Organizing a Successful Research Center

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Organizing a Successful Research Center

• AUBER
• October 14, 2007
• Hart Hodges
• Center for Economic and Business Research
• Western Washington University

2
Setting

• Center is located at a regional comprehensive
  university not the state research institution
• State has strong Employment Security Dept. and
  Forecasting Office
• Inherited center no discussion was possible with
  previous director
• Position is half-time faculty and half-time
  Center Director

Western Washington University Center for
Economic and Business Research
3
Mission

• Establish the College of Business and Economics
  at WWU as a recognized leader in analyzing
  business conditions, providing economic
  forecasts, and being the primary resource center
  for the business and economic development
  communities in Washington State.

Western Washington University Center for
Economic and Business Research
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Initial Steps (for me)

• Get involved locally Be visible
• Chamber of Commerce Board member
• City of Bellingham Budget Advisory Committee
  (chair)
• Whatcom County Affordable Housing Task Force
• Regular presentations (including annual forecast)
• Build relationships
• Work with Dept. of Employment Security,
  WorkSource, etc.
• Undertook small projects for free for certain
  agencies (EDCs, Port, etc.)
• Learn what I should and should not try to do
• Little time to chase soft money

Western Washington University Center for
Economic and Business Research
5
Tips

• Be strategic
• Consider school politics (get to know your dean)
• Students have different strengths you have to
  find them quickly and use them wisely
• Be patient
• Remember a key rule from consulting
• touches matter
• Use AUBER

Western Washington University Center for
Economic and Business Research
6
Project Objectives

• Manageable
• Respect teaching and research requirements
• Know the role of research assistants
• Useful
• Projects have to add value
• Supported
• Most reports and publications have to be funded
  with external dollars

Western Washington University Center for
Economic and Business Research
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Project Objectives, cont.

• Exposure
• Work products need to be marketing tools
• Leverage academic research
• Or vice versa

Western Washington University Center for
Economic and Business Research
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Sample Projects

• Industry sector profiles
• Students can update
• Econ development agencies love them
• Becoming source of revenue
• Downtown market studies
• Clusters and notable industry studies
• Build on sector profiles
• Impact studies
• Can be fee for service

Western Washington University Center for
Economic and Business Research
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Sample Projects, cont.

• Washington Regional Economic Analysis Project
• Workshops possible revenue source
• Great discussion tool
• Northwest Economic Review
• Can use students
• Revenue source

Western Washington University Center for
Economic and Business Research
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Percentage Change in Pop 30-39 yr olds1997 -
2007
Western Washington University Center for
Economic and Business Research
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Conclusions

• Were succeeding
• Were discussing with the State of Washington how
  to prepare our reports for all counties
• The University Foundation is now using the Center
  in its fundraising efforts
• With success comes opportunity (including the
  ability to charge for your services)
• Our success would be easy to replicate at other
  centers

Western Washington University Center for
Economic and Business Research