Itasca area bbc wrapup presentation v13
Transcript of Itasca area bbc wrapup presentation v13
1
Itasca Area Blandin Broadband Community (IABBC)
Project Summary
Agenda
• Welcome and Introductions• Meeting purpose – Bernadine Joseyln• Community Presentation – everyone• Blandin response• The future
Introductions
In 30 seconds or less,
Please introduce yourself andyour connection to the BBC Program
5
Brief history of IABBC events
20112010 201420132012
MIRC Project Itasca Area BBC
• Senior e-literacy training
• Grand Rapids library computer equipment
• YMCA Wi-fi project• PCs for People with
broadband access• Streaming of local
government meetings
Storming Forming Norming Performing
Steering Committee formed
MIRC close-out
Final project report
6
Itasca Area BBC Steering Committee
Business, tech based
Business, lower tech
Business, globalK-12
Education
Higher Education
Economic Development
Chamber of Commerce
Tourism
Healthcare
Government
Technology service providers
Under-represented populations
Trent Janezich
Matt Grose
Shawn GillenNeed to replace
Rusty Eichorn Bud Stone
Steve WilsonGarage Doors and
Awnings
Jim Woehrle
Megan Christianson
Jean MacDonell (Grand Itasca)
Lorrie Yeschick
Todd Jaronson(Lonza)
Cory Jackson(Rennix, ITE)
Kathy Kooda
IEDC leads the effort
Curt Walczak (SBDC)
Sustainable Community Initiatives
7
Brief history of IABBC events
20112010 201420132012
MIRC Project Itasca Area BBC
Storming Forming Norming Performing
Steering Committee formed
Accepted into BBC program
Brainstorming ideas
Community meeting
MIRC close-out
Final project report
• Senior e-literacy training
• Grand Rapids library computer equipment
• YMCA Wi-fi project• PCs for People with
broadband access• Streaming of local
government meetings
8
Community MeetingMarch, 2013
Purpose
Leverage key partners and resources within our community: plan, organize and execute multiple sustainable projects focused on the “use” of technology that result in business growth, economic vitality, and improved quality of life.
9
Goals for our Community
10
Make technol
ogy more
mainstream for BUSINESSES in Itasca
County
Support sustainab
le & measure
able projects
Improve web
presence and
online marketin
g
Leverage or create partnerships to
maximize results
Increase social media
knowledge and
use
And Have Fun!
11
Brief history of IABBC events
20112010 201420132012
MIRC Project Itasca Area BBC
Storming Forming Norming Performing
Steering Committee formed
Accepted into BBC program
Brainstorming ideas
Community meeting
Finalized project ideas
3 grants approved (IEDC-2, CMT-1)
MIRC close-out
Final project report
Knowledge Worker Grant
(IEDC)
• Social Media Breakfasts• I.T. Professionals
network• Social media training• Enhance Itasca
Technology Exchange
Innovation Grant(IEDC)
• Technology Assessments
• Loan• Claim Google
Places
Community Portal Grant
(CMT)• Community Portal
• Senior e-literacy training
• Grand Rapids library computer equipment
• YMCA Wi-fi project• PCs for People with
broadband access• Streaming of local
government meetings
12
Initiatives build upon each other to maximize value for businesses
Expanding the USE of broadband technology for Itasca County business
Social Media Breakfasts(Discover Social Media)
I.T. Professionals Network (connecting I.T. resources)
Community Portal (Community engagement)
Business Technology Assessments & Loan Program (transform your web presence)
Social Media training (improve knowledge and use)
13
Brief history of IABBC events
20112010 201420132012
MIRC Project Itasca Area BBC
Storming Forming Norming Performing
Steering Committee formed
Accepted into BBC program
Brainstorming ideas
Community meeting
Finalized project ideas
3 grants approved (IEDC-2, CMT-1)
First Social Media breakfast
First training offered
MIRC close-out
Final project report
First I.T. Professionals meeting
First business technology assessment
Community Portal launched
Itasca Technology Exchange enhancements
Google places - interns Today
Knowledge Worker Grant
(IEDC)
