.

Listen, Learn and Get Inspired at TiECon Midwest 2010

2010-09-24T07:04:00.000-07:00

One of the pleasures of attending a good seminar is listening to enthralling speeches. They are engrossing, entertaining and teach us valuable lessons in life. This year’s speakers at TiECon Midwest 2010 will deliver even more. Since they are the real entrepreneurs, they will share their secret of success with the audience. What can be better than energizing our spirit, entertaining our minds and learning to succeed at the same time?

Some of the speakers who will be delivering stimulating and inspiring lectures are as follows:

Audrey Russo, President and CEO, Pittsburgh Tech Council: Audrey will speak on the topic of ‘Immigration and innovation as Drivers.’ With a background in information technology, operations and finance, Audrey previously worked for large multi-national Fortune 500 companies (Alcoa, Reynolds Metals), as well as at MAYA Design, and in an adjunct faculty and project role at Virginia Commonwealth University. Audrey believes that vital cities are the moral imperative in achieving competitive, diverse and vibrant economies, and the complexity of Pittsburgh’s physical, literal and metaphorical terrain, has been added to her list of loves over the past ten years.

Desh Deshpande, Chairman, Sparta Group, LLC, A123 Systems: Desh is one of the keynote speakers at the TiECon Midwest 2010 conference. He is a Co-Chair of Obama's National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. He and his wife are involved in several non-profit initiatives that include support for MIT, IIT, TiE, Akshaya Patra Foundation, Public Health Foundation of India and the Social Entrepreneurship Sandbox in India.

David O Egner, President and CEO, Hudson-Webber Foundation: Egner led an effort that enhanced the focus of the Hudson-Webber Foundation’s work and giving to include 15x15, a shared vision to attract 15,000 young, talented households to Greater Downtown Detroit by 2015. The foundation works in the targeted geography of Greater Downtown Detroit to assist in making it the kind of place that young talent wants to be. 15x15 is a focused extension of the foundation’s historical giving to the Woodward Corridor.

Sandy K Baruah, President and CEO, Detroit Regional Chamber: Sandy K. Baruah comes to Michigan after a distinguished career in Washington, D.C. Baruah served as President George W. Bush’s last Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). In this role, he was responsible for the SBA’s $18 billion small business loan portfolio. Baruah was one of the senior officials shaping the federal government’s response to the 2008 credit crisis and assistance to the U.S. automotive industry.

Bill Birdsall, President, CEO & Chairman, MicroMed Cardiovascular: Birdsall has served as legal counsel to the Interior Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives and to the Joint Oversight Committee for the Office of Technology Assessment, as well as Assistant Attorney General for the State of Arizona. He is a graduate of the University of Arizona Law School and a member of the Arizona and Colorado Bar Associations.

The above are only a few of many distinguished speakers who are going to inspire and entertain you with their life stories at TiECon Midwest 2010. Be a part of this historical event. For more information about the conference, please contact Jessica Matthews, Conference Coordinator, TiE Detroit (248) 254-4013 or via e-mail at jessica@tieconmidwest.org.

Company You Keep! - A Look at Our Sponsors

2010-09-12T09:31:00.000-07:00

‘A person is known by the company he/she keeps,’ is an adage that makes a perfect sense at TieCon 2010 Midwest Seminar. That is even a better reason why your company should be sponsoring this event. Please take time to visit http://www.tieconmidwest.org/sponsors.html and have a peek in who is coming to the party.

MEDC (Michigan Economic Development Corporation): MEDC) offers one-stop business assistance. They work with consultants, utilities, associations and local economic development agencies to best match businesses' needs with Michigan's opportunities.

NEI (New Economy Initiative):NEI is an innovative philanthropic effort to accelerate the transition to an innovation based economy in southeast Michigan.

APACC (Asia Pacific American Chamber of Commerce): APACC represents Asian Pacific American businesses that have origins that are either Asians, Pacific Islanders and Subcontinent Asian Ancestry, which includes persons from Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Japan, China, Taiwan, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Korea, The Philippines, U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Guam, Samoa, Macao, Hong Kong, Fiji, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Nauru, Northern Mariana Islands, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal. This can be your gateway to expanding in the developed and emerging markets in Asia.

Automation Alley: Automation Alley is synonymous with opportunity and serves to every business to fulfill the unique needs and challenges. They thrive on serving their members so that a company can plug into the right opportunities, at the right time. They provide members with opportunities to grow their business, to go global and to diversify, just to name a few.
The above mentioned companies are just a few of many. There are many more sponsors such as Microsoft, The Kauffman Foundation, Silicon Valley Bank, Comerica and many more.

Be a part of the distinguished company. Be a sponsor and benefit by mutually complementing each other’s efforts.

Three Reasons Why Your Company Should Sponsor TieCon Events

2010-09-11T20:54:00.000-07:00

If you have never attended a TiECon Seminar, you're missing out. But nothing is lost yet. TieCon 2010 Midwest Seminar will be held on Thursday, October 28 and Friday, October 29, 2010 at "The Henry" (formerly Ritz Carlton) in Dearborn, Michigan.
There are at least 3 reasons that attending TieCon 2010 Midwest Seminar should be on your priority list

1. You will have the greatest and quickest opportunity to showcase and spread the word about your business as you will have the opportunity to network with top Venture Capital Firms, and Fortune 500 corporations; spread across 53 chapters in 12 countries comprising 1800 experienced entrepreneurs and business executives as charter members, 12000 aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals as members. (TiE has grown to become the world’s largest non-profit organization for entrepreneurs).

