Site Selectors Are People, Too

Confidentiality vs. Community: How Economic Developers Balance Transparency in Site Selection Projects

In the 1st Episode of Season 2 of Site Selectors Are People, Too, Devin responds to a listener question about how the public can get more engaged with economic development projects. How do we balance critical project confidentiality with the community's right to know what's coming next? It's not an easy topic, but it's one worth discussing.
Here's some resources for those interested in learning more (see Site Selectors Are People, Too | Devin Hillsdon-Smith (podbean.com) if your app doesn't show links):
The Role of Transparency and Accountability for Economic Development in Resource-rich Countries
Making Politics Work for Development: Harnessing Transparency and Citizen Engagement
How transparency can help the global economy to grow
Our Commitment to Transparency
Transparency: Economic Development
Economic Development Transparency
Transparency and Accountability in Development: Where Do We Stand?
Transparency and Accountable Development
Sports, Jobs, & Taxes: Are New Stadiums Worth the Cost?
How Amazon, Google and Other Companies Exploit NDAs

Community Leadership in Economic Development: Bryant Niehoff on Southwest Indiana's Tech Park Strategy

Stories from the Road, a miniseries within the podcast, will feature the people behind the profession in the communities Devin visits and within his network of esteemed misfits.
 
In this first installment of the miniseries, Devin is joined by Bryant Niehoff, executive director of the Uplands Science & Technology Foundation in southwest Indiana.
 
Bryant can be reached at:
BNIEHOFF@USTFWESTGATE.ORG
(812) 259-2177
 

How the RFI Process Works in Site Selection (And How EDOs Can Respond Better)

In the 10th episode of Site Selectors Are People, Too, Devin takes a look at the RFI and how it informs the site selection process as a whole. We dig into how the RFI is put together and how economic developers can better tailor their efforts to increase their chances of success. If you don't get the results you want, does that mean you failed? Or does that mean your community simply wasn't the right fit for the project?
Here's some resources for those interested in learning more (see Site Selectors Are People, Too | Devin Hillsdon-Smith (podbean.com) if your app doesn't show links):
How to Respond to an RFI
How to Write a Smart RFI
Breaking Down the Site Selection Process
10 Critical Factors to Consider During Corporate Site Selection
Buyer Beware: Navigating the Murky Waters of Site Selection
12 mistakes to avoid in the site selection process
Site Selection In 2024: What Risks Define Business Investment Decisions?

Day in the Life of an Economic Developer: What the Job Really Demands

In today's episode, Devin explores the realities of being an economic developer. What does it take to get the job done? What does a day in the life look like? Let's dig beyond the tip of the iceberg of being an economic developer, including what it takes to serve as the intersection between community and business.
Here's some resources for those interested in learning more (see Site Selectors Are People, Too | Devin Hillsdon-Smith (podbean.com) if your app doesn't show links):
What is Economic Development?
Remaking Economic Development
Tools for Economic Development
The Importance of Young Firms for Economic Growth
What is an Economic Developer and How to Become One

Day in the Life of a Site Selector: What Corporate Site Selection Actually Looks Like

In today's episode, Devin explores the realities of being a site selector. What does it take to get the job done? What does a day in the life look like? Let's dig beyond the tip of the iceberg of being a site selector, including what it takes to manage a corporate site selection project.
Note: winning clients and getting paid will be discussed in future episodes.
Here's some resources for those interested in learning more (see Site Selectors Are People, Too | Devin Hillsdon-Smith (podbean.com) if your app doesn't show links):
20 Key Factors and Bonus Insights for Site Selection
What Is a Site Selection Consultant and How to Hire the Right One
The Power Of Informed Decisions: Site Selection Principles And Best Practices
What Site Selectors REALLY Want
The Complete Guide to Site Selection
Seven Signs of a New Site Selection Reality

Trust in Site Selection: How to Build It, Break It, and Why It Closes Deals

Devin tackles a fundamental aspect of human interaction - trust. In this episode, we explore the definition of trust, how to build it, how to ruin it, and its role in economic development and site selection. Economic developers and site selectors serve as a bridge between communities and companies, requiring a focus on being trusted advisors and representatives.
Here's some resources for those interested in learning more (see Site Selectors Are People, Too | Devin Hillsdon-Smith (podbean.com) if your app doesn't show links):
10 Ways to Build Trust in a Relationship
The Importance of Client Selection and Relationship Management
Trust is the glue of a healthy society. Here's how to bring it back.
Building Stronger Communities: Understanding The Power Of Community Economic Development
Five Straightforward Ways to Engage with Site Selectors
How Business Can Build and Maintain Trust
What is trust, why does it matter for development, and how do we measure it?
Eight Tips for Building, Maintaining, and Leveraging Your Professional Relationships
How To Build And Maintain Professional Relationships

AI in Site Selection and Economic Development: What's Real, What's Hype, and What's Next

In this episode, Devin explores the role and impact of artificial intelligence on economic development and site selection. We discuss how AI is currently being deployed, its limitations, and the future for our professions. Is AI going to replace us all?
Here's some resources for those interested in learning more:
AI 101 for Site Selection
AI: These are the biggest risks and how to manage them
Artificial Intelligence and Economic Development: An Evolutionary Investigation and Systematic Review
Maximizing AI’s economic, social, and trade opportunities
Maintaining American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence
The Failure Of Artificial Intelligence In Manufacturing
The impact of artificial intelligence on economic development
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Future of Workforces
The Potential and Limitations of AI in the Site Selection Industry
The Power of AI in Economic Development
Understanding the Impact of AI on Skills Development
Why AI Projects Fail and How to Overcome Failure 

Small Gestures, Big Impact: How Site Selectors and EDOs Can Treat Each Other Better

Let's tackle some small steps we can take to empower each other in a big way in this episode of Site Selectors Are People, Too. Can it really be as simple as acknowledging receipt of a RFI response? I think so, and I think you do, too.

From Economic Developer to Site Selector: How I Made the Switch

In this episode, Devin responds to some listener questions before providing an account of his story transitioning from economic development to site selection. We explore the factors and considerations that drive the two sides of the industry and dig deeper into the differences and similarities between them. How can we serve as community advocates and data analysts while still remembering the human factor behind it all?

Why Site Selectors and Economic Developers Don't Always See Eye to Eye (And How to Fix It)

In this episode, we explore the disparities between economic developers and site selectors and how they impact end results in corporate investment decisions. What are some of the issues, and how do we go about addressing them to ensure better outcomes? What can site selectors do better, and what traps do economic developers typically fall into?