Collective Impact is working with faculty members of the University of Tennessee Knoxville, Center for Sustainable Business and Development, Department of Political Science, and Department of Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management to conduct a research project to better understand Appalachian tourism and identify opportunities to grow tourism activities and encourage business development throughout the region. The project is funded through a competitive grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) - a federal economic development agency. The project is the largest and most comprehensive study of tourism ever conducted by the commission, which covers 205,000 square miles across 420 counties in 13 states. Results of the study will help us better understand the state of tourism of the region, new growth areas for tourism in Appalachian communities, and best practices and successful strategies to help the communities succeed. The project will use research, surveys, site visits, and focus groups as part of the research method. The project also will identify communities to use as case studies to illustrate local tourism success stories and best practices for tourism business development.
Collective Impact assessed the team-building needs of West Virginia Autism Training Center (WVATC) and developed and delivered related training and workshop services to increase the knowledge, skills and capacity of its staff to work more effectively as a team. Team-building services focused on team vision, mission and core values; stages and characteristics of team development; individual and team work styles and strengths analysis; effective listening and resource coordination; and collaborative team work and capacity building. The mission of the WV Autism Training Center is to provide support to individuals with autism spectrum disorders as they pursue a life of quality. The WV Autism Training Center was established in 1984 by the WV Legislature and housed at Marshall University, in Huntington, WV. Services are available for families of West Virginians with autism spectrum disorders as well as their educators and others significant in their lives.
"The WV ATC provides technical assistance and direct services statewide to West Virginians living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. While our primary headquarters is on the campus of Marshall University, in Huntington, WV, staff are positioned at strategic points across the Mountain State. Because we are spread out regionally across the state, agency staff sometimes felt disconnected, and at times struggled to understand the duties of colleagues they don’t see every day. The center asked Collective Impact to facilitate a half-day session designed to break down social and professional barriers. Bruce Decker carried out a highly effective process that helped staff communicate more easily with colleagues, and more readily handle intra-departmental conflict. WV ATC staff enjoyed the experience, and continue to reap the benefits." ~ Dr. Marc Ellison, Executive Director, West Virginia Autism Training Center - Marshall University
More and more, innovation is springing not from particular industries or disciplines, but rather across them, says Frans Johansson, author of The Medici Effect: Breakthrough Insights at the Intersection of Ideas, Concepts & Cultures. "When you step into an intersection of fields, disciplines, or cultures, you can combine existing concepts into a large number of extraordinary new ideas."
See the Prime Time Morning interview of Frans Johansson about The Medici Effect.
