Based on Doug’s bestselling book, 13 Ways to Kill Your Community, the presentation is sometimes startling and often revelatory. Doug’s conversational style makes every member of the audience feel he is speaking directly to them about their own community. The anecdotes are delivered with both wit and wisdom, and in a way that ensures audience members are inspired and confident in their role to make their community, organization, or business successful.

Your audience will:

• Feel inspired and motivated;

• Find a renewed sense of ownership and responsibility toward the community in which they live;

• Recognize the challenges their community faces, and the reasons why it is challenged;

• Receive Basic tools to begin moving their community toward success;

• Laugh

The COVID-19 pandemic did not create change, but rather accelerated the change in consumer behaviour that was, well, inevitable. 13 Ways is dedicated to helping communities not only survive these pandemic changes but thrive despite them. We will deliver a fresh, engaging presentation focused on helping your local businesses thrive and your community succeed.

Our team will ensure that your community understands the ins and outs of economic success while addressing the changes in consumer behaviour – the shift from physical to digital engagement. We will help you learn more about your audience, understand their spending habits, and build stronger relationships with your fellow businesses. Be inspired by unique examples from other communities we've worked with. Make the most of the pandemic and succeed beyond it!

Disruptions have impacted almost every industry, but our communities have remained relatively unchanged in the last 50 years. That will not be the case in the very near future, and simply catching up to today will not work. Technological and social changes will challenge communities and those who are not prepared for what is coming will not prosper. You must be prepare for tomorrow today if you want to succeed.

Your audience will:

• Feel shock about the change coming to their community;

• Understand why they and others resist change, even when it is inevitable;

• Realize the greatest challenge to their community/organization is failing to be prepared;

• Give greater consideration to the opportunities created by change and how their community can take advantage of it.

1. Understanding How Consumer Behaviour has Shifted

Create an amazing experience (engaging your customers physically and digitally)

2. Supporting & Protecting Local

Ensuring businesses are doing everything they can to support customers to support their business

3. Know Your Audience

Businesses cannot be everything to everyone. Understand the spending habits of your target market

4. Be Inspired

Learn from unique examples locally and across the country on how to make the most of the pandemic and beyond

Don’t do the same things differently, do different things. Invite our specialists into your community to help your local businesses spice up their strategies. We'll assist your business in better understanding your target market, easing the transition from physical to digital engagement, and promoting these efforts to your local community.

It’s a tall order, but we’ll help you fill it!

Following in the footsteps of the original 13 Ways to Kill Your Community presentation, this spin-off tackles common mistakes we see every day in communities regarding their economic centres and chambers of commerce. Too many businesses are not equipping themselves with the tools and education to survive this retail shift and, as a result, many businesses are throwing in the towel needlessly.

This presentation will spark inspiration for communities to take their business in their own hands to make the necessary changes to ensure a vibrant economic core for their future.

Topics included: online shopping data, importance of aesthetics, experience over commodity retail, building your brand and demographic data, and trends, to name a few.

As downtowns across North America struggle to find innovative ways to deal with a myriad of challenges including hybrid work environments, crime, and increasing mental health and addiction crises, we invite you to join leaders working to preemptively shape the future rather than passively wait for change to happen. A unique, community-led and driven approach to downtown advocacy is redefining what our downtowns mean. Engage in a conversation on why it’s so important for city builders to give back to their community and help inform the next phase of growth for the economic centres we all know so well. Bring your questions and your experience to this conversation.

The world has shifted fundamentally. How we eat, spend money, have fun, get around and where we live, are changing. If we are not aware of the changes that are on the horizon, we collectively will be left behind. This presentation will spark inspiration for communities and businesses to take matters into their own hands to make the necessary changes to ensure a vibrant future. This is an exciting, albeit overwhelming, endeavour which will ultimately lead us to be stronger and equipped for success … if we are paying attention.

Topics Include:

• Consumer Behaviour Analysis

• Demographic Habits

• Metaverse and digital tools

• Changes in Transportation

• How We Work

• Where We Live

And most importantly how to capitalize on these opportunities!

Doug Griffiths, celebrated author of the internationally best-selling book 13 Ways to Kill Your Community and renowned speaker, has redefined the conversation around what it takes to build thriving communities. In his newest presentation, The Seven Essentials, Doug distills years of research, practical experience, and hard-hitting truths into an inspiring and actionable roadmap for success.

This dynamic session goes beyond surface-level solutions, offering a deep dive into the critical steps every community and organization must take to achieve long-term growth and prosperity. With his signature mix of humor, wisdom, and candor, Doug will challenge outdated mindsets, inspire bold action, and empower you to tackle the pressing issues holding your community back.

Discover the seven essential elements of enduring success, understand the pitfalls to avoid, and gain the clarity and confidence to embark on transformative change. Whether you’re a community leader, business professional, or someone passionate about building a better future, this presentation will ignite your vision and provide the tools to make it a reality.

Key Takeaways

• A Proven Roadmap for Success: Learn the seven foundational elements that every community and organization needs to thrive and how to put them into action effectively.

• Insight into Common Pitfalls: Understand the critical mistakes many communities make and how to avoid them, drawing on lessons from 13 Ways to Kill Your Community.

• Practical Strategies for Immediate Impact: Discover actionable steps you can take right away to create momentum and inspire lasting change in your community or organization.

• A Fresh Perspective on Leadership and Collaboration: Explore how strong leadership and effective teamwork are essential to building a resilient, successful future.

• Motivation and Tools to Drive Change: Leave feeling empowered, equipped with real-world examples and strategies to spark transformation and overcome challenges.

This session is your opportunity to move from ideas to action and build a foundation for enduring success!