growth

Episode 133: Are You Strategic About Using the Right Data to Tell Your Unique Story?
Episode 133: Are You Strategic About Using the Right Data to Tell Your Unique Story? 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“The goal is to turn data into information, and information into insight.” –Carly Fiorina

Data can be a really intimidating topic to talk about as economic developers. What types of things should you be tracking? What out-of-the-ordinary items are site consultants looking for? Which numbers should you be keeping a pulse on to help support your community’s unique story?

Today Carla Sones and Faye Davis talk through all of these questions and more. Though site consultants usually come to your community already having large amounts of data, there are ways for economic developers to paint a more comprehensive picture utilizing their own particular statistics that only a local would be able to give insights on.

Listen in for Carla and Faye’s take on how data and analytics drive decision-making for all parties involved in the economic development process, which pieces of data site consultants would love to see, how pulse-checking your community makes a difference, and so much more.

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai

Episode 132: Are You Building a Reputation of Trust with All Your Community Leaders? | Ryan Combs, Research Triangle Regional Partnership
Episode 132: Are You Building a Reputation of Trust with All Your Community Leaders? | Ryan Combs, Research Triangle Regional Partnership 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“Keep them engaged in the process and not just when you need something. It’s about building a relationship on trust and mutual respect.” –Ryan Combs

Whether it’s business leaders, regional elected officials or community partners, building a reputation for trust and reliability is key in getting projects across the finish line. But, as is often the case, this is easier said than done.

Listen in as Ryan Combs, Executive Director at the Research Triangle Regional Partnership, joins Faye Davis for a dynamic conversation that touches on how Ryan engages community leaders at all levels, and what is powering the incredible growth the Research Triangle area is seeing. He talks about the groundwork that was laid years ago in building the workforce around the region and how he’s motivating himself and his team to keep the energy and joy around the work they do alive.

Ryan is recognized as one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers for being an integral part of the growth and excitement around doing business in his region. Tune in now to hear more inside knowledge from an economic developer in a region truly dedicated to running the marathon of economic development!

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai

Episode 131: How Has Agriculture Been Affected By Trade Tariffs and Diminished Immigration? | Andrew Carty, Indiana State Department of Agriculture
Episode 131: How Has Agriculture Been Affected By Trade Tariffs and Diminished Immigration? | Andrew Carty, Indiana State Department of Agriculture 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“Modern agricultural businesses have and are changing to become more efficient as technologies and marketing needs change and drive more profitability.” –Andrew Carty

What are the implications from the unforeseen logistical situations such as the Suez Canal blockage and the Mississippi River shut down? Why does this affect international trade, and how is the agricultural sectors connected?

Today, Andrew Carty from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture joins Faye Davis on the podcast. Andrew talks about how economic development is experienced in his governmental department which operates separate from (but partners heavily with) the Indiana Department of Economic Development. He dives into the challenges to the agriculture sector from international logistical circumstances and immigration diminishment, and how he sees the industry responding. He talks through the connection between agriculture and international trade, and the role he plays in that area.

Andrew spearheaded a support program for the meatpacking industry and he shares how those dollars helped keep logistical chains working reliably. He’s got some great thoughts on how technology is changing agriculture to include artificial intelligence, robotics and other advanced  technologies. Tune in now to hear more from this Top 50 Economic Developer!

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai

Episode 130: Do You Wish You Could Hear Directly From A Site Consultant? Here It Is! | Kyle Neu, Austin Consulting
Episode 130: Do You Wish You Could Hear Directly From A Site Consultant? Here It Is! | Kyle Neu, Austin Consulting 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“Any information that can help us tell the story of a community better is always something that will help create an advantage for a community.” –Kyle Neu

Do you ever just want that exclusive information from a site consultant? Do you go back and forth on what information to share?

Carla Sones talks with Kyle Neu, of Austin Consulting, on the ins and outs of what site consultants are looking for from economic developers.  With each project being different, Kyle gives insight on what is typically helpful across the board. From the data analyst perspective, we hear what economic developers can do to level up support on projects in their communities.

To better tell a communities story, Kyle shares what is needed information to make a competitive pitch. Do you know when to communicate with your site consultants? Today’s episode gives an insiders scoop!

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai

Episode 129: Is Your Endurance Built From the Marathon of Economic Development? | Meghan DiGiacomo, Highlands County Economic Development
Episode 129: Is Your Endurance Built From the Marathon of Economic Development? | Meghan DiGiacomo, Highlands County Economic Development 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“Economic development is a very long game” –Meghan DiGiacomo

Do you ever feel like economic development can seem reactionary? Do you wish people knew that the industry isn’t a sprint?

On today’s episode, Meghan DiGiacomo talks with us about the marathon of economic development. At Highlands County Economic Development, Meghan knows the work that she is doing does not happen in a vacuum. What might seem like a quick celebratory groundbreaking, could have years of hard work behind it that no one sees. Economic developers work to link all of the resources together to make sure the work is done for their projects, companies and community stakeholders.

Meghan is recognized as one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers. Her diligence, conscientiousness and service for her clients are just a few in a long list for this recognition. Along with economic development, Meghan touches on the importance of mentors and the importance of relationship building. Tune in today to hear more!

