Co-Working Townhall Meeting at Impromptu Studios

Impromptu Studio is hosting a "Townhall" meeting Wednesday March 25th at 7pm.

The Townhall meeting is aimed at three types of people and part of the meeting will address each:

• Those who want to learn more about coworking and Impromptu Studio.


• Those who interested in finding out what big announcements, including upcoming events, and changes Impromptu Studio has in store for it’s community.


• Those who are interested in lending a helping hand to make Impromptu Studio better than they found it.

The Townhall is a meeting where you can bring your questions and suggestions about coworking or Impromptu Studio. This is an open invitation to shape the way Des Moines works!

For those that are curious about who you might see at the Townhall…. some of the speakers that will be either talking about coworking, Impromptu Studio, or making an announcement include:
Brian Anderson of CoLab in Ames
Member, Andy Brudtkuhl of 48Web
Scott Kubie of Market Street Media Foundry
Member, Doug Mitchell of CreateWowMedia
Nathan T. Wright of Lava Row

We hope to see you there! During the Townhall meeting we will also be collecting video testimonials in our green screen room.

For more information contact Abbie Shipton aeshipton@gmail.com
(515) 868 - 0060 - Located at 300 Southwest Fifth StreetSuite 220 - Des Moines, Iowa 50309

Big Ideas for Iowa - Part Two - Government

Restructure Government to Improve Efficiency
TERRY E. BRANSTAD, governor of Iowa from 1983 to 1999, is president of Des Moines University.

During the 1980s farm crisis, Iowa established a sister state with Hebei Province, China. In a 1984 visit, our delegation learned that the Chinese symbol for crisis and opportunity is one and the same.

In normal times, the size of government tends to expand in response to the demands of various interest groups and constituencies. Cutting budgets and reducing or eliminating programs and bureaucracies are not possible in good economic times. Those who work for or depend on government programs are always going to lobby for more employees and more spending.

In times of economic crisis, private businesses and individuals cut spending and eliminate unnecessary overhead. Private-sector jobs are cut.This economic crisis provides an opportunity to change the size and structure of all levels of government in Iowa, improving efficiency and delivery of services.

At the depth of the farm crisis in 1986, we passed a massive restructuring and downsizing of state government. At the time, 38 Iowa banks had closed, and the value of Iowa farms had decreased by 63 percent. The result of our action was a smaller, more efficient and accountable state government. We went from more than 80 state agencies to 25 and got more accountability by having all department heads appointed by the governor and confirmed by two-thirds of the Senate. It saved more than $60 million annually and established stronger spending and program oversight through the

Department of Management.

There has not been a restructuring of government since.It is long overdue.



Be Really Radical: Reduce the Size of Government
FRED GRANDY, a Sioux City native and an Iowa congressman from 1987 to 1995, is host of "The Grandy and Andy Morning Show," 630 WMAL, Washington, D.C.

I first asked the editor for clarification about implementing the bold moves of the Emanuel Doctrine: "Are we talking about Iowa or Iowans?"" Iowa," I was assured. Custodians of the public sector, the governor, the Legislature, the mayor of Humboldt. As opposed to private individuals, who when left unregulated and under-taxed, inevitably grow up to be Bernie Madoff or George W. Bush.

OK, I'll play by those rules. If government is the end, I respectfully propose:
Gov. Chet Culver should quietly mobilize the Iowa National Guard and other quasi-military units at his command and without provocation attack South Dakota. (I have nothing against South Dakota, but of all states bordering Iowa, these guys would clearly be easiest to beat.)

The purpose is not to achieve military victory but to provoke intervention by the federal government and the following sequence: stern warnings to rebellious leaders in Des Moines, protracted negotiations, a fragile cease-fire and major infusions of foreign aid to placate Iowa from going rogue again. This strategy has worked like a charm for North Korea, Iran and now the Palestinian Authority.

The other option is for public officials in Iowa to go in the opposite direction of the new administration and drastically cut taxes, deregulate business and industry, reduce the size of government and in so doing make Iowa an oasis for investment and growth amid a vast national desert of spending and debt. A kind of Obama-Free State. But some ideas are just too radical for serious consideration.

Build Consensus About How to Govern Better
ROBERT RAY was governor of Iowa from 1969 to 1983.

No governor or any citizen of Iowa wants a crisis to be the catalyst for doing "the right thing," but nothing brings more consensus on "the right thing" than the necessity of the moment.

Turf battles, partisanship and bureaucratic inertia are more easily left at the door when people sit down at the table to figure out new ways of doing things. Reorganizing, streamlining, whatever you call it, is done when the need is obvious.

During the energy crisis in the late '70s, a period of double-digit inflation, we saw the value of looking at state government structure to see how well it was meeting expectations. The Governor's Economy Committee found many ways to make government better. We mobilized support to make changes because the value of better government was more evident during a stressful time.

Government grows in good times and must reduce and reshape when things go the other way. Times change, bringing us better tools of governance, such as information technology.

