Develop This: Economic and Community Development

We all experience times when our productivity or motivation lag a bit more than normal.  How do you rebound?

In this episode, Dennis suggests embracing big ideas and trying a new challenge to hit the reset button.

Are you looking to up your game when it comes to public speaking? 

In this episode, Dennis, a self-proclaimed speaker-snob, offers tips to connect with the audience and leave a lasting impression.

Looking for reading list recommendations?  In this episode, Dennis shares six considerations for both business and life.

People are an organization's greatest resource, and that makes employee reviews tricky.  These conversations should be used to motivate and encourage, yet they also provide an opportunity to talk about areas for improvement.

While there is no perfect process for a review, there are certainly strategies that work and those that don't.

In this episode, Dennis and Jason discuss the methodologies behind employee reviews and recommend two different methods of evaluation: Five Words and the 360 Review.

Are you headed to the IEDC Annual Conference?  Have dinner co-host Dennis Fraise.

Contact him at [email protected]

How can economic development groups or lock in the price of land without buying it?  Consider using options.

In this episode, Dennis and Jason discuss the merits of securing options as a development strategy.  In addition, they share food for thought when expanding your community's inventory of shovel-ready sites.

As economic development professionals, we often have a love-hate relationship with members of the media.  We rely on the media to help share our positive message of economic prosperity, but we also cringe when they attack job creation projects or misquote us.

Kiley Miller is the President/CEO of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation but started his career as a reporter for a daily newspaper.  With experience as both a reporter and an economic development professional, Kiley provides a unique perspective on how groups can better engage and interact with the media.

In this episode, Jason peels back the onion with Kiley on the questions you always wondered:

-What should you do when misquoted?
-How can you provide appropriate context without sharing confidential information?
-What can be done to improve coverage of our initiatives?
-What should you do if you mess up?

Find out more about the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corridor.

Instead of using scholarships to send local talent away for good, what about offering reverse scholarships to educated talent joining the workforce?

In this episode, Dennis and Jason discuss the merits and potential pitfalls of a new idea in talent development: reverse scholarships.

The implementation of a voluntary destination fee could generate a stable revenue source for your community project.  However, as a voluntary program, there must be something in it for your local hoteliers.

In this episode, Dennis and Jason discuss the basics of a destination fee including some of the pros and cons of implementing such a program.

In this bonus episode, Dennis and Jason share their appreciation to the listeners of the podcast.  The response to the show has been overwhelming!