Comments on: Drowning Puppies (or, How the Golden Horseshoe Region Can Better Support Innovation) http://disruptivethoughts.com/2007/04/08/drowning-puppies-or-how-the-golden-horseshoe-region-can-better-support-innovation/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:48:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: download pete s nltexasholdempoker http://disruptivethoughts.com/2007/04/08/drowning-puppies-or-how-the-golden-horseshoe-region-can-better-support-innovation/#comment-115365 download pete s nltexasholdempoker Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:18:36 +0000 http://disruptivethoughts.com/2007/04/08/drowning-puppies-or-how-the-golden-horseshoe-region-can-better-support-innovation/#comment-115365 <strong>download pete s nltexasholdempoker...</strong> fitfully mouth aegis rifles ... download pete s nltexasholdempoker…

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]]> By: Fraser http://disruptivethoughts.com/2007/04/08/drowning-puppies-or-how-the-golden-horseshoe-region-can-better-support-innovation/#comment-28903 Fraser Mon, 09 Apr 2007 22:12:40 +0000 http://disruptivethoughts.com/2007/04/08/drowning-puppies-or-how-the-golden-horseshoe-region-can-better-support-innovation/#comment-28903 Mark, I'm not familiar w/ OCRI. In your opinion where/how is it failing? When you said grassroots I didn't think you meant BarCamp and similar events. You're right, these events don't benefit from being included in, and managed by, a centralized hub (but do you suspect that there would be negative aspects if they were to be affiliated with a network?). I do believe that a region can benefit from having some form of structured support to augment these grassroots initiatives. In a proper form they will bring value and necessary oversight to the region's innovation community. The current problem in the Golden Horseshoe area is that we have a number of structured networks (some government funded, some privately funded) all vying to support innovation within the region. The problem lies within the word 'vying' and all that it can encompass. Thanks for the BarCamp link - I have been to DemoCamps but never a BarCamp. For a great read check this out if you haven't already: http://www.nationalcapitalscan.ca/news/2007/04/post_40.html/ Mark, I’m not familiar w/ OCRI. In your opinion where/how is it failing?

When you said grassroots I didn’t think you meant BarCamp and similar events. You’re right, these events don’t benefit from being included in, and managed by, a centralized hub (but do you suspect that there would be negative aspects if they were to be affiliated with a network?).

I do believe that a region can benefit from having some form of structured support to augment these grassroots initiatives. In a proper form they will bring value and necessary oversight to the region’s innovation community.

The current problem in the Golden Horseshoe area is that we have a number of structured networks (some government funded, some privately funded) all vying to support innovation within the region. The problem lies within the word ‘vying’ and all that it can encompass.

Thanks for the BarCamp link - I have been to DemoCamps but never a BarCamp. For a great read check this out if you haven’t already: http://www.nationalcapitalscan.ca/news/2007/04/post_40.html/

]]> By: Mark Campion http://disruptivethoughts.com/2007/04/08/drowning-puppies-or-how-the-golden-horseshoe-region-can-better-support-innovation/#comment-28895 Mark Campion Mon, 09 Apr 2007 21:32:19 +0000 http://disruptivethoughts.com/2007/04/08/drowning-puppies-or-how-the-golden-horseshoe-region-can-better-support-innovation/#comment-28895 Sorry the link to BarCamps3 in Ottawa is: http://barcamp.org/BarCampOttawa3 Sorry the link to BarCamps3 in Ottawa is:
http://barcamp.org/BarCampOttawa3

