Community Leaders Business Retention & Expansion Visitation Consultant Course
Workshop Version

NOTE: This course is available to be hosted by state or provincial agencies, metropolitan agencies, utilities, etc.

Studies have shown that between 40 and 80 percent of all new job creation comes from existing businesses. Learning to build on the business/industrial base of a community is an essential skill.

Course Objective:

To provide professionals with the in-depth training necessary to implement a local economic development program focused on the retention and expansion of existing businesses. Specific emphasis will be placed on the use of volunteers to visit existing businesses to solicit input about the local community, business climate, availability of qualified labor and the need for additional training and technical assistance.

Course Outline:

This course teaches participants how to lead a community business visitation program. At the conclusion of the course, participants will be able to understand: where a business retention and expansion (BRE) program “fits” in a local economic development strategy; identify local leaders to serve on a leadership team and task force, conduct effective firm visits and train others to do so; write a plan of work to implement and guide the program, identify and resolve issues of immediate concern to local business, and develop a strategic implementation plan.

Research Basis of the Course:

The developer (George Morse) and instructors (Michael Darger, Liz Templin) of the course have combined direct experience in consulting or performing research for 44 communities in two states and one Canadian province. Morse and Darger have combined experience with over 90 Community Leader BR&E programs in their years as state directors of BR&E in Ohio and Minnesota. In addition, George Morse, Ph.D. authored a book on BR&E, six journal articles, and the educational materials used in the course. He was a founding member of BREI, Business Retention and Expansion International.

Certification:

Participants completing the course become certified as a "BR&E Project Coordinator" by Business Retention and Expansion International (BREI).

Participants will receive a certificate of completion from the University of Minnesota Extension Service.

Testimonials:

“The BRE product is a solid well tested package. It was taught exceptionally well in an interesting and engaging manner. The instructors were well versed in the topic and innovative in their approach. It was directly relevant to me and my company's goals and objectives.” – Duluth, 2005 workshop participant. Fred Burkhardt

“This was a wonderful course and one that I would highly recommend to anyone working in community economic development and/or business development.” – Halifax, 2004 workshop participant.

“Very interesting. Learned a lot. Lots of links with other models tested in other contexts. Very professional course.” Halifax, 2004 workshop participant.

“(I) coordinated team visitors to go back out and visit 26 businesses in 2003. Now I know what I didn’t do and should have done.” Minneapolis, 2004 workshop participant.

“I am excited to present to my Board the possibilities a BRE program offers. I came here to learn some techniques in site visits, but now am going to advise our Board to consider a true program designed for our community, which is a small city. Thank you for your ideas and excellent content.” Minneapolis, 2004 workshop participant.

Faculty:

Michael Darger

Michael has extensive experience working with communities and BR&E consultants on BR&E visitation programs using the Community Leaders BR&E model. He is a BREI Certified Master Consultant and has served as a local coordinator, as a BR&E consultant, or as a project researcher for twenty community BR&E visitation programs. Michael directs the University of Minnesota’s BR&E Strategies Program, serves as Area Program Leader for Community Economics, and formerly served on the BREI Board of Directors. He previously served in local economic development roles for ten years.

Elizabeth Templin

Elizabeth is a Regional Extension Educator in Community Economics and a Professor with University of Minnesota Extension. In this role, she works with economic development professionals to connect them with faculty conducting research in public finance, community business development and tourism. Liz has served as a BREI consultant for four projects: one urban, two suburban, and one rural. She has also been a researcher for one BRE project. Liz has done international work through Aid for International Development in the Caribbean and was a Kellogg Fellow in International Development.

When:……TBD by local host
Registration Fee:……TBD by local host

Business Retention and Expansion Consultant Course

SAMPLE AGENDA

First Day

1:00 p.m. – Introduction to course
1:30 p.m. – Self-introduction and self-assessment of participants
2:15 p.m. – BR&E visitation options
2:45 p.m. – Social capital’s role in economic development
3:15 p.m. – Break
3:45 p.m. – Volunteer visitor training
6:00 p.m. – Dinner with all participants and instructors
6:20 p.m. – Overview of the community and firm selections

Second Day

7:30 a.m. – Continental breakfast
7:45 a.m. – Team preparation for firm visits to real businesses
8:00 a.m. –
8:15 a.m. – Conduct firm visits
9:45 a.m. – Return to course site and break
10:15 a.m. – Red/yellow flag review and debriefing on firm visits
11:15 a.m. – What and why of good visitation practices (debate)
12:00 p.m. – Lunch
1:00 p.m. – Individual study
1:45 p.m. – Review and recap findings from individual study time
2:00 p.m. – Leadership team planning
3:00 p.m. – Presentations by leadership teams
4:00 p.m. – Break
4:15 p.m. – BR&E survey questionnaires – what why and how
5:15 p.m. – Adjourn – evening on your own

Third Day

7:15 a.m. – Breakfast
7:45 a.m. – Creating quality research reports – with insights from report writers
8:45 a.m. – Task force retreat
9:45 a.m. – Mission and objectives: can we drop any steps?
10:30 a.m. – Break
10:45 a.m. – Wrap-up, evaluation, homework and certification information
11:30 a.m. – Adjourn

If you have questions or would like additional information, contact Joan Sigmundik at 612-624-7714.