Solutions & Detroit - a Sommer's Story

Rare that visiting one’s 1900 family origins prompts 2020 new notions and inspirations. Even rarer that Detroit prompts such forward-looking optimism and hope. But my 24-hr personal visit to Detroit did just that. Why? Two reasons:

1.     Travelling alone and out of one’s comfort zone opens one’s ears, eyes and mind. If on business or with husband I would not have

> Discussed politics with a young conservative ex-rodeo star who had data-driven good points about the economy and said he “listens to CNN/NPR/liberal news to be sure I am not getting only one source of info”! I now picture (w/ respect) Jake when I try to understand the other point of view.

> Air BnB’ed with Millenials and witnessed collaboration in the shared kitchen.

2.     Economic populism and the gig economy.  3 Trends therein that are potent for our businesses going forward:

                          i.         The evolving Gig Economy. WeWork not only represents solo-entrepreneurs, both young and old, but also flexible and virtual employees. WeWork wrote that over 20% of its revenue comes from employers who rent flexible workspace for employees who would otherwise work from home. (You may also have friends who when they start both working from home do not stay harmonious for long…)

                         ii.         African-American culture and society is alive and vibrant in this city. My Georgetown classmate told me she moved from “DC where she tried to be white” to Detroit to get back in touch with a thriving African American culture. She and colleagues are influencing policy and implementing new solutions to reduce the economic divide. Influencing policy!

                        iii.         Problem-solving economic populism is my last Trend. Blue collar workers have not fared well in our globalized economy. A group of Millenial conservatives, called the Economic Innovation Group co-led by John Lettieri,  are trying to improve the economy; they ask “What does conservative anti-poverty programs look like?”. Thanks in part to them over 8,000 economic opportunity zones were written into the 2017 tax bill that encourage businesses to invest in these zones and benefit from reduced taxes. Another, the bi-partisan Problem Solvers Caucus, brings together Representatives such as Mike Gallagher from Green Bay Wisconsin (another family origin, Janie Sommers loved the Green Bay Packers). This group makes policy happen, vs. 24/7 obstructionism which helps no-one.

Let’s keep problem solving, together, and not spend our precious energy “whinge’ing” as my Brit husband calls it. Open minded and solution-focused. America needs us.

(this is a personal story, not a policy statement. As I teach leaders the power of stories, I thought I should practice what I preach.)