David A. Rosen - Helping People and Businesses Achieve Remarkable Results...

Mr. President, Here is One good Idea that will Create Jobs and Ensure US competitiveness over the next 20-40 years!

Cisco's Big Bet on New Songdo: Creating Cities From Scratch  via www.fastcompany.com

I thought this was a well done article by Fast Company's Greg Lindsay. 

As we know, there are at least four factors affecting US competitiveness over the next 20-30+ years.

1. Population centers outside of North America will be doubling and tripling over the next 20-30 years while US population will remain flat
2. Trend towards urbanization is driving people from rural and suburban areas to Cities
3. Basic infrastructure will be need to for work, education, transportation, housing, shopping etc. to support the growing populations
4. New cities like SongDo will be built throughout the emerging world.

The content in this article strikes at the heart and core of US competitiveness and the types of programs that will keep us in leadership positions in business over the next 30 years.  John Chambers is brilliant with his investments here.

This is where Obama should be focusing and committing to investment and low-cost capital dollars.  ...Not to re-pave the toll roads where private companies are expected to maintain the highways.

We need to find the places where cow-paths are being paved for the first time, the way the original "New Deal" helped bail out America after the war.  Lets provide and support US businesses to get into the middle of the Infrastructure for NEW development outside of North America.  If we want to grow our countries businesses and continue to maintain our qualifty of life and education, we need to understand our global positions and opportuniities. 

But, we should ride along side of Cisco's lead and think beyond telecom, data, internet, and tele-presence, but energy, medical, agriculture, factory automation, handling equipment and a variety of other industries.  Why don't we build the hospitals, imaging centers, waste management for these new cities?

It seems Chambers read the popular book, "Hot, Flat and Crowded" from Thomas Friedman.  Have you?

I would love to hear your thoughts.

Sustainability, Marketing, and Avoiding Greenwashing Seminar - December 18th

I have the honor of hosting a panel on Sustainability and Marketing at The Silberman School of Business' Institute for Sustainable Enterprise at Fairleigh Dickinson.  (I know, its a mouthful).  Its all about The imapct of Sustinability on Marketing.  Learn More Here:  ISE Breakfast

We have two great additional speakers.  Shari Aaron, co-author of the recently published book, " Climb the Green Ladder" will speak on consumer shifts in demand and green expectation for companies as well as examples of authentic and responsible marketing and examples of greenwashing.  We are lucky to have Shari join us.  Shari's rich experience in marketing and market research will reveal the key issues for marketers.

Len Gordon, the Northeast Director for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will share perspectives on why the claims made by companies are going to face more scrutiny and possible the latest "Green Guides" which are expected to be updated shortly.  One other area Len will explore will be the new laws on Blogging and disclosure.   

If you are in or close to Fairleigh Dickinson's Madison, NJ campus, please join us:

December 18th - 7:30-9:30 am.  You can register at the online form.  Here are Directions.