Jim Damicis gave a presentation on organizational strategic planning for economic development. He discussed the role of economic development organizations in leading strategic planning efforts through distributing work to relevant partners, relying on data and engagement, and adapting to changing needs. Damicis also covered assessing an organization's capacity, identifying lead and secondary entities to implement initiatives, creating action plans, and establishing a monitoring body to oversee progress. He concluded by sharing characteristics of high performing economic development organizations.

1. Jim Damicis
Senior Vice President
Camoin Associates
April 19-20, 2010
Atlanta GA
1
Economic Development
Strategic Planning

2. Organizational Strategic Planning
2
Organizational Responsibilities
for Making it Happen
Agenda:
Role of the Economic Development Organization
Assessing Institutional Capacity
Leading & Supporting the Effort
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3. The Role of the Economic Development Organization
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Economic developer as point guard – able to distribute work and responsibilities to
those best able to act
Able to function regionally
Reliance on information, knowledge, and intelligence
Higher demand for transparency, nontraditional civic engagement/involvement –
crowdsourcing, and social media
Demand for metrics
Adaptability – comfort with complexity

4. Potential
Implementation
Resources
Competencies
To Take On
Additional Tasks
Strengths &
Weaknesses
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Assessing Institutional Capacity

5. Factors to Assess
Leadership
support
Staffing
Volunteer
network
Existing
programs &
services
Organizational
policies &
plans
Financial
resources
Real estate &
equipment
resources
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6. Keep in Mind:
Many major economic development
initiatives are implemented by partnering
entities.
Implementers can be described as having
lead or secondary responsibility.
Identifying & seeking endorsement of the
lead responsible entity is critical.
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7. Lead Responsibility
 May be agency, organization, or group
 Key implementer & primary coordinator
 May call for expansion of current operations
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Business
retention &
expansion goal
Local chamber
of commerce
(similar entity)
IMPLEMENTATION
LED BY

8. Taking the Lead
 Action plans
 Assume responsibility for appropriate action steps
 Oversee & advise on progress
 Submit progress reports
 Carry out other necessary responsibilities
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9. Secondary/Active Support Responsibility
 Design necessary action steps alongside lead
agencies
 Assume responsibility for appropriate action
steps
 Report to lead agency/organization
 Progress, challenges, key findings
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10. Adoption & Endorsement
process
• Inform
organizations
1
• Gather
feedback
2 • Request formal
adoption &
formally
endorsement
3
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11. Meeting/Presentation Should Include:
 Review of strategic planning process
 Public input, draft plan development
 Lead & secondary organization roles
 Specific responsibilities
 Action plans
 Monitoring implementation
 Next steps
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12. Next Steps/Going Forward Timetable
 Integration of input from various organizations
 Development of action plans
 Development of plan brochure/document
 Public unveiling of plan
 Ongoing monitoring of plan implementation
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13. Duties of the Monitoring Body
• Assist in action plan development, if needed
Obtain initial implementation action
plans
• Quarterly or semiannual basis
Obtain formal status reports
• Leadership team, implementing organizations, &
community
Provide periodic (typically annual)
updates
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14. Review of Findings:
National Regional EDO Research
Board Seats
-
Investment
Funding
Matched
Funding
Per Capita
Governance
Fairness
Negotiate &
Compromise
Public-
Private
Partnership
But Private
Sector
Driven

15. Efficient
with
Funding
Strong
Alliances
&
Networks
Creative
Risk Takers
Measure
Results &
Adjust
Strategic
Plan
Driven by
Customer
Trust &
Respect
Respond &
Adapt
Leadership
& Capacity
Communicate
High Performing EDOs

16. Contact Information
o jim@camoinassociates.com
o www.camoinassociates.com
o Twitter: @jdamicis
o Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jdamicis
o Economic Development Navigator: www.camoinassociates.com/navigator
Economic Development
Contact Information
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