Food as the New Oil

By Dean Whittaker So, what did I learn this month?  While researching for a presentation to the Food Facilities Group of Colliers International, I learned that food as a global resource is on its way to becoming the new oil.  By that, I mean that we are facing an...

The Joy of Serendipity

By Dean Whittaker While sailing this summer, we unexpectedly encountered an enormous storm.  The speed at which the storm was moving was stunning. Usually, one can see a storm forming and make plans to be in a safe port to wait it out; however, this time that was not...

Life at 7 Knots

By Dean Whittaker Experiencing life at 7 knots (8.4 mph) for two weeks on a sailboat gave me a chance to ponder. So why cast off the dock lines, leave one of the best, if not the best, marina on the Great Lakes and make myself vulnerable to the uncertainties of wind...

Building Relationships Using Web 2.0

by Dean Whittaker Economic Development is about relationships. They are built on trust, respect, and commitment. New tools have emerged in Web 2.0 (the evolution of the internet) to foster online collaboration and social networks. Applying these new tools to economic...