Aurora Strategic Plan, Plant The Innovation Seed, Promote Business Growth

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 03:57:29 +0000

Aurora Strategic Plan for 2031 is a very nice concept. I think it is really good to plan for the future or to have long term goals. However, I just hope that we do not go under the spell of writing this great list of things to do and never achieve them.

Mural, Wellington Street

What I have seen for now, the Aurora Strategic Plan is just a shell design, no substance yet. String of words do sound very flowery for now, but will they bloom like that 20 years from now in 2031. My suggestion – have few solid ideas and keep them simple.

It is nice to see that Town of Aurora is getting local public involved. Since this is a strategic plan, I think information should be conveyed in the same manner. I don’t need to see draft material. Current draft presented is a typical process outline. Do we need to see this? I don’t know, seems incomplete and not professional. Even the forums are not taken seriously by the residents.

I don’t know may be I just have different or odd way of thinking, but I don’t understand why do we need separate website just for the strategic plan. It should have been part of the current Aurora site. It is nice that communication department is trying to communicate every detail but why spend extra taxpayers money on such. Why are we branding the Aurora Strategic Plan? I cannot see the purpose.

If the Aurora Strategic Plan team thinks that more and complicated is better, boy they are wrong. Even websites need to be strategically planned to convey the information.

Mural, Wellington Street

The Aurora Strategic Plan execution gives me something to think about though. So once in the blue moon I will be presenting some ideas I have.

Well, 20 years is lot of years. In 20 years you can get nice grown tree, therefore, this may be the time to plant the seeds. I am not really talking about growing real trees here, but this will be a topic of mine later because we definitely need more shade trees.

We need to plant the innovation seed. We need the schools, businesses and town to be involved in more scientific and engineering fields. Let me explain as simple as possible.

Mural, Canada Arm, Wellington Street

Science and engineering fairs sponsored by the local businesses and the Town of Aurora for the Aurora schools.

Sometimes we underestimate young minds and little initiation for innovation from businesses would help to surface some great ideas students may have and give economic benefit to everyone.

This is my train of thoughts.

Town of Aurora and local businesses together collaborate and organizes annual science and engineering fair.

Students from Aurora schools pick a business to work with.

A project idea is assigned to student(s) by the business.

End result new product, enhanced product, efficient process etc – project ideas can be endless.

Participating students are rewarded for their accomplishments.

Since the business provides all the tools for the student(s) to work with, business owns the idea.

If the idea is sound, then it is implemented.

Business grows. Student(s) may have future summer jobs or full time jobs with that company.

Business grows, Town of Aurora is happy.

There is no restrictions, Town of Aurora can participate with their projects too.

I think these are self explanatory steps to drive more business or business growth. We need business that will stay. I was driving on the Industrial Parkway the other day and there are just too many signs for lease. Just too many buildings empty.

So I thought I will present one of my crazy ideas to push the business growth forward. I like long therm growth and this process may be something good to start today.

Mural, Wellington Street

This may also be good for students and their future. Start early introduction to real work, keep them out of trouble. Kids always look for challenge why not give them more.

We do it with art, why not do the same with the science. Something to think about.

Mural, Wellington Street

Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Innovation

Aurora Strategic Plan, Plant The Innovation Seed, Promote Business Growth