On Wednesday, Troup County’s young professionals group, also known as HYPE, met up with renowned communications expert Bill Graham to discuss what makes ideas “sticky” and how the concept of sticky ideas can be used to make LaGrange more attractive for young people and businesses considering moving here.

Graham is a regular speaker in LaGrange and has spoken on marketing and communication topics at a variety of Chamber of Commerce-sponsored events.

According to Graham, the best concepts for vision statements and branding can be summarized in six points. Those ideas are simple, unexpected, concrete, credible, emotional and have a story.

“Find your core message, and simplify it,” said Graham.

Following the talk, small groups came up with sample ideas for seven or less word phrases that encapsulate why LaGrange is a good place to live, work and open a business, which were then critiqued by Graham, based on the guidelines described in his speech.

For more information about “sticky” ideas, check out the book Graham uses in many of his talks: “Made to Stick,” by Chip Heath and Dan Heath.