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 December 2003, Volume: 5, Issue: e/12, ISBN 1527-5175

~~~This year-end 2002/early 2003 is being sent after everyone returns to their offices, and we can avoid all of the “out of office” messages.’-)

~~~2003 calendar of events... Help us build the calendar by placing the necessary info into our template. Provide significant events, dates, location, contact person, and tel. or e-mail. Only major statewide, regional and national events please. Go to: http://www.blanecanada.com/Newsletters/NL_2003/Submit.html

~~~Synchronist "fast facts"... users across North America...in Canada and all but 14 states...by chambers, municipalities, utilities, foundations, commissions, and corporations...successfully interviewing thousands of companies...gathering timely market intelligence...separating the wheat from the chaff or those with growth potential vs. those nearing the end of their life cycle. How can you avoid waiting any longer to have the pulse of your business base? Check out: http://www.synchronist.com

~~~PLEASE reach out... Our year-end e-mail newsletter always requests something of each reader. Consider the potential you have for donating/helping people who have experienced difficult times. There are so many in our country who are in need. You don't need to go far nor do you have to provide money.  What about your neighbors? Commit to clearing the snow from an elderly neighbor's driveway throughout the winter. If there is an individual confined due to illness or age, call him/her monthly to check on them and their needs. Donate something of yourself. Reach out and touch someone’s life. It doesn’t need to happen just at the end of the year.

~~~"In a society... which seeks only to make an impression, your personal goal must be to have an impact!" Quote: Dr. Rigsby, motivational speaker, Entergy/MS Team City Conference.

~~~ By the way... if you do create a PowerPoint presentation (yes they have value in some situations) take time to make sure word wrap, overlapping text, and other common problems don't make slides unreadable. You'd be surprised how often we see these problems on screen at major conferences.

~~~Improve communications... and understanding. Plan a meeting between your business and/or board members and developers. Have a neutral party moderate the discussion. Include issues as well as perceptions. There should be some good exchange of thoughts and a better understanding of current issues. We've employed that technique a number of times to raise the level of understanding.

~~~Balloons… shooting through the air at “The Physics of Marketing” conference we held in Chicago earlier this month. Why? To see what a group of ED pros can do with hot air? To follow the path of an ideal marketing plan? Or the alternative options a board can create? You’ll have to attend a future one to find out. Watch for the future dates.

~~~No problem… Are you a “no problem” economic developer? “No problem. We can move that bridge.” “No problem, we can build a new road.” If you can deliver on promises, then you’ve heightened your credibility. If you can’t, you’ll have a tarnished reputation.

~~~Read… our latest white paper, "The Missing Link: A Vision for R&E". The Missing Link is the third in an award winning series of Blane, Canada Ltd.'s internal research projects on R&E. The Missing Link is based on the findings of 18 months of research. Led by Blane, Canada Ltd., the research team included: Marie-Christine Pence, Cinergy/PSI, IN; Joe Reagan, Greater Louisville Inc., KY; and Brett Vassey, Virginia Manufacturers Association (formerly with Virginia Department of Business Assistance). http://www.blanecanada.com/frameset_Results.html

~~~Economic development… is very trendy, e.g., high tech, telecom, brownfields, etc. Be careful not to fall into the trap of following a fad. Create a program which is built on solid market evidence.

~~~Begin at home… Make sure your marketing plan covers local as well as distant communications.

~~~Cut backs and layoffs… can be turned into an opportunity. Even part time work is better than none at all. Consider the organizational vacancies you have and who might fill them on a part-time basis. With massive layoffs in industry and many employees exiting public service, this is the time to contact possible candidates. It can be a win-win situation.

~~~Tom's mad... "(Tom) Peters began in 'In Search of Excellence' as a gentle teacher who explained; he proceeded in subsequent books to serve as an adviser, then as an exhorter, and finally he became an evangelist, shouting at the top of his lungs.’ Why?’ Because nothing changed. Everyone said, 'We agree with you, Tom.' Then they went out and ignored him."  "The Invisible Touch" by Harry Beckwith ^^^^ well worth reading.

~~~Bad brand management... "We have gotten to the point where 'traditional' (banner and pop-up) advertising on the Web is probably an exercise in bad brand management." Do you want your organization to be seen as an irritant? Probably not. Quote: John Ellis, Fast Company Magazine 8/02

~~~When volunteers are treated with a "red carpet" attitude, they'll be more productive.

~~~Eliminating spyware... Spyware is Internet jargon for advertising-supported software (Adware). In general, spyware is any technology that aids in the gathering of information about a person without their knowledge by secretly gathering information about the user and relaying it to advertisers or other interested parties. Spyware enters the computer as a software virus or as the result of installing a new program or even accepting an e-mail greeting card. An excellent free program that effectively removes any suspected spyware from your system is called Ad-Aware. It is available from C|Net at http://download.com.com/3000-2094-10121984.html?tag=lst-0-1 for PC only. Ad-Aware goes through your system and cleans out any known spyware on your system. Run the program every couple of weeks to keep your system free of spyware. Source: Martin Dalziel (martin@u-deserve.com) via SpeakerNet News.

~~~There’s… a fine line between WOW and WOE.

~~~New logistics source… inbound LOGISTICS MAGAZINE 500-page Logistics Planner, a directory of transportation, technology and logistics resources. This is touted as the comprehensive resource on supply-chain management. Click to obtain a free copy. http://uuhttp.flonetwork.com/cgi-bin1/flo?y=eY4d0gBS70EL10FPsW0Af

~~~The only way... to make sure you can see your competition clearly is to innovate. When you set the direction and the pace, you will always know exactly where to find your competition - in your rear view mirror. This has always been our philosophy at Blane, Canada Ltd. Try it. It's addicting.

~~~Control… gives you the confidence to explore new horizons. Source: unknown

~~~Digital Format... “Marketer's Planning Guide”, the fill-in-the-blank companion to “Marketing for Results!,” has been updated and enhanced. The Guide now includes a detailed marketing plan, message management tools, as well as useful facilitation tools. Now with the digital format, you can begin crafting your marketing plan today using tools proven in the field. http://www.blanecanada.com/frameset_books2.html

~~~Confused cache... If you are an aggressive web surfer, you may experience some unexplainable problems viewing pages and completing forms. It could be a symptom of "confused cache." When you’re temporary Internet cache fills up, your browser will behave curiously. To remedy "confused cache" for MS Internet Explorer, go to tools, options, general tab then, under the heading temporary Internet files, click "delete files." Then, close and reopen your browser. You will be good to go for months.

~~~Random goals… without a resource allocation plan do not make a marketing plan.