Technology, Talent & Tolerance Ladder up to Creativity

The Daily Beast names Boulder, Ann Arbor, Tucson & More: 
20 Most Creative U.S. Cities

We’ve been talking a lot here at SRG about Creativity and how it is the #1 Leadership Competency driving successful business today.  We’ve referenced the now famous Newsweek article about the “Creativity Crisis in America” and talked about how central innovation and creative thinking have always been to SRG. Excellence and Creativity are our first two beliefs, and have guided everything we’ve done as a company. They have also guided everything we do as a company: insights, strategy, innovation, culinary, advertising, digital, design, client management, and relationship building.
 

During SRG University last week I was inspired, reminded, and struck by how SRG has always attracted original thinkers who aren’t afraid to look at things differently, try new things, and drive change for some of the biggest, and most demanding companies in the country. I was also reminded of Rick’s mantra of “Doing a little bit extra,”and how that commitment to raising the bar and never accepting “Good enough” has been the secret sauce in turning our ideas into reality.

As we focus on our creativity as a company it feels timely to have our city rated by author, Richard Florida, as the #1 Most Creative City in America.  He has a new book called the “Rise of the Creative Class,” and states that “Creativity has become the fundamental driver of our economy”. Interestingly, the formula he uses to measure creative environments for a metro area is based on three factors:
              

1. Technology: The ability to create new ideas and inventions
2. Talent: Skilled, ambitious and talented people
3. Tolerance: A non-judgmental environment that is open-minded to new thinking and different kinds of people.
     

I think these things are true for Boulder and for SRG. In the past, the technology part of SRG’s formula was always the processes and systems we developed to get to great ideas. Today, interactive technology is becoming central to all that we do across all of our practices. Talent and tolerance are also key to SRG’s culture and spirit. We have always had brilliant people with the talent to appreciate and draw on the brilliance of others around them.

Enjoy the article. The world is a crazy place right now and I firmly believe that creativity, and original thinking...energetically applied into action...are the keys to solving the world’s problems.

--Buddy Ketchner,

President