Being and Localness

I'm a BIG fan of small business, particularly those that are creating new efficiencies.  So when I see a hybrid like the Mile High Business Alliance - our newest ACS Association Partner - emerge, I want to support it via "peaceful self-fulfillment through physical actions and social roles."   ;-)

Besides creating a very cool networking environment, the MHBA is working to standardize the social compact that all businesses have with the communities they serve.  It's creating goals & systems of measurement.  And as we all know, if you can't measure it, you can't manage it. 

So check out their means to measure 'localness'.  I think they've got something here.  Go for 5 mountains.  ("The mountains are an indicator of what portion of every dollar you spend at a business will re-circulate in the local economy.")  Pick up '5 Stars' and some 'Business Practice Badges'.   

And think about it.  This 'localness' thing works.  It always has.  Given a choice - and we're always given a choice - we'd ideally all buy local.  From people we know.  From people that know us.  From people we've shared interests with.  From people we trust.  If this is too simple, the good folks at Harvard Business Review can explain it in much longer words.  

Investing isn't far behind.  Be on the lookout for a column in Colorado Biz magazine, where we suggest that angel investing will "re-localize" in response to the credit and stock market meltdowns.