June 7th AZIGG: New Product Development

Products the World Wants, from Arizona

Panel Discussion of Global New Product Development Experts

Monday, June 7th, 7:30 - 9:00am
Networking starts at 7:00am

ASU-SkySong, Global Suite 200
1475 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale (at McDowell)

Jim Foxworthy - President, Pragmatic Marketing
David Zuckerman - President, Raytech Design & Development
Hamid Shojaee - CEO, Axosoft
Moderator: Doug Bruhnke

Join new product design and development business leaders who run companies that contribute world-class consumer, industrial and technology products to over 10,000 large and mid-sized companies around the world, from their headquarters right here in Arizona. You should attend if new products are important to your business strategy or if your business sells to large and mid-sized global companies.

Investment $15 includes coffee and continental breakfast, at SkySong
RSVP at AZIGG, then click on 6/7/10

Jim Foxworthy is President at Pragmatic Marketing, Inc. He is an industry veteran with more than 30 years in the computer industry and has been using the Pragmatic Marketing Framework since the early ‘90’s. Prior to joining Pragmatic Marketing, Jim was president of a consulting firm focused exclusively on implementations of the Pragmatic Marketing Framework. In that role he helped nearly 100 organizations become more tuned in to their markets. Jim attributes his success to a strong balance of technical, sales, and executive knowledge.

David Zuckerman is co-founder and President of Raytech Corporation, a full-service product design and development firm based in Phoenix. Raytech provides holistic, user and client-centered services that help product managers get new products to market with higher positive impact and lower risk. David has been in the product development field for over 15 years. As an Industrial Designer and a project manager for engineering programs, David and his team at Raytech have worked with clients in solar technology, specialty audio equipment, GPS equipment, automotive accessories, and other consumer and industrial products.

Hamid Shojaee is founder and CEO of Axosoft, a Scottsdale-based software company that specializes in tools to help software development teams Ship Software On-Time. Prior to starting Axosoft, Hamid was a Senior Consultant with Microsoft and helped Microsoft's enterprise customers become more efficient at managing their software development projects. As an expert in the field of Software Development, Hamid has developed the world's #1 video for learning the popular Scrum software development methodology. The 8-minute intro to Scrum has been viewed more than 200,000 times on YouTube.

Doug Bruhnke, Growth Nation and AZIGG

The Importance of Respect in Global Business

We all know business people who don’t have a strong sensibility about cultural differences and the impact they have on business dealings. They are the “I’ll-do-it-my-way ugly Americans” (or whatever their nationality) who are good fodder for stories of global business opportunities lost.

Often these folks with cultural blind spots blame others for their failures because they think they did everything right, and that those foreigners needed to wise up to their ways.

Unfortunately we're seeing something like this play out with Arizona's Governor Jan Brewer and Education Director Tom Horne. Whether the bills they've championed are the right or wrong action on critically important issues for Arizona almost doesn't matter. The problem became that these folks failed to do what was necessary to be perceived as being respectful to the entire community. The result was completely predictable: it created an emotional backlash.

In global business as soon as you think it doesn't matter what other people think, it does.

We're left with both the Governor and Mr. Horne trying to educate people to their logic. It's a classic mistake that those of us in international business have seen played out over and over again on hot topics. We know how it ends: not well, because logic almost always loses to emotion.

Here's a link to an article I wrote earlier this year that discusses being respectful in global business. Arizona would have been better served if a few folks had embraced the basic ideas discussed here:
http://www.globalprotocol.com/03a%20PassportToPower.htm

As Jerry Colangelo said last week on this topic, unfortunately damage has already been done against Arizona business. So now we need less 'education', and more respect and empathy in order to minimize the damage and get back on track with the economic recovery.

We also need folks around the US to realize that boycotts of Arizona hurt good people who mean well and want to do the right thing for Arizona and the US.

And we need Arizona businesses to stick together - as the Arizona Chamber has articulated with their 'no boycott' stance - and stay calm and measured, not getting in to the tit for tat game.

So to the global CEO who this week is deciding to expand his or her company into Arizona or elsewhere: please choose Arizona as a destination versus New Mexico, Utah, Colorado or California. It's still a great place to live and do business, and we'll work through these issues successfully.

It's amazing what can be done when people listen, and how we can end up butting heads when people don't. In global business, listening is essential.

It's why not everyone is cut out for international business.

My mother used to say, it's not what you say, but how you say it. You know what? She was right then, and it still matters. In global business and beyond.

Mom also said that you could solve problems without stirring up a hornet's nest. Well somebody wacked that hornet's nest with a big ole stick. Now let's solve these real problems calmly, inclusively and successfully. That style works well in international business and it will serve us well here, too.