]]> By: Mark Campion http://disruptivethoughts.com/2007/04/08/drowning-puppies-or-how-the-golden-horseshoe-region-can-better-support-innovation/#comment-28894 Mark Campion Mon, 09 Apr 2007 21:30:15 +0000 http://disruptivethoughts.com/2007/04/08/drowning-puppies-or-how-the-golden-horseshoe-region-can-better-support-innovation/#comment-28894 Being in Ottawa, this topic touches a nerve given OCRI's attempt to be a so-called innovation hub. The centralized hub model is not working here. Many folks in Ottawa would concur. I do find fascinating, however, the global BarCamps grassroots movement and it value in connecting ideas with people. I attended the March 31st BarCamps event at Carleton University and was blown away by the caliber of the people attending, the intensive networking and the quality of the sessions. The link can be found here: http://barcamp.org/BarCampOttawa3. Interestingly, OCRI "the hub" had absolutely nothing to do with this event. Being in Ottawa, this topic touches a nerve given OCRI’s attempt to be a so-called innovation hub. The centralized hub model is not working here. Many folks in Ottawa would concur. I do find fascinating, however, the global BarCamps grassroots movement and it value in connecting ideas with people. I attended the March 31st BarCamps event at Carleton University and was blown away by the caliber of the people attending, the intensive networking and the quality of the sessions. The link can be found here: http://barcamp.org/BarCampOttawa3. Interestingly, OCRI “the hub” had absolutely nothing to do with this event.

]]> By: Fraser http://disruptivethoughts.com/2007/04/08/drowning-puppies-or-how-the-golden-horseshoe-region-can-better-support-innovation/#comment-100932 Fraser Mon, 09 Apr 2007 21:12:40 +0000 http://disruptivethoughts.com/2007/04/08/drowning-puppies-or-how-the-golden-horseshoe-region-can-better-support-innovation/#comment-100932 Mark, I'm not familiar w/ OCRI. In your opinion where/how is it failing? When you said grassroots I didn't think you meant BarCamp and similar events. You're right, these events don't benefit from being included in, and managed by, a centralized hub (but do you suspect that there would be negative aspects if they were to be affiliated with a network?). I do believe that a region can benefit from having some form of structured support to augment these grassroots initiatives. In a proper form they will bring value and necessary oversight to the region's innovation community. The current problem in the Golden Horseshoe area is that we have a number of structured networks (some government funded, some privately funded) all vying to support innovation within the region. The problem lies within the word 'vying' and all that it can encompass. Thanks for the BarCamp link - I have been to DemoCamps but never a BarCamp. For a great read check this out if you haven't already: <a href="http://www.nationalcapitalscan.ca/news/2007/04/post_40.html/ " rel="nofollow">http://www.nationalcapitalscan.ca/news/2007/04/po...</a> Mark, I’m not familiar w/ OCRI. In your opinion where/how is it failing? When you said grassroots I didn’t think you meant BarCamp and similar events. You’re right, these events don’t benefit from being included in, and managed by, a centralized hub (but do you suspect that there would be negative aspects if they were to be affiliated with a network?). I do believe that a region can benefit from having some form of structured support to augment these grassroots initiatives. In a proper form they will bring value and necessary oversight to the region’s innovation community. The current problem in the Golden Horseshoe area is that we have a number of structured networks (some government funded, some privately funded) all vying to support innovation within the region. The problem lies within the word ‘vying’ and all that it can encompass. Thanks for the BarCamp link - I have been to DemoCamps but never a BarCamp. For a great read check this out if you haven’t already: http://www.nationalcapitalscan.ca/news/2007/04/po…

]]> By: Mark Campion http://disruptivethoughts.com/2007/04/08/drowning-puppies-or-how-the-golden-horseshoe-region-can-better-support-innovation/#comment-100931 Mark Campion Mon, 09 Apr 2007 20:32:19 +0000 http://disruptivethoughts.com/2007/04/08/drowning-puppies-or-how-the-golden-horseshoe-region-can-better-support-innovation/#comment-100931 Sorry the link to BarCamps3 in Ottawa is: <a href="http://barcamp.org/BarCampOttawa3 " rel="nofollow">http://barcamp.org/BarCampOttawa3 </a> Sorry the link to BarCamps3 in Ottawa is: http://barcamp.org/BarCampOttawa3