2. You can share in the joy of giving and receiving by becoming a sponsor of TiE 20. As a sponsor, you will have the opportunity to select Top 20 Early Stage Startups from hundreds of nominees at the annual TiEcon Midwest.
The sponsorship is rewarding inasmuch as you will have the opportunity to give award and speak about your own company’s objectives in front of successful entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, domain experts and potential future clients.
Not only that; in addition to the above, the video of your speech will be distributed to TiE’s worldwide network along with an extensive press release.

3. You can PowerConnect with top funding experts, successful entrepreneurs and coaches and consultants to receive answers for the most common queries such as:

•What areas of expertise should my business have and what functions and disciplines should I probably outsource?
•What are the elements of a good team and how do I attract talent to my company with little or no capital?
•What characteristics attract investors and what turns them off?
•How do I test my product or concepts with little or no capital?

Register Now! Online registration and more information are immediately available for TiECon Midwest 2010 at http://www.tieconmidwest.org and http://www.detroit.tie.org.

For more information about the conference, please contact Jessica Matthews, Conference Coordinator,
TiE Detroit (248) 254-4013 or via e-mail at jessica@tieconmidwest.org.

Tips for Startup company success from Tel Ganesan

2010-06-20T06:09:00.000-07:00

Rick Snyder - Chairman Ardesta

2010-06-19T23:53:00.000-07:00

Seema Chaturvedi - Managing Partner Accelerator Group

2010-06-19T23:50:00.000-07:00

Tel K Ganesan - President, TiE Detroit

2010-06-19T23:47:00.000-07:00

Josh Linkner Founder & CEO ePrize

2010-06-19T23:33:00.001-07:00

Josh Linkner Founder & CEO ePrize

2010-06-19T23:33:00.000-07:00

WWJ Newsradio 950 - TieCon Midwest Draws A Big Crowd

2009-10-26T12:02:00.001-07:00

WWJ Newsradio 950 - TieCon Midwest Draws A Big Crowd

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TieCon Midwest 2009 Gave Meaning to Words

2009-10-25T11:54:00.000-07:00

Our language has many powerful words. Some of those words that stand out are perseverance, audacity and resilience. Words are a combination of letters. They have no meaning in themselves unless they are demonstrated by action. If I had to mention the most important lesson that I learned by attending TiECON Midwest 2009, that will be my understanding of the meanings of those powerful words.

The event in itself was a testimonial to the perseverance of men and women who made it happen in the face of the worst economy faced by our nation in general and the state of Michigan in particular since the Great Depression of the last century. I have been a witness to the pain and agony that the organizers and volunteers of TiE Detroit went through in organizing the workgroup, contacting the media, getting sponsors, inviting the keynote speakers, segmenting the seminar into key technologies, coming up with the ideas of having ‘Business Boot Camp, PowerConnect, Women’s Forum and Business Plan Competition’ and marketing the event. In the end, we relished the ecstasy of achievement. I do not have to consult a dictionary to understand the meaning of perseverance anymore.

Entering the halls of Ritz-Carlton in Dearborn, Michigan was an energizing experience. The stories told inside could move mountains. Vinita Gupta’s leadership at Quick Eagle Network in taking worldwide leadership in wide area network (WAN), Lesa Mitchel’s defining and codifying alternative commercialization pathways and Josh Linkner’s identifying creativity as the next frontier (preceded by farming, industrialization and information technologies) were a few examples of leading through new ideas and innovation. Their boldness combined with the efforts of the exhibitors and sponsors and their faith in the community and their endeavor in creating the future gave a very clear meaning to audacity.

The Midwest 20 Industry Awards was a new feature added to TiE Midwest Conference. The idea was to acknowledge excellence among 20 startups within five identified segments: Software, Wireless, Cleantech, Media and Life Sciences. The very zeal and participation of the startup companies were a lesson in how to face adversity. I learned how the entrepreneurs perceive difficult times as an opportunity for change and innovation. I wondered what enables them to do so? As I was going through the thought process, I understood the meaning of resilience.

Yes, there were people like me who only participated and watched. I think we also contributed as John Milton wrote in Paradise Lost, “They also serve who only stand and wait.” Yes, words get meanings only when we put legs to ideas through entrepreneurship.

TiECon Midwest 2009 Announces Keynote Speakers

2009-09-14T12:46:00.000-07:00

The Detroit chapter of TiE is proud to announce the keynote speakers for TiECon Midwest 2009 conference to be held on October 23 and 24 at the Ritz-Carlton, Dearborn, Michigan.

Subhendu Guha is the Chairman of United Solar Ovonic, world’s largest manufacturer of flexible solar laminates. Dr. Guha is an international authority in the science and technology of amorphous silicon alloy solar cells.

He has published more than 250 papers and is the inventor/co-inventor of more 35 patents. His work has received recognition from US Department of Energy (Bright Light Award), Popular Science Magazine (Best of what’s new), and Discover Magazine (Best invention in the Environment Category). He was also the recipient of World Technology Award in the Energy category in 2005 and PVSEC Award for outstanding contribution to science and technology of photovoltaic (PV) in 2009.

Lesa Mitchell is a vice president with the Kauffman Foundation. She is responsible for leading the Foundation's initiatives to advance innovations. Mitchell joined the Foundation in 2003. She has been responsible for the Foundation’s frontier work in understanding the policy levers that influence the advancement of innovation from universities into the commercial market. Under Mitchell’s leadership the Foundation is identifying critical research opportunities, defining and codifying alternative pathways and identifying new models to foster innovation.

