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Minutes

Workforce Network of Kansas
Marketing Task Force
November 14, 2001

In attendance: Caleb Asher, SRS; Jim De Coursey, Local Area II; Glenn Fondoble, Local Area I; Natalie Fondoble, Local Area I; Nancy Guthrie, Local Area I; Kathy Ketchum, KDHR; Keith Lawing, Local Area IV (by speaker phone); Vernon Nikkel, Local Area I; Al Rolls, Local Area III; Jim Swarzenberger, Local Area IV (by speaker phone); and Barb Reavis, Workforce Network of Kansas staff

Agenda items for discussion:
** Last minute feedback on marketing how-to guide
** Discuss components essential to an external launch of the Workforce Network of Kansas
** Determine if your work as a task force is complete or near complete

The marketing how-to guides were not available for review. Fleishman-Hillard has been working feverishly on those documents to have them ready for the Marketing Workshop scheduled for November 29.

Ketchum began to describe the roll out of the online unemployment claim process and the plan to use this as another opportunity to begin using the Workforce Network of Kansas logo and name. A lively discussion followed. According to members present, Unemployment Insurance does not have Memorandums of Understanding with all local area boards. To allow them to claim to be a Proud Partner in the Workforce Network of Kansas would fly in the face of what this group felt was the way to protect the integrity of the brand--those local entities with MOU's with the local boards could legitimately use the brand. Reavis committed to contact KDHR leadership to talk about this MOU issue.

Members talked about an external launch of Workforce Network of Kansas. It was agreed that it would be ideal to launch it across the state at the same time by coordinating those local area activities. The logo decals, stickers, style guide and how-to guide should all be available to the Local Area Administrative Entities and partners at the November 29 Marketing Workshop. An all-purpose brochure will be available soon, as well. It was discussed to tentatively shoot for mid-January for this launch. Local area administrators will visit with their respective marketing committees and bring back ideas to the next meeting.

It was stated that before an external launch is done, an internal launch still needs to occur since there are partners and others who still may not view this effort as a system. Members expressed a firm belief that the Governor making a statement to or with the appropriate Cabinet Members would be ideal. Reavis will see what might be done with that idea.

Members also discussed whether and how to use phone pages listing. Concerns were expressed about the cost of advertising if all partners need to be listed and whether that is the best way to promote the system. It was stated that people looking for jobs find the offices, no matter whether or how they are advertised. The customer that can't find the service typically is the business customer. It was suggested that Chamber directory ads might be a better way to advertise for that customer. Ketchum committed to check again on the cost of a 1-800 number, as well.

The next meeting is scheduled for December 12, 10:00 a.m., at 1430 SW Topeka Blvd. Agenda items will include:
Local areas report back from Marketing committees
1-800 cost information
Internal launch
Phone book listing