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"Economic Development Marketing Letter"
A Blane, Canada Ltd. Publication
Nationally Recognized Experts On Economic Development Marketing and Retention
October
2000, Volume 3, Issue e/10
~~~We
recently held the 2nd Annual Synchronist Users’ Forum with
attendees from across the country. We were exceedingly pleased with the caliber
of participant, level of interaction, and wealth of info shared. READ ON. ~~~Excuse us... we need to brag a bit. The “little” idea of developing a business retention survey has evolved into something quite SIGNIFICANT. Current users of our software system tell us that they easily go to their investors and business partners because they now have substantial information, which can be reported, quantified and tracked for, follow up. The Synchronist software system allows for staff-driven and/or volunteer-driven implementation. It encourages more consistent interpretation of data than previously available. It allows for an intense blitz of interviews OR a more evenly paced on-going program to data collection. For the first time in R&E (retention and expansion), a solid base of quantifiable AND subjective data allows a company-to-company comparison identifying companies of value to the local economy, growth companies, and companies at risk. Plus, the custom survey portion allows the user to investigate local issues. It also permits record keeping of historical data while being able to change questions as situations evolve in the community/region. In sum, it’s flexible. ~~~Heard at the Synchronist Users’ Forum: “All things ripple from the Synchronist program in our office.” (organization covers population base >1 million) “(Synchronist business retention system) manages the accumulated needs of industry and translates it into information we can share with city management.” “We’re using Synchronist to effect legislative change.” “The reporting function is amazing. It’s strategically focused...and the trend analysis is very helpful.” “We would never have been able to get to this point without these tools.” “We have some very aggressive plans of how we want to use Synchronist in our state. Our goal is stronger market analysis, and with Synchronist we can do this for the first time.” “Love that report (work force).”
Follow that
trend!... We place ourselves on numerous mailing lists in order to observe
trends, and we’re noticing that many of you are sending out the 5x8 post card
these days to capture an exec’s attention. Well, even though it was short, the
trend has nearly passed. Look at your daily mail to see that other industries
are doing the same. (Who is driving this, the PR firms?) Don’t get tossed in
with credit card offers, auto deals, and telephone solicitations. We challenge
you to stand out from the crowd. Consider a new direction for direct mail. SpeakerNet
News... was looking for software recommendations to manage an e-mail list and
the sending of a monthly e-newsletter. It was obvious why we were interested,
too! Basic capabilities were to manage subscriptions, removals, etc. Twelve
recommendations were received: 6 people
recommended egroups (http://www.egroups.com)
2 people
recommended topica (http://www.topica.com)
1 person was
pleased with listbot (http://www.listbot.com)
1 person
recommended sparklist (http://www.sparklist.com)
1 person
recommended mail-list (http://www.mail-list.com)
1 person
recommended starcomm (http://www.starcomm.com)
Those who recommended EGROUPS were extremely pleased with the ease of use, reliability and service. Many of these people had used LISTBOT or TOPICA in the past and said that EGROUPS is far superior. MAIL-LIST and SPARKLIST require monthly payments for their service, and possibly STARCOM. The other three offer free list services. For more information, check the article in PC Magazine that shared the results of testing and evaluating list services: <http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag/stories/reviews/0,6755,2428062.00.html> source: SpeakerNet News, 7/7/2000. Other options... According to Jerry Good in Ohio, he now e-mails his newsletters. He uses Act and WIN FAX PRO. It’s less costly, timelier, and less time consuming. Dubuque, IA’s Web based
database of job applicants can be accessed by human resource (HR) managers from
participating companies. They can search by many criteria including key word
searches. Updating is continuous. Speak of supply meeting demand! One of the
earliest Web based workforce recruitment programs, the program has drawn
thousands of resumes of people interested in moving back to Dubuque from across
the country. The Greater Dubuque Development Corp.’s effort has become a
national model. <http://www.dubuque-ia.com/jobs.cfm>
Good job Rick Dickinson and team! Best way... “for a company to distribute electronic brochures? Currently, we provide HTML and PDF formats of our available properties on our web site. I was wondering what the industry is doing...” Good question. What are you doing on your web sites? E-mail your comments to ecanada@ix.netcom.com Quote: Gary Hutton, Majestic Realty, Source: PikeNet Dispatch <http://www.pikenet.com> IT and HT... This is not a typo. We’re seeking definitions of Information Technology and High Technology. Each person has a different concept of each term. In Michigan, a TECHNOLOGY COMPANY is one with more than 25% of operating expenses devoted to R&D and its average minimum wage is 400% the average minimum wage. Other factors to consider when examining the IT/HT concentration in an area are in venture capital outlays, growth in this source of funding, the number of patents issued, and the number of scientists and engineers. Jon Bingol, MI Seeking definitions?... Remember, we have told you that the regional Federal Reserve branches are an excellent source of info. The Chicago branch’s Oct. 2000 newsletter covers the IT/HT subject. “...the high-tech measures of yesteryear offered little if any insight into future regional success and failure.” “Technology and ideas flow most readily among companies, entrepreneurs, and workers who reside and work in proximity.” And, as an interesting side bar, “...Michigan spends more on R&D for each dollar of gross state products than any other state.” Fed. Reserve Public Info. Office, Oct. 2000, Number 158, Essays on Issues newsletter, 312.322.5111 tel. or fax 312.322.5515 F.Y.I.... Just received a call to purchase a copy of our book, “Economic Development: Marketing for Results!” In response to being asked how he learned of the book, he indicated the ad agency he worked for was bidding on a state’s economic development program and that he was told this book was the best source for helping him hone his knowledge on the topic! Greater Louisville, Inc... annually takes local executives on a “field trip” to another community that has some unique characteristic(s) leadership wants to learn about. The most recent trip was to Austin, TX. Important stats: has one of the highest household incomes in the country, the average high tech worker makes over $60,000 per year, and Austin was rated Number One in the USA for highest percentage growth in per capita income. With such strong figures, the diverse economy flourishes well beyond the presence of Dell. Thanks for the info, Daryl Snyder, head of Greater Louisville, Inc.’s Customer Solutions Group. Valuable tips for verbal communicators... “You Are the Message,” by Roger Ailes. This energy-packed book offers highly practical advice from a man who has excelled as a professional communicator, beginning with television, then moving on to become a speechwriter and coach for former presidents Bush and Reagan. He now heads Fox News Network. Doubleday, 1995. ISBN: 0385427204 Aerials anyone... Here is a reader-recommended site that may be helpful. It contains aerial photos (bombardier style as opposed to obliques) for all of the U.S. Many of you have worked with MapQuest as a source for driving instructions. Think out of the box for other uses! <http://www.globexplorer.com> Hans Rosebrock, OH. Don’t hide... your insights and great ideas. Submit them to us for possible publication in a future issue of the Marketing Letter. Credit is always given. For example,... Graham Kreicker in Lawrence, KS wanted to respond to the consultant who located a sizable investment there and insisted that it would not have been landed without significant tax and property incentives. Where do you feel the trend is going? <ecanada@ix.netcom.com> Nancy & Eric... “Thanks for the easy read and intellectual diversion. I archive your web suggestions and pass on your quotes to my board. Keep up the good work forwarding the profession.” Jim Devine, CED FM Year 2001... Remember the possibilities with Synchronist software. Take your retention and expansion program to the next level! Build the Synchronist into next year’s budget. Call us for info. 630-462-9222
Blane, Canada Ltd.
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