Liberals will support budget and then set out on a 2 year rebuilding process.

Jack Layton's plan to become deputy Prime Minister will go down in the history books thwarted, we will see him move on and his party look at its own relevence moving forward. The Green Party will continue to fight to be at the party and will make little impact.

Taking a brief moment to look at our neighbours to the south, we are all awaiting the inaugral speech from President Elect Obama. How do you manage the expectations that have been created by his election. One very cool idea is his use of the spotlight to engage people to engage in a "spirit of service" asking Americans to come together to help those in need. That's leadership, that's awareness, that's something we deperately need in Canada.

Finally we need to mention Mike Duffy's appointment to Canada's Senate. With this calibre of appointment I'm questioning whether Prime Minister Harper is trying to showcase how bad appointments can be to push people in favour of an elected senate. Mike Duffy is now in a position to influence important legislation which is perhaps like allowing 3rd graders to set educational policy. I'm not sure Duffy would do well on the show "Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?"

It should be fun to watch (wink)




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