Vinita Gupta is Chairperson of Quick Eagle Network (formerly Digital Link Corporation), one of the leading providers of high performance, cost-effective digital network access products for both narrowband and broadband applications. Under her leadership, the Sunnyvale-based corporation has grown into a global business, earning over $54 million in revenues in 1998.

Vinita was recognized by the San Francisco Business Times as one of the most influential businesswomen in the Bay Area. For two consecutive years, Working Woman magazine has named Digital Link one of the top 500 women-owned businesses in the United States.

According to the latest tally, approximately 500- 1,000 people will be in attendance. You can still save money by registering for the conference before September 30, 2009 by visiting ww.tieconmidwest.org (use Promo Code PROGEN at checkout).

Let's PoweConnect

2009-08-31T09:52:00.000-07:00

Business by definition needs interaction with other entities, such as customers, investors, and middle men. Business people and entrepreneurs rely on a network of connections and business relationships. Though even a casual encounter with someone influential or a person in the right place may lead to a business idea or a deal, the toughest part for any entrepreneur may be to find and connect with such a person.
That is where PowerConnect comes into play. TiECon Midwest 2009 (on October 23 and 24 at The Ritz-Carlton, Dearborn, Michigan) plans to present that needed connection to the existing and aspiring entrepreneurs with the motto,” “Remember it's not just what you know but who you know that makes the difference”

PowerConnect attendees can expect the following benefits from the session:

1. Direct access to TiECon speakers, industry luminaries, and TiE Charter Members who have a track record of success in that segment
2. Opportunity to find funding, make partnerships, build a team
3. Opportunity to attend PowerConnect sessions throughout the year
4. Inclusion in LinkedIn groups for networking/advice/mentoring beyond TiECon
5. Opportunity to make 50+ valuable segment specific contacts

All of this may seem rather intuitive, but TiE is endeavoring to help the entrepreneurs in a way that they have never been helped before by providing instant relationships with people who can really help and influence others. It is important to learn how to approach the right customer with the right message at the right time. That’s when the right connections come into play.

“Special Registration is required for all participants, including TiE Charter Members. Each session is designed to deliver more than its value of $50 per day. PowerConnect is not recommended for recruiters, students and others interested in general networking for whom TiECon Midwest 2009 will offer tremendous networking opportunities.”

All of networked humanity mingles in the vast marketplace, trading information, creating alliances, doing favors. We may not think of our connections in such mercantile terms. But for business and individuals alike, the power of connection is immense. So let us PowerConnect.

TieCon Midwest 2009 Has A Niche for Women Entrepreneurs

2009-08-12T14:11:00.000-07:00

TiECon Midwest 2009 will address an important niche – the women entrepreneurs. The goal of the session on women entrepreneurs is to encourage women business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to reach their full potential.

The participants will learn about strategic alliances, resources, partnership and networking. Any successful business needs visibility. TieCon Midwest 2009 will provide the climate where women entrepreneurs will share knowledge and experience to leverage their resources and will connect with professionals who have gone through the rigors of establishing successful businesses.

Simply register for TiECon Midwest 2009 by visiting http://www.tieconmidwest.org/ today and register for TiECon Midwest 2009 to be held at Ritz Carlton in Dearborn, Michigan on October 23 and 24.

The Michigan economy is set for recovery. The goal of the session on women entrepreneurs is to guide the existing and aspiring entrepreneurs to be a part of the recovery so that they can grow and be a part of history.

TiECon Midwest 2009 - Prelude to Recovery

2009-07-22T18:09:00.000-07:00

We have a tradition of celebrating the winners by parading them in victory lanes. We must also realize the contribution of the mentors, coaches and the pit crew whose efforts shape the race and groom the winners. Our economy is going through the worst of times, but we must turn this epoch of incredulity in the epoch of light. This is what TieCon Midwest 2009 is all about – a prelude to recovery.

There are aspiring and struggling entrepreneurs who are getting discouraged due to the prolonged recession and they are finding it harder to survive let alone raising money. TieCon Midwest 2009 wants to be their coach, mentor – the pit crew for the winners of tomorrow. TieCon Midwest 2009 will concentrate in the segments of Software, Wireless, Cleantech, media and Life Sciences which very appropriately fall in line with Michigan’s competitive-edge technologies target consisting of life sciences, Alternative energy, Advanced automotive, manufacturing and materials, Homeland security and defense

TieCon Midwest 2009 is going to provide the following unmet needs to the aspiring and existing entrepreneurs:

1. Opportunity to advance the businesses by building business network and connecting with successful entrepreneurs
2. Opportunity to find funding, make partnerships, build a team
3. Opportunity to attend ‘Boot Camp’ sessions to learn practical aspects of managing a company such as funding, legal issues, building teams, scaling sales and creating visibility through PR campaigns
4. Opportunity to attend PowerConnect sessions throughout the year
5. Opportunity to mingle with more than thousand attendees; share in their experiences and success stories
6. Opportunity to listen to business leaders and media personalities who will be our distinguished speakers
7. Opportunity to participate in TiE50 Midwest to obtain great exposure to hundreds of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and other professionals. (TieCon Midwest 2009 plans to acknowledges excellence among 50 startups)

We all know that fledgling wings need some support and guidance to go through their nascent stage. That is where TieCon Midwest 2009 comes into the act. If we take a page from history, we will know that great companies were born in tough times. Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment, Genentech, Google are a few examples (ref. Businessweek, July 27, 2009). Yes, we want to write the newest page of history. TieCon Midwest 2009 is going to change the season of despair into the season of hope. This is what TieCon Midwest 2009 is all about – a prelude to recovery.

