Key Considerations when Engaging Business Leadership

Respect business’ time constraints

Public partners must recognize that business leaders have a limited amount of time and generally are not inclined to attend multiple “process” meetings. It is incumbent on the public partners to structure the business engagement carefully, making the best use of the business or association leader’s time, expertise, and resources.

Use sector data and analysis

Public partners, particularly labor market information departments, can add significant value to business engagement by providing early baseline labor market data and analysis. This analysis acts as a foundation for early discussions and goal setting. One strategy that works at the state strategy level and regional initiative level is to invite businesses in a sector to a forum where they provide “on-the-ground” feedback to the data being presented. Is this accurate? What is missing? What is most important to your industry?

Coalesce business leaders around core principles

Include business leaders as you develop the core principles of your state sector strategies. Colorado included a senior level state Chamber of Commerce representative on their state steering committee. As a result, the core principles are demand driven and earn the buy-in by the state and regional business community.

Use an intermediary

Just as regional sector initiatives require an intermediary to convene and coordinate, so does state level sector activity. An intermediary can provide significant assistance to help facilitate and move the state-level strategy forward. This intermediary should have a deep understanding of employer and worker issues across critical industries in the state, and should have credibility with public and private partners. The intermediary may be a lead agency, or could be a knowledgeable third party. An intermediary does not chart the course of the sector strategy but instead mobilizes, coordinates and provides a forum for action.

Leverage existing relationships in industry associations and networks

Many industries have active associations or groups that meet to identify and solve common industry problems. Public sector partners interested in developing sector strategies should reach out to existing business groups to leverage these existing relationships.