Alliance Participation What’s missing for a Vibrant Local Economy?

What categories of businesses does a local living economy need to sustain itself?

From our experiences in Ike and the recession, what types of Local Business do we need?

• Local Food (growers and retail/distribution)
• Energy (electricity, fuel), Utilities (water, sewage disposal)
• Transportation/Distribution/Warehousing
• Health Care (Doctors, Nursing, Pharmacy, Hospital)/Medical Equipment & Supplies
• Residential/Commercial Maintenance/Repair/Remodeling contractors-services
• Financial (Banks, Credit Unions, Investment Opportunities)
• Media and Publishing
• Commercial / Manufacturing
• Arts, Leisure and Hospitality
• Retail (Bricks and Mortar)
• Construction
• Education
• Technology/Information Technology/Entrepreneurism
• Professional / Business Services
• Wholesale & Retail Trade

What is missing?

Medical Orgs Donation Banks Artists- cultural and performing, as well as studio arts Arts & Crafts Specialty Shops Florists Candy Shops Bakeries Inner City Businesses   Arts/Cultural Restaurants/Bars/Music Supply Chains/Citizens Manufacturing Small manufacturers Financial (Bank/Credit Union) Permablitz businesses Retail Small business Non-business, nonprofits Hispanic community Under-Developed   Citizens & Communities, disadvantaged

Homeless (rural) Youth Bubbles (communities) Existing alliances Tech Geek Networks Chambers of Commerce Ft Bend  Washington Avenue Citizens “Go Texan” Professional networks Startup Houston IEEE (Electrical Engineers Society) Geophysical Society Juvenile Services SBA SBDC HCC – Entrepr. Cultural Institutes Religion Local Sourcing Economic Development Orgs Govt. Regional Management Districts Larger Industry doing business with local

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Compilation of Transcribed Data

Organized Categorically and by Themes

1. NATURE of ALLIANCE
   What do we want to be?
   
2. ALLIANCE DEVELOPMENT
   How do we want to develop?
3. Lessons Learned from Rick Brooks – Dane  Buy Local

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NATURE of ALLIANCE

What do we want to be?

• Values
  • What do we stand for?
    • quality of life
    •  heart beat of Houston
    • business is richer than transaction
    • new paradigm, multi-modal transportation
    • water and energy conservation…
    • Recognition of active businesses
    • Conservation
    • Clarity
    • Education
    • Responsibility and Accountability
    • Advancement
    • Apprenticeship
    • Promotion
    • Restoration & Resiliency
    • Empowerment
    • Strengthen
    • Unity & Support
    • Transparency
    • Resiliency
    • Collaboration

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Mission

• Not MY personal beliefs; get past differences
• Not lowest common denominator
• Tell our stories- powerful
• Benefits- Why belong to such an Alliance
• Level Marketplace
• Develop tools to help local organizations communicate their value to the community
• Provide consumers with information they need to make informed choices regarding purchases
• Connect & Promote Local Organizations      
• Environmental consciousness
• Build new revenues for  members thru collaboration
• Thriving forever in Houston
• Thriving future local biz
• Building local businesses that have a conscience
• Prosper &Connect

Identity and Focus

• Distinctiveness, symbol, what is “our line”
• Develop ID: Logo,  Tag line, a look, etc.
• Local biz Cornucopia            *Local Biz Alliances (working title)
• Naming as Competition to grow the group – members vote; ; Engage the imagination: Energize Houston- Vibrant Partnership; Chambers of the Heart- The Heart Beat of Houston – local businesses are our life blood.

Structure

• What/who is local
  • All business owners
  • Anyone moral legal & ethical
  • Just businesses
  • “certified local control businesses”
  • Madison Model
• Geographical Division and Hubs (use both)
  • Inside the loop divide in 4 quadrants plus downtown
  • Farmers gather around Urban Harvest
  • Farmers Market as a hub
  • Farther out, Communities gather geographically
  • Try to keep a balance between the overal
  • 13 counties and the smaller groups

