Editor’s Note: “The Economic Development Side” originally appears in the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce’s weekly member e-newsletter. It is written by Rhonda Dishner, the Economic Development Alliance’s executive assistant.
After several days of vacation during the 2018 Christmas holiday season, it’s time to get back to work — whatever our jobs may be.
And here’s hoping no one stopped by the Alliance and Chamber offices last Friday. That’s because we kept the doors locked, and staff members of the Economic Development Alliance left the premises for an off-site planning retreat that focused on how to make 2019 an even better year for community and economic development. (Of course, we were still available by cell phone so we weren’t entirely incommunicado.)
What can we do individually? What can we do as a team? And what can be done as an organization? These were the central topics for the staff retreat (also known as a staff development day). Suggestions included possible training and cross-training opportunities, exploring implementation of new procedures, and potentially rethinking or reworking some events. These were among the ideas discussed during a review of the proposed calendar of 2019 events and employee travel schedules.
Established events on the calendar are already determined and easy to plan for. But day-to-day economic development is difficult—almost impossible—to put on the calendar since each day can bring new projects or requests for “tons” of information or unexpected visits by prospects.
Economic development requires an innovative use of one’s time. When everything is important, it’s tough to do everything immediately. But we really, really try.
We’ve been to the retreat and we’ve psyched ourselves up for the new year’s busy schedule. Bring it on!