Comments for MarkLautman.com http://www.marklautman.com Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:45:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Reinventing Economic Development: How not to lose sleep over income inequality by Sandra Sawyer http://www.marklautman.com/2012/01/27/new-mexico-business-weekly/reinventing-economic-development-how-not-to-lose-sleep-over-income-inequality/comment-page-1/#comment-2694 Sandra Sawyer Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:45:00 +0000 http://www.marklautman.com/?p=443#comment-2694 Interesting thought and a great call for individuals to think of others rather than themselves. Interesting thought and a great call for individuals to think of others rather than themselves.

]]> Comment on Sandia Labs’ retirees send ripples into region’s economy by Chris Kenny http://www.marklautman.com/2012/01/13/press/print/sandia-labs-retirees-send-ripples-into-regions-economy/comment-page-1/#comment-2691 Chris Kenny Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:29:00 +0000 http://www.marklautman.com/?p=438#comment-2691 Mark: perhaps we should run an Implications Wheel® to provide a deeper understanding to key stakeholders (including SNL, the City of Albuquerque, the state of NM) of the key implications of the aging workforce from SNL. What happens, for example, if our political clout in Congress continues to slide (with Jeff Bingaman's retirement) and the number of key staff at our labs continues to decline? Could the Congressional delegation from Texas swoop in and move the Lab to Texas, citing more Texas-based brainpower as one compelling reason to make the move? Just one of many possible implications that people should consider. Mark: perhaps we should run an Implications Wheel® to provide a deeper understanding to key stakeholders (including SNL, the City of Albuquerque, the state of NM) of the key implications of the aging workforce from SNL. What happens, for example, if our political clout in Congress continues to slide (with Jeff Bingaman’s retirement) and the number of key staff at our labs continues to decline? Could the Congressional delegation from Texas swoop in and move the Lab to Texas, citing more Texas-based brainpower as one compelling reason to make the move? Just one of many possible implications that people should consider.

]]> Comment on Can Economic Development Get Its Mojo Back? by Mark Lautman http://www.marklautman.com/2010/09/26/new-mexico-business-weekly/can-economic-development-get-its-mojo-back/comment-page-1/#comment-599 Mark Lautman Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:18:01 +0000 http://www.marklautman.com/?p=121#comment-599 Frank- I take issue with your bashing of the traditional recruiting model. I would argue that recruiting is still the most efficient and fastest way to create economic base jobs if you have the workforce, infrastructure, business climate and economic conditions needed to successfully compete. There is going to be a surge in large job creation projects over the next 3-5 years. Metro areas like Albuquerque/Rio Rancho and Las Cruces have a shot at competing for some of those and they should be gearing up for what we are calling the "traditional economic development game. They have some of the best programs in the country and know how to chase and close deals. I would argue that it is affordable for those communities. The problem is that the majority of communities in the state can't compete in that game and you are right; the traditional attraction model doesn't work for them. The problem is that the new models that have been promoted to rural communities have no better return on investment and most of them do not measure their job creation or return on investment in an honest or meaningful way. Every community in the country has retention and expansion program already. Tending to your existing companies is important but I don't care how much time, talent or money you pour into retention and expansion it is not going to be enough in most places. I still contend that the economic development profession has no program model to address half the potential market economic base job creation market for most communities - solitary home based workers. Frank- I take issue with your bashing of the traditional recruiting model. I would argue that recruiting is still the most efficient and fastest way to create economic base jobs if you have the workforce, infrastructure, business climate and economic conditions needed to successfully compete. There is going to be a surge in large job creation projects over the next 3-5 years. Metro areas like Albuquerque/Rio Rancho and Las Cruces have a shot at competing for some of those and they should be gearing up for what we are calling the “traditional economic development game. They have some of the best programs in the country and know how to chase and close deals. I would argue that it is affordable for those communities. The problem is that the majority of communities in the state can’t compete in that game and you are right; the traditional attraction model doesn’t work for them. The problem is that the new models that have been promoted to rural communities have no better return on investment and most of them do not measure their job creation or return on investment in an honest or meaningful way. Every community in the country has retention and expansion program already. Tending to your existing companies is important but I don’t care how much time, talent or money you pour into retention and expansion it is not going to be enough in most places. I still contend that the economic development profession has no program model to address half the potential market economic base job creation market for most communities – solitary home based workers.