Governance

• Preferred Decision- making practices
  • Online Debating & voting  - results go to the Executive Committee the results go back to members
• Governance Structure:
  • Non- hierarchical board & Member Structure
  • Powers of the Board – below membership  (power distribution  = members then committees then board)  ST TX Prefers Board then committee then members
• Bylaws:
  • Name
  • Purpose
  • Type of membership dues
  • Executive Committees/Officers & Duties
• Committees and Duties
  • Committees : Women & Minority Owned, Events, Programs, FUN, Education, Outreach, Advocacy to local government, finance, membership, marketing
• Elections
• Terms of Office
• Procedures
  • Roberts rules of Order built upon with techniques like “talking stick”, “vibes watcher”, “fish bowl”, “sociocracy”, “consensus”, “holocracy”  (Group sets its own ground rules based on familiarity or becoming familiar with these techniques)
• Amendments
  • Amending rules and time-line
  • What % is required to make changes – (i.e. 2/3 Executive Committee and Majority of Membership)

Composition

• Be Inclusive of whole community
  • Use BALLE and AMIBA as template to look at
  • Look at other local orgs so we are unique and don’t duplicate (core-values)
• Comprehensive Representation – The whole lower socieconomic level of local citizens needs to be at the table – and not as, or just as, recipients of services selected by providers ,as community projects

 

Friends	Corp - % of local purchasing Franchises ? Local Business who have grown out of membership
Alumni	Local Business who have grown our of membership
Supporters	Corp – local but publicy traded Management districts Economic development
Members – Bus	Locally owned and operated
Members – Indiv.	?
Members – Non-Profit	Education Cultural Social Arts

• What do we need
  • Multilevels /Interface
  • Brains & Feet
• What’s missing
  • Hispanic community
  • Youth
  • non-business, nonprofits
  • existing alliances
  • Tech Geek Networks
  • Chambers of Commerce
  • Ft Bend  Washington Avenue
  • Citizens
  • “Go Texan”
  • Professional networks
    • Startup Houston
    • IEEE (Electrical Engineers Society)
    • Geophysical Society
    • Medical Orgs
  • Donation Banks
  • Under-Developed   Citizens & Communities, disadvantaged
  • Lager Industry doing business with local small business
  • Artists- cultural and performing, as well as studio arts
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Specialty Shops
  • Florists
  • Candy Shops
  • Bakeries
  • Inner City Businesses  
  • Homeless (rural)
  • Bubbles (communities)
  • Financial (Bank/Credit Union)
  • Permablitz businessess
  • Retail
  • Juvenile Services
  • SBA SBDC HCC – Entrepr.
  • Arts/Cultural
  • Cultural Institutes
  • Religion
  • Restaurants/Bars/Music
  • Local Sourcing
  • Economic Development Orgs
  • Govt.
  • Supply Chains/Citizens
  • Regional Management Districts
  • Manufacturing
  • Small manufacturers    TMAT at U.H. Luis?

Operations

• Meeting space
• Collaborative model: business clusters, economic activity hubs, network nodes; intergenerational, alliances, business & nonprofit, etc.

• Marketing
  • Focus: build membership & help them build customer base
    • Attract Members
      • How do we benefit them
      • Educate them to support us
      • Vett businesses for community
      • Shift cc charges to local charities
      • Co-operative Advertising – Local Media
      • Community outreach – expos, gift cards
      • Expos – B2B  & B2C
      • Measurements & Evaluation of all of these (members) member services, logo recognition, sales response, event attendance
    • Help them attract customers
      • Campaign ~ branding ~ Logo
      • “Buy  Local”
      • Dir. – “Treasure Hunt” idea (local bus give *100 value people signed up w/email & cards were drawn & some won gift)
      • Store front stickers
      • Membership levels
      • Signage
      • Special incentives
      • Small business growth preparedness
      • Packets for new businesses
      • Buy local day – Annual event
      • Smart cards
      • Energize Houston
      • Be part of the heartbeat of Buy Local

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ALLIANCE DEVELOPMENT

How do we want to develop?