Doug Bruhnke
Arizona International Growth Group

AZIGG Events May 19, May 25 and June 7

There are three upcoming events with the Arizona International Growth Group that as a member of the international business community of Arizona you should enjoy.

May 19th: Phoenix Forum: Business Beyond Our Borders, 11am - 1:30pm
The Phoenix Chamber is presenting this lunch discussion 11am - 1:30pm on the topic of growing your Arizona business globally. Features Dr. Angel Cabrera (Thunderbird), Kai Ryssdal (Host of Marketplace), Margie Emmerman (Arizona Mexico Commission), Rick Stephenson (Canadian Consulate) and Doug Bruhnke (AZIGG). RSVP for May 19th

May 25th: The Green Business Forum, 8am - noon at Nat'l Bank of Arizona
Networking starts at 7:00am at National Bank of Arizona, 6001 N 24th Street in Phoenix. With AZIGG, Arizona Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Technology Council, APS, SRP, AZ4Solar, Southern Arizona SCORE, ASU-SkySong, ASBA, Arizona Department of Education and Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce.

MC John Adam Kowalski of the John Adam Show will guide business owners through a morning of presentations from Arizona's green leaders on how to tap-in to solar, cleantech and green opportunities in Arizona. The focus will be on how Arizona businesses can realize tangible economic benefits. We'll hear from experts and business owners who have already tapped-in. Speakers include Glenn Hamer of the Arizona Chamber, Steve Zylstra of AZ Tech Council, Patrick O' Grady of the Phoenix Business Journal, Craig Hughes of Total Transit, Michael McClure of Honeywell, Lynn Singleton of SRP, Lynn Paige of Perfect Power, Dr. James Powers of iLinc and many more. Read the agenda here: Agenda. Investment $25 includes coffee and continental breakfast. RSVP at The Green Business Forum, then click on 5/25

June 7th: Products the World Wants, from Arizona, 7:30am - 9:00am
Panel Discussion of Global New Product Development Experts. Networking starts at 7:00am at ASU-SkySong, Global Suite 200, 1475 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale (at McDowell)

Featuring:
Jim Foxworthy - President, Pragmatic Marketing
David Zuckerman - President, Raytech Development & Design
Hamid Shojaee - CEO, Axosoft
Moderator: Doug Bruhnke

Join new product design and development business leaders who run companies that contribute world-class consumer, industrial and technology products to over 10,000 large and mid-sized companies around the world, from their headquarters right here in Arizona. You should attend if new products are important to your business strategy or if your business sells to large and mid-sized global companies. Investment $15 includes coffee and continental breakfast. RSVP at AZIGG, then click on 6/7/10

The Green Business Forum Speaker Biographies

For the next AZIGG event we are pleased to welcome you to the The Green Business Forum on May 25th from 8am to 11:45am at the National Bank of Arizona in Phoenix. Networking starts at 7am. Full details are located here: www.azigg.com and in our previous post. You may register here: http://www.scorephoenix.org/default.asp?S=eA by clicking on May 25th.

The speakers for the May 25th event - hosted by National Bank of Arizona and presented by Greater Phoenix SCORE - are some of the top entrepreneurs and business leaders in "green". Here is more information.

Patrick O'Grady - Reporter, Phoenix Business Journal
Patrick O’Grady covers technology, manufacturing and sustainability for the Phoenix Business Journal. He has been in the Valley for 14 years and has covered a range of issues throughout the years including growth and economic development. His latest focus has been on, among other things, the burgeoning solar industry in the Valley and Arizona and its attempts to ramp up to provide another area of growth for the state.

Dr. James Powers - Chairman, President and CEO of iLinc. His vision and leadership have transformed iLinc into a leading provider of innovative software and services that solve customer problems through web & video collaboration. Dr. Powers is a successful entrepreneur having founded several successful high-growth companies prior to iLinc, one of which grew to over 3,000 employees and another that went public in 1998.

He received a Doctorate of Dental Surgery Degree from The University of Tennessee, a B.S. degree from the University of Memphis and an MBA from Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management.

Dr. Powers has a long history of involvement in philanthropy and community service and currently serves as an executive committee member and Vice Chairman of the Arizona Technology Council’s Board of Directors. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Camp Soaring Eagle, a medically-based camp for seriously ill children in northern Arizona.

Robert Shatz - CFO, Innovative Technologies Development Center
Bob Shatz has been involved in alternative finance research and sales for the past 25 years. Fluent in Japanese, he became the first foreign analyst to be trained in Tokyo at Nomura Research Institute and sent to sell Japanese debt and equity research to institutional investors in the US. After setting sales records and nurturing a $5 billion joint venture, he was promoted to top management of Nomura and played an instrumental role in facilitating the first mortage-backed securities mutual fund between Japanese investors and Trust Company of the West ($750 million). Bob retired to Tucson to raise his family and to develop interesting investment opportunities in sustainable ventures.

