The Proven Business Solutions Model

Definition 1General: Cooperative arrangement in which two or more

parties (which may or may not have any previous relationship) work jointly towards a common goal.

Definition 2Knowledge management (KM): Effective method of

transferring 'know how' among individuals, therefore critical to creating and sustaining a competitive advantage.

Definition 3Negotiations: Conflict resolution strategy that uses both

assertiveness and cooperation to seek solutions advantageous to all parties. It succeeds usually where the participants' goals are compatible, and the interaction among them is important in attaining those goals.

DefinitionEstablishing a long term win-win relationship

based on mutual trust and teamwork, and on sharing of both risks and rewards.

Partnering arrangement can be between labor and management, subordinates and the executive, suppliers and customers, and suppliers and suppliers.

The objective is to focus on what each party does best, by sharing financial and other resources, and establishing specific roles for each participant.

Business IS the primary customerEducation and Workforce Development IS

Economic DevelopmentPhilosophy IS backed by comprehensive

strategic partnerships and operational plans

Example of a BSP Partnership Structure Workforce Development

The Economic Developer drives

the demand side of the model

Workforce Development

prepares the labor force with their programs and

services

Education meets the demand with training programs

ALL PARTNERS WORK TOGETHER TO FOCUS ON AND SERVE BUSINESS

Economic Development Education

TurfResistance to Change (Individuals &

Systems)Duplicative EffortsOrganizational Cultural DifferencesOrganizational SilosShort-Term Nature of Grant

Funding

Demand Supply

Partners Resources

•An urgent requirement or need•The state of being sought after

Economics • The desire to possess a commodity or make use of a service, combined with the ability to purchase it.

• The amount of a commodity or service that people are ready to buy for a given price: Supply should rise to meet demand.

• Along with supply, demand is one of the two key determinants of the market price.

What resources do you use

to meet business demand?

Economic Development

• Block Grants• Tax Abatements• Site Selections• Business Growth• Brownfield Redevelopment• Retention Calls• Strategic Planning• Other…..

Education

•Michigan New Jobs Training Initiative• Curriculum Development• Customized Skills Training• Apprenticeship classes• Other….

Workforce Development

• On the Job Training• Incumbent Worker Training• Classroom Training• Skilled Workforce• Skills Upgrading• Apprenticeship creation• Customized Hiring Projects• Workforce Planning• Other….

• What resources can you deliver to the partnership

• Who is in your network• What resources does your network have• Who can deliver the solutions to your

customer • Can you deliver on your commitments• What partners do you trust and rely on• Who trusts and relies on you• How will your resources blend with your

partners

Understand your programs and services

Learn about your partners Talent Bank

Pre-Employment Testing

WOTC Identification

CRT Training

OJT Training

EEO/CDBG Tracking

Application Pre-Screening

EDJT Grants

Incumbent Worker Training

Resource Rooms

Tax Abatements

TRA/NAFTA Assistance

CDBG Grants

Employer Specific Job Fairs

Labor Market Research

BEST Processes

Lay-Off Aversion Projects

Education and Training Programs

Placement Assistance

Retention Call Programs

Veteran Employment Project

Area Labor Management Groups

Empowerment Zones

Through discovery - identifies the need(s) of the customer – understanding their own assets as well as their partners – assists in providing solutions through their resources or by referrals to partners – - - dependent on the situation and demand.

Prevent Michigan's traditional industries and jobs from leaving the state by adopting a surviving to thriving strategy

Support community-led efforts to prevent plant closings and lay-offs through the development of strategies that link economic development workforce, and education

Create a regional approach to implement these strategies and make a successful transition to new markets, new jobs, and talent development. 

Assist Michigan businesses to retain workers, create jobs, and operate competitively in the global market and to attract new companies to Michigan. Growth situationsBusiness enhancement / layoff prevention situations

Attraction situationsClosure situations

How to use your resources to provide solutionsHow to create collaborative partnershipsHow to recognize opportunities for your

customerHow to blend your resources with your partnersA different way of doing local and regional

businessAbout available resources from 21st Century

Partners*The five proven BSP steps (Entry, Fact Finding ,

Solution Design, Implementation, Follow-up)

Identify your Local and Regional Partners

Communicate with those partners

Learn about what your partners do and respect their work

Work on Definable, Targeted Projects/Tasks

Play to Your State and Local Strengths and the Strengths of Your Partners

Create a Formal, On-going Process to Solve New Projects/Tasks

Educate yourself on the BSP’s roleAllow the BSP to make the necessary

decisionsHelp the BSP create the partnershipsEncourage CollaborationUnderstand that it will take time Promote on-going education

Burn your enemies listCommunicate with your partnersStay in your laneWhen you help people get what they want you

will get what you wantYou don’t need to be an expert in everything

(RP)Give away or share the creditCelebrate the successes Under promise and over deliverAlways have positive words for othersPigs V/S Hogs

Senior Technical Advisors

Christine Quinn, President, South Central Michigan Works! – cquinn@scmw.org

Jim (L14) Lautenschleger, Business Solutions Officer, South Central Michigan Works! – jlauten@scmw.org