Janna Allen Hines Consulting’s Post

Hi everyone, Aundre Green here, Community Economic Development Specialist and part of CPOD's leadership team. Last week's report on Canada's low productivity got me thinking. Black businesses are a huge, underutilized key to growth. Together a group of Black business leaders, and I met with the Federal Minister of Small Business here's what we discussed: ✔ Networks matter! Groups like BlkMenStyle create events that benefit Black business owners directly (more and better events + increased revenue) ✔ Collaboration is key! The lack of legitimate co-operatives that are Black-owned and black Centric is a critical ingredient in Canada's low level of productivity. Sharing resources lowers costs for ALL Black juice/sauce makers collectively, lower costs means more investment in areas where it counts! These networks unleash Canada's economic potential! 🇨🇦 Here's the thing though... Here is why Black businesses in the US often have a big advantage: ❗ Access to Networks: Black American entrepreneurs often have a wider range of established Black business networks to tap into ️ (Check!) ❗Access to Resources: More Black networks means more avenues whereby financial and operational support can be assembled. This translates to more funding and investment opportunities! Canada has incredible potential! We need to: ✔ Support Black business networks! Let's create a richer ecosystem for Black entrepreneurs to thrive ✔ Bridge the funding gap! Black businesses in Canada deserve fairer access to resources Together, we can unlock the full potential of Black-owned businesses in Canada! ✊🇨🇦 #BlackBusinessMatters #CommunityEconomicDevelopment #Canada

Give back to your favorite business in #Boston by nominating them for the City of Boston's Legacy Business Program! To be eligible, businesses must have operated for at least 10 years within the City of Boston. Learn more and nominate your favorite business today at boston.gov/legacy

The Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Legacy Business Awards! By recognizing and supporting Legacy businesses on an annual basis, the Legacy Business Program helps further Mayor Wu’s vision for a family-friendly, vibrant city with sustainable community businesses. We encourage you to nominate your favorite long-standing business in Boston. To be eligible, businesses must have been open in Boston for at least 10 years. Learn more about the Legacy Business Program and nominate your favorite business at boston.gov/legacy #bostonbusiness #legacybusiness #smallbusiness

Supplier diversity is key to a healthy, resilient, and resourceful economy. Yet for minority business enterprises and major corporations to continue to prosper, both need to respond to the challenges of the day and embrace the opportunities of the moment. Tomorrow, w3r’s David Reich will be joining with other MBEs, local community leaders, and corporate partners at the Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council Chicago Business Opportunity Forum to do just that. If you’ll be there or are near Chicago’s Fulton Market, reach out to us to schedule time to share insights and strategize about how to cultivate further minority business growth and development. #EconomicEquity #SupplierDiversity #Chicago #MBE

Since Margaret Sweeney's retirement as CEO of I-RES, Ireland has become one of only two EU countries with no female CEOs at the helm of its publicly traded companies. Read the latest article from the Business Post, where Stafford Bagot addresses this issue and goes beyond the statistics to assess the current business landscape in Ireland. Read more here: https://bit.ly/44Fr4dM (subscription needed) #Ireland #CEO #FemaleCEO

