The document outlines a proven business solutions model focused on cooperative arrangements among multiple parties to achieve common goals, emphasizing knowledge management, negotiations, and strategic partnerships. It highlights the importance of workforce development and education in economic development, detailing resources and strategies for addressing business demands and creating collaborative networks. The guide includes steps for establishing partnerships, understanding partner capabilities, and leveraging resources to prevent job losses and promote regional economic growth.

1. The Proven Business Solutions Model

2. Definition 1 General: Cooperative arrangement in which two or more parties (which may or may not have any previous relationship) work jointly towards a common goal. Definition 2 Knowledge management (KM): Effective method of transferring 'know how' among individuals, therefore critical to creating and sustaining a competitive advantage. Definition 3 Negotiations: Conflict resolution strategy that uses both assertiveness and cooperation to seek solutions advantageous to all parties. It succeeds usually where the participants' goals are compatible, and the interaction among them is important in attaining those goals.

3. Definition Establishing a long term win-win relationship based on mutual trust and teamwork, and on sharing of both risks and rewards. Partnering arrangement can be between labor and management, subordinates and the executive, suppliers and customers, and suppliers and suppliers. The objective is to focus on what each party does best, by sharing financial and other resources, and establishing specific roles for each participant.

4. Business IS the primary customer Education and Workforce Development IS Economic Development Philosophy IS backed by comprehensive strategic partnerships and operational plans

5. Example of a BSP Partnership Structure Workforce Development The Economic Developer drives the demand side of the model Workforce Development prepares the labor force with their programs and services Education meets the demand with training programs ALL PARTNERS WORK TOGETHER TO FOCUS ON AND SERVE BUSINESS Economic Development Education

6. Turf Resistance to Change (Individuals & Systems) Duplicative Efforts Organizational Cultural Differences Organizational Silos Short-Term Nature of Grant Funding

7. Demand Supply Partners Resources

8. An urgent requirement or need The state of being sought after Economics The desire to possess a commodity or make use of a service, combined with the ability to purchase it. The amount of a commodity or service that people are ready to buy for a given price: Supply should rise to meet demand. Along with supply, demand is one of the two key determinants of the market price.

9. What resources do you use to meet business demand? Economic Development Block Grants Tax Abatements Site Selections Business Growth Brownfield Redevelopment Retention Calls Strategic Planning Other….. Education Michigan New Jobs Training Initiative Curriculum Development Customized Skills Training Apprenticeship classes Other…. Workforce Development On the Job Training Incumbent Worker Training Classroom Training Skilled Workforce Skills Upgrading Apprenticeship creation Customized Hiring Projects Workforce Planning Other….

10. What resources can you deliver to the partnership Who is in your network What resources does your network have Who can deliver the solutions to your customer Can you deliver on your commitments What partners do you trust and rely on Who trusts and relies on you How will your resources blend with your partners

11. Understand your programs and services Learn about your partners Talent Bank Pre-Employment Testing WOTC Identification CRT Training OJT Training EEO/CDBG Tracking Application Pre-Screening EDJT Grants Incumbent Worker Training Resource Rooms Tax Abatements TRA/NAFTA Assistance CDBG Grants Employer Specific Job Fairs Labor Market Research BEST Processes Lay-Off Aversion Projects Education and Training Programs Placement Assistance Retention Call Programs Veteran Employment Project Area Labor Management Groups Empowerment Zones

12. Through discovery - identifies the need(s) of the customer – understanding their own assets as well as their partners – assists in providing solutions through their resources or by referrals to partners – - - dependent on the situation and demand .

13. Prevent Michigan's traditional industries and jobs from leaving the state by adopting a surviving to thriving strategy Support community-led efforts to prevent plant closings and lay-offs through the development of strategies that link economic development workforce, and education Create a regional approach to implement these strategies and make a successful transition to new markets, new jobs, and talent development.

14. Assist Michigan businesses to retain workers, create jobs, and operate competitively in the global market and to attract new companies to Michigan. Growth situations Business enhancement / layoff prevention situations Attraction situations Closure situations

15. How to use your resources to provide solutions How to create collaborative partnerships How to recognize opportunities for your customer How to blend your resources with your partners A different way of doing local and regional business About available resources from 21 st Century Partners *The five proven BSP steps (Entry, Fact Finding , Solution Design, Implementation, Follow-up)

16. Identify your Local and Regional Partners Communicate with those partners Learn about what your partners do and respect their work Work on Definable, Targeted Projects/Tasks Play to Your State and Local Strengths and the Strengths of Your Partners Create a Formal, On-going Process to Solve New Projects/Tasks

17. Educate yourself on the BSP’s role Allow the BSP to make the necessary decisions Help the BSP create the partnerships Encourage Collaboration Understand that it will take time Promote on-going education

18. Burn your enemies list Communicate with your partners Stay in your lane When you help people get what they want you will get what you want You don’t need to be an expert in everything (RP) Give away or share the credit Celebrate the successes Under promise and over deliver Always have positive words for others Pigs V/S Hogs

20. Senior Technical Advisors Christine Quinn, President, South Central Michigan Works! – [email_address] Jim (L14) Lautenschleger, Business Solutions Officer, South Central Michigan Works! – [email_address]