TiECon Midwest 2009 - What Is In for ME?

2009-07-13T06:39:00.000-07:00

Time and money are the two precious and interlinked resources. Therefore, it is very natural to wonder, “What is in for me?’ That question may be going through the minds of many potential participants of TiECon Midwest 2009. Here are some of the benefits listed for the inquiring minds

1. Opportunity to advance the businesses by building business network and connecting with successful entrepreneurs

2. Opportunity to find funding, make partnerships, build a team

3. Opportunity to attend ‘Boot Camp’ sessions to learn practical aspects of managing a company such as funding, legal issues, building teams, scaling sales and creating hype through PR campaigns

4. Opportunity to attend PowerConnect sessions through out the year (PowerConnect will take place as high power luncheon during the two days of TiECon Midwest 2009 on October 23 and 24 at The Ritz-Carlton, Dearborn.)

5. Mingle with more than thousand attendees; share in their experiences and success stories

6. Listen to business leaders and media personalities who will be our distinguished speakers

7. Participate in TiE50 Midwest to obtain great exposure to hundreds of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and other professionals. (TieCon Midwest 2009 plans to acknowledges excellence among 50 startups within five industry tracks including Software, Wireless, Cleantech, media and Life Sciences. Participation in TiE50 Midwest will give the participants great exposure to hundreds of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and other professionals)

8. Opportunity to visit numerous exhibits from successful businesses

9. Great entertainment

Overall, a great value for the buck

So, visit http://www.tieconmidwest.org/ today and register for TiECon Midwest 2009.

TiECon 2009 Registration Is Now Open

2009-07-05T18:09:00.000-07:00

So no more waiting! TiECon Midwest 2009 is open for registration –BIGGER and BOLDER than last year.

We have opened up registration, and we've even already put up a preliminary schedule for you to check out the sessions and get yourself signed up for them. Go to http://www.tieconmidwest.org/ and register. Alternatively, you may like to contact Nicole Raymond nicole.raymond@detroit.tie.org or call : (248) 254-4013.

While there, do not forget to view TiECon 2009 Presentation. Check it out! You will like it.

There's an early bird special going on now, so make sure to sign up and join us at the The Ritz-Carlton, Dearborn, Michigan on October 23,24 2009. Dare to explore!

Knock!Knock! - It's TieCon 2009

2009-06-25T13:39:00.000-07:00

Detroit chapter of TiE is planning the second TiECon (TiE Conference) on Oct. 23 and 24 at the Ritz Carlton Dearborn. ‘The Indus Entrepreneurs (Tie)’ wants to be recognized as ‘Talent, Innovation, Entrepreneurship.’ TiE, the world's largest organization of entrepreneurs with 53 chapters in 12 countries, wants to play an active role in stimulating Michigan’s economy.
With that in mind, TiECon 2009 will feature selection of the 50 hottest startup companies in the classifications of software, wireless, clean tech, life sciences and media. There will also be a startup boot camp, a business plan competition and a women entrepreneurs forum. Session tracks will include Clean Tech, Health Care, IT and Emerging Markets.

TiECon expects to attract 1,000 participants and attendees as compared to 500 in the past year.
What Can TiE members do to make TiECon meet its goal? Here are some suggestions:

1. Spread the word
2. Contact media (Radio, TV, Newspaper, e-magazines) to publicize and cover the event
3. Contact effective business speakers to speak in TieCon sessions
4. Approach businesses and individuals to sponsor the event and/or buy display tables
5. Bring friends to TiECon

Feel free to use other means (other than mentioned above) to make TieCon a success. Please use your imagination and do not leave any stone unturned. That is what the entrepreneurial spirit is all about.

Inspired by Automobile

2009-06-20T08:18:00.000-07:00

Life is never a smooth ride nor should you ever expect it to be that way. We will always meet obstacles, bumps, jars and jerks along the way but we should try to steer through them without a shock. No one has a bumper to bumper protection. Although it may seem that someone is in the driver’s seat, remember someone else is providing the needed traction. We are only passengers, a musafir ( a traveler in Urdu/Hindi).

I think that like me, everyone else has been helped by the rest of us along the way. “I can do it by myself, I have made myself, I did it my way,” are just tooting one’s horn. Many a time we tend to run on fumes along the lonely road of life. That is the signal that our attitude is due for a tune up. We need to make an immediate u-turn and rush to the repair shop.

If we are honest, and humble, we will acknowledge that there have been others in our lives who have helped us keep rolling – be it our parents who maneuvered us out of difficulties despite their own rough patches, be it a friend who gave us a push when we could not get out of the first – there are people who may have courteously yielded so that we could compete in the fast lane. We need to give them thumbs up!

Shifting gears, let’s not forget our mentors; someone who may have advised us to turn up our high beam and, at the same time, pay attention to the interior. Whenever we veered a bit, they advised us to look in our rear-view-mirror so that we could rev up our engine and accelerate.
I don’t know about you, but I have stalled with my obsession about people who envied me whenever I cruised along smoothly on the highway of my career and life in ‘General.’ Their muffled praise, jealous exudes of toxic fumes, subliminal expressions and suddenly changing of the lane made me feel that I was riding on flat tires.

