Today's post was inspired by an op-ed that I read this morning in the Denver Business Journal. The theme of the editorial was the lack of progressive thinking in regards to development projects in my state. I wholeheartedly agree with the analysis. The editorial also helped me contextualize some other categories that I have been thinking about for a while and my state as a brand.
If I was asked to provide a brand association to my native Colorado, I would have to say risk averse. There are many highly educated and progressive people who live in Colorado, but it seems as though the culture lacks a "let us go for it" spirit. I think the state is stuck in the past thinking that people are still in awe of western heritage and the recreation possibilities that exist in Colorado. Those were 19th and 20th century attributes for our state brand.
We are now in the 20th century where education, technology and energy need to rule the roost. As an education brand consultant, I am always confused by the fact that we have so many people with advanced degrees living in this state and yet we are always near the bottom in resources devoted to education. The epitome of oxymoron. Like any budget manager, one must establish their priorities, and I understand the complexities of my native Colorado's budget.
But, if Colorado does not get its fiscal and forward-thinking act together then those who do their business mostly out of state will find themselves moving out of state. When that happens, where will your brand champions reside? I help organizations discover or rediscover their roots and see how that process creates a rallying cry for the organization. I hope my beloved Colorado can do the same.
Nice topic and post, as we were just talking about what things can happen in the medicine industry.
Posted by: MBT Online | August 02, 2011 at 05:35 AM