For some strange reason I’m on the judging panel for the Birmingham Post’s Power 50 this year. Christ knows why as I tend to avoid people with any real power but what the hell, it should be interesting and help fuel my paranoia about whether I’m a fucking sell-out establishment pawn these days, which keeps me on my toes.
Before that, though they need to draw up a longlist and have asked “200 of the most influential and well connected people in the region” to nominate two people. I appear to be one of those people. Go me and my blogging prawess. One of them has to be from my field and another can be anyone old person as long as they’re, y’know, powerful and that. Whatever power actually means, which I guess is one of the questions.
My problem is anyone I know who I think is worthy of this mighty crown is also going to be my friend and while that’s probably the way these things work I like to think the Internet has taught me better. So I’m leaving it up to you folks. Give me someone form the field of blogging and someone else from Birmingham in the comments please.
CRITERIA
The candidates will be assessed on their performance in each of the following:
1. ACHIEVEMENT & LEGACY
What has the contender actually achieved to date? What are their tangible attainments in terms of power and influence? How many lives have they already affected? What is their current sphere of influence?
This is designed to distinguish from contenders whose performance may be spectacular, but only on a short term basis – or limited to one narrow sector -, against those whose contribution will leave a lasting legacy for the wider community.
2. INFLUENCE
How influential is the contender, not only in his/her own discipline but also across other sectors. The influence of the contender should also be judged against different groups. For instance, does the influence extend across the whole age profile of the city and region or is it solely confined to one age group? How engaged are they or their activities in different ethnic communities?
3 CHARISMA
Does the contender have the power to inspire others? Is he/she regarded as inspirational and as a role model? Do they have other personal qualities such as excellent communication or collaborative skills that characterise real leadership ability?
4. POTENTIAL
What is the contender’s ability to grow and improve? Does he/she show great promise as a future leader/entrepreneur? Is the person a pioneer of a movement / technology / industry that may have an enormous impact on our lives in the future?
In addition to the above, the judges will be asked to consider contenders’ ambassadorial qualities. Is he/she a person Birmingham and the West Midlands can be proud of?
i’d say bounder from the blogging field for bins, & aeioux from ‘industry’ (i see stef much more in those terms than as a blogger).
i realise they’re both your friends…
John Tighe. It’s good to have someone who represents either two-fingered commmunity spirit or who serves as an inspiration. John seems to fit both criteria. I would add various other people like Harry Palmer in the latter category.
It’s also pretty obvious that Joanna G has been quite influential in raising the new media profile. I suppose there’s a risk of the Post seeming to award itself accolades, but I think they’re on safe ground here.
Obviously Stef and the Flower Pot Man!
It will be very interesting how many names the two hundred of you come up with and how many times you nominate each other!
With you passion for music Clare Edwards would be a good bet – I think Paul Bradshaw makes phenomenally good use of social media and is shaping the future of his industry.
Tuppence spent.
Rich Batsford for his quiet and lengthy influence on the music scene.
Josh Hart for continually reinventing a multiplicity of aspects of B’ham on the interweb.
Rhonda Wilson of Rhubarb Rhubarb?
There are so many people who have influence, in all sorts of ways (both positive and negative), a lot of whom do not have high public profiles, just work tirelessly in their communities, enriching lives etc.
I commented on this list last year for its lack of female contenders.
last years blog posting
This year I’m thinking what’s it all for? Power 50 list – why?
Sorry for being a party pooper
Well said, Charlotte.