]]> Comment on Can Economic Development Get Its Mojo Back? by Frank O'Mahony http://www.marklautman.com/2010/09/26/new-mexico-business-weekly/can-economic-development-get-its-mojo-back/comment-page-1/#comment-567 Frank O'Mahony Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:08:45 +0000 http://www.marklautman.com/?p=121#comment-567 Mark - Good plea, but I think the model is broken, and it's more than a case of hiring smart economic development consultants and putting unemployed citizens on local boards. The idea of chasing companies with a lightly unionized labor force, incentives, tax breaks and infrastructure freebies is simply not affordable any more. These companies have successfully played communities off one another for years, but there's no money for that lottery now. There needs to be a renewed focus on helping existing companies, rooted in the community, grow and find new markets - make it easier and more profitable for them to do business, pay their taxes, and hire local citizens. It isn't as sexy, and there are fewer ribbons for politicians to cut, but local business is the new black. Mark – Good plea, but I think the model is broken, and it’s more than a case of hiring smart economic development consultants and putting unemployed citizens on local boards. The idea of chasing companies with a lightly unionized labor force, incentives, tax breaks and infrastructure freebies is simply not affordable any more. These companies have successfully played communities off one another for years, but there’s no money for that lottery now. There needs to be a renewed focus on helping existing companies, rooted in the community, grow and find new markets – make it easier and more profitable for them to do business, pay their taxes, and hire local citizens. It isn’t as sexy, and there are fewer ribbons for politicians to cut, but local business is the new black.

]]> Comment on Home-Base Worker Program in Valencia County, NM by Bobbie Axelrad http://www.marklautman.com/2010/05/23/blog/home-base-worker-program-in-valencia-county-nm/comment-page-1/#comment-455 Bobbie Axelrad Sat, 15 Jan 2011 09:10:09 +0000 http://www.marklautman.com/?p=89#comment-455 Absolutely brilliant post guys, been following you. Absolutely brilliant post guys, been following you.

]]> Comment on TEDx – Surviving The Double Whammy by Fabian Trujillo http://www.marklautman.com/2010/06/05/blog/tedx-surviving-the-double-whammy/comment-page-1/#comment-72 Fabian Trujillo Wed, 15 Sep 2010 11:37:51 +0000 http://www.marklautman.com/?p=107#comment-72 Mark; How does the recession effect your new paradigm? Mark;

How does the recession effect your new paradigm?

]]> Comment on 10 Inspiring TED Talks for Start-ups by Mark Lautman http://www.marklautman.com/2010/07/14/blog/10-inspiring-ted-talks-for-start-ups/comment-page-1/#comment-18 Mark Lautman Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:31:41 +0000 http://www.marklautman.com/?p=111#comment-18 Drew - Thank You. That means a lot coming from you. Drew – Thank You. That means a lot coming from you.

]]> Comment on 10 Inspiring TED Talks for Start-ups by Drew Tulchin http://www.marklautman.com/2010/07/14/blog/10-inspiring-ted-talks-for-start-ups/comment-page-1/#comment-17 Drew Tulchin Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:00:49 +0000 http://www.marklautman.com/?p=111#comment-17 Mark, you have an excellent and well deserved reputation in Santa Fe, NM. Thanks for continuing to point out interesting items. I also support 1099 nation in our region. Andrew (Drew) Tulchin | Managing Partner drew@socialenterprise.net cell +1.202.256.2692 | wk +1.505.715.6927 skype dtulchin Social Enterprise Associates www.socialenterprise.net Financial Performance | Social Impact | Environmental Sustainability New Mexico's only B Corporation Mark, you have an excellent and well deserved reputation in Santa Fe, NM. Thanks for continuing to point out interesting items. I also support 1099 nation in our region.

Andrew (Drew) Tulchin | Managing Partner
drew@socialenterprise.net
cell +1.202.256.2692 | wk +1.505.715.6927
skype dtulchin

Social Enterprise Associates
http://www.socialenterprise.net
Financial Performance | Social Impact | Environmental Sustainability
New Mexico’s only B Corporation

