NEW BUSINESS  12.

COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM

HISTORY:

How does Miami Beach welcome new business? Do we send a letter of welcome? Do we offer a personal visit from the Mayor or Commissioners? Acknowledgment of the business' choice to move into Miami Beach?

Words can be meaningful, but actions are what matter. Miami Beach understands that relationships matter when trying to influence the business-friendly perception of Miami Beach....and we have to walk the talk. Every day, millions of businesses have to prove to their customers that their words align with their values, and their actions align with their words. Miami Beach also has to prove its value every day to the businesses who chose to do business here. We have to show them, not just tell them. We have to do business the way the business community does....nurture trust and earn respect.  

Any city can tell a great story about why it’s great to live and do business there. Not every city can live up to the story they tell.  Miami Beach has to live up to our promises.

It only takes a few minutes to do the right thing and make a new business feel welcome. We start with introducing the City of Miami Beach to the business, telling the business who we are, what we value and how much we appreciate them choosing Miami Beach as a place to do business. We have to welcome new businesses into our community as we would like to be welcomed.

It is said that when making a great first impression, the first few moments are key. This small amount of time will create a lasting impact and forge the direction of a business. A warm and sincere welcome letter gives a sense of caring and makes people feel appreciated, as well as personal calls/visits making them feel that they have made a good choice in choosing Miami Beach.

Starting a new business and/or relocating a business is no easy feat. Businesses are looking for a welcoming and thriving businesses environment - where they can meet and share ideas, network and grow their business. An initial nurturing of new businesses could be a crucial bridge for growing a successful business community – but this takes time, commitment and enthusiasm.

In the age of social media it is all too easy for new businesses to experience a challenging start, not know what to do, where to go, who to talk to or how to assess the challenge. This is why it is more important than ever to create a welcoming, resourceful and easy experience for a potential Miami Beach new businesses......and continue to provide supportive tools, resources, access to information and more.

ANALYSIS:

As Miami Beach works to welcome and support new business  development, relocation assistance and new industries, we need to explore programs and initiatives that provide information and access to the tools they need to navigate through Miami Beach government and business community, and to operate efficiently and effectively as well as grow and thrive. Some programs the Administration is exploring include, but are not limited to:

1. Creating dedicated staff to welcome, nurture and guide new and relocated businesses/industries;
2. Creating an online New Business Welcome Tool Kit which provides easy access to the who, what, where, how to navigate through the City of Miami Beach regulatory system, programs, and services (e.g. checklists, online licensing, permits, etc.);
3. Create an online MB Business Directory as an incentive to showcase and advertise business products and services available and offered by businesses in Miami Beach;
4. Offer to showcase new businesses, on the CMB communications channels, for 3-6 months – e.g. a “New Business Spotlight” in print and digital collateral;
5. Encourage the introduction of new businesses in community and committee meetings;
6. Offer capacity building/information sharing workshops/meet-ups through the City and its partners. Explore developing a small business development curriculum to work with prospective, new and existing businesses on issues that impact their operations, e.g. business planning, access to capital, human resources, accounting, social media, lease negotiations, etc.;
7. Explore opportunities to engage subject matter expert volunteers – retired businesses owners/executives could provide pro bono/volunteer business assistance for new businesses;
8. Work with MB Chambers to provide discount memberships at events that provide capacity support for businesses and encourage the Chambers to provide ribbon cuttings and other networking events and activities;  
9. Explore developing a small business investment program to work with new, existing and expanding businesses; and
10. Explore programs/initiatives that  encourage and assist small business relocation to Miami Beach.

CONCLUSION:

The Administration recommends that the existing business recruitment and retention tools be audited, revised and enhanced. The Administration also recommends creating dedicated staff that are business liaisons and work closely with new businesses to ensure they matriculate positively. Lastly, the Administration recommends the exploration of best practices, programs and initiatives that leverage existing resources (government and private) to attract new businesses, newly relocated businesses and new industries.