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ViTAL Economy (VE) has had the honor of working with thousands of superb community, business and government leaders in more than 75 rural communities over the course of the past 18 years. Comments from a few of these leaders follow. For more information, contact us.

 President, Rural Telephone Company

“We, as the telephone companies, really have to admit that we are all in the community development and economic development business. Your ViTAL Economy program is the foundation upon which we can act on this reality to the advantage of the communities we serve, and to ourselves.”

Executive Director, Southwest U.S. Regional Economic Development District

“The Vital Economy team has been critical in facilitating our discussion on regional economic development. VE has been able to bring proven models to the table that our local leadership can relate to and see how an integrated asset based strategic plan can assist us in planning for the future. I can say, without hesitation, that without the VE approach we could never have advanced the partnerships we have developed between the public and private sectors. The VE approach works and we are excited about our regional economic future.”

Director, Office of Business Development State Department of Economic and Community Development

“ViTAL Economy has been invaluable in bringing people in our state together.  Frankly, we have never been able to do what Frank Knott and his team has been able to accomplish in the 18 months that they have been working with us. This is a difficult state to work in but they have the expertise to back up what they say and deliver results. I offer you sincere thanks from a new believer.”

Commissioner, State Department of Economic Development

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Our economic delivery system was antiquated, duplicative and was not results oriented. Frank Knott and his ViTAL Economy team have fostered change that we so desperately needed to bring real economic prosperity to our state. In the short time that ViTAL Economy has been on the ground working with us, silos have been broken down, short-term wins have occurred and people are beginning to feel confident about what we as a state have to offer.”

Executive Director, Rural Partners Organization

“ViTAL Economy's final readiness assessment report is already generating positive action. The community college president is making fifty copies of the report and engaging community leaders. People are talking and calling about next steps. Thank you for all of your hard work on our behalf. I believe that the results of VE's readiness assessment will exceed expectation, if we maintain the momentum your team has fostered.”

Cabinet Minister, Provincial Ministry of Industry

“It was a great session. There was considerable buzz from folks at the conference right through Saturday. It seems even among smaller communities that your remarks and ideas prompted a lot of thought and a new way of looking at the role technology can play in impacting issues facing our regional communities. Thanks for a job well done-mission accomplished.”

CLEC Regional Sales Manager

“I have to admit, our team was skeptical that your Connected Economy initiative would actually make a difference in our relationship with our customers. We were pleasantly surprised by the positive reaction of our customers. This initiative has taken our region from 40% below sales plan to 150% above sales plan in the first six months. Customer loyalty to our company has never been higher. Most important, the communities we serve now understand more than ever the strategic relationship of our communications services to improving their economic competitiveness and community quality of life. I offer you sincere thanks from a new believer.”

President, Independent Telephone Company

“The Connected Economy initiative we launched within our companies has been a unique opportunity to match our business development and network deployment plans with our customer expectations and requirements. Your process goes to the heart of capital and operating budget allocation decisions. We no longer have to deal with the "field of dreams mentality". Thank you for showing our customers and us that our interests are mutual and that we can do well and do good at the same time.”

President, Regional Economic Development Corp

“You allowed countless members of the community to be involved in this challenging and creative venture which will bring our community the improved quality of life we are working so hard to achieve. Someone once said, “A different world is not built by indifferent people.” You have made a difference. You have led us in the pursuit of a better and different world for each of our neighborhoods and the larger community. We are grateful for your involvement and look forward to your continued involvement as we build a stronger connected economic base for our citizens.”

Mayor

“Over the last twelve months, leaders of our community have been amazed at the commitment and passion you have brought to our Connected Economy initiative. You’ve enabled us to see our own potential by leveraging the local human and natural resources that make us who we have always been. You have helped us build a deep and enduring partnership with our local communication companies that will grow their business and our economic opportunity. You’ve energized us to take positive action based on the issues that are most important to us. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us make a significant difference in the lives of our citizens.”

General Manager of a Telecommunications Firm

“What a difference a year makes. The community and business development program you designed and implemented for us has been a resounding success. With your assistance, we have turned a very negative market position into a positive. Our customers are no longer seeking out our competitors to replace us. They are seeking us out as a Connected Economy partner, who can make a strategic difference in their lives. And our employees get up every morning feeling excited about the positive contributions they are making to the lives and businesses of their customers.”

Canadian Telco Executive

“The unique shared services approach has repositioned our company in the communities we serve. Your process has enabled us to forge a relationship with our customers. We are now seen as a community partner with an important place at the planning table, not just a supplier of hardware and pipes.”

Public Television Executive

“Thank you so much for being our special guest at the retreat of our Commissioners. You have a very special gift of being able to make sense of a complex subject that is illusive to even the most informed in the field. Your vision and clarity of thinking helped the Commissioners understand why and how our organization fits into the telecommunications landscape of tomorrow. Your talk was so dynamic and well received that both the Commissioners and staff wanted a copy of the transcripts. Thank you, Frank, for a superb job!”