The worrisome demographic changes forecast by the Iowa 2010 Council nearly a decade ago and today's national economic crisis of historic proportion are unfolding in front of us.
Iowans are a fair people, and the notion of shared sacrifice is respected, if not welcomed. When the economy turns upward, and it will, Iowa's demography and slow growth will remain our challenge.

Iowans should ask, "How can we be better?" It's a rare opportunity to build consensus on how we can better govern ourselves.

Big Ideas for Iowa - Part One - Business

Support Entrepreneurs; Recruit; Tell Iowa's Story
JACK EVANS, a former CEO of SCI Financial Group, is president of The Hall-Perrine Foundation, Cedar Rapids, and a member of the Iowa Board of Regents.

We in Iowa are fortunate. Common sense has kept our state finances in reasonable shape. Good judgment has kept our commercial banking industry healthy. Education and health care in Iowa are the envy of other states.

Iowans are also realistic. Although our unemployment rate is well below the national average, we know we're in a recession. What can we do?
- Insist our elected leaders create an environment conducive to entrepreneurial development. Finding the next Maytag, Collins or Deere is vital.
- Go out more. Attend local events, particularly at institutions of higher education. See that play, enjoy the ball game. Interaction with others is healthy and intellectually stimulating.
- Recruit. When visiting with out-of-state friends and family, tell Iowa's story. Describe our schools, and stress our quality of health care. Take notes; relay the information to local economic-development professionals.
- Volunteer. It's often said, "You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give." Make a life by volunteering.
- Walk. A healthy state is a better state. Walking gives you time to think, time to evaluate progress on your personal goals. Pick up litter along the way to keep Iowa beautiful.
- Take pride. Iowa has wonderful communities and world-class colleges and universities. Celebrate their successes and nurture their growth.

We in Iowa have a great story to tell. Let us all accept cheerfully our responsibilities. We Iowans are loyal and happy to help influence our destiny. Together, today's challenges will become tomorrow's opportunities.


Support Growth of the Private Sector
PAUL SCHICKLER is president of Pioneer Hi-Bred, Johnston, and DuPont vice president and general manager.

As Gov. Chet Culver and our state legislators face tough choices ahead to manage the state's budget through the recession, they must continue to do what has proven to drive growth over time - support private-sector investment and emphasize Iowa's strengths.

Current policies have encouraged Pioneer to increase its investment in Iowa by more than $100 million over the last five years. At a time when unemployment is reaching record levels, Pioneer has added more than 120 new employees in Iowa so far this year.

Now is the time to put policies in place that will stimulate business growth. Private investment, combined with a focus on our agricultural base, will carry us through this recession.

I'm Outta Here: How Coworking Is Making the Office Obsolete

Is the Office Obsolete?
Steve King

One indicator that a social or business trend is entering the mainstream is the publication of books on the topic. The release of the book I'm Outta Here: How Coworking Is Making the Office Obsolete is a clear signal that coworking is spreading.

Coworking office facilities combine the structure and social environment of corporate office space with the flexibility of working from home. They have desks to rent, conference rooms, Internet access, and office equipment. Most of the facilities rent space by the day, week, month, or year.

They appeal to freelancers, entrepreneurs, telecommuters, and other laptop nomads who are tired of working at home alone or in crowded and noisy coffee shops. And unlike traditional office suites, coworking facilities provide a community of like-minded people to collaborate and socialize with.

Written by coworking industry pioneers Drew Jones, Todd Sundsted, and Tony Bacigalupo, I ' m Outta Here covers the people, places, and trends that are creating this workplace revolution.

Not just for independent workers, the book also covers the growing trend of corporations reducing their office space and experimenting with telecommuting, hoteling, and other forms of remote work. This is leading to an increase in the number of

corporate employees using coworking facilities.

I'm Outta Here is quick and easy to read and useful for anyone freelancing, working from home, or telecommuting.

For more on coworking, including a list of coworking facilities, visit the

Coworking Community Blog.

Steve King is a partner at Emergent Research, where he leads a research project to identify, analyze, and forecast the global trends and shifts affecting small business. He blogs at http://www.smallbizlabs.com/.

If you are interested in co-working in Central Iowa - please take a moment to complete a brief survey about the assets, services and preferred locations for co-working offices in the Des Moines Metro. Just click on the 'New Iowa Group' logo and then click on the 'Survey Monkey' logo on the home page.

The Elevator Speech Is Just An Introduction: What To Do Next!

Have you ever given your elevator speech and gotten an excited and enthusiastic response of "I need that!"? Most of us misinterpret this reaction and mis-play our response. We take this as a buying signal and move forward in full selling mode. We don't take the time to discover what they mean, or what they need, or what exactly they are reacting to.

