2019 program of work€¦ · prosper omaha 2.0 (the five-year comprehensive economic development...

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2019 Program of Work

The Greater Omaha Chamber accelerates growth and prosperity in the region. We are advocates, catalysts and partners combined into one of the country’s largest and strongest chambers, representing 3,000 area businesses. This plan incorporates the strategy and work of Prosper Omaha 2.0 (the five-year comprehensive economic development strategy) with a variety of ongoing actions to support the membership base. Four focus areas guide our 2019 actions: Business Growth, People, Place and Core Services.

The subsequent pages summarize the strategic focus of this year’s actions, the annual success measures and

the general goals that will direct day-to-day activity. In total, the human resources necessary to accomplish this

program of work include a staff of approximately 70 individuals, 1,000 volunteers and dozens of partner

organizations.

Policy guidance and leadership are provided by the Executive Committee and Board of Directors, supported by approximately 60 councils and committees. Executive leadership is provided by the Chamber president/CEO, two senior vice presidents, a Chief Financial Officer and a Chief Information Officer. Chamber staff is structured into three divisions: Office of the President, Economic Development and Innovative Services.

The financial resources are reported in the combined operating budget of $9.3 million. The largest revenue

sources in 2019 include: Prosper Omaha 2.0 contributions, membership dues and special events. The largest

areas of expenditures in 2019 include personnel and benefits, promotion (which includes event expenses) and

professional and consulting fees (which include additional project or program assistance). The various

program resources (which include staffing expense) are shown on the following pages.

The organization’s financials are reported monthly and progress on this program of work is reported quarterly

to the Chamber Board of Directors. A copy of this document, as well as the quarterly progress reports, will also

be available on OmahaChamber.org.

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Business Growth

To accelerate business growth in the region, we will focus on building the capacity, innovation and

competitiveness of our core industries; attracting and building new knowledge-based businesses; nurturing a

dynamic community of innovation and startups; and supporting small business success. We will conduct a

wide range of actions to spur business growth in order to increase the regional GDP growth rate as well as to

support local individual business success.

Overall Annual Benchmarks:

2,000 jobs

$100M in new payroll

$600M new investment

50 new tech startups

Improvement in competitive standings (Brookings Institution Metro Monitor)

Goals Annual Success Measures

Resources

Expenses Revenue Committees/Partners

Business Attraction and Business Retention

200 Prospects

40 New Projects (6 international)

400 BRE Visits

2,000 Jobs ($50,000 avg. salary)

$600M Capital Investment

$563,020

$30,000

Economic Development Council; Ag, Advanced Manufacturing, Site and Data Center Tags; NDED; Partners; Executive Committee and Board members; IEDA

Conduct target industry market segmentation research and regional promotion

Update marketing and presentation materials (Prezi training, on-going blogs and social media)

Conduct business events (data center days, emerging tech event, conventions, hosting, etc.)

Make 100 out-of-market HQ and recruitment visits, conferences (Seattle, Dallas, Atlanta, Silicon Valley, New York City, Denver, Chicago)

Support local business growth through 400 business retention/expansion visits

Enhance the development of international business


Resources


Client Services

100% on time delivery

100% project follow up

Host 60 client visits

$337,717

$10,000

Data Center Tag, utility partners, existing employers, educational institutions, governmental units, other partners/allies

Provide “best in class” RFI responses and project management

Ensure 100% of project data is entered into Growth Zone

Increase awareness of the Greater Omaha region as an ideal data center location based on low total cost of operations, geographic location and connectivity

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Resources


REACH And Small Business Assistance

50 contracts totaling at least $3M

800 Hours of Instruction

250 1:1 Consulting

20 Firms receive credit remediation

12 new startups

$360,132

$360,000

REACH Council, Building Business Council, City of Omaha, Metro Community College, Omaha Public Schools, UNMC, NBDC, SCORE, SBA, Nebraska Enterprise Fund, 75 North, a variety of A&E firms, general contractors and other businesses

Conduct small business education for REACH participants (ex. technical assistance in plan reading and estimating for bids, establish and grow bonding lines, etc.)

Conduct a wide range of small business educational sessions and joint technical assistance that promote business acumen and financial literacy (ex. accounting, marketing, procurement, etc.)

