Today, economic development is complex and fast moving. For this reason, it is important to get your bearings in a networked economy. The Innovation Framework (provided courtesy of Ed Morrison) is a simple map of five areas of investment for prosperous, sustainable communities. 

The questions below help us to think about our orientation in a networked economy (where we are on the map), our relationship to other enterprises on the map, and where the gaps are - the new innovation opportunities. 

Here are questions to consider in the orientation of your business in a networked economy:

1. Locate Your Work on the Innovation Framework Map
1. Which area on the map does your work connect to?
   
1. Enhancing Brainpower?
   
2. Building Innovation & Entrepreneurship Networks?
   
3. Enriching Quality, Connected Places?
   
4. Ensuring Dialogue & Inclusion?
   
5. Marketing and Branding?
2. How is your work connected to economic development?
3. How does your work contribute to prosperity and legacy building for future generations?
2. Thinking Broadly
1. What is the intent of the activity involved?
2. What do business leaders need to know, be mindful of, and why?
3. How is every citizen affected?
4. What is the impact on the community? The region?
3. Looking into the Future
1. From your perspective, what is the next biggest opportunity for your community, or region?
2. How is this different from what exists?
3. What does the opportunity look like? Who would be involved? What are the first next steps?
4. What is in your way of success?
4. Related  Industries
1. Is this idea made up of more than one industry sector?
2. What sectors are closely related and considered indispensable?
3. What sectors are needed for their services, and considered external?
5. Networks
1. Who would you like to be connected to, but are not?
2. Who do you envision helping you?
3. What skills do you need to connect to?
4. What are your next steps?
6. Resources and capabilities
1. What resources do you need, but do not have access to? People? Places? Tools?
2. What assets do you have? What can you share?
3. What organizations or institutions could contribute? How?