After a summer filled with travel, many wonders, and a little time off, we’re all settling back in to explore the journey to year’s end. Fall brings a feeling of change and a time to reflect on what is to come. I recently had the pleasure of attending a two-day fall planning retreat. It was held by the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance—a 15-county economic development enterprise formed in 2018 by joining the Charlotte Chamber and Charlotte Regional Partnership. The mission is to create “the most vibrant, innovative, and healthy economy in the country” out of what is now one of the fastest growing regions in the nation.
As a design, innovation, and experience firm involved in our region’s business for more than 30 years, BOLTGROUP is now seeking an even more active role in its changes and challenges. I was very impressed with what I saw and heard at the retreat.
Large corporate members, small business owners, academic members, college and university representatives, and even the governors of North and South Carolina were in attendance. All to reflect on the Alliance strategy and pillars for the coming year, and to discuss how the collective “we” can continue to push progress in the areas of business, marketing, talent, and advocacy. It was exhilarating to see and participate in some big idea exercises on how we, as an entity, will address the challenges of sustainable growth and prosperity.
Tackling big business and organizational challenges from a holistic, people-centric perspective is what we do every day for our clients’ brands, products, and services. What better way to serve our community than by helping the entire region move the needle using these same tools?
Education, upward mobility, infrastructure, affordable housing, transportation, diversity, and promotion are all areas where the process of design thinking + execution can and should be deployed. It is the most effective way to truly understand and address current and future challenges inherent in each area. Only then can we set and implement actionable strategic and tactical solutions.
Our challenge is to continually search out ways to get more involved. To apply the wisdom gained during our years of successful practice and process to help shape the future of our region. It’s what we do with our clients every day. And now we look forward to being of ongoing service to our region.