We’ve recently had the opportunity to work with a small community that is working hard to implement economic development strategies. They have completed a Comprehensive Plan and are still committed to the goals they originally developed. However, implementation of this work has been challenging – and how could it not be? Resources are limited, as in any small community, i.e. money, staff, volunteers, training, time. The community understands the activities that should be undertaken, but moving the process forward with so many constraints is exhausting.
Here are some ideas on how your community might prepare your team to be successful working together to implement a plan:
1. Be enthusiastic about what you are undertaking. Attitude is absolutely critical for success.
2. Organize how you will approach the work. Clearly identify who will lead the effort, and who will support the effort.
3. Set realistic expectations, and divide the work into bite-size pieces.
4. Share the work with as many groups or community participants as possible.
5. Work the plan EVERY SINGLE DAY.
Successful implementation is always community driven and must be a community priority.
