Follow Starbucks on this Approach of Socialized Ideation
Starbucks has created an on-line suggestion box for anyone that has a good idea for improving any aspect about the retailer. This is a great idea and a great use of technology. On the Starbucks Idea site, members of the community are allowed to post and vote on good ideas. Likewise, the social aspect of it allows valid ideas to organically bubble-up.
http://mystarbucksidea.force.com/home/home.jsp
This Starbucks Idea solution is powered and hosted by SalesForce.com according to the footer information on their site.
Continue reading Comments (0) Mar.20.2008.
The Constitutional Debate over the Second Amendment Right to Bear Arms
Living and growing-up in the South, I’m accustomed to NRA logos on the back of vehicles. I know for a fact that at least two of my relatives are card carrying members of the National Rifle Association. Honestly, I think that’s great that they would get involved in the process. I believe the freedom to own a gun is enabled by individual state laws and not by the Second Amendment.
The Second Amendment to the Constitution reads: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a Free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
The problem is that people are not familiar with the Second Amendment. The first part of the amendment establishes the context of the law. My belief is that the Second Amendment allows for the each State in the Union to maintain an armed force, and the force is made up of people within the "militia" that are allowed to own and store “arms”. It simply doesn’t grant individuals unbridled gun ownership.
Let’s not misinterpret the Constitution by reading only half an amendment. If you support gun-ownership then the focus should be with your state legislature and not against our Constitution.
Continue reading Comments (0) Mar.18.2008.
From Parking Lot to Intrigue
A New Urban town, just like an organic community, is never really complete. The community is constantly changing to meet new demands. The picture above was taken this weekend in Celebration, FL. All of the residential buildings in the foreground were built in the last 12 to 16 months. However, the church steeple was built at least 7 years ago.
What was once a flat parking lot is now a beautiful residential condominium complex that adds density and new interesting views to an already successful community. Despite the fact that many in the town were not keen on losing parking spaces, these new buildings really do add a great level of density to the town center. In addition, more residents should result in more profits for local businesses.
Personally, I enjoy finding views like this one. This is proof that the architects and planners actually thought about the site plan and how the new condos would interact with the existing structures.
Continue reading Comments (0) Feb.17.2008.
We Are Who We’ve Been Waiting For
During Barack Obama’s Super Tuesday speech he said, “We are who we’ve been waiting for.” Later MSNBC’s Chris Matthews basically said, “I love that line.”
Just to make sure credit is assigned correctly, the late Lisa Sullivan first said, “We are the ones we have been waiting for!” Her statement probably inspired Senator Obama’s version. You can find the story of Lisa Sullivan in the epilogue of God’s Politics by Jim Wallis.
Continue reading Comments (1) Feb.06.2008.