Conduct and/or participate in project outreach and events, identify appropriate SEBs to engage in procurement opportunities


Resources


The Startup Collaborative

50 Startups $504,690 $190,200

Building Business Council, corporate sponsors, Invest Nebraska, NDED

Increase the quality of leads and scale starting up by open sourcing the “starting point to start up” (formerly known as levels 1 and 2)

Be capitally-competitive and company-accelerating with earlier stage capital by establishing a regional venture fund to support 100 capital-worthy companies

Work alongside corporate community to identify opportunities for new startup creation


Resources


The Kitchen Council 21 members $165,508 $64,550

Iowa West Foundation, Council Bluffs Chamber, various other partners

Grow Kitchen Council membership, up 200% from 2018 to 8 - 24/7 members, 8 – night and weekend members, 5 associate members

Increase visibility and followership – blog views up 100%, newsletter subscriptions up 50%, avg. 30 event attendees, increase social media followers by 100%

Launch member curriculum

Improve community outreach – monthly communications, 5-6 advisory committee meetings

Operate the facility with excellence

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People

Central to sustainable business growth is the availability of a qualified workforce. We will work with businesses,

schools and other partners to deliver programs and services to attract new talent to the market, support the

training and development of existing workers, retain and grow our young professionals, and expose area

students to future career pathways. To strengthen our talent and community, we will continue to offer

exceptional leadership development programming and launch CODE, our Commitment to Opportunity,

Diversity and Equity for Greater Omaha.


35 companies engaged in diversity and inclusion initiatives

500 new trained tech talent workers

20,000 career experiences for area students

500 people retrained for higher skill, higher wage jobs

Improvement in competitive standings (Brookings Institution Metro Monitor)


Resources


Talent and Workforce

35 Employers signed on to CODE

2,500 engaged YP

20,000 Career Experiences

500 Upskilled/ Retrained Workers

500 Tech Workers

$471,696

$101,000

Talent Council, YP Council, Employer work group, Education committee, MOEC, STEM Ecosystem, E Day planning committee, Metro CC, Iowa Western CC, HRAM, WorkLab Omaha Advisory committee, WorkLab Innovations

Retain and develop workers through the CODE employer coalition and young professionals programming

Support system alignment and programming to provide career experiences for area students through programming such as Careerockit, Education Career Continuum, Engineering Day and Educator Internships

Attract workers by launching a talent attraction campaign with college students, boomerangs, job candidates, tech workers and visitors

Support system alignment and programming to reach 500 people retrained for higher skill, higher wage jobs by launching WorkLab Omaha

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Resources


Diversity and Inclusion

35 Employers signed on to CODE

Implement Diversity and Inclusion Summit

$212,025

$91,400

Talent Council, CODE Council, YP Council, DEI Group

Increase diversity throughout the region’s workforce including all levels of employment.

Assist companies in achieving an increase in employee satisfaction and inclusion ratings among diverse groups.

Provide leaders, professionals and D&I practitioner’s opportunities for dialogue, education and training

Increase community and quality of life satisfaction for underrepresented populations.

Create networking opportunities, support and mentorship for members of underrepresented populations.

Support the development of minority owned businesses by building capacity, eliminating barriers and increasing opportunities through supplier diversity initiatives.

Grow the CODE employer coalition, programming and strategic plan


Resources


Leadership Development

45 LO graduates

Positive attendee feedback on programs

$244,044

$236,412

LO Curriculum Committee and Selection Committee, LOAA Committee, TLC Committee, HIRE Committee, Creighton University, MindSet LLC, other content delivery partners and area business leaders, Candidate Recruitment Council

Develop and connect effective community leaders through Leadership Omaha and Leadership Omaha Alumni programming

Bring senior-level executives together to build understanding of the environment in which they are now doing business through Omaha Executive Institute

Equip members of the talent acquisition/recruiter community with best practices and connections though The Landing Crew and the HIRE Conference

Provide candidate recruitment and recognition

Develop leaders through member programming with Boss & Co., podcast episodes, sales seminars, and emerging leader sessions

Conduct staff development to strengthen Chamber staff skills utilizing leadership team training and abilities

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Place

People and businesses are attracted to live, work and play in vibrant and inspirational places. Place-making is

the foundation on which business growth and talent efforts are built. Our work in this area includes targeted

development and redevelopment efforts such as intentional connection of strong downtown cores throughout

the region, developing an enhanced transportation system, continuing bold image building efforts and the

building of strong assets and partnerships.


$200M investment in urban core

Transportation plan completed

55M marketing impressions

Improvement in competitive standings (US News & World Report Annual Best Places to Live)


Resources


Brand and Image 55M Impressions

800 Stories/pick-ups $373,778 $0

Brand and Image Council, various civic and business partners

Create campaigns that generate the actions desired through advertising/content marketing, social/digital, SEO/Google ad words and other advertising

Proactively create content and push it out through national media pitches and various channels (book, magazine, blog, social, sponsored, etc.)

Continue to increase local brand awareness and adoption (ex. 24 hours of impact, WDC merchandise, business and ambassador engagement, 6 key event placements, etc.)


