Greensboro Is Talking

Steve Moore From Greensboro Fiber Fan Page:”I still say trying to do dorky things to lure google is the wrong approach. Research their mission and vision and create an outcomes based approach, not a rag tag bunch of red and blue people in suits during the ACC tournament. You’ll notice Google is not much into advertising their brand. Interesting that the group… would take the approach to do just that, try to woo google w/ lots of fluff. I am not able to be involved in this grassroots process but look at their designed outcomes and how Greensboro can build up on that and you write a winning proposal.

There is value in a  “…rag tag bunch of red and blue people in suits..” —to inspire and grab our own community’s attention, more so than Google’s…I think there is more relevance in Steve’s point to“research their missiom and vision and create an outcomes based approach…”

Transparency is a key part of Google’s philosophy. Greensboro has already distinguished itself from everyone’s efforts, by agreeing to maintain an open an inclusive application process.  I know of no other community pursuing Google that has made this pledge at this time:

“We will share a draft with the team from today and others in the community for feedback late next week. We will post a working draft on the GoogleGreensboro.com site the week of March 22nd as well. “Google Greensboro Update

The instinctual knee-jerk reaction to guard ideas and redact information to  “maintain competitive advantage” contradicts the core concept of   transparency central to Google’s information management policies and  fundamental  to modern civic engagement.  There is a new force of nature being demonstrated with Greensboro’s maintenance of an open exchange of ideas.  It is an integral advantage that we have claimed and need to continue to expand upon.  Here are a  few reasons why:

1. Once we post the idea in an open forum it becomes Greensboro’s and any one else that incorporates it into their proposal will be following our lead.
2. Ideas beget Ideas.
3. Every application will be pretty much like everyone else’s.  I believe a great way to to separate ourselves from the pack is through the process of how we complete the app as well as what is included in final draft.
4. By wearing our community assets on our sleeves we open the possibilities for other businesses besides Google to consider our community as home.

What do you think?

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