Past Issues 1988 - Present

By Lucas Chang
The phrase “it takes a village to raise an entrepreneur” refers to the importance of having public, private, and educational institutions support entrepreneurs as they ideate, plan, launch, and scale their businesses.  While it’s not impossible to do it alone, it’s much easier to start a business within a supportive ecosystem.
This article will explore how York Region’s ecosystem evolution and its success in supporting...
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By Louise Watson, Adura Strategy
Municipalities and economic development commissions are experiencing increasing pressure to show not just what your organizations are doing, but the impact of your work. However, the government sector often struggles to find the meaningful measures you need and can become frustrated with the time and money being wasted trying to develop better measures.
Would you believe me if I told you that your struggles are likely caused by bad habits...
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Author:  Chris Engle, Vice President, Avalanche Consulting, Austin, Texas
A survey of 181 economic development organizations across the US by a Texas-based consulting firm shows that corporations continue to explore their expansion plans, but are announcing new projects at a slower pace than previous reports.
The Economic Development Activity Index is a bi-annual survey of U.S. economic developers conducted by Avalanche Consulting, Inc. to gauge changes in prospect...
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By Robert S. Cooke
As organizational leaders we are all too often disappointed that our people are not delivering what is needed or required.  Sometimes people deliver what is wanted and expected and at other times we are disappointed that the work of our people is not up to standard or misses the mark. Through my advisory and leadership coaching work over the last thirty years I have concluded  that there are three simple foundations that must be in place for people...
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Mutually reinforcing relationships between sectors have vaulted Stratford, Ontario, into the international spotlight as one of the world’s Intelligent Communities. Could it work for your community?
   
Depending how you look at it, this is either an exciting or daunting time for communities. In Stratford, we’ve opted for the former.
 
This isn’t to downplay the challenges – the disruption of...
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