Guest Commentary :
Implementing the new strategic plan
A few weeks ago, I had dinner in Memphis with several business leaders and site selection consultants. Several issues were discussed, but the one that caught my attention was regarding strategic planning. It is a key ingredient to success in any business. In economic development, the plan has to be developed with a shared community vision to be successful. This task can be very painstaking in a community that struggles with developing a unified plan. Ultimately, all plans have to be implemented to make a difference. One of our dinner guest, Van Cunningham with Burlington Northern / Santa Fe Rail, said it best, “A grade ‘A’ implementation of a grade ‘C’ plan is better than no implementation of a grade ‘A’ plan.” His point: don’t waste all your time and energy developing the perfect plan. At some point, implement your best efforts and carefully monitor the results.
Mississippi has never lacked from strategic plans. However, we often tend to always grapple with the implementation phase. Today, we have a very different opportunity. Governor Haley Barbour recently announced the formation of Momentum Mississippi, a long -range economic development plan for the state. The plan will include new provisions introduced by the Governor but will also utilize recommendations developed in Blueprint Mississippi and the McCoy Working Group Plan.
No one knows more about implementation of strategic plans better than Governor Barbour and MDA Executive Director Leland Speed. Their leadership and guidance will drive the implementation of this plan. And to provide continued feedback, Governor Barbour has appointed the Momentum Mississippi advisory committee as required by an overlooked provision of the 1987 Statewide Economic Development Planning Act.
The MDA team is working diligently on fulfilling two major components of the Momentum Mississippi plan: (1) creating better jobs and (2) developing economically vibrant communities. Our approach to develop better jobs for the people of Mississippi will take into account both geography and industry sector. A renewed focus will be given to the service sector and jobs created from technology and knowledge -based companies. However, we will not turn our back on manufacturing. Manufacturing today utilizes expensive technology and sophisticated processing systems to compete. That requires a skilled workforce and a business climate that considers investment as much as number of jobs. The plan for manufacturing jobs will include retention as well.
The second component of MDA’s strategy will focus on the community. The State of Mississippi can do everything to enhance its business climate, but without competitive communities will still fall short. In the end, it is not Mississippi competing with Arkansas for new jobs, but the City of Cleveland competing with Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. It is the assets of Greenville competing with Greenville, Texas; or the workforce in Greenwood competing with Greensboro, Alabama. MDA has plays a critical role in helping the Mississippi communities to enhance their quality of life and to provide a vibrant economy conducive to attracting people to live there new residents and businesses alike. This is a mammoth task that can be accomplished through state, regional, and local partnerships.
Lastly, MDA is transforming into a higher performing organization focused on customer needs. Our management team has spent countless hours the last few months evaluating our practices and comparing and contrasting MDA’s programs and services against with identified customer needs and expectations. We are developing processes and systems to better meet the needs of our customers. As we move forward, our team looks forward to partnering with our Mississippi communities to provide an improved economic well-being and quality of life for our citizens. With grade “A” communities and a grade “A” MDA, let’s work together to provide a grade “A” implementation implement of the new grade “A” Momentum Mississippi plan. DBJ
Gray Swoope
(Gray Swoope is Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Mississippi Development Authority in Jackson.)
