About IDMInstitute for Decision MakingUNIIDM_8c463528-a79f-11e6-93e8-e0ac9c46ff43The Institute for Decision Making (IDM) is the economic development arm of UNI Business and Community Services. For over a quarter century, IDM has been delivering tailored, innovative community-wide planning, straightforward organizational planning, technical assistance, applied research and training to Iowans concerned about their community’s economic vitality. IDM proudly serves over 700 communities, non-profits and economic development groups throughout Iowa and beyond.University of Northern IowaDecision MakersCommunitiesNon-ProfitsEconomic Development GroupsIDM Advisory CouncilKim BecickaContinuing Education and Training Services, Kirkwood Community CollegeRenae BillingsEconomic Development Specialist, City of Sioux City Economic DevelopmentWilliam A. Dotzler, Jr.State Senator, State of Iowa LegislatureDebi DurhamDirector, Iowa Economic Development AuthorityCarla Eysink, IOMExecutive Director, Marion County Development CommissionMike FastenauEconomic Development Director, Black Hills Energy CorporationRand FisherPresident, Iowa Area Development GroupSarah GomezExecutive Director, Midwest Partnership Economic Development Corp.Jim Gossett, CEcDDirector of Key Accounts and Economic Development, Raccoon Valley Electric CooperativeRick HunsakerExecutive Director Region XII Council of GovernmentsMike Kirchoff, CEcDPresident & CEO, Clinton Regional Development Corp.Kathryn Kunert Vice President, Community Relations and Economic Development, MidAmerican EnergyCaroll LillyExecutive Director, Community Main Street - Cedar FallsKiley MillerPresident & CEO, Iowa Lakes Corridor DevelopmentBob MundtPresident/CEO, Council Bluffs Chamber of CommerceRyan MurphyRegional Research and Analysis Bureau Chief, Iowa Workforce DevelopmentPaula NissenEducation Consultant Division of Community Colleges, Iowa Department of EducationWayne Pantini, CEcDExecutive Director, Union County Development AssociationJeff ReiterEconomic Development Director, City of BettendorfJeff RossateManager Strategy and Operations, Deloitte ConsultingChad SchreckExecutive Director, Midwest Partnership CorporationSteve ShuppRegional Economic Development Manager, Alliant EnergyBrent Willett, CEcDExecutive Director, Cultivation CorridorIDM TeamDrew Conrad CEcD, CCRDirector -- As the new director of IDM, Drew brings over 23 years of experience in statewide economic development planning and research to his leadership role. Drew facilitates strategic planning and regional economic research for communities and economic development organizations. He designs, delivers and provides follow-up support for economic development services including strategic and short-term planning, community assessments, cluster analysis, target industry analysis, supply chain mapping and other applied research projects.Cindy AngelResearch Manager -- As IDM's Research Manager, Cindy is responsible for completing a variety of primary and secondary community and economic development research projects including Target Industry Analysis studies, supply chain research, economic impact analysis reports, community assessments, cluster analysis studies, demographic profiles, community metrics reports, and the Iowa Business Council’s Competitive Index.James HoelscherProgram Manager -- As a Program Manager with IDM, James provides consultation to rural/urban community and economic development organizations. He develops and facilitates community planning sessions for short and long-term needs related to entrepreneurship, business retention, marketing, tourism, and organizational structure.Karla OrganistProgram Manager -- As a Program Manager, Karla plans, designs and conducts interactive sessions for IDM community clients; delivers and manages IDM programs and technical services at the community level; advises community clients on specific economic development strategies; and makes presentations at economic development conferences and workshops.Lynette WhiteOffice Manager -- Lynette is at the center of IDM, working to keep everything in balance and everyone interconnected. Lynette's responsibilities range from maintaining accurate and timely financial records to desktop publishing to coordinating conference arrangements.Kevin HallSystems Integrator -- Kevin works to ensure that IDM and other units of UNI’s Business and Community Services Division have dependable access to their vital information.IDM is a visionary, valued and flexible partner in Iowa's pursuit for economic growth and improved quality of place. IDM offers the Midwest's premier decision to action support team for economic and community development. IDM is well known for adapting to changes, trends and innovations and for noticeably raising the standards in community development practices. IDM is an active economic and community development leader in Iowa and beyond, recognizing the needs and opportunities of Iowa’s communities as its priority._8c4636f4-a79f-11e6-93e8-e0ac9c46ff43To guide Iowans as they make decisions and take organized action to improve their communities through results-oriented and innovative economic and community development._8c4637b2-a79f-11e6-93e8-e0ac9c46ff43ServiceThe Difference… In order to deliver effective and results-oriented services to Iowa's communities, IDM's staff members utilize their advanced training and education in applied development fields with their practical and extensive professional experience.EffectivenessResultsEducationTrainingExperienceImplementationThe result is an implementation-focused approach.Decision MakingIDM's services are based on a proven approach which utilizes efficient group