One of the most fascinating features of the blogging era has been the inversion of corporate norms. As the tools of production and distribution are democratized, institutions lose power and individuals gain it. As the Web becomes the greatest word-of-mouth amplifier in history, consumers learn to trust peers more and companies less. And as the same trends play out within the firm, businesses are shifting from command and control to "out of control", distributing more and more power to the rank and file.

[R]egions with open networks of collaboration will be more competitive, learn faster, spot opportunities more
quickly and align resources faster. In turn, their regional economies will grow faster.

Cooperrider developed a process he calls "appreciative inquiry". When we first heard the concept, it seemed too touchy-feely to be effective. But as we spent time with Cooperrider, and, more impotant, when we learned about the companies that had usd his method, we truly began to appreciate his work.