I. The Thinking behind the Design (Different Thinking!)

• Bioregional thinking as part of local livable economy
• Design to mimic biological system like the human body
• Think about what’s possible with collaboration
• Both And Thinking
• Consumer choices
• Level Marketplace

II.  The Process of Becoming

• Relational (Relationship Matters!)
  • Connecting (pollinate)
    • Greet, Reach out, approach, invite…
  • Caring
    • Listen, empathize, attend to, show interest, respect…
  • Learning
    • Ask Questions, seek common ground, explore needs….
  • Responding
    • Help, support, share, have fun, celebrate, show gratitude, get involved, be available, honest and transparent….
  • Collaborative
    • Apprenticeships
    • Farmers- local food economy

• Non-Political
  • Everything is Political: choose wisely

• Lo tech and no tech
  • Tools to Communicate value
• Social media
• KPFT as antidote to corporate media
• DVD about Ike’s impact (e.g. empty grocery shelves) to make point
• Supportive
• Cultivate support - Resources Help!
  • Meeting space
  • Financial support

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Lessons Learned from Rick Brooks – Dane  Buy Local

• Inventory your assets – who you are, who you know
• Get some early successes. Set some goals you can reach
• Make it personal
• Make every communication to a person
• Let your light shine – do not recuit agressively
• Make joining affordable
• Give members much more than they expect
• Find major contributors with very few strings attached
• Find passionate people to talk to at churches, professional associations, etc.
• Find contributed professional services: (bookkeeping, website management, etc.)
• Find people who know non-violent communication
• Be aware of the Under Dogs – those in the organizations wyo feel their needs are not being met
• Use the AMIBA and BALLE resources versus recreating the wheel (i.e. sample by-laws)
• Contact other orgs who you admire solicit their assistance
• Do things that are FUN! 
• If you have a board – divide the work.  Don’t burn out a board memebers by letting them be on multiple committees
• Toolkit: Media pkg,everything necessary for a table set up at a conference, ect.
• Find Media Partners: Newspaper, Radio (KPFT?), Neighborhood newsletters, local broadcasting
• Ask Food Groups, and Sustainability Groups to be co-sponsors
• “Story in the bag”  Price whatever you  want to pay – supports people/community  and gets your local message out-  Members – can use this as a tool for educating and promoting their businessess
• Welcome Package
• Don’t forget the least of you brethern (Master pencil sharpener, complimentor, previous brain injury)

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Houston Business Alliance: Purpose and Vision

Purpose

Create a thriving, local, livable economy, thereby improving economic opportunities and quality of life for all residents of the greater Houston area.  Help the community self-generate vibrant, healthy, locally-relevant business opportunities to give us more choices for shopping, working and investing that promise to better suit our values, aspirations and continued well being.  Support local independent businesses to unleash the creative life energy of our community, helping our region become more stable and resilient to chaos generated by external economic, weather, social, and energy shocks. 

Vision

• Regional: A cohesive regional alliance of locally owned businesses which represents the full spectrum of industries necessary to contribute to a sustainable local economy
• Accessible: Locally organized subgroups serving as activity hubs that provide access, connectivity, and engagement across the greater region
• Distinctive: Businesses gain greater consumer recognition as locally-unique and responsible contributors to our community, and become preferred vendors/merchants
• Diverse: An Alliance that accepts disagreements, optimizes its rich diversity by creatively engaging the differences among individual members, industries, and groups, and finds ways to mobilize action around its common purpose and interests.
• Prosperous: Businesses seize and create new opportunities and realize greater benefits through increased scale, cohesiveness, collaborative approaches, and visibility to the consuming public and potential B2B customers
• Collaborative: Businesses capture greater market share and prosperity for all by working together to create local supply chains, joint purchasing and contracting, coordinated marketing and consumer education, a strong local identity, geographical clustering etc.
• Inclusive: An alliance that provides equal opportunity for all businesses to participate in decision-making and Alliance activities by minimizing deterrents such as high fees, restricted information, poor communication, inconvenient meeting locations etc., and fostering respect for individual differences
• Relational: An Alliance that builds and maintains cohesiveness by developing strong relationships that go beyond transactions and networks typical of associations
• Responsible: Businesses increasingly learning how to assure enduring success by capturing the benefits of financial, social, and environmental responsibility
• Non-Political: An Alliance that is not involved in political lobbying welcomes Independent Businesses across the spectrum who are committed to contributing toward a vibrant, resilient, livable economy and better quality of life through collaboration

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Notes from the Sticky Wall

5 ways to build relationships

1. Introduce yourself and learn who they are
2. Discover common interest / values / goals
3. Indentify what the other person needs / wants / objectives
4. Help them to get what they need / want
5. Share in each other’s success
6. Be there fully present and committed in times of need, collaboration, promotion, etc.