decision methods in order to maximize the value of staff and volunteers’ time.DirectionSet Direction Through Planning_8c46385c-a79f-11e6-93e8-e0ac9c46ff431Whatever your issues are short or long term, your organizations needs to be focused and efficient in its actions. Let IDM's field experienced staff guide you and your team with valuable facilitation, technical assistance, consultation, and best practices. Develop results oriented, vision, goals, objectives, and action steps. Benefits: * Having a plan that is consensus-based and usable * Experience based how-to guidance for accelerating economic development efforts * Establishing new common ground and commitment * Implementing a long-range plan for your community * Ability to address critical short term issues * Enhancing opportunities for efficient use of existing resources * Identifying and leveraging new resourcesFocusFocus Organizational Actions for Achieving Results_8c46391a-a79f-11e6-93e8-e0ac9c46ff431.1PrioritiesSet Priorities Amidst Differing or Competing Agendas_8c4639ce-a79f-11e6-93e8-e0ac9c46ff431.2Quality of PlaceCreate Quality of Place through Community-Wide Visioning and Strategic Thinking_8c463a78-a79f-11e6-93e8-e0ac9c46ff431.3CustomizationCustomize Strategic Planning for Your Community_8c463b36-a79f-11e6-93e8-e0ac9c46ff431.4Issues & BarriersResolve Issues to Overcome or Avoid Barriers_8c463be0-a79f-11e6-93e8-e0ac9c46ff431.5NeedsPlan for the Needs of Your Community-based or Nonprofit Organization_8c463c94-a79f-11e6-93e8-e0ac9c46ff431.6Community-Based OrganizationsNonprofit OrganizationsMarketingMarket Communities and Organizations_8c463d52-a79f-11e6-93e8-e0ac9c46ff432CommunitiesOrganizationsWhether you are planning to undertake a proactive or reactive marketing effort, you must have in place a well-thought-out marketing plan. IDM's marketing plan development service usually begins with educating your community leaders about the principles of economic development marketing and assessing your community's marketing readiness. Next, IDM develops a "marketing plan overview" based on your leaders' input. The overview provides an outline of direction for the marketing initiatives for your community, along with identifying available and needed resources to achieve the desired outcomes. IDM will also assist you with the development of a detailed marketing plan with comprehensive implementation strategies. Benefits: * Focusing your future marketing program on key target audiences * Having experienced developers who can work to make sure the expectations of your organization match the resources available to support your efforts * Efforts to recruit and expand industrial, technology, retail or related businesses are supported by a consensus-based marketing program * Devoting your energy to the activities and areas that promise the most success * Understanding the competitive advantages and assets of your area * Increasing tourism revenues to your area * Gaining a knowledgeable marketing ally as we work to develop your marketing plansDevelopmentDevelop Targeted Marketing Plans for Business Attraction_8c463e06-a79f-11e6-93e8-e0ac9c46ff432.1BusinessesCreationCreate Marketing Plans for Retail/Commercial Business Attraction_8c463ec4-a79f-11e6-93e8-e0ac9c46ff432.2BusinessesTailoringTailor Marketing Plans for Visitor Attraction_8c463faa-a79f-11e6-93e8-e0ac9c46ff432.3VisitorsResearchConduct Applied Research_885958a2-a7c0-11e6-b134-4acd9c46ff433IDM's Target Industry Analysis (TIA) assists you in better focusing your business attraction efforts. Targeting identifies specific industries or industry clusters that best match the competitive advantages of your community. IDM analyzes your labor force, existing economic base, supplier linkages, infrastructure, transportation and available sites and buildings IDM can conduct a regional workforce assessment which will help you gain a better understanding of current and future needs of employers in your region. IDM's experienced staff can also guide you and your team with valuable technical assistance, resulting in an innovative workforce plan that will help position your region for economic growth. While economic impact analysis is often used to measure the impact of a new company in your community, it can also be used to show the impact of an existing company. These impact studies can be used as part of your Business Retention and Expansion programs or business recognition events. Benefits: * Focusing efforts to recruit companies that best match your community's assets * Determining your community’s competitive advantages * Gaining insight into your workforce needs & determining strategies to address those needs * Understanding buyer-supplier relationships among companies * Developing dashboards or metrics to measure the progress being made in economic development efforts * Obtaining basic company information and/or impact analysis reports within 48 hours * Taking advantage of multiple resources and databases available to the universityTargetingCustomize Targeting for Business Attraction_88596176-a7c0-11e6-b134-4acd9c46ff433.1WorkforceProvide Regional Workforce Assessment and Planning_88596177-a7c0-11e6-b134-4acd9c46ff433.2Economic ImpactProvide Economic Impact Analysis of Current or Potential Businesses_88596178-a7c0-11e6-b134-4acd9c46ff433.3Buyer-Supplier LinkagesProvide Analysis of Buyer-Supplier Linkages Among Local/Regional Companies_88596179-a7c0-11e6-b134-4acd9c46ff433.4Local CompaniesRegional CompaniesBenchmarking & MetricsProvide Benchmarking or Metrics Detailing Economic Growth_8859617a-a7c0-11e6-b134-4acd9c46ff433.5SurveysConduct Membership Surveys_8859617b-a7c0-11e6-b134-4acd9c46ff433.6Management & GuidanceGuide and Manage Organizations Effectively_8859623e-a7c0-11e6-b134-4acd9c46ff434IDM can assist you in inventorying the community and economic development programming provided by multiple development groups and organizations. This assessment determines overlapping functions or beneficiaries, duplications of similar-purpose programming and gaps in needed programs and projects. IDM then provides your community with recommendations and next steps for enhancing cooperation and collaboration among your development entities, such as chambers, economic development organizations and main street organizations. IDM will also aide your organization's board of directors (and staff) with an executive director search and selection process. Together, IDM and your leadership will develop the selection criteria simplifying the hiring process. IDM also provides a proposed job description and useful tools to manage the search efforts, and at your request, manage the entire search and selection process. This allows your leadership to concentrate on making the “right” hiring decision. Raise your fundraising efforts by having IDM help build a case to support your efforts, train the volunteers who will make the calls, and create the materials necessary for a successful campaign. Benefits: * Reducing duplication of economic and community development services and programs * Uniting and focusing the key strengths of multiple organizations for increased presence * Identifying new ways to work together * Increasing awareness and documentation of the numerous economic development programs and services * Having knowledgeable, experienced, certified economic development professionals * Provide objective evaluation of your organization’s structure, functions and issuesPrograms & ProjectsDetermine Overlaps, Duplications and Gaps in Development Programs and Projects_885963c4-a7c0-11e6-b134-4acd9c46ff434.1EffectivenessUse Insight to Improve Organizational Effectiveness_885964dc-a7c0-11e6-b134-4acd9c46ff434.2ExecutivesSearch for and Select the Chief Paid Executive_885965ea-a7c0-11e6-b134-4acd9c46ff434.3Community-Based Development(Re) Organize Community-Based Development Organizations_88596716-a7c0-11e6-b134-4acd9c46ff434.4FundraisingOrganize Self-Directed Fundraising Campaigns_885967de-a7c0-11e6-b134-4acd9c46ff434.5IssuesIdentify and Resolve Issues_885968f6-a7c0-11e6-b134-4acd9c46ff434.6Professional & Volunteer DevelopmentExpand Professional & Volunteer Development_885969f0-a7c0-11e6-b134-4acd9c46ff435IDM provides educational and informative training sessions focused on specialized topics related to the needs of your economic development and community leadership. Topics include Introduction to Economic Development; Being an Effective Board Member; Trends in Economic Development; Understanding Where your Economy is Now; Effective Economic Development Organizations; Mobilizing Volunteers; Fundamentals of Economic Development Marketing; and Speculative Buildings as an Economic Development Tool. IDM can also tailor sessions to address other areas of interest important to your organization’s leaders. IDM coordinates nationally recognized professional development opportunities through the Professional Learning Laboratory and the Heartland Economic Development Course. Benefits: * Training from qualified, certified economic development professionals * Expanded board member knowledge * Cost effective learning opportunities for development professionals and community leaders * National network of colleagues and mentorsTrainingProvide Training on Specialized Economic Development Topics_88596af4-a7c0-11e6-b134-4acd9c46ff435.1Board OrientationProvide Take it To Them Training for Board Orientation and Responsibilities_88596d06-a7c0-11e6-b134-4acd9c46ff435.2Board of DirectorsProfessional LearningMaintain the Professional Learning Laboratory_88596e32-a7c0-11e6-b134-4acd9c46ff435.3Economic Development CourseOffer the Heartland Economic Development Course_88596f5e-a7c0-11e6-b134-4acd9c46ff435.4InsightOffer Insight from the Practice of Economic Development_885970bc-a7c0-11e6-b134-4acd9c46ff435.5Regional DevelopmentSupport Regional Development Initiatives_885971b6-a7c0-11e6-b134-4acd9c46ff436Let IDM design, facilitate and help you come to a consensus on the internal marketing aspects of your regional business development efforts. Key services include building additional capacity for collaboration, developing an internal marketing/communications plan outlining the regional competitive advantages, creating collaborative structures for the future and determining expected outcomes and progress measures. IDM’s Regional Cluster Analysis identifies your value-chain clusters (buyer-supplier linkages), technology clusters and labor clusters, and offers recommendations on industry targets. The IDM team will also lead you and your regional allies through a step-by-step implementation process for regional fundraising. Benefits: * Fostering greater cooperation and collaboration in economic development effort for your region * Bringing business, government and leadership together to embrace a shared long-term initiative to strengthen the economy * Developing a focused internal communications plan for stakeholdersRegional CollaborationStrengthen Regional Collaborative Business Development Initiative_885972e2-a7c0-11e6-b134-4acd9c46ff436.1Cluster AnalysisStrengthen Targeting Based on Regional Cluster Analysis_88597418-a7c0-11e6-b134-4acd9c46ff436.2FundraisingStrengthen Regional Private-Sector Fundraising Strategies_88597530-a7c0-11e6-b134-4acd9c46ff436.32016-11-10http://idm.uni.edu/?page_id=48OwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net