]]> Comment on Delusions of Adequacy by Fabian Trujillo http://www.marklautman.com/2010/04/30/blog/reinventing-economic-development/comment-page-1/#comment-3 Fabian Trujillo Thu, 06 May 2010 02:05:28 +0000 http://www.marklautman.com/blog/?p=4#comment-3 Mark: As I read your article, I have mixed feelings. I've been in the economic development business for 12 years. I do agree with you that credit is hard to find, jobs are needed more than ever and that public budgets are being squeezed. So what is your motivation? There is still a lot of private investment monies on the sidelines. Wall Street is improving and there are signs the economy is improving. How do you characterize whether this structural and whether its just a time we have to wait out? I do think this recession has changed the game. The re-regulation of credit is going to make it tougher to borrow. But there are lots of new industry businesses that are growing. For example, I am seeing that traditional businesses arts and cultural businesses such as wood workers and metal workers are significantly impacted. These businesses are dependent on the housing industry. However, I am seeing other industries are growing. For example, biotechnology, software development, solar development and solar installation are sprouting. The entrepreneur is going to lead us out of this recession. Companies like Microsoft and Intel sprouted from hard times. Entrepreneurs now have a level playing field to attract money for their projects. It will come from investors or cash as you say. The deals will probably be either small or very big. Traditional businesses with good cash positions are their balance sheets will also expand. But, I do think we're going to have to be more innovative. We're going to have to think of different ways to get businesses and deals funded. We're going to have to convince our public officials the need for investment. In the latest Santa Fe Mayoral election, jobs was the number one issue. We need to educate our public officials on how to structure economic development programs more creatively and realize that economic development is a marathon and not a sprint. It takes time and patience for economic development programs to mature. We also need to convince our leaders to invest in infrastructure of the future. Roads, sewers, and water lines are just not enough. Broad band is the infrastructure that will fuel the economies of the future. So whether you focus on community development or business developments, you've got to be more hands and focused. BRE programs are critical today, complimented by a good business attraction program and investment in infrastructure that spurs economic development. So, Mark, what is your motivation? Why do you think think recession is structural? I am more optimistic than ever. I talked to businesses and entrepreneurs daily. The ones that are struggling are still optimistic. We will have a different economy in five years, but I think the economy will start improving the last half of the year. Mark:

As I read your article, I have mixed feelings. I’ve been in the economic development business for 12 years. I do agree with you that credit is hard to find, jobs are needed more than ever and that public budgets are being squeezed. So what is your motivation?

There is still a lot of private investment monies on the sidelines. Wall Street is improving and there are signs the economy is improving.

How do you characterize whether this structural and whether its just a time we have to wait out?

I do think this recession has changed the game. The re-regulation of credit is going to make it tougher to borrow. But there are lots of new industry businesses that are growing. For example, I am seeing that traditional businesses arts and cultural businesses such as wood workers and metal workers are significantly impacted. These businesses are dependent on the housing industry.

However, I am seeing other industries are growing. For example, biotechnology, software development, solar development and solar installation are sprouting. The entrepreneur is going to lead us out of this recession. Companies like Microsoft and Intel sprouted from hard times. Entrepreneurs now have a level playing field to attract money for their projects. It will come from investors or cash as you say. The deals will probably be either small or very big. Traditional businesses with good cash positions are their balance sheets will also expand.

But, I do think we’re going to have to be more innovative. We’re going to have to think of different ways to get businesses and deals funded. We’re going to have to convince our public officials the need for investment.

In the latest Santa Fe Mayoral election, jobs was the number one issue. We need to educate our public officials on how to structure economic development programs more creatively and realize that economic development is a marathon and not a sprint. It takes time and patience for economic development programs to mature.

We also need to convince our leaders to invest in infrastructure of the future. Roads, sewers, and water lines are just not enough. Broad band is the infrastructure that will fuel the economies of the future.

So whether you focus on community development or business developments, you’ve got to be more hands and focused. BRE programs are critical today, complimented by a good business attraction program and investment in infrastructure that spurs economic development.

So, Mark, what is your motivation? Why do you think think recession is structural? I am more optimistic than ever. I talked to businesses and entrepreneurs daily. The ones that are struggling are still optimistic.

We will have a different economy in five years, but I think the economy will start improving the last half of the year.

]]> Comment on Reinventing Economic Development by Jack Allston, CEcD, FM http://www.marklautman.com/2010/05/04/blog/reinventing-economic-development-2/comment-page-1/#comment-2 Jack Allston, CEcD, FM Wed, 05 May 2010 14:25:26 +0000 http://www.marklautman.com/blog/?p=9#comment-2 Please make sure that all legislators, mayors, county board officials, city councillors and other elected officials that are running on platforms of economic development are able to define economic development before using it in their campaigns. Let them know how hard it is to create 10 jobs let alone 100. Hopefully, they will all read your article! In future please don't be so hard on the economic development professionals, they are only dealing with the cards that they have been dealt! Please make sure that all legislators, mayors, county board officials, city councillors and other elected officials that are running on platforms of economic development are able to define economic development before using it in their campaigns. Let them know how hard it is to create 10 jobs let alone 100. Hopefully, they will all read your article! In future please don’t be so hard on the economic development professionals, they are only dealing with the cards that they have been dealt!

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