(Cracking the Code with Greg Kozera – Photo Illustration – MetroCreativeConnection)
Have you ever watched any of the team-based reality shows like “The Amazing Race?” Teams compete hard against each other. As the race goes on and everyone goes through the same challenges, a special bond is built with teammates and the other teams — congratulating them on success, encouraging them, cheering them on and even helping them at times.
Lynnda and I felt a little like “The Amazing Race” during our U.S. Commercial Services Building Bridges to the USA (Select USA) Roadshow in February.
The Roadshow covered three countries, (Netherlands, Belgium and France) and six cities over 12 days. Shale Crescent USA, JobsOhio, Team PA and 19 other state and local economic development organizations from New York, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Texas, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Wisconsin, California, Oregon, Arizona and Minnesota attended. Each organization had a small table where we could meet prospects, distribute literature and have a small pop-up banner. Usually no chairs. We were on our feet a lot in addition to walking.
Except for the weekend in Paris, we checked out of our hotel every morning and walked or taxied to each venue with our suitcases and backpacks. When the meeting for the day ended, dragging our suitcases, we found our way to the train station for a train ride of several hours to the next city. U.S. Commercial Services had people to help but with over 35 people in our group it was easy to get separated. A number of the states had consultants who live in Europe. They were lifesavers not only helping us to find the right train but to find the exact coach on the train with our seats.
On day six, after a two-hour train ride north from Paris to Lille, we relaxed and played together for the first time at a reception. Some of us later headed to the indoor pool for some exercise and relaxation. We were quietly building relationships. Everyone represented different states but we were all on the same Team USA with a common goal to help foreign companies invest here.
Why do companies want to invest in the U.S.? They understand things U.S. companies may take for granted. Here are reasons we heard why companies want to locate in or expand to the U.S.:
* The U.S. has a large and growing market they want to sell into.
* The U.S. has abundant, dependable, economical energy.
* The EU has extremely high taxes compared to the U.S. Companies told us 60% of income goes to federal tax and another 10% to state and local taxes.
* Companies said the EU’s excessive regulations make it difficult to get new products to market, increase costs and make it difficult to expand. One company couldn’t get a permit to make more of the same product they have been manufacturing for over 30 years. They will manufacture it in the U.S.
* Individuals told us they like the space we have in the U.S. Most people we met live in apartments in cities, much like New York, Chicago or Washington, D.C. Having a fire pit in your backyard like Lynnda and I have is a foreign concept.
Every U.S. state has these same five advantages and others unique to their state. This makes site selection difficult. A foreign company making a food product or software can locate almost anywhere. Energy-intensive manufacturers can achieve lower costs if they locate where their energy is produced. They can achieve even lower costs if they locate where their energy and raw materials are produced AND where most of their customers are. This is the unique advantage energy intensive manufacturers gain by locating in the SCUSA region.
Our Roadshow group was diverse with people from countries throughout Europe who spoke multiple languages and Americans from all over the country – a natural, unplanned mixture of race and ethnicity. Primarily a young group. My guess is 30s to early 40s with a few older folks like Lynnda and me.
Lynnda did a great job of keeping up. They looked after Lynnda and made sure we weren’t left behind. Each organization presented publicly at one venue and were supported by the entire U.S. Roadshow team. I thought everyone did a great job. In a world and supposedly a country that is “divided,” we were unified. In a group that size, there were probably political differences. It didn’t matter. The focus was on the task and the common goal of helping European companies to invest in the U.S.
The U.S. Commercial Services folks did an awesome job with logistics, vetting and getting 200 companies to attend. When the closing reception in Strasbourg, France, for the Roadshow Team was held, it was a tired group. We arrived as strangers and were leaving as friends. We are different but we were a team with one purpose.
We constantly hear about our divided nation. People will always try to divide us using race, religion, ethnicity, gender, age or political labels real or made up. That is the only way we can be conquered. Some will try to divide us for financial gain. Division creates controversy that sells advertising and helps political groups to raise money.
Division is a choice we make. In relationships we can choose to communicate and find common ground. Leadership is about bringing people together. A common goal is essential for an effective team.
SCUSA and our friends on the Roadshow around the U.S. are following up on leads from our 12 days in Europe. Companies will come. We can find ways to work together.
The European Roadshow was an adventure of a lifetime for Lynnda and I. The work started in Europe in February will ultimately result in jobs and a better life for a lot of people on both sides of the Atlantic. All because a diverse team chose not to be divided and came together for a common goal. All things are possible. Thoughts to ponder.
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Greg Kozera, [email protected], is the director of marketing for Shale Crescent USA. He is a professional engineer with a master’s in environmental engineering and over 40 years experience in the energy industry. Greg is a leadership expert, high school soccer coach, professional speaker and author of four books and many published articles.
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