1. 2014 Master Calendar - Tactics

2. 2013 IASourceLink Recap
2013 objectives centered on developing and launching a comprehensive web portal to serve entrepreneurs and
small businesses across Iowa by connecting them to the “best fit” of resource providers across Iowa. Guided
by an independent Advisory Committee, the Kauffman model was adopted and IASourceLink platform
established. IASourceLink strives to make it easier to start or expand a small business in Iowa by improving
the visibility of available resources, ensuring access to these resources and easing navigation to these
organizations.
Establishing a strong partnership with UNI has been key to IASourceLink success as it brings together IEDA and
MyEntre.net human capital and services under one recognizable entity. At just one year, IASourceLink is
ranked #4 out of twenty Kauffman affiliates for web traffic (19,535 visitors/1,627 a month). Governor
Branstad highlighted the importance of IASourceLink’s to Iowa’s entrepreneurial efforts by noting its one
year anniversary at his weekly press conference on November 18, 2013.
Looking over the past twelve months, we see IASourceLink services are now comprehensive, with the Resource
Navigator hosting 320+ resource provider profiles, Statewide Calendar of Events seeing more 1,000
postings, Webinars experiencing almost 900 attendees, and the Business Concierge providing specialized
assist to 48 clients. Integrating the Business Licensing component with this portfolio means over 800 clients
have been assisted under IASourceLink.
Efforts to augment the website, reach out to resource providers and focus on outreach continue as 2013 comes
to a close. The API bridge to Secretary of State is close to completion and will support the interface of SOS
and Resource Nav information to more fully serve clients. Affinity partner logos for Secretary of State and
Iowa Bar Association have been added and reciprocity provided. Evaluating our SEO efforts and using “Paid-
to-Click” to increase web traffic are underway. Developing a monthly “Director Durham” column is the
works to ignite client and resource provider interest. Concluding a touch base with the “Tier One” resource
providers will be targeted. Last but not least, meeting with the IEDA Communications Team to initiate PR
plan development and to develop a media friends network will be completed to ensure coordination
between the IASourceLink team and the Authority.
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3. 2014 IASourceLink Objectives
2014 objectives will centered on developing and launching a comprehensive web
portal to serve entrepreneurs and small businesses across Iowa by connecting
them to the “best fit” of resource providers across Iowa. Guided by an
independent Advisory Committee, the Kauffman model was adopted and
IASourceLink platform established. IASourceLink strives to make it easier to
start or expand a small business in Iowa by improving the visibility of
available resources, ensuring access to these resources and easing navigation
to these organizations.
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4. Administration - IASourceLink
1. Craft and approve budget for IASourceLink
 By - December 2013
 Lead – Sherry
 Status – UNI Budget Done
 Next steps:
 UNI share Google budget document with IEDA
 IEDA insert dollar investment
 Confirm marketing investment amount at Dec. 18 IEDA-UNI status meeting
 Share and approve joint budget for ISL marketing and outreach
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5. Web Site Enhancement
1. API build out for Resource Navigator pull by Secretary of State
 By - December 2013
 Lead – Sherry
 Status – coding in development
 Next steps:
 Weekly check in with IT team (USSL, IEDA, Aptera, SOS)
 Follow up requested placement by SOS of ISL url as favored link and for “starting a
business”
 Reimburse Aptera for work
 Joint media release formally announcing partnership /enhanced information
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6. Web Site Enhancement cont’d
2. Place current affinity partners url on IASourceLink and ensure reciprocity
for ISL on their sites
 By - December 2013
 Lead – Sherry
 Status – SOS and Iowa Bar Association (IBA) urls are on ISL home page and
placement for ISL requested
 Next Steps:
 Follow up on ISL placement
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7. Web Site Enhancement cont’d
3. Assess current SEO and “Paid per Click” (PPC)
 By – February 2014
 Lead – Rob & Sherry
 Status – to be completed
 Next steps:
 Assess and report on current SEO status – Rob
 Draft objectives for PPC – hold teleconf with Rob, Kevin, Sherry regarding options and
Blue Chimp
 Determine next step – secure provider
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8. Web Site Enhancement cont’d
4. “From the Desk of Director Durham” monthly update
 By - December 2013
 Lead – Alana & Rob
 Status – to be completed
 Next steps:
 Work with IEDA communication team to develop format for column and/or audio
file. Determine how content will be developed (e.g. IEDA news in the queue / ISL
ghostwriting)
 Set timelines to coincide with monthly IASourceLink e-newsletter
 First column, January 2014
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9. Web Site cont’d
5. Webinar development and planning
 By - January 2013
 Lead – Rob
 Status – to be completed
 Next steps:
 Identify 12 desired “themes” and “expert” for webinar for upcoming year
 Webinar content “alert” to IEDA for proofing
 IEDA return of any comments
 Distribute electronically to “customers”
 Enter webinar timelines into calendar: http://www.iasourcelink.com/s/content-calendar
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10. Outreach
1. Highlight IASourceLink at Governor’s Press Conference
 By - November 18, 2013
 Lead – Sherry & Tina
 Status – press conference held
 Next steps:
 Update front page image rotator with picture and text.
