Develop This: Economic and Community Development

Episode #408 is a bittersweet show. After four years and 408 episodes, co-hosts Jason Hutcheson is leaving the Develop This! podcast. A journey that started between two friends, a journey that exceeded our expectations, is ending. We are very grateful to our loyal listeners that have become family and helped Develop This! grow. Jason is a great friend, economic development professional, and most importantly, a wonderful person. We will be forever indebted to Jason for his involvement in Develop This!

Fear not, listeners! Develop This! will continue, albeit with a new co-host. So, stay tuned as the next chapter of the Develop This story will begin soon!

This episode was originally published in July 2021.  It is being republished while Dennis and Jason are on vacation.  Enjoy!

Are you new to the business of economic and community development and wondering how to get started?

Whether you are brand new to the business or a seasoned economic developer looking to get back to basics, this episode is for you.  Dennis and Jason share the 7 rules you need to follow to have early success in your career.

This week's episode sponsored by Convergent Nonprofit Solutions.

In this episode, Jason provides 10 random ideas for your organization as it relates to community outreach.

In addition, be sure to register today for the upcoming MidAmerica EDC Best Practices Conference: MidAmerica Economic Development Council (midamericaedc.org)

Economic development organizations are increasingly participating in and leading discussions on equity and inclusion.  In this episode, Amber Payne and Deborah D. Douglas with The Emancipator join Dennis and Guest Host Tracye McDaniel for a deep discussion on reframing the conversation around racial justice and equity.

When it comes to mass media coverage of issues related to race, equity, and policy, the stories often lacks appropriate historical context.

That's where The Emancipator comes it.  This online publication is a collaboration between The Boston Globe and Boston University's Center for Antiracist Research.

Tune in to find out more about this collaboaration straight from the Co-Editors In Chief.

Read The Emancipator

Connect with Tracye McDaniel, TIP Strategies

More about Amber Payne, Co-Editor In Chief of The Emancipator

More about Deborah D. Douglas, Co-Editor In Chief of The Emancipator

Grants offer the allure of free money, but we all know there is no such thing as a free lunch.

In this episode, Jason outlines several reasons why grants are great, but he also outlines several pitfalls of the grant process.

If there is a grant opportunity, please do the following:

1. Make a conscious go-no go decision (make sure the benefits outway the costs)
2. Fully understand the reporting period, deadlines, and any criteria that might increase costs to your project
3. Appoint someone as lead for grant writing and someone as lead for grant reporting

Work With Dennis!

Are you a rockstar economic developer that aspires to lead an organization? Dennis has an opening and wants to talk with you. Visit leecountyedg.com for a complete job description and become part of a dynamic team and organization. Plus, you will get to work with Dennis!

Vice President of Economic Development

Lee County Economic Development group is seeking a Vice President of Economic Development to join our dynamic, award-winning team. This position requires a highly motivated individual with a demonstrated track record of success, proven interpersonal/relationship-building skills, and excellent communication skills – verbal and written

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Workforce development
• Community, stakeholder, and investor relations
• Countywide business retention and expansion program
• Financial and organizational oversight

Competitive salary and benefits package based on experience

Send cover letter, resume, and references to Dennis Fraise, President, and CEO [email protected]

The deadline for submission is June 17th, 2022

View full job description here

Lee County EDG provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

As our faithful listeners know, Dennis is a bit of a movie buff.  He recently watched Top Gun and has a couple of key takeaways inspired by the movie.

It's okay to go slow - sometimes.

In this episode, Mark Perna joins self-proclaimed speaker snob Dennis to discuss how to take your presentation to the next level. Mark delivers over 70 keynote presentations throughout the country every year. Join Mark and Dennis as they dissect a presentation and how to make your next speaking opportunity great.

In addition, you will hear practical tips from a world-class speaker.

• How to build a connection with your audience
• The power of music to pump up the crowd
• How to use an Apple watch to pump up the volume
• Why your energy level matters
• Engage your audience with interactive questions
• Putting a bow on your presentation for the audience
• The end of your presentation is the beginning of an opportunity

Listening to this episode will lead you to a standing ovation!

EDUCATION WITH PURPOSE: CALL TO ACTION LIVESTREAM (October 20, 2022)

To register and find out more, head to Education with Purpose - Call to Action Livestread

Connect with Mark Perna

Mark Perna Bio

Mark C. Perna is the founder and CEO of TFS Results, a full-service strategic communications and consulting firm at the forefront of the national paradigm shift in education and workforce development. As an international generational expert, Mark has devoted his career to empowering educators and employers to unleash the tremendous potential of today’s young people.

Mark, who serves on the Advisory Council for the Coalition for Career Development in Washington, DC, has helped countless parents, schools, districts, businesses, and state organizations across North America to connect more effectively with the younger generations. He delivers more than 70 virtual and in-person keynote speeches annually and spoke at Harvard University by special invitation

At Forbes.com, Mark publishes articles as a weekly contributor and records monthly Leadership videos produced in partnership with the Forbes editorial team. He has published many op-eds in national publications and interviews frequently on radio shows, television, and podcasts. Every weekday, he hosts the 90-second Perna Syndicate micro-podcast covering insights on education, careers, and workforce development. His award-winning bestseller, Answering Why: Unleashing Passion, Purpose, and Performance in Younger Generations, was written to help educators, employers, and parents understand and motivate the millennial and Z generations.

At TFS Results, Mark’s team of talented professionals share his vision of making a bigger difference in education and workforce development. With industry-leading products like the Career Tree® and EnrollTrack and an array of in-person and virtual professional development solutions, TFS Results is working to reshape the future of education in America. The company proudly partners with schools, colleges, businesses, and statewide organizations across North America to help them experience significant gains in enrollment, engagement, retention, and performance rates.

There is no substitute for experience.  Yet in this episode, Dennis and Jason share some concepts they wish they had known earlier in their career.

Whether you are new in the economic development profession or an industry pro, this show is for you.

As the leader of a nonprofit organization, what do you need to know about insurance lingo?

In this episode, Dennis and Jason give a high level overview of some basic terms and coverages that most organizations may need to consider.  Also- tune in for some key questions to ask your insurance professional.

This show sponsored by Convergent Nonprofit Solutions.