The need for speed is enormous. You have got to stay in the race. The only way to do that is to aim for the pole position ignoring the crashed cars and the ones trying to sputter along on an empty tank. Instead of paying attention to the bystanders who want you to shift in neutral, get inspired by those who always show you the checkered flag, those who want to see you in the winner’s circle, and those who buff your exterior from showing the signs of rust.

Vroom vroom! Chitti chitti bang bang! After burning enough rubber and kicking heaps of tires, you will feel ‘life has been one sweet ride.’ Keep rolling along. You will be an auto-matic hit. Thank everyone who saved you from being a road-kill on the road to success!

Surviving Today's Automotive Industry: Challenges and Opportunities

2009-06-16T03:57:00.000-07:00

In a period of unparalleled economic turbulence, it is the Auto industry that has been hard-hit and most severely impacted. The sector has been facing severe economic crisis over the last year with much of the sector struggling to avoid liquidation following the bankruptcies of Chrysler and GM.

The Detroit chapter of TiE, The Indus Entrepreneurs, is holding a panel discussion titled “Surviving Today's Automotive Industry: Challenges and Opportunities”, Tuesday, June 23rd at Engineering Society of Detroit (ESD) in Southfield, Michigan.

Michigan has a strong base of knowledge and infrastructure in manufacturing and has suffered because of the decline in the auto industry, particularly GM. The region's future success is directly related to its ability to transform automotive supplier firms and survive the transformation under the challenging conditions.

To get a closer look at the challenges faced by this industry and to learn about surviving this storm, swing by for the interesting discussion which is free and open to the public. The plenary speakers include Steven Hilfinger -Partner (Co-Chair Automotive Industry Team) - Foley & Lardner, LLP , Arvind Pradhan -CEO and President - Camaco, LLC and Rajesh Kothari -Managing Director - Seneca Partners. The discussion will be moderated by Daljit Doogal, Partner (Chair of Business Law Department Detroit Office) - Foley & Lardner, LLP

The event is expected to provide insight into issues shaping the automotive industry, as well as strategies on how to survive and remain competitive during the crisis. Check out www.detroit.tie.org for more details.

Essence of the Entrepreneurial Spirit

2009-05-28T13:07:00.000-07:00

The other day I was talking to a business owner from Rochester, NY. He is the head of a civil engineering firm that has weathered many storms since its inception and is still struggling with the current winds in an adverse business climate. I asked my entrepreneur friend what made him stand in the face of setbacks and survive. His answer was, ‘entrepreneurial spirit.’

For an entrepreneur, life without risk (and struggle) is life without living. According to my friend from Rochester, NY, “There is an opportunity in every crisis. One has to recognize those opportunities, conceptualize and move forward.”

The opportunity that my friend found in the present crisis is ‘cost reduction by going green.’ He spreads that message to the local industry and townships very effectively with the zeal of a messiah.

“Don’t you meet skeptical and fiscal conservatives who would rather maintain a status quo than 'going green'?” I asked.

“Yes, but I present a ‘sustainability assessment’ to them where I demonstrate how ‘going green’ would save them money.”

My friend has a great presentation that projects productivity improvement for his clients by providing good lighting and noise reduction at the workplace.

“But, if I were a manufacturer in the present business environment, I would still be hesitant in applying your ideas. How do you convince your clients to embrace them?” I was curious.

“We do this by ‘shared-saving contract.” He further explained to me that he gets paid based on real performance and not promises alone. His company monitors pre and post-metering at the clients' sites. That way, the benefits of ‘going green’ become evident without leaving any room for speculation.

My friend’s company has installed wind mills on the top of the cliff at a client’s site in the Fingers Lake area of New York state where his client generates its own clean energy and saves cost by ‘going green.’

There is a lesson to be learned here: The entrepreneurial spirit requires perseverance. It is quality that one must have to achieve success. ‘For example, it took Thomas Edison roughly 20,000 failures before he got the light bulb to work. And horse jockey, Eddie Arcaro had to ride in 301 races before he finally won a race.’ That is the essence of the ‘entrepreneurial spirit.’

Synergies....http://detroit.tie.org/

2009-05-26T20:46:00.000-07:00

We are fast approaching TieCon Midwest Conference in October 2009 and the momentum is picking up. Tel, Luxmi, Bob, Nicole, Raji and Anu attended the recent TieCon Conference in the Bay Area and brought back so much of enthusiasm and energy with them, enough to power up the rest of the team for the upcoming TiECon Midwest conference to be held on October 23rd and 24th. I am sure that this will again be reflected in the upcoming event, Getting China and India Right, on May 28. The keynote speaker of the event will be Dr. Anil K. Gupta, (Co-Author, Getting China and India Right).

For more details go to:
http://detroit.tie.org/

The Game Changers

2009-05-16T10:38:00.000-07:00

The worst of times are usually the best of times for real entrepreneurs. We are going through the worst recession since the 1930s. If ‘necessity is the mother of invention,’ there are unlimited opportunities for the entrepreneurs to invent new business models. This needs foresight. We cannot narrow our quest to a near-term profit or only focus on the next quarter’s numbers. While survival is important, we cannot just stick to our near-term obsessions and hope that things will be fine in the long run. Staying the course may make us survive a little bit longer, but we need to create a business model for the long term.

Entrepreneurs have invented business models in the past based on the demand of the time. The oldest and most basic business model is the shopkeeper model. This involves setting up a store in a location where potential customers are likely to be and displaying a product or service. Then came bait and hook business model in the early 20th century. Later in the decades new business models were invented by General Motors, Toys R Us, FedEx, and McDonald’s, Wal-Mart, Netflix, eBay, Starbucks and others to meet the need of the hour.

