It is easy to forget the importance of technology to promote our communities and to help our businesses connect to customers. It is not so important to chase the latest, hottest application as it is to pick one or two or three proven social media/technology platforms and commit to doing them well. I always suggest the first one for a business to look at is Google. Google literally puts small businesses on the map and helps them to include accurate information relevant to their customers. Businesses can go to www.gybo.com to find ways to get their information on the Internet using Google and connect, communicate and do business with their community and customers.
For example, at a previous offices where I worked, the Google street view for the building did not show the entrance and, in fact, were an unattractive shot of a point a few yards away. I was able to get that edited and instead of a view looking down an alley appearing on a search for us, our attractive front door is the first impression to anyone that ‘googles’ the location.
So, don’t worry if you don’t know that ‘swiping right’ is a good thing, just go get your Google going great and your customers will ‘Like’ you.
About Daryl Phillips, CEcD
I am a professional economic developer. I presently work for communities and companies in developing and implementing workforce and economic development solutions as CEO of Phillips Economic Development Solutions (Phi EDS).
Prior to September 2017, I was the economic development professional who served a community team of elected officials, business people, community leaders and dedicated stakeholders for economic development in Cheatham County, Tennessee (pop. 39,880) and its four towns. During my five-year tenure, I served the team as Cheatham County grew over 1,700 jobs, turned around population declines at the start of this decade into healthy population growth, increased tourism expenditures 20.3% and local tax revenue from tourism 25.4%, grew sales tax revenue 36%, focused on developing the local workforce and was recognized by SmartAsset as having the 9th highest Incoming Investment Index of all the 95 counties in Tennessee.
I am a member of International Economic Development Council, Southern Economic Development Council, Tennessee Economic Development Council and International Council of Shopping Centers.
I have earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) from International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) certification from National Development Council and hold a Master of Business Administration from Tennessee Technological University.
