History

1. A Strategic Regional Approach to Help Businesses Survive, Succeed and Grow in Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana Counties

2. History • Taking Care of Business Research • Visited Tennessee to see best practices first-hand • Mass Layoff Planning/Implementation Grants • Targeted Industries • Single Point of Contact Model • Selected Customer Relationship Management Software

3. The BRN Mission The BRN is here to help regional businesses survive, thrive and keep and create jobs by bringing an unparalleled strategic and collaborative approach to solving their problems and expanding their opportunities. This client-centered approach transcends individual programs, service silos and bureaucracies to focus on meeting the complete business service needs of the client and delivering measurable results to our clients and communities.

4. The BRN Partners • Local governments/government agencies • Chambers of Commerce • Economic Development Organizations • Workforce development organizations • Schools, universities and training facilities • Social services and nonprofits • Any organization with a service, program, incentive or support that could help a business and its workers survive and succeed.

5. The BRN Commitment BRN partner organizations agree to . . . • Buy into and support the BRN philosophy • Actively help set the agenda and promote the Network • Operate confidentially and professionally • Keep up to date on trends, issues and partner programs

6. The BRN Building Blocks • A step-by-step process for identifying, targeting and reaching out to regional businesses • Dun & Bradstreet business data • Technology/Collaboration Tools - for managing client prospecting and internal communications with partners • A shared philosophy – a working partnership

7. The BRN Building Blocks The award winning Synchronist Business Information System – form managing information gathering, reporting and client customer service phase. Marketing strategies and materials: The Business Resources Network sub-brand equals easy access for business. Reports, outcomes and comparatives with individual client and public policy implications.

8. BRN Results • This past year (July 1, 2009 – present), BRN partners have interviewed 43 businesses in our region • provided a collective follow-up response to 42 of them. • This compares to 33 interviews and collective follow up to 27 companies the prior year. • Interviewed 39 manufacturing companies and 4 in health services • Interviews were conducted with 16 Trumbull County companies, 19 Mahoning County companies and 8 in Columbiana County.

9. BRN Results

10. Next Steps Continue the development of the BRN model Implement Oh-Penn Interstate Regional roll-out through Walmart Grant Ensure preparedness to roll the model out statewide Engage 40 new companies in Ohio Maintain active working relationships with the accumulated 75+ business customers that participated in the BRN process over the past two years

11. Next Steps Participate in the North American data study in order to gain comparative data to other regions in the United States Implement a survey to begin estimating dollar values of collective services and resources provided Survey BRN Partners to elicit input Survey BRN business customers a second time at the six-month mark Heighten awareness in the community with political leaders, other stakeholders and the media

12. Questions? Gene Babik Business Resource Network Manager gene@onestopohio.org 330.965.1787, ext. 7140