Building relationships

1. Communicate
2. Reach out
3. Offer assistance
4. Identify common and how each of us can work together to support each other
5. Be genuine / reliable. Do what you say you’re going to do. e.g. build trust.

5 ways to build relationships

1. Find a need and do what you can to meet it.
2. Smile and say hello to everyone you meet.
3. Start conversations with your neighbors.
4. Listen to and encourage family members, friends and strangers.
5. Be open and available to being in relationship.

Relationship

1. Help everyone prosper.
2. Look out for everyone.
3. Help build the whole, don’t worry about your part of it.
4. Take a chance and try something new. Business venture.
5. Loosen up.

Relationship

1. Get involves in your community
2. Share information
3. Know your customers needs
4. Listen!
5. Enjoy what you are doing – it will show.

Relationship

1. Shake hands
2. Kiss babies
3. Pass out cigars

Relationship

1. Show concern
2. Listen
3. Be honest
4. Offer support
5. Respect diversity of opinion and perceptions

Relationship (Matthias Jung)

1. Be involved in the community and its organizations
2. Offer your help and follow through.
3. Speak and teach what you have learned
4. GIVE, GIVE, GIVE
5. Be honest, always. Have integrity.

Relationship

1. Invite people of common interests to your business.
2. Be involved with your local, regional trade organization and/or chamber of commerce
3. Reach out to community groups, who may or may not share your interests
4. Send gifts / cards to customers / clients / shareholders
5. Host events and invite community members

Relationship

1. Reach out: Say Hello
2. Introduce myself
3. Find out about the other person
4. Listen to the other person
5. Cultivate the relationship by understanding the common ground between us and serving their needs as providing referrals

Building Relationships

1. Give without expecting a return
2. Care-genuinely-about another’s well being
3. Ask what you can do to help- what is needed- rather than assuming you know
4. “Be there” when and however you can
5. Be honest and forthcoming, relationships are mutual

Relationships

1. Truly care and translate that into listening
2. Always immediately follow up when you’ve met someone.
3. Find out what is important to someone and establish commonality

Relationship

1. Meet without an agenda other than learning who they are.
2. Be generous in helping without expectation
3. Play together, eat together
4. Work together for common goal
5. Authenticity, transparency

Relationship

1. Be genuinely interested in others
2. Listen
3. Find common interests, common ground
4. Speak well of others in public
5. If you see that someone has a need ask to help

Relationship (Nancy Edwards)

1. Listen to people
2. Look for common ground
3. Be positive
4. Look for how you can spend money with them
5. Be willing to speak first

Relationship

1. Show Up
2. Engage others in conversation
3. Allow relationships to flow natural
4. Do what you say you are going to do
5. Trust that everyone’s highest good will be served as a result of sharing of your gifts and talents.

Relationship

1. Network with Friends and Co-workers
2. Contact those in organizations – how to help each other
3. Support local non-profit and get to know others through them
4. Learn what others need and want
5. Refer your friends to your contacts

Relationship (Nita Bater)

1. Communicate – Speak and introduce yourself
2. Share ideas
3. Listen
4. Offer assistance
5. Be compassionate
6. Seek out things you have in common

Relationship

1. Give first
2. Send it around and it will come back
3. Understand their viewpoint
4. Avoid political agendas
5. Show a better way

Relationship

1. Smile - Do something fun – attract interest
2. Organize around common interests
3. Help a competitor” succeed
4. Listen

Relationship

1. Get to know them on a personal level (needs, desires, likes, dislikes)
2. Know / Exchange ideas to help one another
3. Constantly communicate and keep in touch
4. Interact on a social level (get away from business every so often)
5. Reciprocate favors

Relationship

1. Have integrity in your work / services
2. Relate to others on a personal level
3. Speak about that which inspires you, what you love about your life
4. Speak about some of your ideas, beliefs
5. Listen to others and learn

Relationship

1. Be genuinely interested in others
2. Reach out with a smile
3. Establish a measured concerns or interest
4. Be willing to work
5. Be open to new ideas

