THE RURBAN FRINGE

Predictions for 2010

Posted on | December 30, 2009 | 1 Comment

It’s hard to ignore trends … some are bang-on, while others tend to fall by the wayside.  We love them.  We hate them.  Money is spent creating them.  Businesses try to adjust to them.  Governments analyze them.

Yet – after a year no-one was able to predict – it’s becoming more important then ever to take note of existing trends to try and adapt to new circumstances.

After working in the field of rural/rurban development throughout 2009, below are my predictions – based on what I feel are existing and emerging trends – for 2010.

Increased Regional Cooperation

This trend has been gaining momentum over the past several years as government programs and policies increasingly favour regional action that strengthens – politically, economically, and otherwise - regional integration and cooperation.

Ideally, increased regionalism links local, regional, and national priorities, promotes sub-regional programming, and encourages economic growth and cooperation to neighbouring areas.  In these uncertain times we live in, strong regions also create a sense of stability from within.  

In fact, the number of regional cooperation and integration agreements is on the rise, offering mutually beneficial relationships to all parties involved.  Small communities would do well to examine their role within their larger region and what they might do to take advantage of this trend. 

Demand for Skilled Labour

With Baby Boomers inching towards retirement, an enormous skilled labour gap will continue to widen, threatening the viability of large, medium, and small businesses.

In smaller communities, especially, this is of great consequence as businesses consolidate, move, or older workers (think of your town’s lawyer, pharmacist, or others, for instance) contemplate retirement.  Without proper planning and replacement of such skilled labour, these businesses may fold up shop for good … but to the detriment of your community.  These shortages will impact development. 

Along with succession planning information and support for businesses, communities will have to become creative and strategic when addressing skilled labour shortages in their area.

Integrated Communications

Historically, small businesses haven’t done a tremendous job at integrating their marketing communications across a variety of channels.  But as audience sizes shrink and targeting options increase, there has been a renewed interest from local businesses in pursuing integrated marketing communications strategies.

Alongside integrated marketing communications is the growing knowledge, acceptance, and use of social media tools and channels.  And while a number of individuals I work with neither know – nor care – precisely what Facebook, YouTube or these ‘blog things’ are all about, they do understand and care about client service, cultivating profitable relationships, and converting “friends” to “customers.” 

2010 will see local small businesses and municipalities attempting or continuing to capitalize on these “new” marketing opportunities … but mostly through the well-known and well-established ’Big 3′ – Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.

***

So … there they are.  Are there other trends you feel will be crucial in 2010?  Any that have been overlooked?  Share your thoughts in the comments section - thanks!

Related Posts:

Category: Community Development
Tags: > > > > >

Comments

One Response to “Predictions for 2010”

  1. Joe Albertan
    December 31st, 2009 @ 10:04 am

    We’ve seen the rise and now we’ll see the fall of the Wildrose Alliance. I had great hope for this party but it is simply going down.

Leave a Reply