Another Place To Call Home

With a new year now upon us, 2009 is a new beginning. With the amount of magnificent people, businesses, passions and dreams in the Des Moines area, I’m looking in one direction. I’m only going to look forward and to remember that good things are coming.

This past Thursday I had the pleasure of taking a sneak peek at Ames CoLab ( @amescolab ). Although it’s not finished yet, looking at the floor plans and framing gives you an idea of what soon will be. Back in November I received a phone call from Daniel Shipton ( @danielshipton ) from Des Moines own Impromptu Studio( @ImpromptuStudio ). He told me that a couple of guys were coming down for a dinner meeting and thought I may be able to help them. Taking every opportunity, I was very open to do dinner and meeting some new people.

Last night Brian and Sean took some time to let me take some pictures and do a video interview. We took a tour of Ames CoLab and went over the floor plans, timelines and the community. I got even more of an understanding of why they wanted to make this happen so bad. In talking with Sean, they plan to really crank up the heat over the next two weeks. They plan to have the offices done and people moved in February 1st. Talk about setting goals. With true feelings toward the growth of the community and everything one in it, Ames CoLab will be center stage for 2009.

If you want a sneak peek at Ames CoLab, you can check the photos and the video. They are having a work day this Saturday, December 17th, if anyone wants to be apart of creating Ames CoLab.

They say, “Home is where the heart is”, I say “CoLab, another place to call home”

#amestweetup Sponsored by Ames Co Lab

After a very busy holiday season, we are going to have another #amestweetup. I hope everyone had a great holiday, and a happy New Year. We are going to meet at Old Chicago in Ames at 6pm, Tuesday the 20th. I have reserved a room for us, which seats close to 50 people, so bring a friend. Just a quick thanks to Mark Bockenstedt (@chewbocka) for the suggestion of where to have the #amestweetup.

Another note about this tweetup is that Ames CoLab (@amescolab) has agreed to sponsor this event. Ames CoLab will will open their doors early this spring and offer a shared co working space. They will offer full and part time desks, and also have several offices as well. The offices will have glass doors to add a little privacy and help control noise. I believe the doors came from an old school. There will also be some windows above for extra light, and an open feeling. I know many of the offices have been spoken for, but if you have questions on the space available, you can contact Brain Anderson (@banderson623), or the above Ames CoLab link. I will be at Ames Co Lab tomorrow to take some pictures and video with the creators, and get some background of what’s ahead. I will finish and post that blog tomorrow.

If you are looking to find a co working space in your area and are not in Ames, you can also check out Des Moines’s own Impromptu Studio.

I hope to see you all there. You can RSVP here thanks to Micoblink ( @microblink ).

Be different, be true.

With the current state of the economy and job market many people seem to have the best answer.  Hot topics on the news have been with all the major players in the auto market, the housing market and the job market.  Many times the auto and housing market make up many of the jobs or job that have or could be lost.  Keeping a close eye on these things, because it will have a dramatic spin on the world we know today.  Many auto companies and big wigs have said as you all know, they will work for $1.00 or offer different incentives to buyers today.  Another auto maker (I’m not sure what one) said something like, if you buy a car and you loose your job, they will take the car back. I think that makes sense, but why would you buy a car if you think your job is in jeopardy?  I also see that being like the guy 10 or more years ago.  They guy got enough Pepsi points to get the F-16 jet they showed in a commercial.  Once they got all the points needed to win the F-16, they wouldn’t give it to him. I think it’s great to say we will take the car back, but saying and doing sometimes are two very different things. I could be wrong and if I am, I will apologize.  In these tough times people are trying harder than ever to save money, spend less and get the most added value for their money. I can’t agree more. The other thing too is that, many people don’t feel that big business is being fair or honest.  There are many companies people have stayed away from, because they don’t have any credibility or not have a mixed perception from all the media. Right or wrong, I don’t know.  But I do know some people feel that way.  On a side note, small businesses and corporate companies are all trying to stay above water. They say things will get better before they get worse.  All the findings I have heard and understand I’m not an expert say it may go the other way around.  I will cross my fingers and hope it does not. 

 

With all that being said, of the people who have been laid off in 2008 and those in 2009 don’t want to spend money they don’t have.  As I’ve said before, I’m love watching The Today Show, call me bias, but I think there are valid points and stories shared.  This morning Meredith spoke with Jim Lentz the President of Toyota.  She asked him what Toyota was going to do to more or less stay above water and offer potential buyers.   To the heart of her question she wanted to know what Toyota other than all the other auto makers were going to be standing when this is all over. Let’s pause for a moment to think about all the different true, heroic, stupid, lies and ideas that will never or always follow through.  Ok, not what Jim said hit the nail on the head. I don’t think he could have been more composed or eloquent. Jim said that Toyota was listening to what their customers wanted.  I will say that again. They are going to listen to what their customers want. 

 

WOW. I think I know one of the few auto makers who will make it out of this, Toyota.  What a brilliant, simple and wonderful idea.  Why have so many other companies’ auto or not thought of that. One of the great way to brand your business is by customer feedback.  To listen to what they want and take action. Sometimes you don’t even have to do anything.  Sometimes people, consumers, clients and customers just want to be heard. They want to have a voice.  All you have to do is stop being a mouth and be an ear. 

 

My true feelings is that I hope everyone makes it out of these hard times.  There are many jobs at stake and families that need to have these jobs.  Not that I’m a speaker or expert on the auto market or companies, I’m not.  I do however have a mouth and an ear.  I’m willing to share what I know, feel and think to better anything I can.  I also have an ear and I’m willing to listen and learn and be a better person for tomorrow.

 

I just wanted to share this with everyone. I was truly warmed when I heard this. There is hope, don’t be afraid to speak up.