First and ’10

As we prepare to watch two teams not named the Browns play in the Super Bowl, I am reminded of an old football mantra: If you have two quarterbacks, you really have no quarterback.

The idea is that if you don’t have a visible leader on the field, the team will not know how to react to adversity in a productive way. Players will either give up or try to forge their own paths to victory. What you end up with is no team at all but a collective mess. The losses pile up, and it gets harder to execute a coherent game plan. We saw this firsthand with our beloved Browns.

Likewise, every successful venture needs a leader to see it through. For the first time since Alan Spitzer faced off with George Voinovich in the 1990s, we had someone put his face on the gaming issue. Dan Gilbert wagered his reputation and led this fall’s Issue 3 campaign.

He didn’t hide behind an anonymous citizens group. He made himself available for the tough questions and communicated why he thought casino gambling was good for Ohio. The opposition was forced to show their wizard hiding behind the curtain, and it turned out to be Jeff Jacobs, an owner of a competing, out-of-state casino.

We have seen what Gilbert has done with the Cavaliers and his other businesses. He is a proven leader, and it’s because of his backing and tenacity that a casino will now be built here after every previous Ohio gaming issue failed to win public support.

At the same time, we have a Medical Mart and convention center project that is in a nosedive, seemingly jinxed by a lack of leadership at the county level.

But let’s not forget our city’s motto: “There’s always next year.” Last fall’s overwhelming passage of Issue 6 ensures that we’ll get the chance to elect a proven leader for Cuyahoga County, one who will have the power to get things done. For the first time since many Clevelanders first started migrating to the suburbs, one person will represent the majority of citizens living in the region and be able to set a focused vision for the future.

This comes just in time because we have a pipeline of ideas on the table: the redevelopment of the Flats, a new Innerbelt bridge, a yet-to-be-built Opportunity Corridor and a reconceived port, to name just a few. I’m not suggesting the new county executive will be in charge of all these projects or have autocratic authority. There will be a regional council to answer to, and our ultimate success or failure will rely heavily on the many great civic and business minds in our community. This month’s Power 100 issue showcases the incredible leaders we have here.

This is the best opportunity to provide new growth for our region since the early ’90s when Gateway and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum were being built. Imagine what our city would be like today if those projects had failed.

Now it’s up to us to choose the leader with the ability to move Northeast Ohio forward. It’s like we have the No. 1 pick in the draft and all the hope and excitement that comes with it. Let’s just make sure we don’t throw this opportunity away.

Program Notes

Don’t worry, my father’s column is not going away. He continues to work harder in his supposed retirement years than anyone I have ever met, and his column will be returning in the next issue. Although, I may occasionally sneak in a few more thoughts of my own.

You will also notice that Inside Business has been redesigned to be bigger and better, and our frequency is now every other month. This allows us to add more depth to each issue and provide the quality product you deserve and one that represents our region’s business community with more distinction.

Credit art director Chris Valantasis for executing a dynamic vision for the new Inside Business. You’ll notice instantly the more vibrant color palette with greens, reds and blues replacing the heavy blacks and more subdued tones. We recognize your passion for business and wanted to reflect that in our energy on the page.

And as you can see, our columnists have gotten their own stylized illustrations — something we feel matches their unique voices in the marketplace.

We’ve also expanded our events coverage. Part of being a great magazine involves building a community, a collection of business enthusiasts here at Inside Business, that exists beyond the printed magazine. We already do that through our many awards and events throughout the year. Now, we’re giving you more opportunities to create those connections by dedicating significant space to a calendar of events where you can find places to network, learn and build your business.

We hope you’ll appreciate all the other details that add up to an improved magazine because in my father’s words, “never do anything half-ass.” Maybe that will be the focus of his next column.

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