]]> By: Mark Campion http://disruptivethoughts.com/2007/04/08/drowning-puppies-or-how-the-golden-horseshoe-region-can-better-support-innovation/#comment-100930 Mark Campion Mon, 09 Apr 2007 20:30:15 +0000 http://disruptivethoughts.com/2007/04/08/drowning-puppies-or-how-the-golden-horseshoe-region-can-better-support-innovation/#comment-100930 Being in Ottawa, this topic touches a nerve given OCRI's attempt to be a so-called innovation hub. The centralized hub model is not working here. Many folks in Ottawa would concur. I do find fascinating, however, the global BarCamps grassroots movement and it value in connecting ideas with people. I attended the March 31st BarCamps event at Carleton University and was blown away by the caliber of the people attending, the intensive networking and the quality of the sessions. The link can be found here: <a href="http://barcamp.org/BarCampOttawa3. " rel="nofollow">http://barcamp.org/BarCampOttawa3. </a> Interestingly, OCRI "the hub" had absolutely nothing to do with this event. Being in Ottawa, this topic touches a nerve given OCRI’s attempt to be a so-called innovation hub. The centralized hub model is not working here. Many folks in Ottawa would concur. I do find fascinating, however, the global BarCamps grassroots movement and it value in connecting ideas with people. I attended the March 31st BarCamps event at Carleton University and was blown away by the caliber of the people attending, the intensive networking and the quality of the sessions. The link can be found here: http://barcamp.org/BarCampOttawa3. Interestingly, OCRI “the hub” had absolutely nothing to do with this event.

]]> By: Ken http://disruptivethoughts.com/2007/04/08/drowning-puppies-or-how-the-golden-horseshoe-region-can-better-support-innovation/#comment-28857 Ken Mon, 09 Apr 2007 19:37:15 +0000 http://disruptivethoughts.com/2007/04/08/drowning-puppies-or-how-the-golden-horseshoe-region-can-better-support-innovation/#comment-28857 The source of an organizations funding shouldn't be an issue... duplication of effort within any "social vertical segment" is obviously inefficient and does not bring the best value to the community, which, is the ultimate goal for these "puppies". As Iain mentioned, the people involved often agree that some drowning would be for the common good, just not their bestest-cutest puppy. The source of an organizations funding shouldn’t be an issue… duplication of effort within any “social vertical segment” is obviously inefficient and does not bring the best value to the community, which, is the ultimate goal for these “puppies”.

As Iain mentioned, the people involved often agree that some drowning would be for the common good, just not their bestest-cutest puppy.

]]> By: Ken http://disruptivethoughts.com/2007/04/08/drowning-puppies-or-how-the-golden-horseshoe-region-can-better-support-innovation/#comment-100929 Ken Mon, 09 Apr 2007 18:37:15 +0000 http://disruptivethoughts.com/2007/04/08/drowning-puppies-or-how-the-golden-horseshoe-region-can-better-support-innovation/#comment-100929 The source of an organizations funding shouldn't be an issue... duplication of effort within any "social vertical segment" is obviously inefficient and does not bring the best value to the community, which, is the ultimate goal for these "puppies". As Iain mentioned, the people involved often agree that some drowning would be for the common good, just not their bestest-cutest puppy. The source of an organizations funding shouldn’t be an issue… duplication of effort within any “social vertical segment” is obviously inefficient and does not bring the best value to the community, which, is the ultimate goal for these “puppies”. As Iain mentioned, the people involved often agree that some drowning would be for the common good, just not their bestest-cutest puppy.

