August 2005, Volume: 8, Issue: e/8, ISBN 1527-5175

~~~The hurricane tragedy is beyond our comprehension. Like ourselves, you have probably had thoughts comparing this with the tsunami destruction. We urge you to consider a donation to the Red Cross or some other organization which is providing food, clothing, shelter, etc. Encourage your colleagues to do the same. www.RedCross.org

~~~Share your experiences. We are interested in learning about innovative partnerships, collaborative programming, and/or joint services between Workforce Investment Boards and economic development organizations. For example, is your organization: working on workforce/economic development policy, undertaking joint projects like business retention visits, creating a joint professional conference to increase dialog, responding to company-specific workforce problems? What unique approaches have you seen others try? We are conducting this research in cooperation with Michigan Works! in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. There are only seven questions. Use the following link to share your experiences. As always, results will be shared with participants and through a future edition of ED Marketing Letter. http://www.jobforce.org/partnership/

~~~Global Insight presents... "Canadian Outlook Conference" Sept. 13 in Toronto. Canada's unemployment rate has reached its lowest level in decades. What are the implications? For further information, go to: www.globalinsight.com/events

~~~Fascinating conference... "World Economic Outlook Conference" Oct. 26-27 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. World experts on near- and medium-term risks facing the global economy will be addressed. Topics include: Ever-Growing Global Imbalances - Signs of a New Equilibrium or an Accident Waiting to Happen?, Europe at a  Crossroads, U.S. - How Rapid a Deceleration?, and China's Growing Regional Disparity. Additional information at: www.globalinsight.com/events/WEOC2005

~~~The Utility Economic Development Association (UEDA)... and Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management will hold an advanced executive education course entitled Strategic Economic Development Leadership, November 13-15, in Evanston, IL.  The course is geared towards state economic development agency directors, regional economic development executives and/or Chamber of Commerce directors.  The course is accredited by IEDC.  For more information visit the UEDA website: www.utilityeda.com/Senior_Exec_Education.asp

~~~Congratulations... to the 5 Synchronist System Users recognized by BREI for their model business retention programs. State BR&E Program: Economic Development Partnership of Alabama; Sustainable BR&E Program: Commonwealth Edison/Exelon and The City of Chicago, IL; Small Community BR&E Program: Industrial Development Authority of Winston County, AL and  Richland Economic Development Corporation, OH; Large Community BR&E Program: Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. Blane, Canada Ltd. was also recognized for the research based article, "Workforce Challenges." Learn from the project profiles on these model programs at the BREI web site; http://www.brei.org/membership/awards/2005Awards/2005win.htm 

~~~Now we've heard it all... AARC (American Association of Retirement Communities) is a national organization dedicated to promoting "Retiree Attraction" as an enhancement strategy to boost economic development in a community. Is this a Del Webb strategy? If you have to know more, go to: http://www.the-aarc.org

~~~The ad caught my eye... "How do we make innovation a strategy, not a sound bite?" Source unknown

~~~Best Advice, pass it on... Perhaps the best advice anyone ever gave me was, "Read the top 10 books on your profession/expertise every year!" Thanks Jim, your advice has been invaluable. Having practiced this since the mid 80's, I want to pass it on with a twist - select at least 3 of those books from outside your profession/expertise. I have found this practice gives me new perspective, triggers new thoughts, raises new questions (about my profession), and is invigorating. In that spirit, here are two books you might consider.    "Seeing What's Next: Using the Theories of Innovation to Predict Industry Change". Clayton Christensen, Scott Anthony, Erik Roth, 2004 A tough read, but worth the effort.    "Hardball: Are you Playing to Play or Playing to Win?" A thought provoking look at what it takes to survive and thrive in a global environment. George Stalk & Rob Lachenauer, 2004

~~~New Research Tool... Census Bureau announced a new analytical tool, Industry Focus, to the Local Employment Dynamics Web Site. This new analytic tool combines top industries and local workforce with many new features. In addition to generating a list of the top 3-digit NAICS industries or 2-digit NAICS sectors for a specified area and workers, analysts within the workforce and economic development communities can focus on a particular sector or industry to determine where it ranks among other industries. Then drill down to look at characteristics of those who work in that industry. Users can select one or more of eight labor market indicators to provide context to industry/workforce characteristics, as well as being able to select a single measure on which to rank. http://lehd.dsd.census.gov/led/ Industry Focus appears as the final menu selection under Quick Links on the right-hand side of the LED web page, or alternatively, can be accessed directly.  Source: Kevin Thompson - ETA Thompson.Kevin@dol.gov

~~~Fighting words... If you play the incentives game or defend policy on incentives you will want to read this book - "The Great American Jobs Scam," Greg LeRoy. We have not read it yet, but reportedly it is not necessarily new information, much of it has been stated before by those who oppose the use of incentive. Others tell us that details in cases they are familiar with are inaccurate. Whatever your position, Job Scam repackages the subject fanning the flames of debate. http://www.goodjobsfirst.org/

~~~We're not a negative group of people... however, have you planned for the destruction of your critical files in case of a disaster? We at Blane, Canada Ltd. have daily backup off site for all Synchronist users' data. This includes tens of thousands of files. Make sure your assets are covered!

~~~The National Business Incubation Association (NBIA)... has a number of interesting publications. Titles include: "Entrepreneur Magazine's Ultimate Small Business Marketing Guide", "Kitchen Table Entrepreneurs: How Eleven Women Escaped Poverty and Became Their Own Bosses, Persuasive Business Proposals",  "Public Policy and the Economics of Entrepreneurship", "Universities and the Development of Industry Clusters". Thanks, Dan Pawllitzke, for the info. Contact: http://www.nbia.org

~~~Global forces... are altering many communities. Stay in contact with area companies to avoid being caught off guard with an announced plant closing.

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

info@blanecanada.com