Businesses are starting to become more and more optimistic about an economic recovery coming sooner than later. Good news for communities that have been struggling over the past year but do you know how to read the signs of recovery in your community? Here are a few examples of successful businesses, pockets of consumer spending and rebounds to look for in your community.
Personal Services – Over the past year and a half businesses offering personal services (i.e. salons, spas, massage) have been experiencing a drop in demand. Recently, more and more of these businesses are expressing an increased demand and are seeing consumers no longer holding out on paying for these services. Can you easily walk into a salon in your community and get an appointment immediately or do you have to book in advance?
Increased Automobile Sales – Certainly financial incentives and low or zero payment plans are playing a role in consumers purchasing cars. But look around your community and see how many new vehicles are on the road, how many have temporary paper plates or demo plates?
Temporary Agencies – Local temp agencies are starting to report an increase in demand for their workers. As local businesses start to see an increase in demand for their product or services, one of the first places many will go to is the temp agencies to start to fill the vacancies. Talk to your local agencies to see what they are experiencing.
Business Expansion – Are any businesses expanding in your community? Many communities are seeing an expansion of their local businesses, particularly the ones who had planned it over a year ago are now starting to go ahead with their original expansion plans.
Consumer Spending – Are your local consumers confident enough to spend their discretionary income on products considered non-essential or luxury? The sale of 1 million iPhones 3Gs within three days of its launch in the US was clearly one sign of recovery.
Advertising – The way businesses spend their advertising and marketing dollars have changed over the past number of years and businesses have cut marketing budgets. Recently, businesses are starting to investment again in marketing and advertising. Online, low-cost advertising investments are booming. What's happening with your local businesses?
Monday, August 17, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Economic Development and the Media
Today the word media has expanded to more than the traditional means of print, television and radio. It encompasses much more since the proliferation of the internet and the explosion of social media. Though the methods of media communication has expanded there are still some very basic rules of engagement.
It is worth asking how economic development professionals can best prepare themselves to communicate in the most effective manner possible. Even with these ever expanding avenues of media, it is still the good, old-fashioned methods that work best.
Prepare – This point cannot be overstated. It is at the core of successful media communication. Know what your message is and how you will convey it. This means more than just memorizing the message, it means internalizing it. Read related publications, know who else is involved, brush up on the media with whom you expect to connect. It is important to set aside time before connecting with the media to put your “game face” on. This applies whether it’s a traditional press conference, video or podcast.
Be in charge – When the time comes for the media interview you are the one who should be in the director’s chair. You must be truthful under all circumstances but be the one who leads the interview and take charge of your story. The media is there to hear from you and expects you to follow your agenda even if they may challenge it. The interview is not an interrogation nor are you on the witness stand so take charge and answer honestly.
Be concise –Pick a limited number of points to emphasis, i.e. three key messages. The media needs things quickly and precisely. By preparing well this should not be an issue. You are not writing a book, you are conveying a message that should be short and to the point. This is true for face-to-face interviews, blogging and tweeting (there’s a reason there’s only 140 characters).
Create a picture – Use powerful word images. Develop sound bites. Use well-crafted metaphors and similes. Be interesting. Most media will not have the same level of understanding or expertise that you have developed so try to relate what you are doing to the broader audience so they can relate.
Smile and engage –Just like most everything else the physical demeanor can tell a story in itself. It says whether you are passionate about your subject and whether you believe in your message. Be expressive, lean into the conversation and a smile can be detected even in a sound bite.
Develop the relationship – The use of media is not a one time event. Develop an ongoing relationship with media in your community and farther afield. Make sure the relationship is not one-sided. A supportive media can go a long way to ensuring economic development success.
It is worth asking how economic development professionals can best prepare themselves to communicate in the most effective manner possible. Even with these ever expanding avenues of media, it is still the good, old-fashioned methods that work best.
Prepare – This point cannot be overstated. It is at the core of successful media communication. Know what your message is and how you will convey it. This means more than just memorizing the message, it means internalizing it. Read related publications, know who else is involved, brush up on the media with whom you expect to connect. It is important to set aside time before connecting with the media to put your “game face” on. This applies whether it’s a traditional press conference, video or podcast.
Be in charge – When the time comes for the media interview you are the one who should be in the director’s chair. You must be truthful under all circumstances but be the one who leads the interview and take charge of your story. The media is there to hear from you and expects you to follow your agenda even if they may challenge it. The interview is not an interrogation nor are you on the witness stand so take charge and answer honestly.
Be concise –Pick a limited number of points to emphasis, i.e. three key messages. The media needs things quickly and precisely. By preparing well this should not be an issue. You are not writing a book, you are conveying a message that should be short and to the point. This is true for face-to-face interviews, blogging and tweeting (there’s a reason there’s only 140 characters).
Create a picture – Use powerful word images. Develop sound bites. Use well-crafted metaphors and similes. Be interesting. Most media will not have the same level of understanding or expertise that you have developed so try to relate what you are doing to the broader audience so they can relate.
Smile and engage –Just like most everything else the physical demeanor can tell a story in itself. It says whether you are passionate about your subject and whether you believe in your message. Be expressive, lean into the conversation and a smile can be detected even in a sound bite.
Develop the relationship – The use of media is not a one time event. Develop an ongoing relationship with media in your community and farther afield. Make sure the relationship is not one-sided. A supportive media can go a long way to ensuring economic development success.
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