]]> By: Fraser http://disruptivethoughts.com/2007/04/08/drowning-puppies-or-how-the-golden-horseshoe-region-can-better-support-innovation/#comment-28775 Fraser Mon, 09 Apr 2007 14:30:47 +0000 http://disruptivethoughts.com/2007/04/08/drowning-puppies-or-how-the-golden-horseshoe-region-can-better-support-innovation/#comment-28775 Mark, thanks for the comment. You're correct that many grassroots organizations do serve a useful purpose and can make up an 'eco-system' that can thrive. A problem arises, however, when there isn't a common thread that weaves the grassroots organizations together. In the absence of a strong centralized hub, a network is nothing more than a collection of random nodes. My issue with random nodes is that: they duplicate costs, create confusion within the region as to who supports what (and when), make it difficult to scale an organization, consume resources competing with one another for existence, and can introduce inefficiencies that result in deadweight loss for the region's innovation community. I'd rather see a common and singular organization with a number of subcommittees, or, a central hub-like organization that organizes the nodal grassroots organizations - increasing network effects and network value for the region's innovation community. Mark, thanks for the comment. You’re correct that many grassroots organizations do serve a useful purpose and can make up an ‘eco-system’ that can thrive. A problem arises, however, when there isn’t a common thread that weaves the grassroots organizations together. In the absence of a strong centralized hub, a network is nothing more than a collection of random nodes. My issue with random nodes is that: they duplicate costs, create confusion within the region as to who supports what (and when), make it difficult to scale an organization, consume resources competing with one another for existence, and can introduce inefficiencies that result in deadweight loss for the region’s innovation community.

I’d rather see a common and singular organization with a number of subcommittees, or, a central hub-like organization that organizes the nodal grassroots organizations - increasing network effects and network value for the region’s innovation community.

]]> By: Fraser http://disruptivethoughts.com/2007/04/08/drowning-puppies-or-how-the-golden-horseshoe-region-can-better-support-innovation/#comment-100928 Fraser Mon, 09 Apr 2007 13:30:47 +0000 http://disruptivethoughts.com/2007/04/08/drowning-puppies-or-how-the-golden-horseshoe-region-can-better-support-innovation/#comment-100928 Mark, thanks for the comment. You're correct that many grassroots organizations do serve a useful purpose and can make up an 'eco-system' that can thrive. A problem arises, however, when there isn't a common thread that weaves the grassroots organizations together. In the absence of a strong centralized hub, a network is nothing more than a collection of random nodes. My issue with random nodes is that: they duplicate costs, create confusion within the region as to who supports what (and when), make it difficult to scale an organization, consume resources competing with one another for existence, and can introduce inefficiencies that result in deadweight loss for the region's innovation community. I'd rather see a common and singular organization with a number of subcommittees, or, a central hub-like organization that organizes the nodal grassroots organizations - increasing network effects and network value for the region's innovation community. Mark, thanks for the comment. You’re correct that many grassroots organizations do serve a useful purpose and can make up an ‘eco-system’ that can thrive. A problem arises, however, when there isn’t a common thread that weaves the grassroots organizations together. In the absence of a strong centralized hub, a network is nothing more than a collection of random nodes. My issue with random nodes is that: they duplicate costs, create confusion within the region as to who supports what (and when), make it difficult to scale an organization, consume resources competing with one another for existence, and can introduce inefficiencies that result in deadweight loss for the region’s innovation community. I’d rather see a common and singular organization with a number of subcommittees, or, a central hub-like organization that organizes the nodal grassroots organizations - increasing network effects and network value for the region’s innovation community.

]]> By: Mark Campion http://disruptivethoughts.com/2007/04/08/drowning-puppies-or-how-the-golden-horseshoe-region-can-better-support-innovation/#comment-28759 Mark Campion Mon, 09 Apr 2007 12:50:13 +0000 http://disruptivethoughts.com/2007/04/08/drowning-puppies-or-how-the-golden-horseshoe-region-can-better-support-innovation/#comment-28759 I agree with the strategy that drowning only those puppies that are heavily dependent on the government purse for survival is a good thing. These types of self-serving organizations add little value to entrepreneurs and innovators. However, it is wrong to lump all these organizations in one litter. Many small grassroots organizations serve a very useful purpose. These types of organizations make up what one might perceive as an "eco-system" that thrives on diversity of players. They should not be lumped in the same litter as the former. I agree with the strategy that drowning only those puppies that are heavily dependent on the government purse for survival is a good thing. These types of self-serving organizations add little value to entrepreneurs and innovators. However, it is wrong to lump all these organizations in one litter. Many small grassroots organizations serve a very useful purpose. These types of organizations make up what one might perceive as an “eco-system” that thrives on diversity of players. They should not be lumped in the same litter as the former.

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