Entrepreneur and business support organizations (EBSOs) centered on building future-focused economies lead with integrity when reporting on the state of their local economy to prospects.

Companies are not the prospects; it's the people leading the company, the employees, and their families. Choosing where to establish represents a life-altering business decision; most cannot simply relocate from one hub to another.

Be transparent about local challenges, enabling prospects to:

• Manage their expectations effectively

• Create targeted strategies for navigation

• Take calculated steps forward

Like any relationship, these prospects can become your greatest assets or detractors. Poor experiences within local communities can inevitably spread, particularly in this digital age.

Practical Applications:

• Instead of maintaining a constant "rah-rah" attitude, demonstrate vulnerabilities.

• Enlist prospects as collaborators for solutions, leveraging their fresh perspectives.

• Create support systems; help them find their tribe, be it ethnic, lifestyle, or other groups.

• Guide them through barriers to local connectivity with key stakeholders.

• Present fact-based insights and outlooks, not aspirational.

Transparency and demonstrated integrity build trust and champions in your business community.