GoogleConnects KC

In the efforts of producing a better, Ver. 1.0 document - please consider these comments on the verbiage of the playbook. By suggestion #11-#13 - I actually get into specifics of how we think we can implement some of these plays.

1. Most significant is that the document's notion of "digital inclusion" does not include an understanding of what's REALLY keeping the majority of Americans from benefiting from on-line technology and tools. It's the fact that - to take advantage and earn a living with computers - one must feel COMFORTABLE using a computer like a next generation "hammer" or "screwdriver." The computer (or mobile devices) are just "tools" - and that's what intermediate and advanced workforce training needs to convey. That's what we call (at "Digital City Mechanics") our "new educational methodology."

2. That means that terms like "net access" and "capacity" should be tempered with terms like "on-line skills" and "new kinds of workforce training." I am not saying that we should ignore access and getting machines into the hands of the have nots - but it's imperative that we move beyond traditional notions of "free computers" as a solution for the digital dis-enfranchised. 35% of Americans don't have net access but over 50% (probably closed to 60%) do not feel like they can use a computer - to earn a living. THAT's the REAL digital divide!

3. The entire scope of education in the document is focused on youth. Yet what's also needed is to include baby boomers, returning vets, moms returning to work, the disabled and other areas of society - who have given up finding employment. The so-called "under-employed" are exactly the folks who need this new kind of workforce training! The trick is getting to these folks and giving them opportunities to put those new learned skills - to work! That's why we're doing more than JUST workforce training.

4. The document is (obviously) light on any suggestions as to how this is all going to get paid for. I think that detracts from the essence and intentions of the document. So PLEASE just insert some overall guidelines, goals and plans for finding the money. Because without that - it all seems like a "pie-in-the-sky" dream. There are some of us who know how to implement some of these plays and we're ready to start. But we don't have the money or support to do so. What do we do?

5. I love the idea of promoting local community mesh Wifi networks and that you're NOT replying upon Google! Congrats on that insight! Now please insert verbiage on "benefiting from the value of on-line technology." THAT's how we utilize the bandwidth! By actually using it TODAY - rather than waiting for some panacea that's coming tomorrow. The real benefit of gigabit networking is it's stability. Fiber optic doesn't "go down" or have tapped bandwidth limits. THAT's how we all benefit from fiber - today.

6. I've spent 35+ years involved in digital media and the evolution of on-line multimedia. Supporting artists and digital arts is important - but so is encouraging the usage of digital media by normal everyday citizens. This is usually referred to as UGC ("user generated content.") UGC not only is personified in creative expression and (so-called) viral videos, but also in community newsletters and citizen journalism and new ways to teaching. So I would encourage the expansion of the notion of "Digital Arts" to include UGC and suggest that new kinds of community video contests and promotions can be launched - which would get folks looking at what each other - are producing. On-line galleries and playlists, real-time webcasts and on-going multimedia conversations all fall into this play category.

7. A key notion I think that is within reach - is the bridging the gap and disconnect between government and citizens. For too many years - politicians have made promises and then act as if they never made those promises. Citizens just aren't that stupid. They remember what's been said - and if local government can use this "perfect storm" moment to actually deliver on their promises and exploit this "reBranding of Kansas City" opportunity - well then I don't have to tell you what will happen. Sly and Joe - will at least get re-elected.

8. I love the way that the ecosystem approach was explained - at the beginning of the playbook. Its exactly that - an ecosystem that you're trying to instigate. I would go even further and say that what you're really instigating is a 'meta-ecosystem'. Here in Kansas City there's Google doing their thing and the Kauffman Foundation doing their thing. And up in Ft. Leavenworth they're instigating an ecosystem and H&R Block and Sprint are strategizing how to instigate THEIR own ecosystems - right now. Everybody wants to help create their own ecosystem. It's what we call a "digital economy ecosystems." A meta-ecosystem.

9. Nowhere is mentioned the notion of "breaking down the silos" that exist in government and economic development/PPPs (public private partnerships.) This is going to be a key strategy direction required to pull off this playbook. A popular phrase you'll hear is "the money is out there" - yet it usually exists to fund it's own ideas and focus on its own "domain area." But if this playbook can marshal the resources - ACROSS various domain areas - then a few innovative pilot projects can be funded - which then will lead to true disruption and change.

10. I LOVE your focus on "pilot initiatives!" My company has a pilot project we'd love to launch. I'm sure there are other innovative approaches wishing to be beta tested and tried out. The key input I can give here is that innovation is about change. And change means that existing stakeholders and the folks who control the money will have to realize that what they're investing in - is not a 100% surety. It is a form of entrepreneurship - being invested at the civic level. That's why we're trying to find a balance between altruistic, community minded efforts and a for-profit entity. We don't believe real change can be instigated with one OR the other. The two approaches have to be combined together.

11. Its the breaking down of the silos and the balance between altruism and for-profit that led us to an "integrated" approach to creating jobs and instigating "digital economy ecosystems." So what we're suggesting is that an integrated program, that combines multiple "plays" and focus areas - will be the best usage of money and funding for Kansas City. This is too big of an ocean to boil than to try and solve all these challenges - one play at a time. The system we're developing at "Digital City Mechanics" combines programs, projects and services - together - into a single, integrated approach that we believe can create LOTS of jobs and train LOTS of people in what it'll take to survive in tomorrow's on-line, freelance job market. The trick is to place interns (who have been trained in a new way to work) into a wide range of community programs, creative projects and health and aging related services - and leverage the synergy that occurs BETWEEN the various domain areas!

12. Our approach calls for paid internships (across a wide range of constituents and age groups) to be put to work with professionals and under-employed college grads - who can't find challenging work. These project teams would then implement a wide range of community engagement and creative expression projects - that ARE the playbook plays! Some of these projects will be "sponsored' by local brands, industry and corporations - who have marketing budgets and will be recruited to utilize those marketing budgets by putting LOCAL WORKERS to work with those funds. The brands marketing message will still get across AND they'll get credit for putting citizens to work!

13. This integrated approach to implementing the MBIT's playbook would receive funding from a myriad of sources - from each silo and participating stakeholder. So that means that digital inclusion and broadband stimulus funds, would be combined with workforce training, economic development, education and commercial investments. Its about partnerships and a coordinated, choreographed pilot program - which would "prove the model."

We're trying to create a new startup called "Digital City Kansas City" which would implement this approach. WE think of the MBIT playbook as a giant RFP for us to respond to.

- Marc Canter, Cleveland, OH - June 1st, 2012
- Chairman and CTO, Digital City Mechanics

why does the "playbook" use cheesy sports clipart and is designed to look painfully dial up? i get that this is a governmental committee helmed by the elderly, but if you're trying to inspire innovation, why design your playbook for the "dialup" generation? google has a new ceo who is reshuffling and killing projects left and right. appear more forward-thinking and able to sell this for google. they use good design in their ads!

Congratulations on balancing the social and community perspectives with the many other dimensions in your Playbook. Smart cities, ones that learn and innovate continuously, create an innovative milieu that depends on tighter social connections (from Beyond Smart Cities: How Cities Network, Learn and Innovate, (London: Routledge, 2012) Tim Campbell, PhD.