Rebuilding New Orleans: Ten Coolest Innovators

Great write-up on innovative organizations.

Hey Folks, nice spotlight on the great things happening here in New Orleans. I’ll bet it was hard to stop at “top ten” as there are so many groups doing some amazing work for us. One such non-profit benefiting a core cultural asset of ours is The New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund, helping to bring New Orleans musicians home, replace instruments, and keeping the vibe alive. What would New Orleans be without our music!!!
From their website… The New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund, a grass roots 501c(3), helps musicians with generous donations from compassionate individuals and companies like Pearl River which just gave piano teacher Sylvia (at right) a brand new baby grand to replace the one she lost to Hurricane Katrina.
This fall NOMRF has passed along an evacuation vehicle to a New Orleans drummer whose first donated car was stolen; a grand piano to a displaced musician in Chicago; 14 electric guitars to young musicians; bass drum to a music legend; four horns, a concertina and a selection of retro designer clothing sent in by a generous music lover - the list goes on and we are truly grateful.
As Dr. John told Entertainment Weekly about the New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund. "It's small organizations - they've done more than these big organizations with a lot of money."
Check it out... http://www.nomrf.org/index.html

The catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina seems to have forced business innovators to focus on capabilities of the people and allowed the individual people to be the "ends". I guess it makes sense in a time if great loss to consider what resources are left to employ, and that the people of New Orleans are the greatest resources - and will remain so. The playing field was leveled and social justice was more readily adopted in starting from scratch. This brief snapshot illustrates that there are solutions for businesses that focus on the bottom half of the pyramid, who don't have the traditional purchasing power. If these socially oriented businesses trully mean to leave a mark on this generation of New Orleans, shouldn't they also work to inculcate a paradigm shift among the people - a move from material well-being to humanistic well-being. In approaching capabilities, the people of New Orleans would be greatly empowered if the ethcially minded entreprenuers continued to invest in the culture and innate abilities of the people.

Like many other individuals, who were outraged by the catastrophe that was Katrina, I traveled to the hurricane ravaged area of New Orleans. Despite the stench of contaminated floodwaters, the effects of debris, and relentless sewage, my purpose in traveling to New Orleans was to help save the lives of displaced animals. Along the journey into the parishes, I met other volunteers, who like me, attempted to match up individuals with their missing pets. Many people who I did not know asked my rhetorically, “What motivated me to come to New Orleans to rescue and find the displaced pets for their pet owners?” I am reminded when I use to live in Northern California – each week I would pay a visit to the local hospital in Marin County. Each visit, I would drop off a small stuffed bear to the nursing station in the hopes that the small stuffed animal bear would find its way to the pediatric center; as I thought my small token might make a small child feel more at home within the hospital; as s/he was undergoing treatment.

After Hurricane Katrina struck, I felt I had to do something (especially since FEMA – seemingly was poorly administering the surreal situation). To me, people and their pets are intermingled and intertwined. With Katrina, many pets did not have a voice. I found the rescue attempts stimulating and incredibly energizing. Even though I traveled 1,500 miles to reach the ravaged area, each time a dog was rescued and/or reunited with his owner; a victory could be seen on the faces of both the pet and his owner. Despite the constant barking, growling – many animals seemingly were terrified – as they themselves had not eaten or drank healthy water for days. When some were rescued or reunited; those same animals (seemingly) heaved a sigh a relief as they were embraced by people who cared. Many times, the animals were stranded; at times, dogs suddenly popped their heads out – uncertain as to what might next occur. Often times, serendipity sounded her horn, as a lost pet was found.

Still, my purpose was to see whether my assistance might create a situation where a permanent home could be found for these lost pets. In the end, I found my behavior led many saddened and grieving individuals some comfort regarding the status of their pets. Yes, I was often exhausted and mentally drained; yet, nevertheless, I continued to unload trucks, sorted out supplies, cleaned up lots and lots of poop – but I truly believed as a result of a profound and compelling spirit of the cause, I might allow another lost pet a chance at survival. Animals and human alike -- we had our hearts breaking; as apathy and cynicism were washed away by the devastating effects of Katrina. Thus, if new and innovative scenarios are taking place within New Orleans – after Katrina, I am pleased to read where leadership and kindness has reached the Crescent City.

--
Jeffrey Krasney

The idea of both local entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations taking innovative approaches to solve some very difficult problems is unreal. It goes to show you that even innovative business solutions can come out of the devastating catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina. I am especially impressed with both The Idea Village and the NOLA 180 program. I like how The Idea Village is focusing their efforts on providing the necessary services to local entrepreneurs in the local New Orleans area to advance the area’s economic development. After digging a little deeper on their website, they promote “Innovation through Talent and Collaboration” and was “created for Innovators in New Orleans”. By digging even further, some of the initiatives that The Idea Village as been able to do for the New Orleans community include: Supporting over 230 entrepreneurs through grants, strategic assistance, and events, Retaining over 1245 jobs and $105 million in revenue, and improving targeted industries: green and sustainable, technology, retail, tourism, art and music. Lastly, they has been able to develop the Innovation Network, aimed at creating positive change in New Orleans through inspiring passion and energy to accelerate the growth of the entrepreneurial community. Clearly, The Idea Village on track with helping the rebuilding of New Orleans.
- Jeffrey McCloskey
Carey Business School

It is so refreshing to read an article about the positive things that are being done in the face of tragedy and adversity. The media so often focuses on the negative that I think we become numb to it. Also, it is also wonderful to see a focus on the creativity of the non-profit community and not what "big business" or the government is doing to solve the problems left by the hurricane. It is amazing what small, grass-roots groups can accomplish when they are motivated. A few years ago I read a book by Richard Florida called the "Creative Class." In the book Florida uses quantitative case studies to describes how in our society the creative way of thinking is becoming the ever dominant force. How citizens are now beginning to work and live much as creative types like artists and scientists always have. Florida argues that our values and tastes, personal relationships, choices of where to live, and even our sense and use of time are changing. Basically that we as a society are becoming a group that is breaking with tradition to solve problems by thinking creatively and outside the box. Florida ties this notion to the economy and argues that this new creative class will not only strengthen the economy but be the major source of its wealth. After reading his book I couldn't really find another current case study where this is working until I read this article and learned about the amazing things happening in New Orleans.

