Mississippi Prospects show

Mississippi Prospects

Summary: Welcome to Mississippi Prospects. A new podcast focused on community and economic development throughout Mississippi. Brought to you by the MEDC, each podcast will explore a broad range of topics. From workforce development and corporate recruitment to stress management and the traits of effective leadership. You’ll hear from economic development experts who will share their insights on how we can build a stronger Mississippi together.

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Podcasts:

 How to Stand Out in a Crowded Marketplace | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:27:32

Former Dotcom executive and author Seth Godin said, “In a crowded marketplace, fitting in is failure. In a busy marketplace, not standing out is the same as being invisible. Business and economic development leaders often look at successful communities and they try to emulate what that community did to become successful, instead of looking for ways to differentiate themselves from their neighbors. Here to talk about how to differentiate your community through storytelling is Tyler Raborn, CEO of full-service marketing firm Raborn Media LLC. At Raborn Media, Tyler has married creativity with cost efficiency to produce a return-on-investment centered culture. Through creative storytelling, he has helped a variety of organizations achieve their goals. Join us to learn more!

 Opportunities in Opportunity Zones and New Market Tax Credits | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:22:46

Chances are if you’ve been involved in economic development and corporate recruitment during the last few years, you’ve heard discussions about opportunity zone funds or new market tax credits. Both of these programs are focused on investment and development in low-income communities across the country. While these programs may have similar goals, knowing which program may be the best option for you or your client often takes the guidance of an expert. Joining us in this episode is Certified Public Accountant Kathy Gelston, who is a financial analyst with VisionFirst Advisors. Kathy has nearly 30 years of executive-level, public sector experience, previously serving as the associate vice president of corporate engagement and economic development at Mississippi State University, and as chief financial officer for the Mississippi Development Authority, the state’s lead community and economic development agency. Join us to learn more!

 Trendspotting in an Age of Accelerating Change | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:33:55

This quote was taken straight from a presentation by this episode’s special guest: “If you want to think like a futurist, stop marveling at What’s New and begin to think about What’s Next.” Here to talk about trends which are sure to affect Mississippi and our future in the next decade is Ted Abernathy. Ted is the managing partner of Economic Leadership LLC, a consultancy currently working in more than a dozen states to develop economic and workforce strategies. Ted has 35 years of experience in directing economic development and workforce development programs. Join us to learn more about trendspotting lifestyle and business trends with Mr. Abernathy.

 Influencers: Inspiring the Actions of Others | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:30:17

When you hear the term influencer, it often conjures up the image of a young person on social media traveling through exotic and interesting places. Or, eating some delicious food photographed perfectly. However, our next guest is helping bring the term influencer back to its roots, meaning someone with the ability to inspire and guide the actions of others. With more than 20 years of experience in business, seven as a consultant, Cause Collaboration’s Erin Meadows has carefully watched and studied what makes organizations and the people in them succeed—and what makes them struggle—concluding that most successful organizations keep four key aspects in alignment: 1) Thoughtful strategy, 2) Clear, honest, effective communication, 3) intentional team-building, and 4) accountable leadership. With these four things in alignment, Erin believes any organization can succeed. Join us to learn more!

 Workforce Development: Madison is Making it Happen | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:25:11

Special Guests: Danielle Winningham, Chief Operating Officer for the Madison County Economic Development Authority and Jan Collins, Executive Director of the Madison County Business League & Foundation Description: Workforce development is a top driver of site location decisions made by most companies today. During the recruitment process, economic development officials will be asked a couple of key questions: First, do you have the workforce to get the job done, and second, do you have a sustainable workforce development model to provide the talent pipeline? Madison County, Mississippi has embraced these challenges with their award-winning workforce development initiatives, which take a multi-pronged approach, incorporating educational partners in the private sector. Join us to learn more!

 Changing the Narrative: An Innovative Workforce Initiative in the Mississippi Delta | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:27:42

Special Guest: Will Coppage, Executive Director for the Washington County Economic Alliance Description: Anyone who's spent time in Mississippi knows the state boasts many distinct regions, from the Gulf Coast to the Pine Belt, or even the Hills Region. But no other region evokes the vivid imagery of Mississippi more so than the Delta, best known for cotton and the state's most renowned export, The Blues. Once the heart of the state's agriculture-based economy, the Delta today is home to some of our state's most impoverished communities. Not willing to let this narrative persist, the Washington County Economic Alliance and several key partners have developed an innovative program for at-risk young people to provide them with access to educational and workforce training. Join us to learn more!