Resources


Client Services (Site Development and Urban Core)

10 GO Ready Sites

6 sites in the GO Ready Site pipeline

Urban core study completed

$100,000 (staffing within business growth and core services areas)

$0

Omaha Development Foundation, Site TAG, Mega-Site committee, Partners, OPPD, local governments, broker community, City of Omaha, Urban Core Committee

Create and maintain quality site inventory

Market GO Ready Sites to prospective clients

Foster and maintain relationships with existing real estate community

Promote speculative site and building development in the region

Create a finance mechanism for mega-site development

Identify specific North Omaha redevelopment and a new power park site

Support the development of an urban core development strategy including an organizational study and housing study

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Resources


Military Support

1-2 DC trips

Levee/runway projects

$298,797

$0

Nebraska Military Support Committee, Cassidy & Associates STRATCOM Consultation Committee

Engage, inform and serve the needs of the Nebraska Military Support Committee, ensuring they meet with high-level Air Force and Department of Defense leadership annually

Lead efforts to engage and inform decision-makers (local, state and federal) and influence citizens to ensure retention of existing missions and successfully attract new missions for Offutt Air Force Base (AFB), the Nebraska National Guard and the State of Nebraska

Engage decision-makers and civic leadership in Bellevue, Papillion, and Omaha, and civilian & military leadership at Offutt AFB, the 55th Wing/USSTRATCOM to create and leverage Community Partnership opportunities

Lead effective coordination with Nebraska National Guard, 55th Wing concerning flying operations in Lincoln, NE during the Offutt AFB runway closure (2019-2020)

Engage/assist Nebraska National Guard efforts to move an Armory to the Offutt AFB area in 2019

Secure a new Intelligence and/or Cyber mission expansion for the NE Guard and Offutt AFB

Collaborate with project principals and maintain a dialogue with state and federal representatives to ensure timely completion of Missouri River Levee Project and Offutt AFB runway replacement process


Resources


Nebraska Blueprint

Draft plan developed and communicated by summer 2019

-------- (staffing across various budgets)

$0

Multiple Chamber staff provide the support for Industry Councils Multiple Chamber volunteers and committees participate in the effort

Various staff and volunteer support of the Nebraska Blueprint process


Resources


Public Policy and PAC

Legislation passed

Legislation defeated

Candidates recruited

$300,182 $0

Public Policy Council, various topical working groups

Advance a comprehensive tax reform plan in the Legislature

Advance legislation to modernize Nebraska’s economic development incentives

Monitor legislation and work to defeat bills that will be harmful to business or Greater Omaha

Partner with the Leadership Team to recruit, develop and celebrate candidates and those that serve public office

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Resources


Transportation

Plan Complete

$150,306

$0

MAPA; Metro Community College; City of Omaha; Peter Kiewit Foundation; Nebraska Bicycling Alliance; Omaha by Design; Spark; and various businesses, municipalities, counties, and foundations

Coordinate Development of a Unified Regional Transportation Plan

Provide general support for transportation issues for the Chamber

Provide staff support for Smart Cities Transportation Initiative

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Core Services

At the foundation of the organization is a variety of core services that support Chamber members and the

programs found in the business growth, people and place focus areas. The aim of this work continues to be

providing the best-in-class business intelligence, events, financial management, fundraising, human resources,

marketing, member services, public policy and technology possible.


Manage expenses and income to budget

Exhibit continued focus on employee engagement monitored by Q-12 scores and dialogue

Strong organizational and community visibility

Expand Chamber digital engagement across channels

Demonstrate Chamber engagement in key issue discussions


Resources


Business Intelligence

High quality info used for decision-making

$364,284

$0

University of Nebraska

Use data to refine target industries, evaluate prospects, prioritize resources (focus on high growth, high wage jobs to hit Prosper Omaha 2.0 goals)

Support the research needs of specialized Chamber initiatives (Talent Attraction Campaign, Transportation Survey, etc.)

Provide current and relevant data to support economic development efforts and promote the region (ex. Barometer, Fact Sheets, Industry Profiles for Members, etc.)