Thanks for your reflections on your service to New Orleans Jeff. It makes me wonder what needs to happen to motivate someone to self-identify as one who can make a difference in a community. It's one person that makes a difference - not a business entity. I lean toward the idea that corporate values are a product of the individuals within it. If individuals are willing to invest time, evergy, resources to the betterment of humanity, then the corporation assumes those values. IN the event of future catastrophes, if personal motivation to invest in humanity doesn't come from within, is there a problem with the idea that the government could provide motivation/incentives to individuals - just as they do to corporations that benefit financially from socially focused business practices?

That is a great question David! I think it begs the question, if the government starts "incentivizing" individuals to do "good" for humanity will it really be "doing good?" Corporations do gain benefits from their social responsibility initiatives but the employees don't receive those benefits but they many times are the ones doing the work or the "good." I think the mantra "it is better to give than to receive" is what motivates individuals to help their fellow man. Just as Jeff was talking about what motivated him to go to New Orleans and help rescue pets. What kind of price tag do we put on that?

Thanks Kyleigh and David for your kind words – my suspicion is at times the embodiment of motivation gets stymied by a sense of “paralysis by analysis” scenario; that is, staying the misguided course. At times, life in business and/or government proceeds in a reasonably copasetic manner; and thus, no one seeks to rearrange the chairs or to steer themselves; or their businesses into different or uncharted waters, while on the Titanic, so to speak (to use a metaphor). Nevertheless, the decision to ignore, disregard and even flout impending danger, as perilous conditions approach – seemingly is a reckless business model.

Structural change is hard; but nonetheless, I would ask, “Is adjusting or modifying, more difficult than a business becoming obsolete?” “Why would a business intentionally choose to acquiesce by making the assumption that a problem is not as severe as it really is; that is, by intentionally choosing to delay or postpone the inevitable?” Whether leaders, CEOs in business or city planners in New Orleans intentionally choose not to discuss the remote possibility of misfortune is difficult to discern. Granted, such an approach – despite prescient planning – may be deemed, as an unpleasant alternative.

For instance – today -- we see how the auto industry is one sector, where key executives chose to “stay the course;” often failing to make necessary improvements to their core business. With respect to New Orleans, the likelihood of another weather-like disaster remains reasonably obvious (to many individuals outside of New Orleans); yet, many choose to ignore such imminent threats; referring to Katrina -- as an one-in-a-hundred-year incident; in spite of the series of close (and often closer) calls.

Such thinking assumes businesses and the weather maintain a steady state. On the other hand, I would argue, failing to underestimate and grasp the inevitable – by closing one’s eyes, as the red flags wave danger of obvious warning signals, without invariably choosing to implement a worst-case strategy scenario; I suspect, encourages CEO’s and city planners (such as, those within New Orleans), to put off and postpone critical decisions. I am reminded of Clay Christensen’s book, “The Innovator’s Dilemma,” where businesses, industries (and I suspect New Orleans) may have chosen to acknowledge the threat; but ultimately, chose not to deal with the menacing peril that lie straight ahead. Just ask the captain of the Titanic, whether the calm, tranquil – even serene waters of the past, extract much goodwill; as his vessel plunged into the depths of an unforgiving icy ocean.

Always I am pleased to read where the lower Ninth Ward (the ward I am most familiar), has had a resurgence after Katrina –by promoting green, and innovative technologies within the city. If I recall, the Ninth Ward also is the ward, where the actor, Brad Pitt, chose to create his “Make It Right,” campaign to build houses and possibly, new industries – from a local perspective. Of course, when mentioning or referring to the entertainment industry, one can not dispell the notion, New Orleans and the State of Louisiana (in general) have -- in tandum -- become the third most popular filming destination in the country. Recently, I also read where New Orleans will soon benefit from a large Block Grant; one close to $700 million coming from federal government in the form of a Community Development Grant as well as private investment; which may create infrastructure improvements by generating a new, changing and better business model within the local economy.

Still, the New Orleans I saw devastated in my attempt to rescue small animals firsthand, had many compelling challenges which continue to heed attention. First, and foremost, the vital wetlands are eroding at a disturbing rate. Second, building more and better schools within the lower-educated areas are necessary to improve the sense of identity; which in turn will attract businesses with young, high-energy type individuals; that may revitalize the missing elements, now stirring within the City.

To me, the "newer" New Orleans story remains encouraging, as a continuing "work in progress." Each time I chose to return and then later, to bid adieu to the Crescent City; I could envision a far more efficient and healthier prognosis for business, as considerable improvement remains a significant undertaking.

Presently as a student in economics, I think it is interesting to consider the New Orleans economy as a model to apply to long-run theory, specifically the Solow Growth Model. According to Solow, the only real factor of production that leads to an increase in the income potential of an economy is technological innovation - which is a product of savings and investment. If we were to truly work to empower groups of people, communities, I think teaching proper investment strategies would feed a community longer than providing products to satsify consumption habits. Now that financial storms are upon us, do people in, and out of, New Orleans understand how to weather the storm so that they can position themselves for growth? I submit again that building humanity through targeting their capabilities and also giving them strategic tools for long-run growth hits near the bulls-eye concerning socially responsible business.