“We help with technical assistance, helping businesses to understand how to work through the current legislative and regulatory environment,” she explains. In addition, the Alliance serves the broader community by keeping residents informed about local developments and connecting neighborhood councils with developers to ensure inclusive growth. INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY FOR STREAMLINED OPERATIONS In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, leveraging technology has become a necessity rather than an option, and the Valley Economic Alliance understands this better than most. “We like to keep it simple,” Blake says. The core of its digital toolkit includes Microsoft Outlook and Google Suite. Outlook is the primary platform for communication and scheduling, while Google Suite facilitates realtime document sharing and updates. The Alliance relies on tools like Canva and Trello for design and project management. Blake praises Canva as “a terrific tool where you don’t have to be a graphic designer,” highlighting its ease of use for creating visually appealing materials in-house. On the other hand,Trello functions as an online bulletin board, keeping the team on the same page.“Everyone knows that they can contribute to each Trello card,” she explains. With Trello, the Alliance can centralize all relevant documents, like agendas, minutes, and attendance lists, in one accessible location. Being a nonprofit organization, the Alliance doesn’t require an extensive array of software solutions typically used in manufacturing or retail. However, a robust Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is essential for operations.The Alliance uses Network for Good to track interactions with donors, business assistance clients, board members, and other stakeholders.This system allows the organization to “make sure it’s communicating regularly with them and tracking activity,” Blake notes. For financial management, it turns to QuickBooks, ensuring accurate tracking and reporting of financials. Blake acknowledges the importance of technology in not just internal operations but also in the services they provide. This year, technology is a focal point in its business assistance program, where every session includes a demonstration or application of a tech tool designed to help Valley companies operate more productively and efficiently. A recent example is the Business Mastery Online symposium, where the Alliance introduced LivePlan, a business planning tool. CAPITAL INVESTMENTS AND THE 2028 OLYMPICS The Valley Economic Alliance allocates its resources strategically, with a strong emphasis on investing in people and community engagement. At its core, the Alliance functions as a communications hub, convening diverse groups to discuss strategies and relay these insights to key decision-makers, from elected officials to corporate leaders. “We really invest in our people,” Blake states, acknowledging the importance of retaining a talented team equipped to drive the organization’s mission forward. Financially, the Alliance relies on a network of approximately 60 corporate funders through its patron program.These partners play a crucial role in sustaining the organization’s economic development and community improvement initiatives.Additionally, 5 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 10 THE VALLEY ECONOMIC ALLIANCE
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