from the chair
There ’ s No Cavalry Coming
Mike Schwenk
“ Living the Brand ” has become the catchphrase in every discussion , every meeting , and with every decision throughout AWB these days . It ’ s fun , it ’ s impressive , it ’ s driving our transition and it ’ s making a difference on the impact AWB has on our state . Kudos to all the staff who are so on board , as well as our committees , and all of our partners . You get it . You know it matters . And you ’ re making it real .
One part of our branding that is so compelling , yet so challenging , is to be about solutions . To be proactive , to be a “ catalytic leader ,” is a tall order when considering some of this state ’ s most intransigent problems . Fixing one such problem is actually part of our vision — “ economic prosperity throughout Washington .” So what might this look like for AWB ? How do we “ operationalize ” this statement ?
As they say , all journeys begin with the first step . Our first step began while Kris and I visited Washington , D . C . in February . In addition to calling on our congressional delegation , we made a series of calls in search of best practices in statewide economic development . While visiting The Brookings Institution , our host started his comments by saying we were having the right conversation because communities need to understand “ there is no cavalry coming .” In essence , communities are on their own . The fact that AWB recognizes we must step in to help , to lead , to lend a hand however we might best do so , was exactly the path to be on .
And so we are slowly , thoughtfully , conceiving a plan that will engage AWB across the state in communities large and small , to assess where each stands , what is working , what is dragging their economy down , and who and what it will take to help them help themselves get back on track . Much of this effort will reside within the AWB Institute , but it will hugely inform AWB ’ s advocacy agenda , both state and federal . We will do what we do best to remove impediments and enable business growth — no matter the type or size or location of the business . And we will form an army around us by calling on our strategic partners , be they the Grassroots Alliance of chambers , the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges , sector-related business associations , and others whom we might need to enlist in the fight .
We can do this because we have the scale , the resources , the reach , the expertise to convene — and because it is our mission and it is our vision for this state . We will do this because no one else is even coming close to helping realize statewide economic prosperity . We must do this because the alternative is an unacceptable decline for too many employers , employees and the communities in which they reside .
Daunting ? Not really . Like the proverbial “ eat the elephant one bite at a time ,” we will build a thoughtful plan that is executable . Indeed , we have already started . We will draw on others who have done this successfully . And we will rally the many who are already at work on this problem , and those who would love to be called upon to assist .
This really is an adventure . And what is there not to like about an adventure ? You ’ re welcome to get on board . It will be a long , difficult journey , but the rewards at the end are incalculable .
14 association of washington business