🌟 Why it’s ok for every council leader to be a secret show off… Local leadership is like one of those funny friendship groups where you all get along but also give each other the side eye when someone does something that makes the others feel a bit awkward. Maybe it was just me, but I often felt those looks during my time as a council leader for doing what came naturally, which was promoting my place. How dare she step up yet again! Haven’t we all heard enough about #StokeonTrent? 🥱 So I was quite struck by this recent comment from Local Government Minister Jim McMahon ⤵️ about the important role of councils in inward investment - and perhaps most pivotally, the implicit nod to the role of leaders. I’ve written before about some of the Imposter Syndrome you can feel as a leader, and to a degree, my approach to leadership still clashes with colleagues elsewhere who are more laid back, or happy to delegate things and keep out of the spotlight. But what I heard repeatedly - and still hear - is the value of the voice of the political leadership in championing their area. And that is with no disrespect to council officers who I know can be equally passionate about their place, however politicians operate with the democratic mandate of their fellow residents, and are original authentic voices of that area. However, I also recall the look on one leader’s face when a colleague I was with said, “Abi’s got some good ideas to promote you…” Not everyone wants to be like me, believe it or not 😇 What are the options then for councils to really sharpen up to attract inward investment? ▶️ A compelling narrative - rooted in place and focusing on why you’re different to other areas and/or appealing to incomers. I’m currently working on chapters in my book, and the story of Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone features, where civil servants told me the idea of this made them want to rush out and buy a new mug, made in Stoke-on-Trent (true story!). ▶️ Presence in the places that matter - that could be the relevant sector press promoting your offer, or at events like UKREiiF that give you a platform to promote yourself. There was a definite rise in combined authority and regional clusters presenting last year at UKREiiF, a trend I think we’ll see a lot more of in 2025, which fits neatly with the reference to metro mayors in the article too. ▶️ Putting on the sort of show you’d want to attend - this doesn’t mean it has to be glitz and glamour, but it does need to be authentic. Inward investment is a competitive field and giving your place profile means bringing together that narrative and presence in such a way that the people you want to speak to come your way. There’s a role for political leaders in all these ideas, and one which makes that position stronger. It’s not always easy to find, but in my experience, is well worth the time spent in finding and getting comfortable with it. #leadership #inwardinvestment #regeneration

Lets do this folks, our campaign message for 2025 - but I feel we should be clear in what we mean here. Firstly, we do not believe that this country is broken, we do not believe it needs a rebuild, it simply needs a reboot. You might liken this to the flicking of a switch, a burst of new energy, a screen refresh, if you like, but one that brings a new positive perspective to what we are motivated by, what we are embarking upon. Because we live in an extraordinary country, filled with so much talent, potential and opportunity and frankly, talking personally, we need to stop talking Britain down and start talking Britain UP. Why, given there are many challenges, should we? I hear you ask. Well, because in my mind, we owe it to our younger generations. We as leaders, custodians of this country and of what will shape their futures, have a responsibility to let them see that the future of this country is a positive one, and that their future in this country should be equally positive, with great opportunities and that they should look forward to a fulfilled and enriching life and we should encourage them to be optimistic. But to encourage that, we as leaders, must be optimistic ourselves and do whatever it takes, to inspire, to lead with vision, and unlock the potential of those around us. Please consider joining Anthropy at www.anthropy.uk

Newcastle businesses deserve a council that listens and supports their growth. This September 14, vote for Dr. Ross Kerridge for Lord Mayor to prioritise small businesses and ensure they get the support they need. Dr. Kerridge is committed to working with local businesses to reduce red tape, stop wasteful spending, and focus on projects that drive real economic benefits. With his leadership experience, Dr. Kerridge will foster a collaborative council that prioritizes local businesses, helping them thrive in a fair and supportive environment. Let’s create a Newcastle where business success is a priority.Learn more about his vision: ournewcastle.info. #NewcastleElections #RossKerridgeForMayor #SupportLocalBusiness #BusinessGrowth #NewcastleEconomy #LeadershipForChange

Helen Jones, non-executive director at Fuller’s, talks to Ann Elliott about her journey to joining the board. Quick quotes: "Non Exec are a different role than an executive director, you are more 'hands off.'.. look for one while you are still in work but there is a time commitment... networking is very important in getting the right position... you do need to learn to stand back, support, guide and challenge... understand your remit. Cheers and challenge in equal measure, you need to participate but know the boundaries." 👉 Read the programme for Propel's Multi Club conference – Female Leaders and Entrepreneurs, here: https://lnkd.in/er7sJ342

Can't wait to discuss this topic @ Guilford Dialogues June 6 & 7. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/e7VdWhK8 Economic Development: Workforce, Training and Job Creation In the quest for economic inclusion, fostering workforce development, providing effective training and generating sustainable job opportunities are paramount. This panel delves into the intricate dynamics of economic development, focusing on strategies to empower communities through skill enhancement, job creation and equitable access to employment opportunities. Expert speakers will share insights into innovative approaches, successful initiatives and the role of public-private partnerships in fostering economic growth that benefits all members of society. From addressing skills gaps to leveraging technology for training, the panel will explore multifaceted solutions aimed at building a more resilient and inclusive economy, helping attendees gain actionable strategies and best practices for driving economic development and ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of prosperity. #WeAreGuilford