In the race for influence and audience attention sometimes we forget to take time for disconnected tranquility. Such was the case with a recent visit to a local Barnes and Noble, an ideal location for inspiration, critical thinking, and self exploration. After all, it's good to know thyself!

A recent article from strategy + business caught my attention and is based on the idea of How to Make a Region Innovative. With today's talk of innovation, creativity, cause, impact, and progress across industry, the time to talk about real fundamental building blocks of creating real genius and thriving environments is now.

The following are a collection of tidbits from the outstanding article that are sure to prove vital for those interested in building a thriving community and one in which ideation breeds innovation, technology fuels growth, collaboration adds to creativity, and regions are changed.

Clusters can be vitally important to a country’s innovation and prosperity, but when they are misunderstood, they do not realize their potential.

To generate one groundbreaking technological development after another, innovation must be embedded within long-lived social institutions and networks.

Four different sectors must be linked together: government, business, civil society (not-for-profit organizations), and academia.

This is called the quad.

In most communities, this quad alignment can be deliberately developed if leaders put three measures into effect. First, they should construct cross-sector networks that are richer, more diverse, and more deliberately structured than those of the past.

Think synergy.

We now know how to accelerate the process by drawing on the collective efforts of leaders in all four sectors of the quad.

Second, these leaders should continually reform the way their organizations are managed — creating a climate that fosters innovation, and adjusting the incentives and organizational structures to reward creativity and collaboration.

Reinforcement breeds solutions.

Third, leaders should invest in talented, innovative individuals, attracting, retaining, and empowering the right mix of people who can foster serial innovation.

Always hire people better then yourself.

To build a thriving community requires the collaborative efforts of several entities. Here's where it gets really interesting and should capture the attention of most visitors to this blog. Business.

Businesses provide the cluster with its economic engine. Because they will close down if they fail to innovate successfully, they take the many risks that innovation entails. The private sector furnishes a large part of the capital needed to fund strategic innovation. 

What does this mean for business? Does this confirm the work and efforts of your organization? Where can we add value to this equation of building an innovative region? 

The answers are inspiring and thought provoking helping to shed some light on the power of people, press, process, and product the four fundamentals of creativity.

Online groups of all shapes and sizes from private discussion boards, open spaces, social networks, digital magazines, and distribution lists to Facebook pages find themselves in a race to generate interest and build community.

As these budding digital destinations evolve, moderators must be aware of the elements that play a role in online etiquette. With much size comes much responsibility. Content creators and group leaders are expected to adhere to the rules of common courtesy and respect for all involved.

Here are a few examples of what not to do when trying to build a thriving online destination:

1. Failing to give credit to where credit is due.

Ex. Posting content owned by another party without proper attribution.

2. Trying to use humor as a panacea.

3. Thinking your site is immune to Human Relations 101.

Respect can go a long way for members and nonmembers.

4. Failing to provide the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

5. Thinking your site is the only answer.

The beauty of the internet is that there is enough room for many players in any given niche.

These are just a few no no's that come to mind when trying to build and maintain an online community.

Respect, empathy, and freshness can go a long way in ensuring continued growth and a legitimate internet presence.

"Action beats inaction."

The real movers and shakers recognize that it's better to be moving and building momentum. 2011 can be summed up as the year of engagement and relationships in motion setting the stage for a year of action and lasting impact.

This year provided a fantastic opportunity for individuals on the Central Coast and Silicon Valley to come together and address some of the hottest topics facing the Latino market. Latino2 and #Cause2012 SCtSMC stand out as two shining moments of 2011.

Latino2 in Silicon Valley

What do you get when you invite aspiring Hispanic engineers, bloggers, entrepreneurs, a new media guru, passionate foodies, and the White House to take over a computer history museum right smack in the middle of Silicon Valley?

A whole lot of reverberating forward motion across the Latinosphere and an engagement think tank.

"What you don't know about your online reputation is going to hurt you." - Brian Solis on the need for brands to be in-tune with the many conversations taking place across the social media landscape.

#Cause2012 Social Change through Social Media Conference

Real purpose and meaning form the core of a true differentiation strategy. Success isn't built on ability and processes alone. The most important question facing today's organizations is the question of "Why?" 

We know who you are and what you do but we don't quite understand why you do it. Purpose matters in the eyes of consumers who are increasingly searching for brands and individuals who not only offer great widgets and remarkable experiences but also lead the pack in manufacturing meaning.

Video Link: (The new face of America.)

Having a unique story and sharing it with the world is something special.

Who would have thought that on a brisk October morning on a wonderful stage set in a beautifully intimate theater with a rich 45 year history where the likes of Kathy Bates, Robin Williams, and Belita Moreno (among others) have delighted crowds that we would find some of California's most dedicated agents and artists of community building?

On October 29th, 2011 the PCPA Theater at Allan Hancock College (A Hispanic-Serving Institution) was transformed into an ideation hub where the center of focus included social media best practices for driving organizational capacity building, increasing Latino engagement, and community organizing.

"Mi Causa es Su Causa." (My cause is your cause.) sums up the atmosphere rather nicely.

Both of these landmark events served as some of the most rewarding and engaging experiences of 2011. A huge standing ovation to all the outstanding individuals and organizations who made Latino2 and #Cause2012 a reality. The takeaways are numerous but none greater than the chance to call some great people...friends.

Here's to a great 2011 and a divine 2012!

Popularity is a tricky thing. It's measure can reside with the masses or take up camp in the mind of an individual striving to capture attention and generate interest. In the journey towards validation, we often mistake a good sized crowd for an engaged audience. In the world of social media, being present matters over presence.

There is no engagement in numbers. Data might paint a nice picture and speak to quantity but quality interactions and true conversation take a crowd from mass to measurable impact.

Let's not strive for numbers but rather value-added interaction.

This is where true synergy lies.

You wake up one morning inspired ready to take hold of the future and create a social movement. Maybe it was a simple question that caught your attention and interest or perhaps a little unexpected motivation. The next thing you know…you’re in hyper-drive fully engaged in the transformation from brainstorming to the awesome arena of…action! Armed with the strength and reach of the internet, your every desire is to plant a seed, water it, and watch it grow!

The passion and fire we experience in those moments of ideation and inspiration should serve as the fuel to keep the train moving full speed ahead.

However, the road to actualization and reality can be quite ferocious causing us to lose sight of our values, mission, and what really matters.

Following are four helpful steps for making sure your influential and game-changing group is in for the long haul. (And I’m not even diving into the dynamics of contingency planning!)

Communicate with Your Audience

It is vital during all stages of growth to communicate expectations.

Empower Your People

The old saying is true. There is indeed power in synergy.

Trust Your Trailblazers

These are the individuals who have the passion, dedication, and genuine interest to help your community flourish and inspire a Revolución.

Stay True To Your Roots

Everyone has a reason for starting something big or small. As organizations and communities evolve we must stay true to our roots of authenticity, resonance, likability, approachability, and passion.

Final Takeaways

It’s not the size of your organization that matters but rather the people that make it tick.

And remember…every opportunity is a chance to build a bridge or cut down support cables.

Have fun, thrive, and watch your baby grow!