Completing the Circle

COMPLETING THE CIRCLE Insuring that our

message is heard!

When was the last time you said . . . I thought they understood that . . . I was sure we had their support ... I know they know why we’re doing this .

. .If they don’t get it . . .

It’s not their fault ... It’s yours!

Communications-The Soft Side of the Building Blocks

We know that leadership needs to “get it” before things happen.

We know that we need to build strong base elements to support economic growth.

We also know that we just can’t build the lower levels and be done.

Every project changes the conditions in the community and make us readjust our building

blocks.

It’s a Circle . . . and any break in the circle,halts our progress ...

and while I’m sure that all of us as Economic developers

understand this ...

Circles of Communication

Organizational

StateCommunity

How do we make sure that our boards, our local and our state

officials “get it” too?

Our challenge as economic developers is to make sure that

the right message is heard at the appropriate levels.

What is the message you are sending?

Is it the right one?

What are the Messages?

Organizational Target Audience

Board Investors

Messaging Who are we ? What do we do? What have we done? (lately) What are we doing now and

why?

Community Target Audience

City Council County Government Community at Large

Messages What have we done for the community? Who has it helped? What effect did it have on our community? What is the next project and Why?

Regional or StatewideTarget Audiences

State and Federal Agencies (funders) State Legislators U.S. Senate and Congress

Messages What have we done and who has it

served? What effect has it had and how will this

continue to benefit constituents? What programs were important in

making this happen? What are our future opportunities?

(policy makers)

Why is Messaging Important? Local Support – Only as good as your

last hit! Statewide Program Support Federal Support

We are only as good as the tools we have available!

Ways to Carry Your Message!

Person to person Media – newsletters etc. Website Presentations Success stories: yours, WEDA’s,

WBC’s…

Tools to help you with your story

Synchronist Surveys Regional Project Assessment System

(RPAS) First hand information – Your Story!

Synchronist Surveys Survey instrument designed to help answer:

What is the company’s value to the community? What is the growth potential of the company? Is the company at risk of downsizing or relocating? What is the company’s level of satisfaction with

the community Are there problems in the community that pose a

threat to businesses? Are there untapped opportunities that can be

leveraged?

Communicating your story

Regional Project Assessment System (RPAS) An estimate of the economic and

revenue impacts based on assumptions and present knowledge about future company operations.

Work with your WBC Regional Director. Minimum inputs

# Employees Annual Payroll Industry Type

Acme Anvil, LLCInputs Industry type: Fabricated Metals 16 jobs Annual payroll: $806,000 8,600 Square Feet shop/office building Annual lease: $36,000

Quick & Dirty Impacts Acme Anvil

21 direct, supplier and consumer jobs $982,908 in direct, supplier &

consumer income $29,113 local tax revenue $12,188 state tax revenue

Completing the Circle It is imperative for you to articulate

your successes! Identify those people – commissioners,

city council, legislators and program managers who need to hear about what your are doing!!

TELL THEM!!!!!

Blowing your horn isn’t bragging It’s insuring

your future!