Start-up Attitude

Yesterday, Michael and I traveled out of state to meet with a team of entrepreneurs. This group of four, smart, highly-educated businessmen have launched a technology company. The day was, on the surface, a sales meeting. Yes, we came away with a bundle of great new project opportunities. But as valuable and as important as the sales opportunities were, the thing that stood out to me was the attitude and energy of these folks. They are full of hope, confidence and optimism. They have every intention of making it big and "conquering the world." Their attitude and energy were infectious. Even the language these four used was different, embodying the clarity and differentiation and purpose of a team that has spent a ton of time focusing on their business (not just working in their business).

Our company, Maple Creative, is completing its eighth year in business, which is not to imply that Maple is stale or old or tired. Au contrere, in many respects, I feel that we are just peaking ... coming into our prime. Personally, I have never felt more passionate, committed or optimistic about Maple Creative. Being with those four early-stage entrepreneurs was a reminder of the promise and hope of business ownership. In many respects, they were us--eight or nine years ago. I tip my cap to those guys. Yesterday's experience was a flashback and a blessing.

Charleston a Hot Spot for New Business

Expansion Management, a business magazine for executives, released its 2007 “Best Cities for Business Recruitment and Attraction” rankings, developed with the National Policy Research Council, a non-partisan think tank dedicated to serving state and local policymakers. The magazine ranked Charleston eighth among other small metro areas for recruiting and attracting new business.

The rankings are based on analysis of the relocation activity of 19 million companies over the past eight years, which determined the most popular commercial relocation destinations. Charleston ranked eighth among other small metro areas such as St. Joseph, MO, State College, PA and Sioux Falls, SD. Other West Virginia cities included in the rankings include Parkersburg, 14th, and Wheeling, 17th.

Matt Ballard, President and CEO of the Charleston Area Alliance, says that the ranking is an indicator of the work of many, “This is a “metro”-ranking, so it is well-deserved recognition for those in our region who are involved in the business of economic development. Our commitment to a long-term economic strategy is only beginning to pay off.”

Bill King, chief editor of Expansion Management, said the states that made the list should consider it a validation of a strong local economy. "When faced with the decision of where in the entire United States to locate a new facility or branch office, the consensus of millions of business executives was to choose these locations for significant business investment," said King.

Ballard also believes that the merging of the organizations which now make up the Alliance is an important reason for the success in recruitment and attraction. “The Alliance as a merged entity can utilize a holistic approach to economic development and this has led to more success for our region.” Ballard says the Alliance is fostering strategic relationships to build on the success measured in the study, “In the end, a business wants to know that when it makes its final choice on a new location there is a high probability of success, and that they will have an organization like the Alliance to help them all along the way. We’re building relationships with location consultants and businesses now which will bring us even more success in the future.”