Does Thunder Bay Have Tunnel Vision?

Photo Credit: Richard Chicoine iCopyright 2009

How to Build the Knowledge Based Economy



Some might say that Northern Ontario has “tunnel vision” disease. We know that change is happening in our traditional industries;

perhaps its change by default.

How does a “knowledge based economy” actually work?

Some might say that they don’t know the actual definition for terms “knowledge based economy”, and “knowledge workers”.

Some might define them as merely rhetoric and buzz words. If you listen carefully, you’ll hear that these phrases are used in the

context of what a community is NOT these days.

Thunder Bay, for example, is NOT a pulp and paper town anymore. We’re NOT an exporting port, and we’re no longer the headquarter terminal of the grain elevator industry. We’re NOT a mining hub either.

So when we add the phrase, “we’re becoming a knowledge based community”, the instant connection is to the medical fields, including the medical school and research/DNA labs. It’s much more than that.

Some might say, that they don’t know who is leading the pack to regenerate our economy, our natual resources and beliefs about our City developing “knowledge based economy”. Many do not know who is driving the effort and how it’s actually happening.

We could identify “the Economic Development Office”, or “The Mayor and Council” or even “Lakehead University” or “TB Regional Health Sciences Centre”. We do know that something new is happening in pockets around town. This strategy belongs to many, collaboratively and at time unconsciously.

As leaders, how much do you - personally - really know

about this transformation to knowledge generation as the backbone of our future?

Here’s the first concept for you to consider.

If the larger economy is based on knowledge, then individuals within their own organizations need to also transform into “learning mindsets.”

Knowledge economy ↔ social innovation generation in the community at large ↔ learning organizations ↔ an innovation mindset as leaders ↔ you, as a role model for knowledge workers

Let’s work this model backwards.

1. As a leader:

What is your role in the generation of new ways of thinking about the work you do within the context of a knowledge based economy?

How can leaders collaborate to develop a “learning mindset” in our community? in your organization?

2. If you’ve always wondered about “Learning Organizations”, here’s a quick background.

Three definitions of a learning organization:

1. Learning organizations [are] organizations where people continually expand their capacity to create the results they truly desire, where new and expansive patterns of thinking are nurtured, where collective aspiration is set free, and where people are continually learning to see the whole together. (Senge 1990)

2. The Learning Company is a vision of what might be possible. It is not brought about simply by training individuals; it can only happen as a result of learning at the whole organization level. A Learning Company is an organization that facilitates the learning of all its members and continuously transforms itself. (Pedler et. al. 1991)

3. Learning organizations are characterized by total employee involvement in a process of collaboratively conducted, collectively accountable change directed towards shared values or principles. (Watkins and Marsick 1992)


As a knowledge based leader, what are your "tipping point" goals for driving a knowledge based community?

Lots to think about!

If you’re interested in learning more, just google “Peter Senge”.

Next week: Waterloo’s example of Social Innovation Generation!

Contest! If you are the first to identify the sister city location in this week's photo, you win a prize, courtesy of the Easter bunny. Go to http://www.xowhat.blogspot.com/ and click on the blog's "comment" link with your answer and your name.

CAP Groups: Remember April 9!