developing the tools to help small business grow · developing the tools to help small business...
TRANSCRIPT
Meg SchneiderJuly 16, 2019
DEVELOPING THE TOOLS TO HELP
SMALL BUSINESS GROW
WHO IS THE PARTNERSHIP
THE PARTNERSHIP REPRESENTS
Supporting our
Regional Business
Development Mission
Dallas, Jasper, Madison,
Marion, Marshall, Polk,
Poweshiek and Warren
Become a member
by joining your
local Chamber
Supporting
our Economic
Development Mission
REGIONAL
MEMBERS
COUNTIES
IN ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
AREA
REGIONAL
AFFILIATE
CHAMBERS
INVESTORS
824 6,400+ 340+
OUR REGION
AFFILIATE CHAMBERS
FOCUS ON SMALL BUSINESS
1/2of Americans own their own or
work for a small business.
2/3of jobs created each year are created
by small business.
WHY SMALL BUSINESS?
SOURCE: U.S. Small Business Administration 2019 Small Business Profile
SOURCE: U.S. Small Business Administration 2019 Small Business Profile
WHY SMALL BUSINESS?
SOURCE: Greater Des Moines Partnership 2018 Small Business Jobs Report, U.S. Census
WHO IS A SMALL BUSINESS?
Innovation Led
ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM
• Entrepreneurial initiatives
• Existing industry
• Marketing
• Recent projects
• Data dashboard
IN THE BEGINNING
ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM, PART 2
Micro Enterprise
Main Street
PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS
FORUMS
LOOK LOCAL
FIRST
LIVE-STREAMING
LUNCH &
LEARNS
NETWORKING
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
CHAMBER
NIGHT EVENTSINCREASED
VISIBILITY
ONLINE RESOURCES
GET ACTIVE
WORKPLACE WELLNESS
ONGOING EDUCATION AND NETWORKING
• Top 5 Series – monthly lunch & learn
• First Fridays – monthly storytelling by female business owners
• Monthly Region-wide Events– Entrepreneur Magazine
– Women’s Mentoring Day
– Riverwalk Rendez-Vous (After Hours Social)
• Chamber Nights (baseball, hockey, theater)
2019 KEY FOCUS AREAS
• Women, Minority and Veteran Owned Businesses
• Succession Planning
• Disaster Recovery
• The Changing Face of Retail
Second Stage
BUSINESS RESOURCES TEAM
• Mike Jefferson, former small business owner
• Christina Moffatt, active small business owner, former Director for SBDC
• Molli Davis, parents owned small business
• ^ So did mine!
Listen
WAYS WE LISTEN
• Micro survey (hard copy!)
• Analytics
• RSVPs (in-person and live-stream)
• Client questions
• Leverage intel from your Board
• Watch the market
• Keep up on trends
• Research
• Trust your gut
AnswerThePeople.com
search for small business
AnswerThePeople.com
search for small business
AnswerThePeople.com
search for small business
AnswerThePeople.com
search for small business
HOW DO YOU START?
56% Did not believe there were adequate resources to
assist small businesses
ENOUGH SUPPORT OUT THERE?
HOW DO YOU START?
30% Did not contact any organization for assistance and
support when starting their small business.
CHALLENGES WHEN STARTING?
Yes
No
STILL A CHALLENGE?
TOP CHALLENGES TODAY?
HOW SHOULD WE TALK TO YOU?
HOW SHOULD WE TALK TO YOU?
NOW WHAT ELSE?
• Watch your language
– Use words they search for, what they care about
– SEO
• Postcard campaign to new businesses
• Rearrange the deck chairs
NOW WHAT ELSE?
• Facebook is still king
• Watch your tone
– Make it personal, warm touch
• Snail Mail is back!
• YOU are just as important as Google
PLACES OF INTEREST
Questions?
Link to sketchbook video
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WAYS WE LISTEN