Download: BEAR Summary (pdf )

A structured program that enhances community initiatives in support of local business and job creation.

Bank of I.D.E.A.S. incorporating the Centre for Small Town Development, provides technical support, training and practical resources to local communities eager to keep businesses in town, supporting their expansion and the growth of new job opportunities.

The Rationale

One characteristic of a vibrant local community is visible appreciation, understanding and support for its existing business base. Existing local businesses represent the engine for continuing economic activity and new jobs in any local economy. Evidence shows that they are responsible for:

• creating between 60 to 80 percent of new jobs
• providing most of the investment for new community economic initiatives and infrastructure
• generating ideas about possible new businesses
• often acting as an attraction for outside businesses to relocate or establish within the community.

It is vital to have community initiatives that focus on listening to, and helping existing businesses to do better. The Business Expansion and Retention (B.E.A.R.) Program is one such initiative. Created in the USA over 25 years ago, the B.E.A.R. Program now operates in most states of the USA, as well as Canada, several European countries, South Africa and recently in most states of Australia.

How the Program works

The Business Expansion and Retention (B.E.A.R.) Program is a community sponsored initiative which involves the formation of a local taskforce and use of a structured interview process by community volunteers to learn about the needs, concerns, suggestions and perceptions of local businesses.

The key element of a local B.E.A.R. initiative is a systematic visitation of local businesses by teams of community volunteer interviewers to gather information about business concerns, perceptions and ideas.

A local B.E.A.R. initiative encourages the possible discovery of:

• local business needs, concerns and aspirations
• local businesses views on the constraints to business expansion
• identification of those businesses considering relocation outside the community and the reasons why
• local perceptions of government actions that help and hinder local businesses
• opportunities for match making local businesses
• current and future labour and market needs
• good local ideas for improving local economy and the business environment.

The ideas and issues raised through this process are used for an immediate response to business concerns through local actions or by calling on the assistance of appropriate resource agencies. Information gathered is also used in the design and implementation of community economic development strategies and actions to improve the local business environment and opportunities for job creation.

Outcomes

The outcomes of a local B.E.A.R. initiative can be measured in the short and long-term. In the short-term, a local community can expect to:

• demonstrate community appreciation and support for local businesses
• enhance the profile of businesses within the local community
• discover the concerns and issues of local businesses
• encourage new ideas for economic and employment development
• respond to immediate business concerns.

In the long-term, the B.E.A.R. Program will benefit local communities by:

• identifying windows of opportunity for new business creation, business growth, business matchmaking and networking
• establishing and implement strategic action plans for economic development
• creating a broad-based community coalition to sustain long-term economic development efforts.

How to establish a local initiative

The Bank of I.D.E.A.S. Group works with local communities throughout Australia and New Zealand to improve job creation prospects and the vibrancy of local communities through the B.E.A.R. Program. This requires a cooperative partnership between The Bank of I.D.E.A.S. Group and participating communities.

Local communities interested in establishing a BR+E Initiative will be required to demonstrate their commitment and interest through:

In turn, The Bank of I.D.E.A.S. Group will assist participating communities by providing:

1. B.E.A.R. Resources
   The Bank of I.D.E.A.S. Group have, in conjunction with BR+E in the United States and various other training and development consultants, produced a series of resources for use by local community representatives involved in the Program. These include:
   • The B.E.A.R. Manual-describing the way the program works in local communities, its benefits, processes and requirements.
   • A Volunteers Handbook-providing practical guidance and work sheets for all B.E.A.R. volunteers involved in local B.E.A.R. initiatives. The B.E.A.R. training (detailed below) complements this Handbook.
   • A Task Force Handbook-like the Volunteers Handbook, this is a practical resource for the members of a local B.E.A.R. Task Force. It is a practical and valuable guide, which is also complemented by training.
   • An video on the B.E.A.R. Program in the United States, which provides an insight to the motivations, procedures and benefits of the program to local communities.
2. Training to community members
   • Training is available over a two-day period.
3. Service to the Australian and New Zealand B.E.A.R. Network

A network of local communities engaged in B.E.A.R. initiatives in Australia and New Zealand is currently being established. Bank of I.D.E.A.S. will support this network by organising an annual conference for members and preparing and circulating a regular B.E.A.R. newsletter. Both these activities will help network members to learn and benefit from the experiences of other communities using the B.E.A.R.program.