Introducing The Groundbreakers' Referral Program

Benefits include selecting research projects, and video meetings organized to tackle innovation ecosystem challenges of interest to you.

The Groundbreakers’ Reason For Being

My newsletter exists to illustrate how the deep interconnectedness between lab and community — between research and society — builds a better world. The translation of research and innovation into communities worldwide, from the built environment to economic and social well-being, provides fascinating insight each place’s unique strengths and needs.

Accomplishing that mission involves sharing innovation ecosystem content widely and informatively. As I wrote yesterday, that involves a more open business model, new forms of content, and expanded coverage.

The deep interconnectedness between lab and community — between research and society — builds a better world.

Beta Referral Program

I raise this in the context of launching a beta referral program. The importance of referral programs for publications like mine can’t be understated; traction in the form of “like and subscribe” is as necessary for me as it is for hyperactive YouTubers. The challenge, of course, lies in identifying and providing rewards that are truly motivating. Not easy!

The only way to crack the problem is to begin, and see what works. I’m going to start with two options and a poll. I’ll use feedback from these to refine the referral program and, hopefully, end up with something most of us find helpful.

Even referral programs begin with a little experimentation.

Please share!

When you use the referral link below, or the “Share” button on any post, you'll get credit for any new subscribers. Simply send the link in a text, email, or share it on social media with friends.

It’s Worth the Effort.

When more connections use your referral link to subscribe, you’ll receive benefits.

1. Personalized research project (5 referrals): The unique, ever-evolving nature of innovation ecosystems raises any number of fascinating questions and opportunities. What’s the one thing you would like to know more about? Based upon your request, I will produce research and content for The Groundbreakers addressing your area of interest, and provide you with early access to the content.

2. Innovation ecosystem challenge (10 referrals): Every ecosystem poses specific innovation-oriented challenges. What’s yours? To address it, I’ll host a 1-2 hour, 3-4 person video call with your industry peers. We’ll dedicate the time to the challenge you’d like to tackle. With everyone’s permission, I will share the meeting files with each attendee, and produce content for The Groundbreakers featuring your local innovation ecosystem.

The translation of research and innovation into communities worldwide, from the built environment to economic and social well-being, provides fascinating insight each place’s unique strengths and needs.

What’s Coming

• Starting next week, TGB will publish innovation ecosystem profiles from Kingston, Ontario and Lincoln, Nebraska. Also in the works: a supercluster profile, and profiles from Malawi, California, Liberia, Alberta, Montana and Nigeria. These will publish once or twice a week.

• Starting this month: Research Summaries and Success Factors. Each will publish monthly, each update will contain selections of inter-related research summaries and success factors.

• Rolling surveys will begin distributing to readers and beyond this month. Once a surveyed group generates a sufficient volume of responses, I will publish a free summary and an in-depth value-added report for paid subscribers.

• Your personalized research project, and your innovation ecosystem challenge.

Thank you for helping get the word out about The Groundbreakers!