• Social Media Breakfasts• I.T. Professionals
network• Social media training• Enhance Itasca
Technology Exchange
Innovation Grant(IEDC)
• Technology Assessments
• Loan• Claim Google
Places
Community Portal Grant
(CMT)• Community Portal
• Senior e-literacy training
• Grand Rapids library computer equipment
• YMCA Wi-fi project• PCs for People with
broadband access• Streaming of local
government meetings
Areas our team impacted
Remer
Hill City
Deer River
Cohasset
Grand RapidsLaPrairie
Coleraine
Marcell
Bigfork
BoveyPengilly
Nashwauk
15
New IEDC Organizational Dashboard
Item Goal Actual % of Goal
Outcome - Overall BBC program success rate Yes Yes YesOutcome - Social media breakfasts completed 15 13 87%Outcome - Business technology assessments completed 36 30 83%
a.) Businesses receiving $600 grant N/A 9 N/A
Outcome - Business representatives trained 120 120 100%Outcome - Business claiming or enhancing their Google Places 100 15 15%Outcome - I.T. Professional Network meetings 6 5 83%Outcome - Programs being managed by community stakeholders Yes Yes Yes
Outcome - 2015 / 2016 grant applied for and accepted Yes Yes YesImpact - Increase the culture of use and business knowledge for web marketing and social media technologies Yes Yes Yes
Business technology initiatives - includes Blandin Broadband Community (BBC)
16
It takes a village – thank
you!
Technology Assessments
Goal: Improve the use of broadband technology in the business
community
18
By the Numbers• 30 businesses • 8 received matching grants• 1 received a loan• 12 attended social media
training or Social Media Breakfasts
Initial Impact• 50% of respondents made
recommended website changes to better meet their business goals.
• 50% grew their online audience
• Most said it was too early to tell, but…
• 80% of survey respondents said they developed a better marketing strategy
• 100% would recommend the program to another local business
Technology Assessments
19
20
What businesses are saying…“We have a more organized approach to improve our online and social media marketing.”
“Fabulous input – very helpful. They understand the small business challenges of implementing effective Social Media advertising.”
Nice to have hands-on help for social media “crisis management.” If we have a glitch, it’s nice to know you’re there.
“Through this process, I was encouraged to think about my logo and how it might be limiting my growth.”
“Nice to have an objective look at our strategies and tools. It’s hard to evaluate something effectively when you look at it every day.”
21
Lessons Learned
• To move forward, strategy is key• In-person is always best• One-on-one time is greatly needed• Stress the importance of ongoing
communication to see & spur success• Program alignment is vital• Always meet people where they’re at
22
Social Media Breakfasts
Lead organizationsComputer Enterprises
Art UnlimitedArrowhead Promotion & Fulfillment
White IvyTorrent Technologies
Supported by IEDC
Social Media Breakfasts(SMB: Last Tuesday of every month)
• Experienced speakers
• Interactive and engaging
• Attendance ranging from 20-45 per meeting, even when it’s 30 below!
Outcomes
Local businesses have increased their understanding of
• Facebook• Twitter• Youtube & online videos• Pinterest• Social Media strategies
• Mashup• Blogging• Email marketing• SEO strategies
Social Media BreakfastsLooking forward …
• Keep engaging local businesses
• Good sharing & always very educational
• Continue bringing in experienced social media speakers
• Starting to see more local business using social media as a form of advertising and having them share
26
Social Media/Online Marketing Training for Itasca Area Businesses
Lead organizationsIASC Community Education
Art UnlimitedSupported by IEDC
• 100+ Total
Attendees
• Attendees ranged
from small
businesses to
bigger companies
across a variety of
industries
Social Media/Online Marketing TrainingGoal: To bring a deeper level of Social Media
education and hands on training to Itasca Area businesses.
