NEXT:
Equip business service providers with information about employee ownership With data in hand, cities can convene their business service provider community and introduce them to the basics of employee ownership transitions. Legacy business data will show sector and community concentrations, and local leaders should begin by targeting the groups that serve or interact with these businesses and businesses owners, such as: Accountants Banks and credit unions Community Development Financial Institutions Chambers of Commerce City and/or county small business and workforce agencies Economic Development Corporations Community Development Corporations Financial advisors Merchant associations Industry associations Small Business Development Centers Because business service providers do not provide the same services to all types of businesses, cities should tailor outreach to emphasize what is most important to each provider. Consider hosting two separate conversations in one convening, or two separate events entirely: One for groups that generally serve larger businesses (those with 20 or more employees), and one for smaller businesses. Holding separate events will allow for more nuanced discussions on how to best reach and support businesses with different needs and options. Service providers engaging in these convenings should be encouraged to learn about employee ownership and what a transition process looks like, from the exploration stage, through the final transfer of ownership and the training of the new employee-owners. Service providers need to know about the process
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NAT ION A L LEAG UE OF C ITIES
