Renew Your Subscription NOW and be eligible for the $100 drawing when you respond to our Program Survey!
Use the following link to subscribe to either one or both of the email lists that represent our two major client groups:
Subscribe now so you don't miss any valuable resources and special offers. We also encourage you to take an active role by submitting questions, requests, suggestions and any other comments using our
|
|
|
Is your community achieving excellence?
If you could change just one thing about your community that would make it better tomorrow than it is today, what would that be? What is keeping your community from getting that done?
We have asked these questions at a number of workshops and have gotten a wide variety of responses. Here is your opportunity to help us develop a top 10 list of what needs to be done to help rural communities achieve excellence.
Here is your opportunity to share with us your suggested change that would move your community towards excellence. Link to Change Survey
|
|
Please help us improve!
We need your assistance answering a very important question...why are people not taking advantage of our educational programs even thought they are proven to help communities achieve excellence? We want the honest truth so we can do a better job of providing what is needed to help communities prepare for a prosperous future.
Your response to this short survey and subscription to one or both of our updated email lists will enter you into a drawing for $100 check. If you have already renewed your subscription, you are half way there...just complete the survey. Thanks for your time!
|
|
What do residents think about your community?
What is it worth to know what residents think about your community? TCRE can post your own customized online survey that provides an opportunity for people living and working in your community to let you know:
- Why are you here?
- What keeps you here?
- What are you proud of?
 - What are you disappointed in?
- What would make you leave?
- What should we do better?
During the month of April we are offering a $200 discount (off the original price of $500) for communities that initiate their survey during the month.
If you are interested in this online survey opportunity, please submit a Survey Request form and we will provide more information and further instructions.
|
|
Program of the Month:
Planning, Developing and Operating Successful Rural Business Incubators -
This program explores the role of business incubators in economic development and how they are a tool of community and economic development. Participants discover some of the best practices that make for successful business incubation.
Go inside the operations of an incubator to see the major activities that are a must for incubator success. Several critical issues discussed during the workshop include: different types of incubators; incubators that best fit your community and market; understanding staffing and management considerations for the best overall operational success; long term sustainability; marketing, operations, economic development goals; and garnering necessary resources.
See if your community is ready to benefit from business incubation! Contact greg@tcre.org today to offer this workshop exclusively to members of your community or to bring it to your region as an open enrollment workshop.
|
|
What I Have Learned...
 I read blogs from some folks I consider innovative thinkers and find I can adapt many of their thoughts to our work in community, economic, business and leadership development. This issue we will focus on thoughts from John Spence:
- Have you ever wondered why it is so difficult to get residents to volunteer for community development projects? It might be that they are convinced things need to change but are not committed enough to "buy in" and devote the time and energy to get something done. Link to some thoughts on the challenges leaders face.
- Our work confirms that you should be putting as much if not more time and effort into implementation and execution as you do in the actual strategic planning process...many of the additional points in "Strategic Doers and Thinkers" are also challenges we make to our clients.
- Participants of our community sponsored Business Boot Camps complete assessments that identify strengths and weaknesses...Spence identifies four critical ideas that will help you run a more successful business in his Business Success blog.
|
