Business to Business networkArizona-Mexico Small and Medium Sized Business Connections - Thunderbird School – Leverage technology to inform MAG business

community– Explore development of B2B digital platform– Encourage companies to upload content– High importance to small and medium sized

businesses

Similarities to Madein NY Digital Map (mappedinNY.com)

Importance of SMEsLargest sector in Maricopa County– 95% employers– 55% employees (jobs)

Number of E

mployers

Total Employment

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

66%, 30,100

18%, 262,400

29%, 13,100

36%, 526,800

4%, 1,800

18%, 256,800

1%, 700

28%, 408,000

250+

100 to 249

20 to 99

5 to 19

Employer Size (# of Employees)

45,700 Employers

1,454,000Employees

* Regional employment for 2012 includes employers with 5 or more employees per location

Source: MAG Employer Database 2012

Connect - BIEN

Digital Platform Design• Self-reported database of businesses

that operate in Arizona -Mexico- Canada

• Regional business databases used to generate participation - Annual update of information

• Data on: size, type of activity, scope of operations, point of contact

• Customized search – spatial or parametric

• Encourages development of direct connections

Connect - BIENSearch

• Location (spatial) or attribute search (name, business activity)

• Search results counted and displayed by activating category filters

• Built on Google maps

• Display each business location• Updates with zoom level • Icons based on primary

categorization

Statewide Partnerships and Outreach – An Ongoing Effort

Chambers of Commerce - Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry - Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce - Glendale Chamber of Commerce - Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce - Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce - Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce/AZ-Sonora Business Resource Guide

Council of Governments/Metropolitan Planning Organizations - PAG - MAG - SEAGO - NACOG

Business/Industry Organizations - Arizona Small Business Association - East Valley Partnership - WESTMARC

Connect - BIENNext Steps• Continue making improvements based on

discussions with ED and industry experts

• Engage Council of Governments/MPOs statewide to lead effort locally and engage businesses in regions throughout state

• Presentations to Chambers of Commerce, trade associations, events

• Develop communications and marketing strategy (Linked In, Twitter, print, B2B partnerships

• Develop comprehensive “How To” roadmap in cooperation with other agencies for a One Stop Shop resources page to assist companies interested in exporting/importing

www.connectbien.com