The present global economic crisis demands the need for innovating new business models. Chris Penttilla has suggested considering seven game changers by the entrepreneurs of today in the May 2009 issue of the Entrepreneur magazine. Those game changers are:

Chaos due to the globalization (IBM adopting the service sector globally)
Changing customer values (McDonald’s serving gourmet coffee cheaper than Starbucks)
Rush for money saving products (gas sipping automobiles)
Simplicity (one-stop clinic)
Realignment of the product lines (Kodak jumping into digital market)
Not defending the status quo (Microsoft losing ground to Google in search engines)
Serve the customers you hate (Netflix attracting delinquent customers)

I will leave you with thoughts from Kenny Rogers' song:

“You never count your money when you’re sittin at the table.
There’ll be time enough for countin when the dealins done.”

Congratulations, You are Already In Michigan!

2009-05-11T12:42:00.000-07:00

It may sound strange in today’s business environment, but this is true. Michigan can be the likely destination for the aspiring entrepreneurs. After all, “an entrepreneur is a person who assumes significant accountability for the inherent risks and the outcome.” So, welcome to the brave new world! You have already won half the battle by being here in Michigan, a state with the highest unemployment rate in the nation (12.6%) and the Big Three automakers struggling. Congratulation! You have a chance to rewrite the history and pave your way to immortality (in a business sense).

Governor Granholm and President Obama are committed to make Michigan a leader in green renewable energy economy. The slogan’ Green Today, Job Tomorrow’ is catching up in Michigan. According to the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth, Michigan businesses have already created at least 109,000 private sector green jobs. Michigan's green companies have expanded their employment by 7.7 percent. Companies that produce renewable energy have grown by 30 percent.
Green renewable energy is just one of the competitive-edge technologies targeted by Michigan. Other target areas include:
Life sciences
Alternative energy
Advanced automotive, manufacturing and materials
Homeland security and defense

“Life Sciences” means science for the examination or understanding of life or life processes, including, but not limited to the following:

Bioengineering
Biomedical engineering
Genomics
Proteomics
Molecular and chemical ecology “

“Alternative Energy Technology” means applied research or commercialization of new or next generation technology in one or more of the following:

Fuel Cell Energy System
Photovoltaic Energy System
Solar-Thermal Energy System
Wind Energy System”

“Advanced Automotive, Manufacturing, and Materials Technology” means any technology that involves one or more of the following:

Materials with engineered properties created through the development of specialized process and synthesis technology.
Nanotechnology, including materials, devices, or systems at the atomic, molecular, or macromolecular level, with a scale measured in nanometers.
Microelectromechanical systems, including devices or systems integrating microelectronics with mechanical parts and a scale measured in micrometers.
Improvements to vehicle safety, vehicle performance, vehicle production, or environmental impact, including, but not limited to, vehicle equipment and component parts.
A new technology, device, or system that enhances or improves the manufacturing process of wood, timber, or agricultural-based products.”

“Homeland Security and Defense Technology” means technology that assists in the assessment of threats or damage to the general populations and critical infrastructure, protection of, defense against, or mitigation of the effects of foreign or domestic threats, disasters, or attacks, or support for crisis or response management, including, but not limited to, one or more of the following:

Sensors, systems, processes, or equipment for communications, identification and authentication, screening, surveillance, tracking, and data analysis.
Advanced computing or electronic device technology related to homeland security and defense technology.
Aviation technology, including, but not limited to, avionics, airframe design, sensors, early warning systems, and services related to homeland security and defense technology.
Design, engineering, testing, or diagnostics related to homeland security and defense technology.
Product research and development related to homeland security and defense technology.”

(Visit Michigan Emerging Technology Fund site for more detail http://www.gvsu.edu/misbtdc/index.cfm?id=82D603F8-C1F1-E3B9-BDAC78FAF0C1A707)

According to Kelly Williams, managing director and co-head of the Credit Suisse’s New York-based Customized Fund Investment Group, “People forget that Michigan was at the crux of entrepreneurship in the last century, and it’s a perfect place for a rebirth of entrepreneurship in this century.” So, come up with your ideas to TiE Detroit. We are committed to takes budding entrepreneurs from idea generation, to isolating a need, to identifying a target market, through developing a sales process, all the way on up through the nuances of business plan development.

Instant Customer Tracking Software - Sky Is the Limit

2009-05-09T16:06:00.000-07:00

Instant customer tracking software for effective stock and customer monitoring has a nascent but continual demand in India. So far, the majority of the Indian businesses have been doing these chores manually with the exception of big business houses. Now, the rest of the established and emerging businesses are seeking customer tracking software. Looking at the growth in India, one wonders, if sky is the limit.

The businesses are also looking for tools for the resolution of end-users issues, and auto-processing of incoming support requests combined with automated emails or SMS alerts. Various companies are working on customer management system that will provide one touch solution to download purchase order application, develop business details including product identification, product category, payment, stock status in proper manner.

The potential of instant customer tracking software is so great that recently IBM paired up with Polaris Retail Infotech Ltd to launch Intellect Store, the first SOA (Service Oriented Architecture) based retail solution in India. Intellect Store is built on the open-standards-based Java™ Platform, Enterprise Edition and is combined with IBM’s Retail Integration Framework. Read the story by visiting http://www.topnews.in/polaris-software-along-ibm-launches-intellect-store-india-2159758. Intellect Store will help the retailers track both the stock as well as customers at all their stores simultaneously.

