Category: MEEs

Month in Review: November, 2009

21 December, 2009 (12:36) | Consulting, Innovations, MEEs, Month in review, Slums, Speculation, US News, Urbanization | No comments

By: David A. Smith
 
[Previous Months In Review here: Oct 09, Sep 09, Aug 09, Jul 09, Jun 09, May 09, Apr 09, Mar 09, Feb 09, Jan 09]
 
The more I write about housing, the more entangled it becomes with the fabric of cities, formally and informally.  Housing is what makes places into cities, because cities [...]

Knowing your unknowns: Part 2, organization and governance

17 December, 2009 (13:21) | Housing, MEEs, Non-Profits, Theory, ULI, US News | No comments

By: David A. Smith
 
[Continued from yesterday's Part 1.]
 
Halfway through our list of tips from Helen Dunlap presented at the San Francisco ULI fall meeting, we’ve made it through the real-estate-related points.  Now come those that make the MEE thrive or wither.
 
8. Trust your board/governance structure. They are your partner. Keep them informed. Encourage them [...]

Knowing your unknowns: Part 1, real estate

16 December, 2009 (10:18) | Housing, MEEs, Non-Profits, Theory, ULI, US News | No comments

By: David A. Smith
 
At the fall ULI meeting in San Francisco, the Affordable and Workforce Housing Council heard an interesting and wise presentation from Helen Dunlap. 
 

Sorry, Helen, it was the only picture I could find
 
Helen, whom I’ve known for a decade and a half, has had a peripatetic career.  Starting at the California Housing [...]

What makes a good consultant? Part 3b, attributes of character

1 December, 2009 (10:48) | AHI, Consulting, Essential posts, MEEs, Markets, Public-Private Partnerships, Theory, US News | No comments

By: David A. Smith

 
[Continued from yesterday’s Part 3a.]
 
[Continued from the previous Part 2b and Part 2a, which dealt with services and activities.]
[A previous trio, Part 1a, Part 1b, and Part 1c, covered the rules of engagement with clients.]

 
“What one man can invent another can discover,” said Holmes.
The Adventure of the Dancing Men
 
 
As we conclude this lengthy examination [...]

What makes a good consultant? Part 3a, attributes of character

30 November, 2009 (12:00) | AHI, Consulting, Essential posts, MEEs, Markets, Public-Private Partnerships, Theory, US News | No comments

By: David A. Smith
 
[Continued from the previous Part 2b and Part 2a, which dealt with services and activities.]
[A previous trio, Part 1a, Part 1b, and Part 1c, covered the rules of engagement with clients.]
 
Now we come to the most interesting part of my narrative.  Not all those who are clever are cut out to be [...]