BCL Home Page Subscribe to Newsletter
"Economic Development Marketing Letter"
A Blane, Canada Ltd. Publication
Nationally Recognized Experts On Economic Development Marketing and Retention
http://www.blanecanada.com
http://www.synchronist.com
November 2005, Volume: 8, Issue: e/11, ISBN 1527-5175
~~~Who rates a 4.5 on a 5.0 scale... for presentation, content, and materials? Eric Canada's October program on "Advanced Business Retention". That score is significant because of the high level of economic development talent among the participants.
~~~The Sixth Annual Forum of Synchronist Users... was also held in Chicago in October. The following people were awarded recognition because of their unique use of the Synchronist software as the base of a new existing business strategy. For details on each person and organizational accomplishment, check out these best practices: http://www.blanecanada.com/successstory.html
Profiling Fast Growth Companies - Greater Louisville, Inc. - Lisa Bajorinas
Turning Lemons into Lemonade_ -Tennessee Valley Authority & Mississippi Development Authority - Amy Bunton, TVA Gina Everetts, TVA Ken Johnston, MDA
Media Magic - Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce, NC Jerry Saunders
Cluster Analysis: Driving resources to portfolios of companies - Campbell River EDC Rivercorp, British Columbia, Canada Patrick Marshall
Cross Selling Synchronist Info - Economic Development Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology Greg King
Program Success & Sustainability Through Longevity - Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Steve Sparks
Growing the Base - Longmont Area Economic Council, CO - Wendi Nafziger
Voice of the Customer - Rockford Area Economic Development Council, IL Mark Podemski
Privileged Information - Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, TX - Susan Davenport
Enhancing the Competitiveness of Local Businesses Through Collaboration - Greater Colorado Springs Economic Development Corporation Kara Roberts
Engaging Local Business Leaders: Assistance Referral by Committee - Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce Steve Russell
Increasing Reach Through Relationship Building - Savannah Economic Development Authority Lee Grimes
Tireless Champion - Birmingham Area Chamber of Commerce - Brian Murphy & Griffin Lassiter
~~~Benchmark your accomplishments... What criteria is used to measure your accomplishments? Helps and saves? Square footage or acreage of new facilities? Investments made? Jobs created? Types of jobs created? Partnering with local organizations where it has not been done before? New industry introduced to your territory? Let us know what criteria you believe is most appropriate. nblane@blanecanada.com
~~~Patents in Commerce... is a training system for inventors and innovators providing tools needed to take an idea from concept to commercialization. The program consists of 20 DVDs covering 30 hours of training from over 20 experts, 20 research workbooks and software. US Bank and Wells Fargo have helped finance this program in California and seven Midwestern states, with rollout expected nationwide. Check for more info: www.patentsincommerce.com Article found in CALED Bulletin, Spring 2005
~~~The ED/CEO... Blane, Canada Ltd. is looking for economic development executives (CEO, President, Director, Manager) with an MBA. If you have an MBA and are the chief executive of an economic development organization or know someone with these credentials please contact Eric at ecanada@blanecanada.com or 630-462-9222. Respondents will be asked to participate in a 20-minute interview in November.
~~~Productivity sink... All those tech tools surrounding you could be having a negative effect on your productivity. "With all the high tech communications tools available on our desks today, it's amazing any actual work gets done at all," notes Jonathan Spira, CEO and Chief Analyst at Basex. The report, "How Interruptions Impact Knowledge Worker Productivity," notes knowledge workers can be their own worst enemy. Poor self restraint - opening e-mails as they arrive and instant messaging - disrupt productivity. The four most distracting technologies: e-mail, phone, instant messaging, and web surfing. This is an excellent subject for 1) staff meeting discussion and 2) policy. Source: InfoWorld
~~~Relationship sink... Closely related to the negative impact of technology tools on productivity is their ability to "stress" a relationship. The first foray was the cell phone and the 24/7 access it provided. Now, with the morphing of the PDA/Phone, the challenge escalates. Recently while out with a group one evening, three individuals repeatedly checked their "toys." Only one had a sick child at home. The others were "present but unaccounted for" in the gathering. Building relationships is difficult to do with constant distractions and interruptions. Again, self discipline is critical.
~~~Strategic planning vs. strategic execution... require different skill sets in the corporate environment, as well as in economic development. The Wharton School's Professor Hrebiniak states that execution requires a disciplined process, a point at which managers fall short. Explore more details in his book, "Making Strategy Work" by Wharton School Publishing, Jan. 2005
~~~Free venture capital directories... Responding to a question at Blane, Canada Ltd.'s "Advanced Business Retention" course in Chicago, George Harben of Greater Paducah (KY) EDC offered the following sources for contacts in the VC world. http://www.vfinance.com and http://www.infon.com/.
~~~Economic Development professionals... in these changing economic times need the courage to change business practices that need to be changed, the serenity to accept those that cannot be changed, and the wisdom to know the difference. Source: borrowed with pride from the aviation industry
~~~In a crowded market place... all other things being equal, the one with the most relevant information wins!
~~~Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ)... can be useful in retaining and expanding select local companies. When on your existing business calls, discuss a zone or sub-zone and its potential benefits to local companies. For additional information, go to: http://www.foreign-trade-zone.com/
~~~The nation's fastest growing MSA, Las Vegas... used to consist of three counties, but was shrunk down to just one because the two adjacent counties are now developed enough to be classified as "metropolitan" area of their own. By spinning off these slower growing outlying areas, Las Vegas' employment growth over the past 15 years increased from 123% to 133%. Source: Global Insight, Mar, 2005
Blane, Canada Ltd. 1506 Cadet, Suite 100 Wheaton, IL 60187-7380 ph 630.462.9222 fax 630.462.9210
info@blanecanada.com
