Site Selectors Are People, Too Devin Hillsdon-Smith

In today's episode, Devin explores the realities of being an economic developer. What does it take to get the job done? What does a day in the life look like? Let's dig beyond the tip of the iceberg of being an economic developer, including what it takes to serve as the intersection between community and business.
Here's some resources for those interested in learning more (see Site Selectors Are People, Too | Devin Hillsdon-Smith (podbean.com) if your app doesn't show links):
What is Economic Development?
Remaking Economic Development
Tools for Economic Development
The Importance of Young Firms for Economic Growth
What is an Economic Developer and How to Become One

In today's episode, Devin explores the realities of being a site selector. What does it take to get the job done? What does a day in the life look like? Let's dig beyond the tip of the iceberg of being a site selector, including what it takes to manage a corporate site selection project.
Note: winning clients and getting paid will be discussed in future episodes.
Here's some resources for those interested in learning more (see Site Selectors Are People, Too | Devin Hillsdon-Smith (podbean.com) if your app doesn't show links):
20 Key Factors and Bonus Insights for Site Selection
What Is a Site Selection Consultant and How to Hire the Right One
The Power Of Informed Decisions: Site Selection Principles And Best Practices
What Site Selectors REALLY Want
The Complete Guide to Site Selection
Seven Signs of a New Site Selection Reality

Devin tackles a fundamental aspect of human interaction - trust. In this episode, we explore the definition of trust, how to build it, how to ruin it, and its role in economic development and site selection. Economic developers and site selectors serve as a bridge between communities and companies, requiring a focus on being trusted advisors and representatives.
Here's some resources for those interested in learning more (see Site Selectors Are People, Too | Devin Hillsdon-Smith (podbean.com) if your app doesn't show links):
10 Ways to Build Trust in a Relationship
The Importance of Client Selection and Relationship Management
Trust is the glue of a healthy society. Here's how to bring it back.
Building Stronger Communities: Understanding The Power Of Community Economic Development
Five Straightforward Ways to Engage with Site Selectors
How Business Can Build and Maintain Trust
What is trust, why does it matter for development, and how do we measure it?
Eight Tips for Building, Maintaining, and Leveraging Your Professional Relationships
How To Build And Maintain Professional Relationships

In this episode, Devin explores the role and impact of artificial intelligence on economic development and site selection. We discuss how AI is currently being deployed, its limitations, and the future for our professions. Is AI going to replace us all?
Here's some resources for those interested in learning more:
AI 101 for Site Selection
AI: These are the biggest risks and how to manage them
Artificial Intelligence and Economic Development: An Evolutionary Investigation and Systematic Review
Maximizing AI’s economic, social, and trade opportunities
Maintaining American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence
The Failure Of Artificial Intelligence In Manufacturing
The impact of artificial intelligence on economic development
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Future of Workforces
The Potential and Limitations of AI in the Site Selection Industry
The Power of AI in Economic Development
Understanding the Impact of AI on Skills Development
Why AI Projects Fail and How to Overcome Failure 

Stories from the Road, a miniseries within the podcast, will feature the people behind the profession in the communities Devin visits and within his network of esteemed misfits.
 
In this first installment of the miniseries, Devin is joined by Bryant Niehoff, executive director of the Uplands Science & Technology Foundation in southwest Indiana.
 
Bryant can be reached at:
BNIEHOFF@USTFWESTGATE.ORG
(812) 259-2177
 

Let's tackle some small steps we can take to empower each other in a big way in this episode of Site Selectors Are People, Too. Can it really be as simple as acknowledging receipt of a RFI response? I think so, and I think you do, too.