April 2004, Volume: 7, Issue: e/4, ISBN 1527-5175

~~~"Anyone who has never made a mistake....has never tried anything new." Albert Einstein

~~~Business Assistance Hotlines... We asked for you to share info on ongoing programs. We heard from Chicago and Virginia regarding their successful systems:

From Virginia..."In Virginia, we established the Virginia Business Information Center (VBIV) in December 2002. It is a 1-800 and e-mail service through which we provide business assistance to Virginia businesses. VBIC has been a huge success. Contact volumes are now running 200-250 per week and requests for assistance through VBIC are running 300-400 per week. (On average each caller is asking for information on 2 subjects). About 40% of the questions are from start-up businesses, about 25% concern regulation, 15% are on expansion/retention issues and the rest are all over the board.  VBIC seems to work especially well for small businesses and we are looking for ways to make it more useful for medium and larger businesses. We continue to look for ways to partner with other state agencies and other Economic Development service providers to get the word out about VBIC. About 2/3 of the client contact is by phone and about 1/3 is by email.  This center is currently staffed by 2 seasoned people. We get the most compliments on the responsiveness of the service." Wayne Waldrop, Director, Existing Business Services, Virginia <waldrop@dba.state.va.us>

From Chicago... The 311 Business Express program became effective in 1998. This is the Chicago business community's link to city- and community-based programs that solve business problems. The objective is to solve complicated business issues through an efficient communications link to city government. Business people who call (312) 744-CITY are referred to a Business Express account manager who provides prompt problem-solving information relating to city regulations, services and business incentives.

Note: This telephone number is accessible only from within Chicago. Chicago's contact is: Ted O'Keefe, tokeefe@cityofchicago.org

~~~"The difference between genius and stupidity....is that genius has its limits." Jeff Thredgold, Thredgold Economic Associates

~~~80% of all jobs created come from existing businesses....New business attraction may seem more glamorous than business retention and expansion, but statistics don't lie. Work with your existing resources before searching for new ones. You may be surprised to see what you find.

~~~"Sweat the small stuff... The small stuff between the layoff and the expansion is what is important. Dan McDonald, Existing Industry Manager, Greater Dubuque Development (IA) and speaker at the 2004 "Advanced Business Retention" seminar.

~~~Where is your organization in its "life cycle"?... Is it in its infancy and growing, mature and stable, or declining? Each answer requires a different approach to managing the organization, funding, and expectations.

Take a close look at your organization and start to examine how it should be re-directed. (The "life cycle" test is one of numerous strategies Blane, Canada Ltd. uses for helping economic developers and their boards get a better handle on "where they're at" and "where they're going".)

 ~~~It's not an official group. It's more of a movement... but since we have talked about economic gardening as a strategy for economic development, you might want to check this out. The 2nd Annual Gathering of the Economic Gardening Clan will be held in Santa Fe, NM this year, Wed., June 9th - Fri., June 11th. Cathie Zacher, President, SFEDI will host. Questions, call Cathie or Carl at SFEDI, 505.984.2842. Missed last year's meeting because of a schedule conflict, but plan to attend this year?  Perhaps I will see you there.

~~~"They were very productive, very well-educated people doing sophisticated work in a high-quality way," says Tim Solso, CEO of Cummins Engines. "It was a huge competitive epiphany." What he concluded is that India is disrupting the world's economy much the way Japan did 30 years ago, when companies including Toyota dramatically improved the quality of car manufacturing. Cummins has manufactured engines in Pune, India for 42 years. But last year when Solso visited several other U.S. companies' Indian operations, including General Electric's John F. Welch Technology Centre in Bangalore, he said he was blown away by the depth and sophistication of what he saw.  Michael Oneal, Chicago Tribune, 4/5/04

~~~How large is the scope and capability of the Synchronist Business Information System?..."(Economic development) groups are gathering data about thousands of businesses already here and are entering the information into a central database. Using a web based software program called e-Synchronist, the various economic development groups will be able to determine what will help the businesses in their communities expand and create jobs. And based on certain data, the software will also alert the groups to companies that may have plans to relocate." Source: Denver Post, 3/8/04

~~~The ability... to execute strategy is as important as the quality of the strategy itself. How are our implementation skills?

~~~$30 million in capital investment... has been invested since 1999 through the Maine Technology Institute. MTI offers commercialization assistance. The program is complemented by the technology centers which support the following sectors: composites, biotechnology, information tech, environmental tech, precision manufacturing, aquaculture & marine technologies, and advanced technologies in forestry & agriculture. Many other states have similar operations, creating a concentration of focus to make an improved future more plausible.

~~~We were hit by 2 major viruses... last month. Each required a half to a full day to remedy. One of our computer gurus, John Lewis, thought our readers would appreciate a list of Virus Detection and Prevention Tips and offers the following recommendations:

When in doubt, always err on the side of caution. Do not open, download, or execute any files or email attachments you're not expecting.

Do not open any files attached to an email unless you know what it is, even if it comes from a dear friend. You can email the person to confirm that they indeed are sending something to you.

Update your anti-virus software regularly, i.e. weekly. Over 200 viruses are discovered monthly, so your chances of getting hit are increasing.

Back up your files regularly. If a virus destroys your files, have a back-up copy covering the period of time you feel can easily be replicated.

~~~Problem solvers... That's the role of economic developers. Firms in transition need HELP, not more process. In Louisville, that's why they're using titles such as managers of Client Solutions Group, High Impact Portfolio and Marketing Solutions Group. In Oklahoma's Department of Development, there's a Director of Business Solutions. The title implies forward thinking and problem-solving capabilities. Doesn't this imply a lessening bureaucracy, too?

~~~"Traditionally... economic development groups do not recognize the importance of such (retention) programs, are caught in a history that says the sole and most important mission of economic development is attraction or do not have the financial resource to begin such a program." Gail Conkey, Director, Business Services, Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada, Business Builders Article, Northern NV Business Weekly, 3/29/04

~~~Put a positive spin on the mundane... "Economic Impact Can Work in Reverse" was the title to a small article in a CALED Bulletin. "In 1999-2000, 10 new businesses moved to Nevada County, CA and three who were having expansion problems decided to stay...The economic impact these new and retained businesses had on the local economy was studied by CSU Chico's Center for Economic Development in 2002. The assessed positive impact was $10 million in income generated by 290 jobs, which produced $43 million in industrial output. These 13 businesses in turn spent $5.6 million per year, resulting in 72 additional supplier jobs in the community, producing 120 more service jobs, earning $27 million dollars. The multiplier effect, 290 new or retained jobs, created 482 jobs in total. CALED Bulletin Aug. 2003

~~~Retrenchment of call centers... due to relocations overseas can dilute the local economy. What skills are transferable or need to be developed?

~~~Higher unemployment can be an advantage... for neighboring towns and counties seeking to announce the availability of labor pools.

~~~"What I do best is share my enthusiasm." Bill Gates

~~~April seminars... held by Blane, Canada Ltd. yielded professional growth than can only be described by attendees. PHYSICS OF MARKETING _Gave me the tools to go back to my community and make some real and valuable contributions to our current marketing strategy. It was a very timely and stimulating program." IL

~~~Forward this newsletter... to 5 new economic development contacts in your area!

Blane, Canada Ltd.
1506 Cadet, Suite 100
Wheaton, IL 60187-7380
ph 630.462.9222
fax 630.462.9210

info@blanecanada.com