Creative Blog

Succession Planning as a BRE Tool

There is a vacant storefront up Main Street from our office in downtown Elkin. The retail store was a staple on Main Street for many years. It closed when the owner retired. We’re hearing this same scenario played out in communities across our market area whether a Main Street business or locally owned manufacturing company. …

Succession Planning as a BRE Tool Read More »

What’s In Your Inbox?

We have heard of people who strive for ‘Zero Inbox’, that mythical status where all emails are filed, replied to, sorted and resolved. It reminds us of Neverland, more than a goal – since we tend to share our email address(es) with all sorts of trade associations, think tanks and clients, not to mention retail …

What’s In Your Inbox? Read More »

Be Strategic In How You Spend Your Time – Back Office Solutions for Economic Developers

One of our New Year goals for 2019 is to be more strategic in how we spend our time. The books Essentialism by Greg McKeown and When by Daniel Pink influenced us. Like many of you, we are confronted with new opportunities each day which take us away from our originally-intended To Do list. Some …

Be Strategic In How You Spend Your Time – Back Office Solutions for Economic Developers Read More »

What’s Your Sign?

If placemaking is the current theme for tourism, talent, and economic development, then wayfinding – or even wayshowing – is the language of expression for visitors and residents alike. From its roots in ‘Welcome to Pleasantville’  monument signage at the town limits , wayfinding has blossomed to an important tool for creating impressions and expressing …

What’s Your Sign? Read More »

Volunteering helps the cause, and it can help you, too

One of the great ironies of life is this: He or she who serves almost always benefits more than he or she who is served. –Gordon B. Hinckley Recent research confirms the personal benefits of volunteering and many public and private schools are now including community service in graduation requirements. Volunteering time and talent creates connection to …

Volunteering helps the cause, and it can help you, too Read More »

Measuring Value and Impacts to Advance Your Community’s Agenda

Community economic development strategies and priorities are really choices, communities expressing hopes and values through tactics and resource allocation for economic development. In times of competing priorities and multiple stakeholder perspectives it is more important than ever to articulate value in terms that are meaningful to the audience. When economic developers want to communicate value …

Measuring Value and Impacts to Advance Your Community’s Agenda Read More »

Creative Economic Development Consulting