 A Slice of the Economic Development Pie: Community & Commercial Development | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:22:26

Special Guest: Lindsay Ward, Economic Development Manager of the Workforce Development Division for the Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District Description: When you hear people talking about economic development, what they're often speaking of is industrial development, which is only one piece of the true economic development pie. Another important piece of this pie is community and commercial development. Think of it as diversifying your investment portfolio. Joining us to talk about her award-winning commercial redevelopment program is Lindsay Ward, with the Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District, where she is the economic development manager for the Workforce Development Division. Join us to learn more!

 The Process of Attracting, Recruiting and Developing Talent | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:24:08

Special Guest: Andre’ Kennebrew, Leadership Development Project Lead & Talent Acquisition Senior Manager, Chick-fil-A Corporate Description: Just as important as having a great site to attract a new company or helping an existing business expand is having the talent to get the job done. Talent attraction and retention continues to be a top factor in corporate site selection. Andre’ Kennebrew is well known for his unique ability to recruit, develop and retain top talent for Chick-fil-A. Andre’ serves up his process for recruiting and maintaining a productive and enthusiastic workforce.

 Location Marketing - What You Are Getting Right | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:26:49

Special Guest: Deborah Mcgill-Smith, Vice-President - Industrial Brokerage & Consulting, Cushman & Wakefield | EGS Description: You’ve heard the saying many times before, “the most important thing in real estate is location, location, location!” Even though more commerce is being conducted electronically, location and location strategy still are important factors for any company. And for the local economic developer how you present this location option can be the difference between winning or losing a project. Deborah McGill-Smith shares her insight on effective site marketing.

 The Role of the Site Selection Consultant | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:25:27

Special Guest: John Longshore, Principal, VP of Innovation, Global Location Strategies Description: State and local economic developers often place their primary focus and their attention on the site selector themselves, but is it possible that the site selector is merely a small piece of the larger puzzle? John Longshore will discuss the role of the site selection consultant and other important factors to consider that could benefit your community.

 Key Elements of Meaningful Strategic Plans | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:24:03

Special Guest: Gray Swoope, President & CEO, VIsionFirst Advisors Description: British Prime Minister Winston Churchill said “Plans are of little importance, but planning is essential.” You also may have heard the Maxim, “those who fail to plan, are planning to fail.” Gray Swoope will walk us through the key elements to developing and implementing strategic plans that can benefit your economic development organization.

 North American Trends of Industrial Site Selection | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:26:23

Special Guest: Josh Bays, Partner, Site Selection Group Description: In the eyes of many people Mississippi is still primarily an agriculture state, but what they don’t know is that we have made tremendous strides in the manufacturing sector. Agriculture and manufacturing actually go very well together. You have a population that is very comfortable working with their hands and making things. We like to say “if you can make it, we can make it in Mississippi.” Josh Bays will share his perspective on the North American trends of industrial site selection.

 An Economic Developer's Guide to High Tech Careers | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:24:28

Special Guest: Carol Henderson, Senior Director, Business Incentives Practice, Cushman & Wakefield Description: High tech jobs are desired by many communities due to the higher salaries and what it can mean for the community, but these jobs require a workforce with a higher skill set that often seeks out a certain quality of life within the community before committing to live and work there. Do your community and workforce have what it takes to secure these high tech industries?

 Don’t Get Cut: Critiques to Your RFI Response to Move Your Community into the Next Round | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:27:02

Special Guest: Jeannette Goldsmith, Vice President, Strategic Development Group Description: When competing for economic development projects, the main goal across the country is pretty simply “don’t get cut”. Jeannette Goldsmith will critique RFI responses and discuss the “why” or “why not” for why some communities get cut and other keep moving to the next round.

 Drivers in Site Elimination | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:21:32

Special Guest: Chris Schastock, Senior Vice President, CBRE | Advisory & Transaction Services Description: Site selection is sometimes based more on site elimination and risk mitigation than selection. Companies want to be successful and profitable through a safe investment. How are your and your community building a team to formulate core pillars for success when the opportunity comes?

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