WE ARE AMERICA’S JOBS TEAM.

America’s future relies on people like you to foster a dynamic economy. It’s a big responsibility, but you are not alone in shouldering the weight. You are part of America’s Jobs Team!

You know—as do we—that the business of creating jobs is hard work, requiring more than just a little bit of elbow grease. You’ve got to have: deep industry knowledge; community and workforce familiarity; an ability to form deep relationships and create unity; perseverance; and the drive to keep growing both your community and within your leadership capabilities.

Over the years, the Consultant Connect team has seen many amazing economic development heroes reach incredible goals, and we know these winning moments happen because of continuous learning, evolving and innovation. Join us each week for in-depth interviews and relevant leadership development topics to help economic developers grow. We firmly believe that when leaders get better, communities thrive!

Listen to the America’s Jobs Team podcast below, or find it on Apple Podcasts.

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Episode 113: Are Your Partnerships Your Most Valuable Asset? | Tony Ramirez, The Borderplex Alliance
Episode 113: Are Your Partnerships Your Most Valuable Asset? | Tony Ramirez, The Borderplex Alliance 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“There is no way our organization could do what we do without our partners.” —Tony Ramirez Do your partnerships play a major role in your accomplishments? Do you know how to effectively communicate about the projects you are working on? We have all heard that communication is key, but how true is that for economic…

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Episode 112: What Are 6 Characteristics of Messaging to Improve Communication?
Episode 112: What Are 6 Characteristics of Messaging to Improve Communication? 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” —George Bernard Shaw Is your team struggling with missed deadlines or long back-and-forth email chains getting nowhere? Are there conflicts between team members? Is the team morale less than ideal? These things (and many more) are often caused by ineffective communication.…

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Episode 111: Do You Take Every Event as a Learning Opportunity? | Adam Hess, CSX
Episode 111: Do You Take Every Event as a Learning Opportunity? | Adam Hess, CSX 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“Learning the positives and negatives is so critical for every body, as long as you take away something” —Adam Hess Have you noticed that trends that were on the horizon were accelerated during the last 12 months? How have different areas of economic development been impacted by the pandemic? Adam Hess talks about how the…

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Episode 110: Do You Know the Team Phase Most Likely to Mess Up a Team’s Dynamic?
Episode 110: Do You Know the Team Phase Most Likely to Mess Up a Team’s Dynamic? 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“We all want to be a part of teams that are healthy and productive, and it takes leadership to do it.” —Carla Sones Have you witnessed a team in your organization come together and start off rocky? Which team phase is most likely to break a good team’s dynamics? Economic development organizations are constantly putting…

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Episode 109: How Do We Move Forward After a Year of Shifting? | Chris Strayer, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
Episode 109: How Do We Move Forward After a Year of Shifting? | Chris Strayer, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“We’re helping people improve their lives and creating a better economy for them so they can be successful.” —Chris Strayer What has the last 12 months looked like for Economic Development Organizations and Chambers? Have you experienced the constant shifting in work to meet needs? The workplace is ever-changing and we are all feeling it.…

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Episode 108: Is Unhealthy Team Tension Creating Dysfunction within Your Workplace?
Episode 108: Is Unhealthy Team Tension Creating Dysfunction within Your Workplace? 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“When you get to a place where there is some healthy tension there, you can make ideas better.” —Carla Sones Have you ever been in a meeting with the business attraction and marketing teams and felt the tension? We see this all of the time between the team that produces the materials to sell and…

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Episode 107: What Is One Skill That Is Crucial to Economic Development? | Lora Steele, Hendricks County Economic Development Partnership and EmployIndy
Episode 107: What Is One Skill That Is Crucial to Economic Development? | Lora Steele, Hendricks County Economic Development Partnership and EmployIndy 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“Economic development is everything, everything is economic development.” —Lora Steele When you think of economic development, what do you think is one of the most powerful skills to have? If you thought about the power of relationships, you’re right on the money! No matter what hurdle we are facing, the first step most of us…

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Episode 106: Three Things to Know If You Want to Be a Point Leader | Tim Cowden, Kansas City Area Development Council
Episode 106: Three Things to Know If You Want to Be a Point Leader | Tim Cowden, Kansas City Area Development Council 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“We are always learning and applying it forward. “ —Tim Cowden Is leading your own organization on your list of future career goals? Tim Cowden joins Carla Sones to dive into the lessons learned on the path to point leadership, such as getting the courage to put your hat in the ring for that CEO…

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Episode 105: How to Let Your Passion Inspire Your Purpose | Jill Marasa, Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County
Episode 105: How to Let Your Passion Inspire Your Purpose | Jill Marasa, Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“I’m very passionate and engaged in everything that I undertake and seek that same energy in those around me.” —Jill Marasa What is that one thing about economic development that gets your heart beating faster, that energizes you without the assistance of caffeine? Is it the thrill of landing a new big project? Is it…

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Episode 104: Are You Courageous Enough to Make Really Big Decisions?? | Betsy Markey, Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade
Episode 104: Are You Courageous Enough to Make Really Big Decisions?? | Betsy Markey, Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“You can’t make a decision without being brave enough to acknowledge that you might fail. You may not always succeed, but you will be a better person for it.” —Betsy Markey Have you ever been faced with needing to make a big decision where the responsibility for consequences rests mostly on your shoulders? Did the thought…

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