Missouri Business Growth Services ECONOMIC GARDENING IN MISSOURI A program of the Missouri Small Business & Technology Development Centers What to expect when working with the BGS team.

What is Economic Gardening ? An economic development program Focused on “growing your own companies” as opposed to hunting companies Focused strictly on growth companies

Where did it come from? Developed in Littleton, CO, in year results: Jobs 15,000-30,000 Sales tax$6-$20 million Population growth23 percent No recruitment of companies No incentives

What makes it different? Focuses on Stage II growth companies Focuses on strategic issues High-end, sophisticated corporate-level tools Deep underlying scientific principles Used in five frameworks for dealing with classes of business problems

Economic Gardening – In Missouri Named Business Growth Services Working directly with clients. Working with economic developers. Bringing this valuable service to Missouri, anywhere in the state. In conjunction with the National Center for Economic Gardening, hosted by the Edward Lowe Foundation. Your gateway to fortune 500 business tools.

What kind of help will I get? Strategic information Market research Competitor intelligence Industry trends Custom research Strategic frameworks for five classes of business problems Market dynamics Core strategy Innovation Qualified sales leads Team dynamics

What will I not receive? Operational assistance Implementation Primary research, such as focus groups, surveys, etc.

What kind of tools do we use? Search engine optimization Web marketing Competitor strategies Geographic information systems Qualified sales leads Heat maps Database research Market information Competitor intelligence Industry trends

What are these new sciences? New sciences being developed around biological systems Business as biology Complexity Systems thinking Temperament Network economics

So, how will this unfold? View this introductory voice-over presentations Initial interview with call leader (1-2 hrs.) Phone call with full team to clarify information and develop research tasks Information (and s) posted on “Greenhouse” collaboration website Follow-up explanations from specialists Close out

How long will it take? You will receive about 35 hours of high- quality assistance from specialists. They will focus on one or two major issues. The engagement will conclude in about three weeks.

How will we work together? Not consultants Not deep in your industry Do not make recommendations Extension of your team Give best info to make decisions Framework for trouble-shooting problems Work quickly, hand-in-glove The Missouri SBTDC will continue to be a resource after the engagement.

Do I receive qualified sales leads? Core strategy Market dynamics Innovation Temperament Marketing/qualified sales leads

What are the actual deliverables? CREATIVE BLOW MOLD TOOLING in Lee’s Summit received a 16-page analysis of the website, a competitive analysis and a list of potential customers. ACCURATE RX PHARMACY in Columbia received advice on social media, marketing, trade shows and other types of research, as well as information on potential customers in the region and surrounding states. BILLY GOAT INDUSTRIES in Lee’s Summit received identification of new markets, information on building a franchise model and exploration of dealer and distribution support.

What do the CEOs think? “I don’t have the time or expertise to go out and find the data, the lists of potential customers. That is a big part of what the team provided. We also didn’t have the capability to take a hard look at our online presence. This was a whole new area for us.” – Michael Bohning, owner, Creative Blow Mold Tooling “When I heard about the BGS program, I was immediately interested. We got more than we ever expected. It was incredibly thorough. The great thing was, it was all tangible. These were all take-home points for us. For a small business with limited time and resources to have this information delivered on such a very rapid timeline was perfect.” – Jay Bryant-Wimp, co-owner and founder, Accurate Rx Pharmacy “They provided the entire go-to-market model. This program can provide small- to-medium businesses the resources they might not otherwise have available to help them flush out opportunities. The action items and deliverables we agreed upon met our expectations and more. The team helped us to fill in the gaps and see the next business opportunity.” – Will Coates, president and CEO, Billy Goat Industries

Welcome to the program! Questions about expectations Your team leader listed in the Greenhouse Next steps Give us feedback