Use data to prioritize member prospects (higher retention, higher $/member new sales) and potential Prosper Omaha 2.0 investors

Initiate process to provide ongoing updates to company information (address, phone numbers, contacts, business categories, etc.) through external review or through direct company input


Resources


Events

Attendees rate the events as good/excellent

Generate $360,000+ net revenue

$789,892

$921,250

Business Hall of Fame Selection Committee, Small Business of the Month Selection Committee, Business Excellence Awards Selection Committee, Business on the Green Committee, YP Summit Committees

Create exciting opportunities for meaningful business connections and promotion through targeted networking by executing seven Coffee & Contacts, three Inside the C-Suites, two Speed Networking, two After Hours, two All Chamber events and the annual Member Appreciation Holiday Open House

Recognize the accomplishments of members, provide members and sponsors visibility, and deliver attendees an excellent experience through seven high-quality signature events (Annual Meeting, YP Summit, Omaha Business Hall of Fame, Business Excellence Awards, Business on the Green, Diversity and Inclusion Summit, Economic Outlook and Small Business of the Month)

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Resources


Financial and Facility Management

Strong financial information and position

$894,188

$116,220

Audit Committee, various vendors

Effectively manage all financial functions of the organization

Oversee facilities management to provide a safe and vibrant environment for guests and employees

Successfully complete the building sale and database transition of financials


Resources


Fund Development and Admin/Operations

$32 million in campaign pledges

$1,494,450

$5,000,000 (note this includes grant funds direct at specific programs)

Strawhecker and Associates

Raise $12 million to complete PO 2.0 campaign

Provide consistent communication with investors

Successfully schedule and hold two informative and well-attended investor meetings

Successfully secure grants to fund chamber programs

Ensure effective billing and collection of PO 2.0 pledges


Resources


Human Resources New HR system

Engaged employees $115,210 $0

Staff volunteers on several internal committees, various vendors

Ensure successful implementation of an HRIS system that ties HR and payroll (including vacation tracking)

Provide professional development opportunities for staff growth and to enhance retention

Direct process for filling positions throughout the year (from opening to orientation)

Process employee terminations

Facilitate annual renewal process for health, dental, Life/LTD, Vision, and COBRA administration

Direct meaningful annual all-staff retreat, all-staff meetings quarterly, coordinate 42 Minutes with the President meetings throughout the year

Ensure benefits are competitive, cost-effective and meet the needs of the staff

Coordinate efforts to ensure full employee engagement

Ensure Chamber’s compensation strategy is competitive and make adjustments if appropriate

Direct and oversee the Chamber’s safety program

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Resources


Marketing

10M Impressions

1,200 Stories/pick-ups

$297,483

$0

Brand and Image Council, civic and business partners

Create campaigns that generate the actions desired through advertising/content marketing, social/digital, SEO/Google ad words and other advertising to support Chamber programs

Proactively create content and push it out through content marketing, media pitches and various channels (blog, social, video, etc.) to engage and support members

Continue to focus on the customer experience and work to improve it

Continue to work on omahachamber.org (make the top 15 pages better, use SEO strategy and Google ad words, etc.)

Build stronger social communities – making us louder, utilizing more FB/LinkedIn groups


Resources


Member Services

85% member retention rate

> 3,000 members

$665,510

$1,872,821

Membership Council, Engagement Council, President’s Club, Small Business Council, various partners

Expand opportunities for members to promote their businesses through the Chamber, connecting them to event, website, social media and sponsorship opportunities

Enhance member ROI with connections to business assistance, information and education

Provide members dynamic referral groups through Center Sphere and BNI partnerships

Use member organizations to provide all members a variety of product and service discounts

Achieve net membership growth to a member base of 3,000 through an improved retention rate and stronger sales practices and process automation using new functions available in Growth Zone


Resources


Office of the President

Complete Prosper 2.0 fundraising

Membership growth

Building sale completed

Succession Plan completed

$435,415

$330,300

Executive Committee, Board of Directors, Chamber standing committees, various other civic and business partners

Achieve financial results as proscribed in the board approved 2019 Budget

Achieve the goals as outlined in the 2019 Program of Work

Represent the business community in discussions on important community issues

Represent business by serving on appropriate community boards and committees

Instigate a process of succession planning for the Chamber

Ensure the successful implementation of diversity and inclusion initiatives at the Chamber

Lead the Chamber in legislative actions to improve the business climate in Nebraska including tax reform and new economic development incentive legislation

Lead the work of the Urban Core Committee

Leadership of Military Support Program (NMSC)

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Resources


Technology

Technology supports operations and decision-making needs

$165,772

$0

Lutz, various other vendors

Lead efforts to conduct a data inventory and strategy for storage, archiving and access moving forward

Provide efficient and accurate tools to conduct core functions (accounting, sales, events, project tracking, etc.) through the CRM – launch Growth Zone, post launch enhancements, reporting

Provide the IT tools and resources for required for Chamber operations while identifying opportunities for efficiencies and cost savings (technology refresh, MS Office upgrade)

12/12/18

2019 program of work€¦ · prosper omaha 2.0 (the five-year comprehensive economic development...

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