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11. Outreach cont’d
2. Establish media “friends” network
 By - December 2013
 Lead – IEDA Communications Team
 Status – to be completed
 Next steps:
 Identify press contacts to cultivate – Comm Team
 Develop list of ISL/small business “tidbits” to share with “media friends” (12 ready
to go content pieces) – Alana & Rob
 Share “tidbits” w/ UNI for proofing and further distribution via UNI PR channels
 Develop 2014 schedule for providing content (ex. every first Monday of the month)
to “friends” network
 Insert into Calendar http://www.iasourcelink.com/s/content-calendar
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12. Outreach cont’d
3. Develop PR plan for promoting IASourceLink
 By - December 2013
 Lead – IEDA Communications Team w/support from ISL team
 Status – to be completed
 Next steps:
 Identify resources (time vs. money) and developed finalized ISL budget
 Goals, strategies, target audience, tactics
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13. Outreach cont’d
Media
4. Initiate PR Deployment
 By - January 2013
 Lead: IEDA Communications Team w/ support from ISL team
 Status – to be completed
 Next steps:
 Implement outcomes from planning meeting (see slide 10)
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14. Outreach cont’d
Media
4. Implement Social Media Updates
 By – March 2014
 Lead – Rob & Alana with support from IEDA Communications Team
 Status – to be completed
 Next steps:
 Hold planning meeting with IEDA Comm Team to develop SM strategy, reviewing how this may
fit/support IEDA and IGOV ‘s ongoing efforts. From this establish schedule and allocate
responsibility and frequency for supporting outlets.
 During interim period:
 Identify and list of “go to resources” for news – IEDA completed, send to UNI
 Facebook – 4 daily
 Twitter – 3 daily
 Specific media to review for inclusion includes:
 IEDA’s “Business News Clips” for Twitter or FB - twice a week review
 DSM Register Sunday Business/Tech/Entre. stories to FB
 Monthly review of Hoot Suite and FB reports
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15. Outreach cont’d
Media
5. Entrepreneur “success story” article development and post
 By - January 2014
 Lead – Patrick & Alana with support from IEDA Communications Team
 Status – to be completed
 Next steps:
 Develop 12 story ideas for featuring an entrepreneur article for a monthly feature
that coincides with newsletter production timelines
 Identify responsibility for contact, development and follow through
 Identify “contingency” filler or back up – ex. a popular Kauffman or SCORE “success
story” profile
 Insert schedule into http://www.iasourcelink.com/s/content-calendar
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16. Resource Partners
1. Complete “Tier One” 2013 contact
 By - December 2013
 Lead – Alana with support from Chelsea, Patrick, and Rob
 Status – to be completed
 Next Steps:
 Gather write-ups completed for summer 2013 Tier One provider visits
 Develop script – purpose for telephone touch base with Tier One Partners
 Summarize feedback and share with Team
 Schedule visits for 2014 in May, June, July
 Insert schedule into http://www.iasourcelink.com/s/content-calendar
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17. Resource Partners cont’d
2. Solicit and schedule article “contributions” from resource partners
 By - January 2014
 Lead – Rob & Alana
 Status – to be completed
 Next Steps:
 Identify list of service providers to request content for website /newsletter for the
next 12 months
 Lay out a “Jeremy template” for use - tell IASourceLink the 5 most important
things about your organization and/or allow for articles of interest/timely pieces
 Identify timeline and responsibilities
 Insert production timelines into http://www.iasourcelink.com/s/content-calendar
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18. Resource Partners cont’d
3. Electronic newsletter development and distribution timeline
 By - January 2014
 Lead – Rob
 Status – to be completed
 Next steps:
 Establish schedule for newsletter development
 Draft content developed by UNI
 Draft content to IEDA for review/editing
 IEDA return of any comments
 Date to distribute electronically
 Insert schedule into http://www.iasourcelink.com/s/content-calendar
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19. Resource Providers cont’d
5. Annual Resource Navigator profile update
 By – June 2014
 Lead – Rob & Alana
 Status – to be completed
 Next steps:
 Identify protocol and timeline for update of 320 provider profiles
 Email blast – from Debi’s email - request provider review of profile information,
include aggregate stats and offer to share individual if requested by provider
 Allocate monitoring and follow up (for 320 profiles) among ISL team
 Review and approve profile information
 Close out – thank you from Debi
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20. Resource Providers cont’d
6. Represent ISL at Quarterly Entrepreneurial Roundtable
 By – February 2014
 Lead – Alana w new Director or Rob
 Status – to be completed
 Next steps:
 Coordinate representation at E roundtable with IEDA and UNI. Shared lead at the
four scheduled quarterlies.