Canadian VP Sales

“You have brought to us a proven process that drives a strategic conversation with community leaders on issues of priority for the community. We can impact our corporate priorities by impacting the strategic priorities of our customers.”

Community Leader

“We have always found Frank to be helpful and supportive. We have never felt abandoned. He will meet with people one-on-one if that is what it takes to remove stumbling blocks, but tries to involve the local group in these techniques to teach them to negotiate and communicate better. He will act as the intermediary. He initially facilitated our board and helped the committee develop and adopt his philosophy. He is good with problematic people and is a wealth of information.”

Executive Director of CEO Forum

“Thank you for a very thought-provoking presentation. The members of the Forum are exactly the ones who can carry that message to our elected officials and the private sector. Your presentation brought exactly the kind of information and stimulation to us that the Executive Forum was created to embrace.”

National Association Executive

“You provoked our thinking and stretched our imaginations. You have helped to shape our thinking as we create the Next Generation of Teaching and Learning. Thank you.”

Chamber of Commerce Executive

“Thank you for your presentation, A City of the Future. We had an excellent turnout and we received numerous positive comments. Your support is truly appreciated.”

Telecommunications Marketing Executive

“On behalf of our staff and membership, we thank you for your participation in our annual meeting and conference. Your presentation was very well received and we had lots of positive feedback from our members and guests about the value of the information you provided for them. We look forward to working with you again.”

Conference Management Executive

“I would like to thank you for speaking at our conference. Your presentation brought meaningful information to our attendees and contributed significantly to our event’s success. The feedback from the attendees was outstanding. In fact, our attendance increased 50% over last year’s event. Several attendees shared with me that your keynote was the highlight of our conference.”

Fortune 100 Executive Education Program Manager

“Thanks so much for your excellent presentation at our Annual Corporate Technical Symposium. Your participation helped make this year’s program a world-class event. People are talking about ideas from the presentations in the hallways, over lunch, in meetings, etc. The participants’ evaluations of your lecture demonstrates why your talks generate such excitement. Your lecture received one of the best ratings any lecture has received in the history of this Symposium. We hope you will consider lecturing for us again.”

Educational Research Executive

“Many thanks for your excellent help with the panel session at the Technology Conference. From all accounts, the panel was well-received and considered one of the highlights of the meeting. We have received many favorable comments about this session from conferees that felt the panel provided outstanding perspectives on the attitudes and actions which must be pursued for change. We could not have done it without your contribution.”

University Professor, Advising Underdeveloped Economies

“Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to meet with our team. Your advice was both useful and encouraging. We have already begun to track down the resources you suggested, and hope very soon to begin putting them to good use. I found it particularly interesting that your focus was on the utility of the services provided to the end-user, rather than the technology. The applications we have in mind are simply devices for bringing people and their ideas together. The reminder was a significant one. I can see why there is such demand for your services.”

Superintendent of Education

“Speakers who are able to articulate a complex message in an interesting and lively manner are a valuable resource. As a speaker in this category, you were a major asset to our recent conference. Your direct involvement in this valuable educational endeavor helped us achieve the high degree of success reflected by the evaluations we received.”

Executive Director of CIO Executive Think Tank

“Thank you for your excellent presentation. In the last few days, I have heard many positive comments about the program and your presentation, in particular. We have been striving to make the Center a significant force in the field of information systems strategy. Your efforts have contributed to that goal.”

Chamber of Commerce Executive

“Being the Johnny Appleseed of modern communications is rough, especially when flights are canceled. However, leaving a major mark on our country’s future is worth it… at least to those of us you have touched. Thank you for speaking to us. We will not soon forget the wisdom you have shared with us.”

Executive Director of an EDC

“The response to your keynote address at our annual meeting and dinner has been nothing but positive. I can’t express enough to you how thankful we are to have the opportunity to work with you. You have brought some much-needed enthusiasm and hope to our community by your participation in our Connected Economy initiative here.”

State Distance Learning Seminar Telecommunications Executive

“Thanks to you, the Distance Learning Seminar was a success. We believe that distance learning will unquestionably play a major role in making our communities and nation more competitive in the global marketplace. Your contribution helped educators and community leaders across our state better understand the advantages of this technology.”

Community Seminar Participant

“Just a quick personal note of thanks for facilitating the recent Connected Economy Seminar in our community. I truly enjoyed your ability to get and keep us on track. I look forward to the opportunities that your process might provide for our region.”

Chairperson, Regional Rural Initiative

“You helped us promote expansion of connectivity—first through our schools, then through our town”

CEO, Major Telecommunication Corporation

“Thanks, again, for your commitment and hard work. And thanks, especially, for taking the risk to try the untried so that we could bring a special message to shareholders, employees, the media, and educators. You rose to an exceptional challenge.”