Relationship

1. Conquer fear
2. Reach out
3. Empathize
4. Ask questions before assuming
5. Give space for others to be who they are

Relationship

1. Listen and be concerned
2. Be genuinely interested
3. Give understanding
4. Share what you know
5. Be friendly

Relationship

1. Greet
2. Ask questions
3. Listen
4. Learn
5. Respond

Relationship

1. Say Hello
2. Have lunch together
3. Share resources
4. Share resources
5. Speak often to them

Relationship

1. Listen to others
2. Help others
3. Cooperate with others
4. Support others
5. Have some fun
6. Introduce others

Relationship

1. Smile! Say “Hoowdy!”
2. How’s your day going? (and really mean it)
3. Listen (Don’t interrupt)
4. Thank them for listening to you
5. Offer to see / talk to them

Relationship

1. Smile – introduce yourself
2. Listen - to them, who they are
3. Learn – about their needs so you can serve them
4. Share others stories
5. Collaborate

Relationship

1. Help others
2. Introduce to new ideas
3. Accept them as they are
4. Remember their name
5. Acceptance

Relationship

1. Introduce yourself – create an opening
2. Find common values – listen
3. Ask what they need – offer to help
4. Model joy, tolerance and hope – serve with happiness and beauty
5. Thank them for all interactions – gratitude

Relationship

1. Listen
2. Meet need
3. Collaborate
4. Look for mutual interests
5. Share unselfishly

Relationship

1. Listen to others with good attention
2. Be open to new ideas and different point of view
3. Help others to feel comfortable
4. Support others

Relationship

1. Be friendly
2. Service attitude
3. Introduce like minded individuals to one another those that can help
4. Offer your expertise
5. Offer support

Communicate needs you have, products/services you have, offer help, listen/understand

Greetings, positivity, listening, helping, celebrating

Listen, Interest, Needs, Help them.

Bylaws-short version

1. Name
2. Purpose
3. Membership-Dues
4. Committees
5. Elections
6. Terms of Office
7. Governance - Robert’s
8. Standing Rules
9. Amendments

Bylaws

1. Name (no ambiguity)
2. Object and reason for groups existence
3. Members (Rts, limitations, qualifications)
4. Officers (nominations, voting, elections, vacancies, terms, duties)
5. Meetings (quorum, regular, special, conventions)
6. Exec. B or BOD composition, power, quorum
7. Committees/Standing committees named, composition, selection, attendance and duties

Bylaws continued

1. Parliamentary Authority, i.e. Rules of Order, e.g. Roberts, Sturgis, etc.
2. Amendment(s) of Bylaws – Terms for amending, e.g. 2/3 vote, notice, etc.

Workplace issues: Isolation, promote sustainable income, opportunity for

UH – Small Business Development Center

1. They can provide training, consulting and support for small business
2. They can provide a lot of visibility about “Buy Local” initiatives

Community Outreach

1. To promote services
2. Encourage youth
3. Focus on providing opportunity for those that are disadvantaged in our community
4. Be transparent about where your business purchase their good
5. Website tools
6. Create outreach programs, engage local community
7. Mission- it’s not just about me
8. Honest, but open communication
9. Advocacy for others

Swap

1. Offer something
2. Ask for something
3. Find out about the other person
4. Give something
5. Thank someone
6. Welcome someone
7. Write someone
8. Identify a trait, interest on anything you have in common.
9. Share food
10. Work side by side
11.  Have fun together
12.  Share compassion, grief, joy

How could a “local” community- a “conscious” one, be successful in Houston, a city so big and spread out?

What is our “line”?

These people are in the room are in the new paradigm. How can we walk away? “Heart Beat of Houston.”

Why should I belong to a buy local group? My Biz is so special it has no big corporate competitors.

Waste water as an Energy Hog. How do we impact that?

What are our boundaries (geographical, spiritual, etc.) for our Alliance? What is Local?

What distinguishes us? Do we recreate the wheel – Do we not?

How do we move Houston out of cars and into transport? Modes that are healthier – low tech modes. (Colleen O’Brien)

Possibilities

Symbol to recognize

Larger Employers are needed.

Draw the Kids in.

Be honest politely.

It’s not what we don’tstand for; it’s what we dostand for.

Avoid Blame!

The Mission is not my personal belief.

