With local economies in transition, looking outside as never been more important. Of course, most are tempted to put everything on hold and sell the conference table! This is precisely when you should stray from the crowd and push for new possibilities (remember - most fortunes have been made in downtimes). If you want to seize opportunities for new jobs and investments, these upcoming conferences will stimulate your thoughts:
- IEDC Annual Conference in Atlanta GA – October 19-22 2008
- EDAC Annual Conference in Fredericton, NB – September 13-16, 2008
- APDEQ Annual Conference, Quebec Association of Economic Developers, St-Alexis-des-Monts, October 8-10, 2008
- New Orleans 2008 Investment Conference – New Orleans – November 13-17, 2008
Note: the New Orleans 2008 Investment Conference is in
line with the adage that says: follow the money…and
also having a vision at 30 000 feet… It is an investment
conference where smart and contrarian investors see things
going from here. Plus, this year’s event will feature
in-depth analysis of the energy crisis and an expert review
of the booming alternative energy investment market. Ultimately,
that will affect and shape local economies.
Marketing is not Selling – Is your Marketing Strategy in Line with these 5 rules?
Peter Drucker said: “There are only 2 things an organization must do: market and innovate!” First, EDOs seem to confuse marketing with communication. Most talk tools, brochures, and websites before defining who they are targeting exactly and what they want to convey. The result is usually costly (although brochures give the impression that “work” is done) and the response we wanted is non existent. Second, most don’t get interested in marketing when they are comfortable. Suddenly, companies are leaving; they don’t get as many calls from locals as well as prospects, etc. In an increasingly competitive world, brochures won’t cut it, great marketing will. Read More
From Bubble to Bubble
Some years ago, few people thought about the boring subject of monetary policy and its influence on many aspects of our lives. Now that we are in a financial and monetary crunch, the boring subject is no more. Since I am still seeing many local governments and EDOs pouring money in certain sectors (read biotech and the like), I thought that looking at these from a financial standpoint could be an eye opener. Like Deep Throat said to Bob Woodward in All the President’s Men: “follow the money”. Yes, follow the money and it will tell you why some sectors are doomed and others will be again favoured in developed economies that no longer produce high value finished goods but belong to finance, insurance, and real estate – the FIRE economy. The FIRE economy likes to create bubbles; in fact it can’t live without them. An insightful article by Eric Janszen in Harper’s Magazine explains why alternative energy fits all the criteria for the next bubble (curb your enthusiasm, Sierra Club fans, there will be more hype in share prices than energy security…).
http://www.harpers.org/archive/2008/02/0081908
Nuno ID Inc.
Economic Development
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