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai

Episode 128: Do You Allow Your Teams Strengths to Propel Your Organization Forward?
Episode 128: Do You Allow Your Teams Strengths to Propel Your Organization Forward? 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“You have all these strengths but they’re really just sitting there on the table until you start exercising them.” –Carla Sones

Do you know what attributes you excel in? Are you aware of your top strengths? This can sometimes feel only self-reflective, but how does this affect our work and our teams?

Faye Davis talks with Carla Sones on today’s episode about the importance of each person’s strengths on a team, how to interpret them and how to thrive. With an understanding of your teams strengths, you can look through that lens when discussing problems and growth. Carla touches on strengths as crutches and how to stay out of the basement and show up on the balcony.

When your team has consistent language to address topics in your organization, you enter a level of better and more robust conversation. Dialogue can start at missing links and ways to grow, instead of trying to figure out how to force puzzle pieces to fit. Listen today for more insight!

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai

Episode 127: How Is Quebec Solving Its Workforce Woes? | Daniel Silverman, Investissement Quebec
Episode 127: How Is Quebec Solving Its Workforce Woes? | Daniel Silverman, Investissement Quebec 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“What I’m seeing is how multinational corporations are considering their international presence. It’s talent, talent, talent, and then the site, community and financials.” –Daniel Silverman

We can’t have any conversations about projects and deal flow without running into the topic of workforce. It’s a topic that transcends borders and industries, and is top of mind all over the world. What is driving company decisions and how can your community be more active in planning for the future labor pool? What if talent is needed now?

Daniel Silverman, Vice President of Foreign Direct Investment at Invest Quebec, returns to the podcast and talks with Faye Davis. Daniel dives into the ways that Quebec is solving workforce woes, and how immigration processes play a huge role. He gets candid about how business in general and FDI in particular was affected during Canada’s lockdowns (hint: it’s not what you expect!), and why Quebec is really making a name for itself in the ICT sector.

Daniel is recognized as one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers for his ability to constantly innovate and for being a voice for the industry. Listen in now to hear more about how he feeds his creativity, innovation, and passion for the work we do!

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai

Episode 126: Is Micromanagement Costing Your Team Creativity, Motivation and Job Satisfaction?
Episode 126: Is Micromanagement Costing Your Team Creativity, Motivation and Job Satisfaction? 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“When you love what you do, it’s sometimes hard to let go of things that, as a leader, you probably need to let go of.” –Carla Sones

We can all name a time that we have been micromanaged and you can probably remember how it felt. But is micromanaging more dangerous than we think? With it depleting creativity, motivation and job satisfaction, it might be something you’ll want to make sure you have under control!

On this episode, Faye Davis talks with Carla Sones about the severity of micromanaging. With economic development teams typically being small, we can’t afford to lose productivity or morale due to overbearing supervision. Carla points out the signs of a micromanager and gives some tips on what to do if you are a micromanager or if you’re being micromanaged. When we get so focused on the day to day, we can’t move to the long-term goals our teams need.

Over the last year, we found ourselves in crisis management but if we let that stick around, it can easily become micromanagement. When we allow for autonomy, our teams can make better, more creative and quicker decisions. Listen now to hear more!

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America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai

Episode 125: The Ways to Make Your Place a Great Place to Live, Work & Play | Ashley Cagle, Wake County Economic Development
Episode 125: The Ways to Make Your Place a Great Place to Live, Work & Play | Ashley Cagle, Wake County Economic Development 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“You have to have passion. You may not always start with passion for the place, but you have to have passion for the work.” –Ashley Cagle

Though many changes in how the world works were already shaping up pre-pandemic, the last year and a half has accelerated the work style of the future. As companies in your region start creating plans to transition their workforce back, will you be seeing an increase in remote workers, or will a hybrid plan be more common?

Today, Faye Davis talks with Ashley Cagle, Vice President of Economic Development at Wake County Economic Development. Ashley shares great insight as to why Cary, NC was named a top place to live for those who work from home, and also dives into why hybrid models will be utilized more frequently. She touches on workplace culture and how this goes hand-in-hand with the culture of a community.

Ashley is recognized as one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers; because she started in this industry in her young 20s, she has since amassed keen wisdom and a deep understanding of how this industry works, setting her years ahead of most folks her age. Ashley has great advice for folks looking to grow their career in the industry, and so much more. Tune in now to hear more!

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai

Episode 124: How Admitting Mistakes Makes You A Better Leader
Episode 124: How Admitting Mistakes Makes You A Better Leader 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“You make mistakes. Mistakes don’t make you.” –Maxwell Maltz

Do you ever not move forward on something out of fear of making a mistake? Is the thought of dealing with the aftermath of a mistake enough to avoid the situation all together? How does this unavoidable part of leadership drive so much of what we do?

On today’s episode, Faye Davis talks with Carla Sones on making and admitting mistakes. In our leadership, we sometimes want to cover mistakes, but Carla shows us that that never works and truth always comes to the light. We have all seen an insecure person try to blame shift and point fingers, but that leads to more headaches and more mistakes. How do we, as leaders, grow our organizations from a space of admitting and learning from mistakes.

Carla leads us through the 4 ways you become a better leader after owning a mistake. We owe it to our teams to be examples of learning and growing. Tune in to today’s episode to see how!

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai