The Significance of Partnering with City Experts

Davon Barbour and I have been working together in real estate for several years and we have developed a close friendship. ?I always call him for counsel, and he is someone who always is willing to listen and offer solutions. His ability to offer solutions has made him a force to be reckoned with in the retail real estate industry. On this episode of Crossman Conversations CEO Edition , Barbour and I talked about New Orleans’ economy and the importance of local government partnering alongside local businesses. ?

Davon Barbour is the President and CEO of Downtown Development District of New Orleans . Mr. Barbour also serves as a trustee for ICSE . Barbour has done work in several areas of the country such as Orlando, Baltimore, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Miami, and New Orleans. Barbour and I discuss developing businesses in the public sector and how developing a business often requires the help of economic development and local government officials.

“You've got to provide the business climate for that business to succeed. It's really important that communities really be at the table and that they're looking at, you know, the cost of doing business in the community, the regulations. Now, more so than ever, that's more important when we see, you know, [after] coming out of COVID, a lot of retailers are really adapting their formats. We've got to take a hard look at land use policy, what do we need to do to support these restaurants so they can get to the finish line?”

Barbour talks about how more than ever, because of top-tier markets competing, it is important to be connected to economic development officials and understand the community plan for the city as well. He believes that success for a city, like New Orleans, lies in understanding the needs of the community. Barbour will also give his advice to CEOs on the importance of being empathetic leaders.

You can listen to more of Davon Barbour and his advice here: https://www.theshepherdradio.com/podcasts/the-crossman-conversation-ceo-edition/episode/s1e01-urban-developer-craig-ustler-is-johns-guest-on-the-debut-of-the-ceo-edition/

Last week, I spoke to Betsy Gardner Eckbert about the city of Winter Park and what makes the city flourish. You can listen to our conversation here: https://www.theshepherdradio.com/podcasts/the-crossman-conversation-ceo-edition/episode/s1e05-john-welcomes-betsy-gardner-eckbert-president-of-the-winter-park-chamber-of-commerce/

John Crossman is the founder of Crossman Career Builders , the host of The Crossman Conversation , and the author of Career Killers Career Builders . Check out Crossman Career Builders on YouTube . Connect with John on LinkedIn , Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .