Leadership

Strong, active, and persistent leadership from local government and other constituent groups is vital to broadband success. Formal or informal leaders should be identifiable at the early stages of a project or may already be in place. Therefore, the presence of such individuals is a measure of readiness.
 
The leaders need not be proficient in broadband technologies, but they must have a strong appreciation of the benefits of broadband for the community and an ability to articulate those benefits at various levels to different community constituents. They also play a key role in maintaining focus on the project goals, which requires ongoing presence and active involvement over time.
 
Leaders mobilize the community and its members to support an initiative’s necessary elements. They promote the benefits of broadband, help educate constituents and build support. They articulate a vision for their community and work with others to share that vision and its benefits within the community. Leaders help ensure that resources are available and dedicated to the initiative. Leaders are key to identifying potential contributors and participants in the project, and forming relationships to bring the project to fruition.

The leadership base in any community exists in many layers:
·     The private sector
·     The public sector
·     Major institutions such as education and healthcare, etc.
·     Community groups such as non-profits, neighborhood associations, etc.
 
Typically, one or more active leaders will step forward through their own desire and motivation for the benefit of their community. They ask questions and promote discussion among community members.

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* 1. There are leaders and champions who understand the benefits and impacts of broadband in your region.​

The extent to which there are one or more leaders and champions actively engaged in moving the broadband agenda is a strong indicator of future success and, hence, readiness. A simple measure is whether or not such leaders can be named and are clearly recognized as champions of broadband. The more formally and actively engaged and committed these leaders are the better. Conversely, the lack of clear broadband leadership points to an issue that must be addressed for readiness.

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* 2. There is at least one leader or champion who is committed to following through on implementing a well-planned broadband project. 

While it is essential to have leaders and champions, there must be at least one who is committed to moving from good intentions to actual implementation and taking the necessary actions. The assumption is that there is, or will be, a solid plan in place to move forward. If there is no leader committed to such action this is an issue that must be addressed for readiness.

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* 3. The benefits of broadband are generally understood and supported by local elected officials.  

To varying degrees, local governments will be directly involved and responsible for a number of aspects of implementing a broadband project, whether it be providing funding, negotiating with ISPs and vendors, or engaging the community. It is essential that such efforts have the support and backing of local elected officials, which requires some level of their understanding of what broadband is and the benefits to the community. The absence of clear support from elected officials points to an issue that must be addressed for readiness.

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* 4. The benefits of broadband are generally understood and supported by local businesses.  

Businesses are key beneficiaries of broadband services and drivers of the economic benefits. It is important that local businesses understand broadband's benefits to them and that they generally support initiatives to bring broadband to the community. The definition of “general support” is not precise, but it may represent a majority of businesses and organizations and/or a significant proportion of the most influential businesses, based upon size and importance, in the region.

Leadership should have an understanding of the level of support from local businesses for the broadband initiative and its benefits. If there is no clear support from businesses, or if the level of support is unknown, this points to an issue that must be addressed for readiness.

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* 5. The benefits of broadband are generally understood and supported by key local organizations and institutions, e.g. public schools, colleges, healthcare, non-profits.

Community anchor institutions are important organizations providing services to the community and key users of broadband services. Not only are such organizations potentially major users of broadband, helping support the case for the initiative, they also often have significant contact and influence in the community and can become valuable partners in promoting the initiative. The definition of “support” is not predefined here, but it may represent a majority of anchor institutions and/or a significant proportion of the most influential organizations, based upon size and influence, in the region. If there is no clear support from anchor institutions, or if it the level of support is unknown, this points to an issue that must be addressed for readiness.

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* 6. The leadership has influence to enlist support from the community to support a broadband project and maintain focus on the goal.

Strong community support for broadband is an important factor in the success of a broadband initiative. Community support means that a significant portion of the base of potential users - individuals, businesses, and other organizations – desire broadband and support some initiative to bring broadband to the community. Having the support of the community will provide and maintain momentum for establishing and following through on a broadband project. Leaders must be willing and able, through their influence, to enlist the support of the community. Leadership that is unwilling or unable to do so risks gaining the support of the community and points to an issue that must be addressed for readiness.

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* 7. Leaders and champions are willing to take steps to ensure that there are the needed commitments to funding and resources to follow through on implementation.
 
It is insufficient to only promote the concepts and benefits of broadband. A broadband project takes money, resources, planning, and commitment to follow through. Leaders must be willing to take action to ensure that decision-makers and implementers are committed to the project and taking steps to make it happen. The lack of leaders with the capacity to make that happen points to an issue that must be addressed for readiness.

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