WELCOME TO THE IASOURCELINK RESOURCE PARTNER NEWSLETTER!
In May, I had the opportunity to participate in a week-long Lean planning event to evaluate a current
state program. Lean planning – in rudimentary terms, identifying and removing the ‘fat’ or waste in a
process - has been around for over 100 years, and this the second event I’ve taken part in.
The members and facilitators of our Lean team were women from seven different state agencies and
one non-profit organization. That is a lot of state agencies and a lot of women with opinions. But we had come together as a group with a similar goal in mind – to improve an existing process for the betterment of the end user – small businesses.
My first experience with a Lean event several years ago was interesting and educational. It was a much larger and more diverse group of people and while we did end the week with some tangible results, I never quite felt we’d come together with the same goal in mind so it was difficult to arrive at true consensus. In the end, there was movement forward on the project, but it was years in the making.
My second Lean experience was much different. In May, as we progressed through five days of hard questions, sticky notes, white boards and table snacks, we transformed from individuals to a true team.
We worked through difficult conversations, remained open minded about new ideas, and at the end of the day came away with a plan of action that is already in implementation. We had achieved not only a successful outcome, but new friendships and respect for the programs we each are involved with.
I tell this story because it has reminded me again of the amazing results that can be reached when people are truly willing to work together on a common goal. As IASourceLink Resource Partners, I know you regularly collaborate with others to make great things happen for your businesses and communities. We would like to shine light on some of those stories, so whether it’s your own Lean planning event or some other experience where like minds created success, if you feel like sharing, please contact me!
Thanks again for all you do to help Iowa’s businesses succeed, and enjoy a safe and fun Independence
Day holiday!
-Amy Kuhlers, Program Manager and Network Builder, IEDA
FROM THE DIRECTOR'S DESK
By Debi Durham via Iowa Economic Development Authority
Hello, I’m Debi Durham, Director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Next week we celebrate our nation’s Independence Day. There will be barbecues,fireworks, parades and festivities all across Iowa. The holiday is a great opportunity to gather with friends and families
Art and Economic Development? Learn How to Make it Work at the Iowa Arts Summit By Michael Morain
In the seven years since the Pappajohn Sculpture Park was built in downtown Des Moines, the surrounding area has spiffed up in remarkable ways. Trendy restaurants replaced run-down auto shops. Shiny corporate offices lined up shoulder to shoulder. Just last weekend, the area hosted the Des Moines Arts Festival and more than 200,000 visitors.
It's a great example of creative development, right?
Right. But what if your city doesn’t have the same resources? What if nobody in town has a $40 million of sculpture just lying around?
Funding Available for Iowa Communities to Remove Nuisance Property By IASourceLink Administrator
Last summer Governor Branstad signed legislation into law creating the Nuisance/Abandoned Property Remediation Fund, which is managed through the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). This fund allocates $6 million in the form of low interest, short-term loans available to municipalities of any size across the state. One third of these monies have been specifically set aside for cities of less than 10,000 population until September 1, 2016. Costs incurred in the preparation of an application are not eligible to be reimbursed with program funds.
NewBoCo to Take Over EntreFEST By IASourceLink Administrator
EntreFEST, the annual statewide gathering of entrepreneurs and business leaders, has a new home. The New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative, Inc. (NewBoCo), out of Cedar Rapids, has reached an agreement with the University of Northern Iowa’s Center for Business Growth and Innovation (CBGI) to assume responsibility of all aspects of this wildly popular event, effective immediately.
TCB - Taking Care of Business By Dan Beenken via IASourceLink
Entrepreneurs often follow the path of copying another business and simply charging less for the product or service in order to create demand. They assume they can get by on less profit per job because they will “make it up on volume”. They don’t take a salary for months and all they are really doing is artificially propping up something that should have had the plug pulled long ago.
Did you know…. July 1st begins the assessment period where all licenses included in the Iowa Business License Information Center (BLIC) are reviewed by the regulating agencies and updated as needed. So you can be assured that the regulatory information in the BLIC is always current!
IASourceLink is the premier online resource connecting entrepreneurs and small businesses to more than 360 resource providers across Iowa. IASourceLink is brought to you by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) in collaboration with the University of Northern Iowa Center for Business Growth and Innovation.
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