The ClassesWe offered 12 classes
including:
• Facebook Basics for
Business
• Marketing with Twitter
• Understanding Google
Analytics
• Advanced Facebook
• Social Media Strategy
• Blogging for Business
• Making Money Online
Provided eBook, video and worksheet resources
• Marketing the Program
• Initial Surveys for Needs
• Qualified Instructors needed
• Registration through www.getlearning.org with fee
• Social Media is changing rapidly
• Surveys – Pre-Class and Post Class 1. Online vs. Hard Copy 2. Requests for longer classes – 1.5 hr. – Requested by 75% 3. Requests for other topics–YouTube, Adv. Photo, Word Press 4. Provide handouts in class with follow-up eBooks & emails 5. Small class size w/ knowledgeable instructors & time to share is key 6. Increased participants’ knowledge & use of topics in their
business
Lessons Learned…“Great hands-on training & discussion; local GR; learning from each other; good instructor; discovering Hootsuite!”
• Continue to offer more classes – repeat most of them and develop more from survey feedback & requests
• Find additional qualified instructors
• Be more flexible and nimble in scheduling classes and topics
• Greater participation wanted
Social Media/Online Marketing Training Looking forward …
31
I.T. Professionals NetworkLead organization
Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital
Supported by IEDC
32
I.T. Professionals Network
PURPOSE:To provide an organized resource and structure for IT professionals in Itasca County for • Networking• Education• Training• Knowledge Sharing• Community Benefit
33
I.T. Professionals Network
• Leadership team created – To plan and organize meetings – To ensure purpose of group is followed
• Invitations out to I.T. Community– Membership is open to IT professionals in Itasca
County• Goals– Meet quarterly – Provide meaningful networking and speakers
34
I.T. Professionals Network
• Overview of meetings held– December 2013: Virtualization
– March 2014: Back-up Strategies
– July 2014: Internet Security Risk Management
– October 2014: On-line Tools for Connecting with Customers
– December 2014: CISCO Collaboration Technology
35
I.T. Professionals Network• Representatives from businesses and organizations
– Itasca County– City of Grand Rapids– Magnetation– ICC– Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital– MNSTAR– Blandin Foundation– Essar Steel– Lake Country Power– Bigfork Valley Hospital– MCIS– And more …
36
I.T. Professionals NetworkLooking forward …
• Meet at least quarterly• Increase the number of participating organizations• Future topics / ideas– Security– Treating I.T. as an investment versus an expense– VDI– Virtual Switching– Future of Storage– Mobile trends – how does I.T. support it– Collaboration opportunities– Disaster Recovery Systems
37
Google Places – Student Interns Lead organizations
Itasca Economic Development CorporationMelissa Flatley – Intern, ICC
Max Chamberlain – Intern, UMD
38
• Traveled to 122 small businesses in the surrounding towns
• Visited businesses in Bovey (3), Bigfork (8), Cohasset (4), Coleraine (9), Deer River (11), Grand Rapids (67), Hill City (3), Marcell (3), Nashwauk (5), Pengilly (1), and Remer (8) across Itasca County
• Helped 15 of these businesses set up their Google Place, and 8 businesses completed the Technology Assessment
Google Places – Outcomes
39
• Face to Face contact proved to be the best
• Positive feedback from businesses
• Prompted numerous businesses to apply for the technology assessment
• Great experience for the interns
Google Places – Lessons Learned
Community Portal
• Hosted by Itasca Community Marketing Taskforce
• Launched February 2014
Supported by IEDC
41
36 Blogs
89 Local Businesses
Shared Calendar of Events
15 Itasca Communities
13,720 have visited the site
www.minnesotasnature.com
42
Future for Community Portal
• Stronger Marketing Collaborative for Itasca Communities• Create NEW Digital Marketing Strategies• Continued Engagement to Itasca Communities • Continued Brand Marketing…”It’s in Minnesota’s nature”• Securing Sustainability
www.minnesotasnature.com
43
Itasca Technology Exchange
Lead organizationRennix
Supported by IEDC
44
Itasca Technology Exchange
45
Business Success Stories
• Link to video
46
The Future
Evaluate and continue sustainable initiatives2015 & 2016 grant cycle with Blandin Foundation
47
Reflection
If we knew what we know now?