The emerging and existing Indian businesses are looking for help to track and resolve customer issues quickly, thereby delivering superior customer support and taking customer satisfaction to the next level. This is time to tap the $7 billion (and growing) retail industry in India. Remember, there are products already in market positioned to take advantage of this opportunity. Some of those products are: actiTIME (http://www.actitime.com/), SupportCenter (http://www.qualityunit.com/supportcenter/), AyaNova (http://www.ayanova.com/) and others. Entrepreneurs understand the dynamism of the industry and do not wait for others in bringing something novel to the market place.

Freelance Entrepreneur

2009-05-06T19:57:00.000-07:00

On hearing the word ‘freelance’ or ‘freelancer,’ we usually imagine writers who are independent without any affiliation to a particular publishing company or a business establishment. However, a freelancer can be in any area of work not only in writing or journalism. A freelancer is “self-employed person who pursues a profession without a long-term commitment to any particular employer” (Sir Walter Scott1771–1832).

Today’s business environment may seem discouraging to many aspiring entrepreneurs as the businesses are curtailing their budgets and consumers are shying away from spending. However, one has to sow before he or she can hope to reap. Like any storm, ‘This too shall pass.’ Those who can lumber along during the storm will certainly rise again.

The key is to keep the entrepreneurship alive on a low budget. This can be achieved by becoming a freelance entrepreneur. I will recommend all the readers of this blog to visit http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124157147509390007.html and read the article on this subject by Sarah E. Needleman. There are companies who are looking for business services on project-by-project basis. Sarah recommends the following sites for finding freelance work: Odesk.com, Sologig.com, VirtualAssistant.com, Mr-SEO.com, Guru.com and Elance.com. I have personally visited those sites and have found them useful and user-friendly.

So, my advice to the aspiring entrepreneurs will be to keep their skills sharpened as freelance entrepreneurs. This will help them preserve the cash which they will need for expanding the business when the current recession is over. And remember this dialogue from Shakespeare’s Macbeth:

Macbeth: “If we should fail?”
Lady Macbeth: “But screw your courage to the sticking place, And we’ll not fail.”

Aspiration and Perspiration

2009-05-03T09:54:00.000-07:00

In my last blog I wrote, “TiE is a global, nonprofit network of established, new and aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals from a range of businesses to mutually advance, learn, share and support the entrepreneurial skills of its members and beyond”

Many of the aspiring entrepreneurs only aspire. They cannot get to the next step. It is just like an aspiring athlete who only perspires and cannot get on the track. In this series of articles I will present fundamentals of entrepreneurship. Let us start with the word ‘entrepreneur.’

Like religion, here are many interpretations of the word ‘entrepreneur.’ The best in my view is the following: An entrepreneur is someone who creates value by offering a product or service, by carving out a niche in the market that may not exist currently.

According to the Irish economist Richard Cantillon, “entrepreneur is a term applied to the type of personality who is willing to take upon herself or himself a new venture or enterprise and accepts full responsibility for the outcome.”

Looking at the above definitions, the key terms are: ‘create value,’ offer product or service,’ ‘carve out a niche in the market,’ ’may not exist currently,’ take upon new venture,’ and ‘accept full responsibility for the outcome.’

The lesson here is that one has to be ready to perspire, if he or she wants to be an entrepreneur:

1. Do not dream of making money, ponder on creating value for the society and world at large. That is what Henry Ford I and Rattan Tata did. They made affordable vehicles available to the masses.
2. An entrepreneur creates product or service that people want. Ted Hoff invented microprocessor for Intel. Today the humanity cannot function without this technology.
3. An entrepreneur carves out a niche in the market. He or she knows how to differentiate its product. We have so many car manufacturers, but we all know that “BMW is the ultimate driving machine.” We have so many department stores, but we all know that “Wal-Mart sells for less.” There are so many soft drinks in the market but we all know that “Coke is the real thing.”
An entrepreneur takes full responsibility for the outcome and regroups. He or she does not believe in “would, should could.”
4. Lee Iacocca took the helm of then dying Chrysler with these words, “So what do we do? Anything. Something. So long as we just don't sit there. If we screw it up, start over. Try something else. If we wait until we've satisfied all the uncertainties, it may be too late.” He took the responsibility upon himself and turned the company around. The rest is history.

So, judge for yourself if you are an entrepreneur. If yes, TiE is the place for you. More on this in my next blog. In the meanwhile, I want you to ponder on these famous words of Iacocca, “Apply yourself. Get all the education you can, but then, by God, do something. Don't just stand there, make it happen.”

Why Did I Join TiE?

2009-05-01T05:50:00.000-07:00

At a time when so many organizations are either competing with each other or are drawing from the same pool of professionals, I questioned, “Why TiE?” After much consideration and deliberation, I decided to be active in TiE for the following reasons:

1. TiE is not tied to any specific segment of business. It caters to a range of businesses.
2. TiE and its members operate in a friendly and mutually supporting environment
3. TiE’s members and the officers work together with complete transparency
4. Every TiE member has the opportunity to participate in the management of the organization as an office bearer or a volunteer
5. TiE has 53 chapters in 12 countries
6. TiE has over 12,000 members worldwide including 2,000 charter members
7. TiE has held more than 500 events worldwide with more than 80,000 participants and over 160 sponsors
8. That makes TiE the world’s largest networking group

TiE is a global, nonprofit network of established, new and aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals from a range of businesses to mutually advance, learn, share and support the entrepreneurial skills of its members and beyond.