Get past the differences.

Avoid the lowest common denominator.

Support and be supported.

Tell our / each other’s stories.

Business is richer than the transaction.

A huge segment of the local business population is Hispanic. How to integrate is to be a challenge.

KPFT 90.1 FM the antidote to corporate media.

Possibly.

Amplify your local enterprise: Place ad on KPFT.org website

Compassionate communications, great process, to negotiate for interests and needs.

Bioregional thinking and activity must be incorporated into the local living economies conversations.

Focus is “Food” Industrial food products on their knees – Gone “Community Dining” (Liz Medows)

Unique Niche and include collaborators

Apprenticeship.

Tell a story.

Delegate to Expertise.

Happy politics are not a focus. System includes everybody. (Terry Collins)

Promote “Democracy” principles; teach it via Roberts Rules of order.

Buy Local Business Magazine “Houston Originals”

Use ALL possible communication vehicles to connect “Lo-Tech and No-Tech” (Charlie Lindahl)

How does the Internet define or redefine what is considered local especially for consultancy type businesses

Teach (Robert’s Rules) for free, Name Tags, Hand out fliers, Talk to people you don’t know, talk to people you do know.

Charlie Lindahl has a DUD of the “experience” of Ike’s impact on neighbors, including empty shelves in stores, makes the point!!!

Frequently, Branding is just a word. BIBA! Wow! They’re really doing it!

Contribution - Space in a “Leisure Learning” schedule to promote this org. on a limited basis.

Support system to build robust economy

Use social media

Business presentation and critique sessions

Collaboration

Everyone has a voice

Low-tech, No-tech

Be a “Bee” to pollinate

Connect people from here in Houston to A&M – both have much to offer and contribute to one another

Time & future skills

Env. Scanning

Strategy

Visioning

Mission

Implications

KPFT New Program Proposal

Open Journal

Community Building, Collaboration and Community

Resource Management and Development.

Fundraising and Grant writing (proposal writing)

Presentations and Appeals in the Community

I could work on building in both the Northwest and Southwest Community

Mediation, negotiation, health and wellness, stress management

Consider designing the association to mimic successful organisms in the natural world, i.e. the human body.

Be inclusive of everyone in the community to include non-business owners and disadvantaged.

Business owners are willing to give an opportunity for employment and training for someone, no one else will give opportunity.

Encourage youth to attend college and work in Houston to keep a strong work force in Houston.

Build business clusters to brand Houston.

Build collaboration among businesses to establish a regional; plan involving businesses and nonprofit.

Promote a strong workforce with training to attract business, to the area.

Alliance is Key (Jackie Logan)

Interested in health, Natural living, and organic foods.

Sustainable = Lasting Enduring continuing

Use existing HUBS (geographical and organizations)

Houston Regions (HUBS)

Neighborhoods – Transition Houston – Houston Neighborhoods Organizations

Industry Groups - UH Farmers  - Tech Geek Networks (The Carolina Collective)

Nodes @ Existing Networks

Food Stamps - WICS / Use at Farmers Market – (with discount)

Disconnect in Logic

Not enough growers, is demand there?

Slow process Rebuilding Local Food Economy

Houston Tomorrow

Food Policy Workgroup

Council

Food Security

GMO’s

Corporate Collusion

Food Growing Coalition

Meeting Space

Disconnect

About Nutrition Values

Responsibility to Educate

Local Business Alliance could play the role of creating a meeting space / group for local growers.

Quality of Life

City of Houston Department of happiness and Fun

Department of Comfort

Department of Curiosity

Isolation (combating)

Educating each other

Strong brand identity

Marketing

Featured Monthly business owners

High Tech

Low Tech

No Tech

What is it about telling our stories that is so powerful.

Fiscally / Economical / Social Community / Environmental

 

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HBLA Planning Meeting, July 13, 2010

We began the meeting at 6:50pm. We had some reports to present.

• Nancy Edwards / Barbara Brown - visited with Allegiance Bank who is very interested in the effort. A representative is planning to attend our next Buy Local meeting. They would like to be listed in the directory and as a supporter

Action Items:

• Put together a program for a presentation for local economics for next meeting - Robert / Geri
  Present something along the following lines

  Cumulative Direct and Indirect Economic Effects of Buying Local

  (Report)
  Economic studies across the country show that locally owned retailers return incremental revenues of 9-246% to their local economies and tax bases, compared to national retailers depending on location, business sector and economic metric.  Benefits accrue through comparatively higher local labor utilization, purchasing of goods and services, profits and charitable giving.
   
