Reliable, Relevant, Accessible

Katie and I think we’ve arrived at our vision statement. In our last session for the Schuyler Media Network, there was a lot of conversation on how we were defining a few key terms. This afternoon we’re going to break things down a little more and look at what the words reliable, relevant, and accessible are and are not. When that’s complete, we feel like we’ll be able to write out that vision statement in ink for everyone to get behind.

From there we’re going to look to further solidify long-term goals with short-term priorities. Ultimately, we want to firmly establish four long-term goals. We are looking for consensus. The group today will then talk about the tactics and critical steps needed in the first year in order to achieve the long-term goals in five years. We probably won’t complete everything when it comes to the short-term, but as we cross the halfway point of our facilitating, we want to keep the momentum going today that will carry us through our last two sessions. 

Looking Ahead 5 Years From Now

The work continues. In our 3rd session this afternoon we’re going to discuss the progress made by the group last week on a vision statement for the Schuyler Media Network. Katie and I feel we have a couple very strong directions on the overall vision. Connected, empowered, responsive, reliable. All excellent word choices in the mix for what this network could be. To get there, in the 2nd session we divided the group into two teams. In them, with folks feeling a little more comfortable expressing themselves, we heard great discussion and debate. And now, time to get some consensus. 

From there, we’ll look more at the goals needed for getting to the vision. To help focus that part of the session, we’ve established a few goal types including revenue goals, community adoption and usage goals, and website traffic goals. We want to keep looking long-term but also start to consider short-term goals. After today, we have a big break in the action where Katie and I will pull everything together to start to solidify some elements of the strategic plan. And then we’ll pick it up again in three weeks in the 4th session where we’ll firm up the group’s collective thinking.

Design + Social Justice: Workshop

The brief: Make someone else care about an issue that’s important to you.

The poster. Possibly the purest form of visual communication. In a flash you must arrest the attention of a passerby and alter his or her perception. Change it. Reinforce it. Make it see something differently. Surprise, delight, inspire, motivate. Part of my involvement in UNL’s Design + Social Justice Symposium is to lead a poster making workshop for Advanced Graphic Design students. Working with Stacy Asher, Assistant Professor of Art, we’ll invite the students to use graphic design as a tool for social change. The workshop will take place next week with final designs displayed in Richards Hall during the week of the symposium. 

Prep: The Design of Dissent + How Posters Work

Design + Social Justice Symposium »

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats

We’re getting ready for our 2nd session this afternoon with the community leaders of Schuyler. In our first session, Katie and I got the lay of the land. Through a SWOT analysis we established a solid foundation and got everything out on the table as we begin to work together toward a Schuyler Media Network. We met some great people who hold a variety of positions with the city, the school system, the community college, the bank, and the cable television distributor. Overall, we learned a lot about what makes this small, rural community great and what challenges it faces. Of all the post-its, the strengths were by far the most numerous, with population diversity seen as a great asset to be embraced.

From SWOT, we’re now moving into visioning. Katie and I will be facilitating this next session in hopes of establishing a clear vision statement as well as the long-term goals for the project. We’re in the thick of the strategic plan development now, where the real work begins, and I’m excited to see what the group comes up with. I’m also extremely excited about burritos with her folks afterward. Because seriously, best burritos in the state. 

Off to Schuyler

How do we inform the public about our community happenings and promote Schulyer as a great place to live, work, and raise families?

This afternoon I’m heading up to Schuyler, Nebraska with my wife Katie for a situation assessment to begin to answer that question. We’re kicking off a multi-session visioning facilitation for a group of community leaders brought together by a very rambunctious economic development coordinator who also happens to be my wife’s father. I’m really excited because A) I’m teaming up with Katie and B) as a former smalltown lad, I really want to find the answer.

The goal is to create a strategic plan for a media network for the community. I’m not sure how we’ll get there, but I’m looking forward to listening, learning, and seeing what we can all come up with together. I’ll post updates here over the next few weeks. Successes, failures, and the funniest post-its.

Straight Shot 2015 Class

The 2015 Class for the Straight Shot’s next accelerator is in Omaha and ready to go. The seven-company class includes second-time entrepreneurs, teams from Des Moines and Chicago as well as a new corporate venture out of Election Systems & Software. I’ll be joining a roundtable discussion on branding during week 3 which is dedicated to product development and positioning. Very much looking forward to sharing some of my designer knowledge. 

Creating a Compelling Brand 
w/ Drew Davies of Oxide Design Co.
June 24th, 2015
1905 Harney in Downtown Omaha

Straight Shot 2014 Class

I'm excited to be included on a fine list of mentors for the Omaha accelerator called Straight Shot. For seven startups in the 2014 class, I'll be sharing my insight on “Creating A Compelling & Unique Brand” in a roundtable setting as well as providing advice where applicable on brand design. These are early-stage startups, so a believable brand is key. With a structured process, some best practices and a few startup experiences to relay, I'm hoping I can help them on their sure-to-be intense startup journey. Here are the companies looking to accelerate in 90 days.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at 10:30pm
Downtown Omaha