How could the Blandin team have been more helpful?
What community-wide impacts are you observing or expecting?
48
Blandin Foundation
49
Thank you everyone for helping make these initiatives successful
for our business community!
50
Appendix
51
Brief history of IABBC events
20112010 201420132012
MIRC Project Itasca Area BBC
Storming Forming Norming Performing
Steering Committee formed
Accepted into BBC program
Brainstorming ideas
Community meeting
Finalized project ideas
3 grants approved (IEDC-2, CMT-1)
First Social Media breakfast
First training offered
MIRC close-out
Final project report
First I.T. Professionals meeting
First business technology assessment
Community Portal launched
Itasca Technology Exchange enhancements
Google places - interns Today
Knowledge Worker Grant
(IEDC)
• Social Media Breakfasts• I.T. Professionals
network• Social media training• Enhance Itasca
Technology Exchange
Innovation Grant(IEDC)
• Technology Assessments
• Loan• Claim Google
Places
Community Portal Grant
(CMT)• Community Portal
• Senior e-literacy training
• Grand Rapids library computer equipment
• YMCA Wi-fi project• PCs for People with
broadband access• Streaming of local
government meetings
52
Common messages across all 3 grants
Expanding culture of use with
technology
Improve the use of
broadband technology in the business community
Improve knowledge, skills, and
connections for use of
broadband technology
Engage, collaborate, and share pertinent
resident and tourist info
Technology assessment and
plan
Increase # of businesses that can be found on
the web
Low interest loan program
Provide central forum in ITE
for technology sharing
Social Media
Breakfasts Quarterly I.T.
meetings
Partner with IASC
Publicize benefits and results to
generate a buzz
Use what we learn
Create training (IASC)
to meet business
technology challenges
Use what we learn
Build relationships
Create content
Create portal
Increase awareness
Use what we learn
Innovation Grant
Community Portal Grant
Knowledge Worker Grant
Build a culture of technology
awareness and use
53
Expanding the use of broadband
technology for your business
Discover Social Media Transform
Your Web Presence
Stay Informed
Social Media Breakfast Quarterly IT Meetings
Business Technology AssessmentsLow Interest Loan Program
One stop shop for all your community
information
Customized training to meet all of your business technology needs (IASC Community Education)
Scholarships available
Maximize Knowledge
Goals for our Community• Make technology more mainstream in the Itasca Area• Support sustainable and measurable projects that use and apply
technology, rather than the extension of infrastructure• Make Itasca Area businesses and resources more visible and
connected• Provide technology education opportunities for our community• Leverage or create partnerships through collaboration to
maximize results • Build upon other existing community technology projects, where
it makes sense• Have fun
54
It takes a village – thank you to allBlandin Foundation
55
Rennix
Alie McInerney
Center for Economic Development – Duluth SBDC
Chamber of Commerce
Art Unlimited
White Ivy
Visit Grand Rapids
Grand Itasca Hospital & Clinic
Itasca County
Computer Enterprises
Kootasca
ICTV
Community Technology Advisors
Community Marketing Task Force
IASC Community EducationItasca Community College
Arrowhead Promotion & Fulfillment
Torrent Technologies
Rapid Garage Door & Awning
Lonza
IASC
Northeast Higher Education District
Layman Consulting
Itasca Economic Development Corporation
56
Discover Social Media
(WHAT)
Transform Your Web Presence
Community Engagement
Social Media Breakfasts
Business Technology AssessmentsLow Interest Loan Program
Community Portal
Social Media training
Expanding the USE of broadband technology
for Itasca County business
Understand how to use
Social Media (HOW)
Information Technology networking
I.T. Professionals network
57
Reflection
If we knew what we know now?How could the Blandin team have been more helpful?
What community-wide impacts are you observing or expecting?
Cover in each initiative under lessons learnedOverall iedc / cmt comments – lessons learned(grant process, 15 months versus 2 years; etc.)