Explore progress on objectives related to Goal 5 of the Innisfil Economic Development Strategic Plan: Foster a best-in-class economic development office.

Refine the expertise and capacity for innovation of the Economic Development team.

Action 55

Develop professional development plans which focus on building capacity for innovation, supporting intrapreneurs and creating opportunities for employees to be informed on leading edge practices, through attending conferences, taking courses, and/or participating in workshops.

  • Timeline: 2024
  • Status: In progress
  • Progress: Two workshops have been scheduled for May 8, 2024, to teach Staff and local businesses how to navigate failure as an integral and expected outcome of the innovation process. 
  • Impact: Impact to be presented upon project completion.

Action 56

Solidify Innisfil’s reputation as a leader in innovative collaboration by exploring opportunities to increase knowledge sharing with other economic development and business support professionals (including roundtables, masterminds, conference speaking/guest lecture opportunities).

  • Timeline: Ongoing
  • Status: In progress
  • Progress: In Progress. Staff provided a presentation to the Barrie District Association of Realtors in March 2024. Staff are participating in various knowledge exchange opportunities including mentorship programs, the EDCO Bright Ideas Competition and guest lecturing at local post-secondary institutions. 
  • Impact: Impact to be presented upon project completion.

Continue to improve relationships and build trust with community stakeholders.

Action 57

Employ customer relationship management (CRM) tools to track business engagement activities and leads in a dashboard which would allow staff to better manage and follow up with leads.

  • Timeline: 2024
  • Status: In Progress
  • Progress: Staff has onboarded a new customer relationship management system and approximately 3,000 contacts have been uploaded for more efficient, effective and streamlined communication. Staff anticipates developing new reporting templates in Q2 2024.
  • Impact: Impact to be presented upon project completion.

Action 58

Deploy annual statistically valid survey tools to measure the health of businesses and determine which businesses need assistance based on priorities. Questions can focus on understanding business growth and expansion challenges; their labour force needs, and programming supports.

  • Timeline: This action is targeted to begin in 2025.
  • Status: Not yet initiated.
  • Progress: N/A
  • Impact: Impact to be presented on project completion.

Action 59

Position quarterly networking and/or Council tours to allow Town leadership to build relationships with local stakeholders and encourage networking and collaboration between stakeholders.

  • Timeline: Ongoing.
  • Status: Not yet initiated.
  • Progress: N/A
  • Impact: Impact to be presented on project completion.

Action 60

Explore new marketing tools and platforms to share economic development progress, successes, and KPIs.

  • Timeline: Ongoing.
  • Status: In progress.
  • Progress: N/A
  • Impact: Staff has developed a new online municipal dashboard for tracking progress on implementation of the Economic Development Strategic Plan. It is anticipated that new target KPI and Metrics will be added in Q2 2024 for further transparency. Staff developed a new newsletter template to streamline communications and increase engagement.