Economic Development in a Digital World: Home-Based Businesses and Virtual Workers
Date: Wednesday, March 21
Time: 2:30 - 4:00 pm EST
Price: $85 for IEDC members, $125 for Non-members

http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Digital_World

Small businesses are the base of our national economy. To survive a recession, new strategies focusing on supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses are required. This web seminar will explore how economic developers can better incorporate home based workers and businesses into their local economy. It will also explore how we can now access our offices virtually, which means workers no longer need to live in the same region as their business.

Our webinar speakers will breakdown the 3rd Bedroom Approach: strategies to create high paying, economic base jobs at a fraction of the cost, risk and impacts associated with traditional corporate focused economic development efforts by encouraging people to work from home. They will also be discussing WORKshift: a Calgary Economic Development initiative to promote, educate and accelerate the adoption of telecommuting in the business community. WORKshift offers businesses in the Calgary region tools and resources to assess and effectively implement telework programs for their employees.

Webinar Attendees will:
• Learn how to nurture entrepreneurs and the growth of home-based companies
• Discover tools and tactics to support home-based businesses and teleworkers located in your community.
• Gain an understanding of how home-based companies can benefit communities and strengthen local tax bases.
• Hear case studies of successful economic development programs to support and expand telecommuting and home based businesses

SPEAKERS:

Mark Lautman
Principal, Community Economics Laboratory
Principal, Lautman Economic Architecture Partners
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Mark Lautman is a founder of The Community Economics Lab, a not-for-profit think tank focused on developing new economic development strategies. His consulting business is conducted under Lautman Economic Architecture Partners LLC. He is immediate past Chairman of the New Mexico Economic Development Commission. Since becoming a professional economic developer 28 years ago, Mark has designed and managed four economic development programs: Santa Teresa, NM 1998-2004, Rio Rancho, NM 1986-1998 and Grants, NM 1983-1986. Under his direction, these programs procured more than 80 corporate locations accounting for more than 23,000 new jobs, 6 million square feet of industrial space, and $11 billion in new investment. Most recently, Mark was Vice President of Economic Development at Forest City Enterprises and Covington Capital where his business unit was responsible for the design and execution of the economic development plan for Mesa del Sol.

Robyn Bews
Manager, WORKshift program
Calgary, Canada

Robyn has been leading the WORKshift effort at Calgary Economic Development since inception, building the program from the ground up. She takes a modern approach to an old concept and challenges the world's misconceptions about flexible work. Her collaborative approach has helped to make WORKshift the defacto brand for all things related to flexible work. She is recognized as a leader in transforming the way people and organizations work, harnessing international expertise to offer a holistic approach for companies looking to make their WORKshift program a reality. Her commitment to the WORKshift program has generated interest not only in Calgary, but across the country and throughout North America. Robyn has been invited to speak internationally about WORKshift, and her presentation style will have you questioning everything you thought you knew about flexible work.

http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Digital_World

Questions? Please contact [email protected]