• Have a table promoting the Houston Local Business Alliance initiative at the Green Mixer
  Houston Green Scene
  5:30-7:30pm Green Nixer
  American Legion Hall
  1216 West Clay
  2 minute presentation about business or organization
  pay to have a table
   
• Have some folks from HLBA to talk about their local business. Setup a table to promote HLBA at the recent Strategies for Change honoring Carl Hampton at TSU - Rosalind to send information about the event - Saturday July 24th.

Where do we start first?

Local will define itself. The local food group are concerned that they are outside the

The message is that we need a more representative group of businesses.

Upcoming Events

Green Mixer

Focus on the following geographic areas:
inside the loop initially

Review proposed Mission and Vision Statement

Mission: Leading the way to success for local independent businesses committed to shared prosperity.

Vision: Local independent businesses are the cornerstone of a thriving and resilient regional economy. We work together to create an inclusive, non-political  Alliance that provides its diverse and representative membership with a distinctive and appealing local brand, the benefits of scale and volume, supportive and collaborative relationships, and opportunities to enhance quality of life in our community.

Review Proposed Team Structure
Need to form some structure.

Logistics / Strategic Planning Working Group Meeting Minutes June 30, 2010

This was the first meeting of the logistics / strategic planning working group. During the previous meeting on June 21st, it became evident that we needed a working group to plan for future meetings and help to facilitate future agendas, etc. for the group. Everyone is welcome to attend and suggestions and comments are welcome! Future meeting dates / times will be listed on the website as upcoming events.

We are at a critical and challenging time in the development of this alliance and while we feel we have not yet reached the critical mass  needed to ensure adequate representation across the various business segments, some organizational structure is needed to pave the way for the successful formation of a Houston Local Business Alliance (HLBA). Some preliminary definition of what the alliance will become as an entity is necessary for us to proceed. The suggestion was made that the HLBA currently focus on smaller / achievable goals and then build the alliance from there while ensuring that the mission, vision and process be kept fluid and open at all times during this developmental phase.

People who have been participating, present info in a way that allows them to update, suggest information / updates. During meetings, provide venue for new people versus actual committee work. Provide breakout opportunities for each.

Below is an outline for consideration of how to proceed.

Leadership

What is the relationship between the tasks of this strategic planning / logistics working group and the original organizing/leadership team?

The intent was for the originating leadership team to turn over future development to the participants; however, the concensus has been that the larger group is not quite ready and continued participation is needed by those who are willing and able to provide more recruitment and strategic planning before that can happen effectively. Key areas include development of a clear local business identity, infrastructure, communication and decision making, and promotion.

Issues to Consider

• KISS - Keep it simple (for now). Identify things that will move the group forward iin a short timeframe.
• Build the alliance as quickly as possible in order to develop new business leadership and let the alliance chart it’s own course afterward, or organically assimilate as wide a cross section as can be imagined, without regard to time required.

Setting Goals

• What are the tangible achievement goals and time frames of the strategic planning committee?
• Expansion strategy – Where to start, how to grow.
• Buy local effort can be macro or micro in scope. Recommend beginning by simply promoting local businesses and educate consumers why to buy from local businesses versus an effort to actually change the infrastructure of the local economy by building our local business infrastructure. Our success will by definition, encourage changes in the infrastructure.

Identity

• What is the differentiating characteristic/selling point of this group, compared to other business alliances in the region?
• Retail businesses and direct suppliers only, or locally owned cross section of entire economy? 

Infrastructure Dues/Budget

• How will we communicate?
  • Via email
  • Online forum(?)
  • Website
• Governance
  • Recommend use of holocracy model to managing meetings.