We believe we have a real prospect in front of us, and take that statement as authentic and true. In a sea of lukewarm or non-responsive reactions, this seems a definite "yes" to our offerings. Realize that the elevator speech is no more than an introduction, and that an animated reaction may or may not indicate genuine interest. Here are some ideas for reacting to such a response:

1) Don't go into automatic sales mode, describing features and benefits. That is as welcome at this point as trying to French kiss a stranger you've just met. Interest shown is simply that--interest--and an invitation for further dialog. It is a mistake to jump on this type of casual comment and confuse it with a desire to buy.

2) Appropriate response on your part would be curious inquiry as to their meaning, listening, and dialog with great care to focus on the other person. Your purpose in this conversation might be things like learning about the needs BEHIND their statement of need, getting to know them better, or understanding their business. Don't make the mistake of taking your focus off the business aspect of the business conversation. It's not about befriending at this point, though that can likely come later.

3) The critical thing to be aware of is that you need to listen more than you talk. If you are blabbering and blathering about yourself or what you will do for them, your monolog will soon cause the other person to start to squirm and edge away. You cannot learn anything about them or their needs or their business by talking. You cannot build rapport or connection by talking. If you are talking, talking, talking--you are losing a chance for business.

4) Develop the art of questioning from genuine curiosity. This is not nosiness, manipulativeness, salesmanship, or "needs analysis". This comes from a true interest in and genuine curiosity about your fellow humans. This is a result of an ego-less and arrogance-free acceptance of all beings as valuable and worthwhile. The more that you genuinely feel this, and authentically come from and behave as if this is your truth--the more magnetically attractive you become. We are all attracted to those who are sincerely interested in us. It cannot be faked!

5) In the course of this conversation, what might you aim to discover? Of course, you want to learn what their true need is and why they reacted so positively to your elevator speech. Were they expressing a real need or simply a momentary reaction to your statements? You may want to learn a few essentials about their business and perhaps its current condition.

Typically though, these sorts of inquiries are premature and should be handled in a gingerly fashion. Often, you can glean information through observation--"reading between the lines", body language, inferences, and reactions.

6) There is plenty of time to discover what you need to know. There is no rush and no hurry. Take it easy and gently discover what you need to know. Never pry or inquire prematurely. Observe the reactions to your questions and don't "cross the line". Conversely, keep your business purpose in mind as you dialog. Use your business purpose to guide you in the conversation.

7) Always, always, always aim to develop relationships. Take the time to care. Get to know the true person. Be a caring presence. Develop trust. Be thoughtful. Think of others. Be present to the interactions.

8) Pay attention to how you can be of service to those you meet. Can you send them referrals? Can you provide them information? Can you connect them with a provider? Do you know someone who could help them? Do you know someone they could help? Could you increase their business, social or spiritual connections?

It's important to understand and realize that the elevator speech is simply an introduction. Don't mistake it for a definite desire to buy. It is simply an expression of interest in response to your concise description of your business. React realistically to these responses and you will move your marketing game further along every time you get such a response to your elevator speech.

Suzi Elton is a success coach working with highly creative types to create income that matches their talent. She has coached hundreds of clients to approach their goals strategically through tiny steps to bring about quantum leaps.

Learn more about the author, Suzi Elton.

Community Activist Bob Mickle Dies

Our friend and neighbor Robert Mickle, a passionate and tireless voice for the people of Des Moines, passed away yesterday after a long battle with cancer. During his 43 years in Des Moines, Mickle, 84, was a strong community activist, first launching the Central Iowa Regional Planning Commission in 1968 and then serving in numerous city positions and volunteer roles.

He was planning director for the city of Des Moines from 1972 to 1982 and a private consultant on urban planning issues for the city and its suburbs until 1986. After "retiring" from city planning, Mickle continued to work as an avid volunteer. He most recently served as a board member of the Sherman Hill Neighborhood Association, president of Des Moines Neighbors and a planning consultant for the Iowa Council for International Understanding (ICIU) and the state in a joint cultural, government and small business exchange program between Des Moines and Cherkasy, Ukraine.

As the original director of the Neighborhood Investment Corp., Mickle helped develop and preserve the Sherman Hill and East Village districts. The Robert W. Mickle Neighborhood Resource Center in Sherman Hill was named in his honor.

According to an article on the Sherman Hill Association's Web site, in an acceptance speech after receiving the lifetime achievement award at ICIU's 30th anniversary dinner, Mickle said, "The most important lesson I've learned in life is that you must live up to your potential; always strive for excellence. And the second most important lesson is that you must give back and give generously."

Mickle grew up in Boone during the Great Depression and served in World War II as a Navy gunner. After the war, he moved his family to New York, where he owned a dairy farm and worked as a private planning consultant for 25 years before returning to Des Moines.
He is survived by his wife, Nelda, and numerous family members.

A funeral for family only will take place tomorrow in Boone. A community celebration will take place at the Mickle Center in Des Moines at a later date. A blog will be live later this afternoon for people to post comments and pictures; a link will be available at

www.dmneighbors.org.