Graduating Senior Learns Lessons from Chamber President

This past Monday, March 13th, at the Executive Club’s weekly luncheon in downtown Lincoln at the Graduate Hotel, I had an experience with my eldest daughter Melanie, who’s about to graduate from college, that left me with a feeling of abundant pride yet incredulous thoughts towards what the future may hold for her on her “rocket ship” to a successful career.

The guest speaker was Lincoln Chamber of Commerce President Jason Ball and he was presenting the recently announced Vitality Lincoln’s strategic plan for economic development.

Since I have been the Club’s program chair for the past 14 years and counting, I have had the privileged opportunity to bring my daughters on occasion to sit with me at the head table with the scheduled speaker and in turn take in the luncheon’s program.

In meeting my daughter and coupled with the knowledge that she would soon be entering the labor market, Ball took it upon himself to incorporate Melanie into his presentation.

Ball said the Vitality Lincoln plan was released three weeks ago at the Chamber’s annual meeting and is the result of the comprehensive work and efforts by two outside consulting firms and a 42-member steering committee consisting of local leaders.

“We really tried to cut a very wide swathe of advice that we were seeking from leaders in this community, so it would be a well-thought-out and well-rounded plan for how we can grow our economy as a whole,” said Ball, who is in his second year as Chamber president. “And they (steering committee) came up with Vitality Lincoln and in doing so by intention, they have created a plan that is bigger than what just the programs that I oversee can accomplish on their own.”

Ball said the committee came up with 6 key initiatives and under each of the categories there are 28 specific tactics and initiatives that are outlined in the Vitality Lincoln plan.

“The No. 1 issue on every business’s mind is diverse talent… and I don’t think that will surprise anybody,” Ball maintained before asking a question directed at attracting the attention of the lone college senior in the room. “How can we make Lincoln a city of choice for someone her age, who’s looking to launch her career and hopefully set down roots and eventually become a community leader in her own right.”

He continued the messaging to entail how all communities across the country are seeking similar candidates that can populate their towns and increase their economic activity.

“And so, it is folks like you (Melanie) that are on everybody’s mind right now in Lincoln at least and I think nationally they’re saying, ‘how can we be relevant to people that are just getting out of their collegiate experience and getting on the launch pad for their career,” Ball said before chiding his captive collegiate. “You are the most commodity that communities are competing for right now. This is the most popular you are ever going to be in your life. So, enjoy it.”

Pushing aside the idea about the popularity of a college senior, Ball honed in on how to refine and direct Lincoln’s messaging.

“The No. 1 issue for Lincoln is the same issue we had 10 years ago, but I think we’re still working on, is we have to tell our story more proudly and outside of Lincoln and outside of Nebraska,” said Ball, who grew up in Sidney, Nebraska and then came to Lincoln to earn an undergraduate degree from Nebraska Wesleyan in 1996 before gaining an MBA from UNL. “We’ve got to drive our own narrative about what it is to be in Lincoln, Nebraska.”

If you would like to see the entire Vitality Lincoln plan including “the gory details” and the 42 members of the steering committee with their mug shots, you can see it by visiting the Chamber website at www.lcoc.com and then clicking on the Vitality Lincoln which is located right on the landing page.?