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21. Resource Providers cont’d
7. Hold ISL sponsored “regional meetings” with resource providers
 By – April to September 2014
 Lead – Alana & Rob with support from EDA Communications Team
 Status – to be completed
 Next steps:
 Identify resource providers associated with each region
 Work with IEDA communications team to develop invite and promote event
 Hold meetings and assign party (UNI & IEDA representatives) to attend
 Solicit feedback/survey
 Write up and report
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22. Resource Providers cont’d
8. Annual electronic survey for provider feedback
 By - November 2014
 Lead – Alana & Rob
 Status – to be completed
 Develop list of key questions to solicit feedback for resource provider survey
 Identify electronic mode for completing survey
 Conduct survey
 Review and report
 Ensure ISL is included in the annual UNI Small Business Survey
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23. Affinity Partners
9. Create “key prospects” list for affinity partnerships
By – January 2014 - ongoing
Lead – Alana & Rob
Status – to be completed
 Identify key prospects for 1) state government Iowa state government, and 2)
external organizations
 Establish relationship guidelines
 Develop program materials
 Initiate recruitment
 Governor’s Press Conference – November 2014
 Annual Meeting of Affinity Partners – November 2014
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24. Operations
1. Coordination between Business Concierge and Business Licensing
 By – January 2014 - ongoing
 Lead – Patrick, Christine, Alana, Rob, Chelsea
 Status – to be completed
 Next steps:
 Confirm information to be gathered when providing assistance to use “voice of
customer interaction” (Question, Location, Results)
 Establish protocol to input tracked data into BizTrakker
 Identify frequency of reviewing information gathered
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25. Operations cont’d
2. Implement tracking of customer interactions using IASourceLink BizTrakker
Platform
 By - January 2014
 Lead – Rob & Alana
 Status – to be completed
 Next steps:
 Gain a shared understanding how customer interactions will be inputted into
BizTrakker on an ongoing basis
 Begin entering interactions effective January 3, 2014
 Provide first quarterly report on BizTrakker numbers March 2014
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26. Operations cont’d
3. Metrics - communicate and share IASourceLink accomplishments
 By - February 2014
 Lead – Alana and Rob
 Status – to be completed
 Next steps:
 Select key metrics for reporting to customers, IEDA/UNI management and Advisory
Committee and Resource Partners
 Identify reporting formats
 Establish reporting schedule
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27. Operations cont’d
4. Complete training to ensure continuity of effort
 By - February 2014
 Lead – Alana and Rob
 Status – to be completed
 Next steps:
 Review USSL instructional manuals and guidance for platforms
 Attend two day tutorial with USSL on key “ins and outs” of using the platforms
(Sitefinity, Resource Navigator, BizTrakker)
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28. Operations cont’d
5. Annual IEDA – UNI Meeting
 By - October 2014
 Lead – Alana and Rob
 Status – to be completed
 Next steps:
 Schedule meeting time with leadership
 Prepare annual report of accomplishments, challenges and proposed goals for
upcoming year
 Provide report in advance of meeting
 Hold meeting
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29. Operations cont’d
6. IEDA – UNI Meetings
 By – January 2014
 Lead – Alana and Rob
 Status – to be completed
 Next steps:
 Establish weekly touch base schedule
 Establish a quarterly in-person meeting
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