Seek Consent, Not Consensus, on Community Projects

Trying to please everyone will grind your project to a halt. Use these strategies instead to build consent and get things done.

Studer, Engagement, Top StoryQuint StuderFebruary 12, 2021public engagement, Quint Studer

Why Communities Struggle to Get Things Done: How to Keep the Throttle Down

One of the biggest barriers to implementation—in business, community, and nearly everywhere—is not understanding how to manage change. These strategies will help.

Studer, Taking Action, Top Story 2, Top StoryQuint StuderJanuary 29, 2021Quint Studer, leadership, Pensacola, taking action

How should cities and towns adapt in order to thrive in 2021? We asked 9 leading thinkers.

Wise insights and advice for anyone who wants to make their town stronger in the coming year.

8 Creative Communities Leading the Way to Vibrancy…One Small Step at a Time

Here are incremental steps communities have taken to get stronger—steps that create a lot of impact while being easy to replicate.

Community, Studer, Top StoryQuint StuderDecember 4, 2020community, Quint Studer

Best Practices and Bright Ideas for Renewing American Communities

Gleaned from a 100,000 mile journey into the heart of America, here are 8 principles the leaders and cities of America’s most successful towns swear by.

Studer, Community, Top StoryQuint StuderOctober 30, 2020Small Towns, Fallows, Quint Studer

"What I Learned from Chuck Marohn about Cities and Companies” (They're More Alike Than You Thought)

The fates of cities and their small businesses are tied to one another. They also have a lot to learn from each other. Here are 7 “crossover truths” to keep in mind as you navigate the days, months, and years ahead.

Studer, Economic Development, Top Story, Success StoryQuint StuderOctober 16, 2020entrepreneurship, business, Quint Studer, media feature

Hard Times Can Galvanize a Community: Why Localism and "Small Ball" Matter Most in a Disaster

Taking local action builds resilience and improves a community’s quality of life in deeply meaningful ways. This is never more evident than when disaster strikes.

Studer, Community, Top StoryQuint StuderSeptember 25, 2020natural disasters, community, resilience, Quint Studer, Pensacola

This Is What Stepping Up in a Crisis Looks Like

Community organizations have an indispensable role to play during a crisis. It starts with asking one deceptively simple question.

Top Story, Studer, CommunityQuint StuderSeptember 18, 2020Quint Studer, Orange County, southern california, nonprofit sector

A Question Every City Must Answer: Who Gets to Help Plan the "Party?"

To make your community a magnet for people, talent, and new investments, make this a priority.

Race, Studer, Top StoryQuint StuderSeptember 4, 2020race, diversity, business, Quint Studer

Want to build a city that works for everyone? Start by looking inside.

When you want to change a community, you begin by changing your own behaviors. Here are 9 small (yet powerful) actions to get started.

Race, Studer, Top StoryQuint StuderAugust 28, 2020race, Quint Studer

Messaging Matters: Why It's Crucial to Share Bright Spots and Good News About Your Community

Messaging shapes action, and action shapes communities. That’s why we need to get serious about talking about all that’s going right in our towns and cities.

Studer, Community, Top StoryQuint StuderAugust 14, 2020Quint Studer, media, communication

We've Entered the Age of Virtual Talent. How Can Communities Seize the Moment?

With more work going virtual, small towns and mid-sized cities have an opportunity to attract new residents. Here are 6 tips to help communities start attracting and retaining talent.

Your Town's Business Community Can Lead the Way to "Winning the Peace"

Values-driven businesses have a key leadership role as communities move into the “next normal.” Here are eight things businesses and local communities can do to help get towns and cities back on their feet.

Studer, Economic DevelopmentQuint StuderJuly 31, 2020business, local business, coronavirus, Quint Studer

The Future Hasn't Been Put on Hold

The pandemic can make it feel like the work of building strong, thriving communities has been put on hold. But that doesn’t have to be the case. Use these two solutions to get unstuck.

Taking Action, Studer, CommunityQuint StuderJuly 24, 2020Quint Studer, Community

Now Is the Time to Start Raising Up the Next Generation of Community Advocates

Our best hope for making longterm change is showing our children what strong cities look like. These family-friendly presentations—from Charles Montgomery, Jeff Speck, and others—can help.

Studer, Top StoryQuint StuderJuly 10, 2020children, podcast, Jeff Speck, Quint Studer, education

Happy Birthday, America. Where Do We Want to Go from Here?

It’s only natural on a birthday to reflect on where we’ve been, where we are now, and what we want the future to look like. On America’s birthday, we should do the same. “Where do we go now?” We get to decide.

Studer, Top StoryQuint StuderJuly 2, 2020Fourth of July, Quint Studer

"Small Ball" Gets Big Results for Communities

Most of the actions we take in our cities aren’t “home runs.” They are usually singles, with some doubles thrown in. But they add up. Small ball gets results.

Studer, Neighborhoods First, Top StoryQuint StuderJune 26, 2020small bets, Quint Studer, iteration

We Need More Car-Optional Neighborhoods. Here's How to Get Started.

In a “car place,” pedestrians are grudgingly tolerated. In a “pedestrian place,” cars are allowed to visit. We need a lot more of the latter. Here’s where to start.