Welcome to the ThunkTank blog!

ThunkTank is the online journal of Next Generation Economic Development. It features articles with valuable information, insight and advice on topics of interest to practitioners, board members and investors of Economic Development, Commercial/Industrial Development and Quasi-Governmental organizations, with a focus on:

Economic Development | Industrial Recruitment | Budget Development and Preparation | Fiscal Analysis and Revenue Projection | Policy Writing and Analysis | Program Evaluation | Fiscal Impact Analysis | Strategic Planning Facilitation and Development | Comprehensive Planning Assistance | Grant Writing and Technical Assistance | Community Survey Research and Design | Feasibility Study Assistance and Preparation | Economic Impact Analysis | Community Design Assistance | Location Branding | Business Retention & Expansion.

Marketing Strategy | Lean Marketing | Marketing and Business Planning Development | Advertising/Media | Branding | Positioning | Market Research.

Business Development | Sales Presentation Development | Customer Relationship Management | Social Media Marketing | Email Marketing | Search-Engine Optimization | Trade Show and Event Marketing.

Organizational Dynamics | Leadership Skills | Interpersonal Communication | Teambuilding.

Additionally, ThunkTank publishes:

Client News & Notes | Significant developments relating to companies and organizations I am currently working with or have worked with recently. These typically come directly from press releases issued by the client, but frequently include my project-specific insight as well.

Events & Announcements | Short updates on the business of my business, including information about public seminars and workshops, book signings and other appearances, links to published articles, quotes and/or mentions in major publications, office hours and contact information.

ThunkTank is written and published by me, John B. Marek, a marketing and economic development professional with more than 25 years ombined experience in the industrial, retail, technology and public sectors. You are invited to comment on any of the items posted on this blog; just remember to keep it clean and keep it constructive, or keep it to yourself. I reserve the right to delete any posts I find innappropriate.