Since TiE has carved a clear niche for itself that is unique, I decided to be a part of it. For the new readers that niche is to serve the following target audience:

1. Established entrepreneurs
2. New entrepreneurs
3. Aspiring entrepreneurs
4. Professionals from all segments of the industry seeking networking, mentoring and exposure to the right business environment and business models

As with any organization, there is always room for improvement and opportunities to grow. I have found a good platform where we can mutually complement each other’s efforts while meeting my own entrepreneurial and business aspirations.

The Gary Baumgarten Report: News Talk Online April 13, 2009: Margery Krevsky and Mike Wendland

2009-04-15T06:47:00.000-07:00

The Gary Baumgarten Report: News Talk Online April 13, 2009: Margery Krevsky and Mike Wendland

Immigration Impact on Business in the Current Times

2009-04-14T06:15:00.000-07:00

The current downturn in the economy is haemorrhaging jobs and businesses are hard-hit. The unemployment rate has been increasing since September 2008. The economic crisis began with the plight of professionals in the financial sector followed by redundancy and now the hardest hit will be the foreign workers. This recession is the worst since the Great Depression of the 1930s.

During the period of sustained economic growth, the United States engrossed new immigrants. Today the economic uncertainty may require your business to consider a reduction in force and this may impact workforce of immigrants. How will provisions of immigration laws particularly impact business in the current economic meltdown?

If you are in Michigan, swing by for an interesting discussion on Employment and Immigration Impact on Business in the Current Times. The event is expected to provide lot of insights to the business owners, executives and professionals in developing strategies in response to the changing employment and immigration laws. The panel of speakers include one of the most influential Indian Americans who created history by being appointed the first-ever Ombudsman of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at the Dept of Homeland Security, in which capacity he served from July 2003 through March 2008. This former USCIS Ombudsman, Mr. Prakash Khatri provided executive leadership, vision, and direction to USCIS and authored numerous annual reports to the US Congress detailing recommendations for changes to the immigration process.

The event hosted by the Detroit Chapter of Indus Entrepreneurs focus on Immigration impact on employment practices. Check out www.detroit.tie.org for more details. The event is to be held at Westin Southfield Hotel on Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 5.30p.m.

Detroit Chapter of Indus Entrepreneurs

2009-03-29T13:57:00.001-07:00

Think BIG and Act BOLD - Survive the Credit Crunch!

Down Economy…

Financial Tsunami…

Crushing Recession…

Businesses are wrestling with various critical issues and the uncertainty has led the management to adopt various strategies to survive this economic downturn. However this is the right time for the small and medium size businesses to blossom. Unfortunately small business owners are on strict budgets and not ready to take the risk. Despite the troubling economy and down market, I believe it is the right time for all budding entrepreneurs to grab the right growth opportunity. We entrepreneurs should think BIG, act BOLD during such economic times and adapt to the CHANGE.

Companies are forced to consider drastic cuts to their marketing budgets. While budget cuts are necessary, it is necessary to create value-based images especially in the eyes of our customers. Always remember public presence can lead to new business. We should consider more cost-effective ways to reach our audiences. Reach out to your specific audience directly via the digital media and social networking. Online-marketing is one of the most cost-effective solutions.

If you are in Michigan, drop in for an interesting discussion on Cost Effective Marketing For Your Business hosted by the Detroit Chapter of Indus Entrepreneurs. Check out www.detroit.tie.org for more details. This event is to be held at Westin Southfield Hotel, Southfield, Michigan at 5.30p.m. on Thursday, March 26, 2009.

Discuss and learn from the case studies of Dr. Mahendra Bhandari, recipient of most coveted Padma Shri award from the Government of India for his distinguished contributions in the field of Medicine in the year 2000. He is a noted surgeon who has made contributions to the specialty of urology, medical training, hospital administration, and medical ethics. He will share his experience on how he utilized cost-effective, web-based marketing strategies to attract faculty and delegates from nearly 30 countries for the International Robotic Urology Symposium 2009 (IRUS) held in Las Vegas. Grab this wonderful opportunity to learn more on cost effective marketing tools and strategies to drum up your business economy.

Small Business Marketing - bloom during the gloom!

2009-03-14T16:36:00.000-07:00

The TiE event that is scheduled on March 26th (details given below) should be very crucial to all small business owners/entrepreneurs who are dealing with economic issues that have taken a political turn. This is the time that marketeers need to get into high gear. I am not sure where I read this since the influx of so many blogs, but I for one believe that in business, 20% of our customer list provides 80% of our sales revenue. The value of that 20% current relationships within your business should be strong enough. Promote new opportunities for customers to grow their business and their profits. Let us not take our current relationships for granted.

Small Business Owners would like to go slow on their marketing budget, but trust me - we as entrepreneurs create value based images in our customer's minds and if we become invisible, in all practicality, clients would think that we have gone out of business.

So at this time, marketeers need to go back to basics - tactical approach, thrifty spending especially as the open web space has expanded with SMF features.

Btw, if you are in Michigan, check out TiE Detroit at http://www.tie-detroit.org/. This network of business professionals are practical minded entrepreneurs who can provide great tools to help grow and enhance your business. Swing by for an interesting discussion on Cost Effective Marketing For Your Business, at Westin Southfield on Thursday, March 26th, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. Topics will generate some interesting perspectives on "image building" during these challenging times.