Economic development is hard, long-term work. To be successful, communities must be ready to launch a new initiative. We define community readiness as having the understanding, capacity and commitment to engage in entrepreneur-focused development.
Our collection of Community Readiness resources can help you assess your community's readiness for entrepreneur-focused economic development.
To get started, download the following resources:
10 Keys to Economic Success booklet
Recorded webinar on understanding your community's opportunities and assets
Community Readiness for Systemic Change by Milan Wall, Heartland Center for Leadership Development
Asset mapping tool and worksheet
For resources referenced in our book:
Entrepreneurial asset mapping tool (p. 49)
Entrepreneurial resource worksheet (p. 49)
The full Community Readiness section includes:
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Add On e2U Resources
If you find you need more customized assistance, there are many ways we can help you explore entrepreneur-focused development with your community and test their support for moving forward with assessment and strategy development. To learn more about any of the components of this resource suite, contact Don Macke.
Consultations
We are happy to do one or two free, quick phone consultations where you share your situation and we provide insights into how you might move your community closer to exploring entrepreneurship as a development game plan.
Quick Assessments
We can do a quick assessment of your community, relying on secondary data analysis and a series of conference calls or webinars with the community team. These assessments are reasonably priced based on the extent of the engagement.
Introductory Webinars
Webinars are an affordable yet, effective way for us to engage with your community and for you to energize your stakeholders.
Keynote Speeches
Keynote presentations can often get a spark going to motivate community stakeholders to get serious about entrepreneur-focused economic development. We have many resources to call upon within our own team and our national network to help you meet your needs.
Workshops & Institutes
You may find that the excitement generated by a presentation or webinar leaves you wanting to learn more, and we can design a workshop to meet your needs. Over the years, thousands of development practitioners have participated in our e2 Institutes designed to help you and a community team jump-start an action plan. If you work at a multi-county or state level, you might find the e2 Institute to be a great tool.
Mentoring
Senior members of the Entrepreneurial Communities team can work with a limited number of mentees each year, providing customized coaching and support as you design your community's game plan.
Website & Our e2 Book
Join the thousands of people who regularly visit and use the resources at www.energizingentrepreneurs.org to support their development efforts. You will also get a great overview with our book, Energizing Entrepreneurial Communities: A Pathway to Prosperity.