Recommended Working Groups

• Webteam - Building the website content in a virtual context lends credibility and permanency to the group.
  • Blog
  • Facebook / social media
  • Back office / behind the scenes coordination.
  • Online Business Directory
  • Develop FAQs
    • Who we are, etc.
• Strategic Planning
• Marketing / Messaging
  • Mission statement
  • Vision statement – where we see ourselves now and where we would like to be
  • FAQs – why would we want to join this group? 
  • Presenting the information - online, in print, at meetings, etc.
  • Establish the basis for credibility.
• Logistics
  • Put together the agenda for each meeting
  • Confirm the meeting place
  • Ensure handouts are available for the meetings
  • Provide informational boards that are present during each meeting.These would be available as reference for newcomers and participants alike.

What does it mean to be a local business?

1. If your franchise can make decisions on product, change terms, etc. and not getting national to approve it, then you’re local – if not, you are not. – Barbara will write up coherently what this is.
2. Independent business owners – basically, a business is considered independent and local if owners have 50% or more controls, e.g. - they have the ability to make strategic decisions on the direction and operation of the business.

Proposed Infrastructure

Download the presentation here

Below is a proposed structure for the Houston Buy Local Business Alliance. Comments / suggestions are welcome. Where the circles overlap represents collaboration across and between the various groups.

Coordinating Team

• Logistics, Programs, Communications, Team Coordination
• Possible Logistics sub-team (virtual coordination of meeting logistics)

Critical Support Team

• Plan and then recruit key 
strategic members
• (Local Banks, University Business development 
centers, alliances with 
other organizations)
• Resiliency Strategy

Strategy & Planning Team

• Long-term roadmap & formal organizational structure

Web Team

• Public Web site, mailing list, Reference Materials, Directory, Blog, Facebook, Social Media Virtual Collaboration
• Private collaboration behind the firewall
  • Possible Social Media sub-team (Viral marketing based on Mkt team ideas)

Marketing Outreach Team

• Continue work of two existing committees developing the main member benefits to begin creating and marketing
• Start actively recruiting business members

Proposed Structure for Houston Buy Local Alliance

Below is a proposed structure for the Houston Buy Local Business Alliance. Comments / suggestions are welcome. Where the circles overlap represents collaboration across and between the various groups.

Coordinating Team

• Logistics, Programs, Communications, Team Coordination
• Possible Logistics sub-team (virtual coordination of meeting logistics)

Critical Support Team

• Plan and then recruit key 
strategic members
• (Local Banks, University Business development 
centers, alliances with 
other organizations)
• Resiliency Strategy

Strategy & Planning Team

• Long-term roadmap & formal organizational structure

Web Team

• Public Web site, mailing list, Reference Materials, Directory, Blog, Facebook, Social Media Virtual Collaboration
• Private collaboration behind the firewall
  • Possible Social Media sub-team (Viral marketing based on Mkt team ideas)

Marketing Outreach Team

• Continue work of two existing committees developing the main member benefits to begin creating and marketing
• Start actively recruiting business members

Attachment	Size
ProposedStructure.png	150.24 KB
ProposedStructureForBuyLocalAlliance.ppt	72.5 KB

HBLA Planning Meeting, June 7, 2010

Agenda: June 7 Planning Forum

Download a printable version (Acrobat Reader is required)

7:00 - Welcome & Introduction

• Purpose & Vision for the Alliance
• Objectives & Expectations for this Meeting

7:10 - Outcomes of May 1 Conference

• Participation
• Common Themes
• Key Learning
• Contributions/Resources

7:30 - Further Refining the Plans:

• Focus Group 1: How are we going to develop?
• Focus Group 2: What is our “pitch” going to be?

8:15 - Integrating our Work

• What work will move us forward?
• How will we work together to assure progress?

9:00 - Adjourn

The group broke into 2 main working groups. Detailed minutes are below for each group.

Attachment	Size
HBLA_Agenda_6-1-2010.pdf	56.73 KB

Houston Buy Local Business Alliance Conference - May 1, 2010

On May 1st, 2010 local businesses gathered to learn about the advantages of forming a Local Business Alliance. This partnership is designed to help develop a “Brand Houston,” building trust in and credibility for local independent businesses. The economic viability of the City of Houston and its surroundings depends on our locally owned businesses. When local businesses buy more from Houston based suppliers and increase the number of local customers, our region will become more self reliant. Local businesses link communities together and everyone in Houston benefits when the money we spend circulates through the hands of Houstonians.

• View the conference agenda