Craig Hughes - Founder and CEO, Total Transit
When Craig Hughes started the Discount Cab division of Total Transit 26 years ago, he dedicated himself to insuring that each customer receives the cleanest, most courteous and timeliest transportation service possible. Hughes developed Discount Cab’s dispatch center into the largest in Arizona and one of the largest in the United States. The Taxicab, Limousine and Paratransit Association (TLPA), a national trade group, named Discount Cab their 2009 Large Operator of the Year – a prestigious honor that demonstrates his commitment to hard work, excellence, and integrity. He was also named one of the Phoenix Business Journal's "2010 25 Most Admired CEOs & Top Level Executives"

Hughes realizes he runs a business that is notorious for its negative impact on the environment. Challenged by his youngest daughter, Hughes decided to clean up his business, which now has the largest Prius cab fleet in the country. Moreover, he recently installed one of the largest solar arrays in Arizona on the Glendale headquarters building. Total Transit is proud to save a million gallons of fuel per year and reduce its carbon footprint.

Glenn Hamer - President and CEO, Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Glenn Hamer has held important posts at several large organizations, including serving as Director of Business Development and Government Relations for First Solar, Executive Director of the Solar Energy Industries Association, Chief of Staff to then-Congressman Matt Salmon and Executive Director of the Arizona Republican Party. He spent six years working on Capitol Hill in both the House and Senate. Glenn worked as a legislative assistant for Senator Jon Kyl and while on Capitol Hill worked on many important issues including identity theft, efforts to fight violent crime and methamphetamine abuse, and intellectual property issues.

When Glenn was the Director of Government Relations for First Solar, he earned a prestigious appointment to the Western Governors Association's 30 GW Clean and Diversified Energy Advisory Committee and chaired the Solar Task Force. Glenn also served on Governor Janet Napolitano's Solar Energy Task Force.

Steve Zylstra - President and CEO, Arizona Technology Council
Steven G. Zylstra is responsible for policy, development, approval and accomplishment of business goals, objectives, and all financial matters related to the Council. He previously served as president and CEO of both Catalyst Connection and the Pittsburgh Technology Council. He concurrently served as president and CEO of the Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center and the Doyle Center for Manufacturing Technology, both tech-based economic development-focused organizations. Additionally, Zylstra was president of the Pittsburgh Biomedical Development Corporation, an affiliated organization of the Pittsburgh Technology Council that invests in start-up biomedical and biotechnology companies.

Zylstra has successfully served in a variety of additional business, technology and economic development roles including as General Manager of General Pneumatics Corporation, Western Research Center (WRC) in Scottsdale when the firm was awarded 19 Small Business Innovative Research programs. He is currently a member of the Council on Competitiveness and is a member of the industrial advisory committee at the University of Arizona College of Engineering and Mines. He serves on the Arizona Aerospace Institute Advisory Committee as well as the Arizona Bioscience Roadmap Steering Committee.

Mike McClure – Energy Services Account Executive, Honeywell International
Mike’s responsibility within Honeywell is promoting energy conservation and energy saving upgrades with Arizona customers. He works with commercial, governmental and educational entities to help them manage and control energy costs. Solutions include both traditional upgrades (New HVAC, lighting, controls, etc) as well as installation of renewal energy technologies (Solar, Wind, etc).

Mike has been active in the renewable energy field for several years. He also has been a strong advocate for these technologies and is a member of American Solar Energy Society and the Southern Arizona Solar Partnership. As a consumer of green technology; Mike has installed a 2.6 kW Solar PV system; a Solar Thermal system and energy computer at his home. This has lead to an (approx) 40% reduction on his energy bills. Mike has been a Valley resident since 1985.

Lynn-Paige - CEO of Perfect Power
Perfect Power is one of only a few certified Women Owned Businesses in the solar energy industry. Lynn-Paige brings an MBA, an accounting degree and thirty years of business experience to her role as CEO. Perfect Power has been awarded multiple awards including Business of the Year (NAWBO) and is the only solar company in Arizona to receive an Ethics Award from the BBB.

Lynn-Paige’s Professional Achievements include:

- “Women Who Move the Valley” Award, AZ Foothills Magazine
- IMPACT Award, Phoenix Chamber of Commerce
- Chief Financial Officer for a commercial mechanical contractor
- Co-Founder of Solutions Forum, LLC, a CEO consulting firm
- Co-Founder, International Academy of Clinical Acupuncture
- Former Owner - Private General Accounting Practice firm

Lynn-Paige is the Board Vice-Chair at ASBA and is involved with many other community non-profits, professional associations and chambers of commerce.

Craig Kennedy – President, Estrella Environmental Design, Inc.
Estrella Environmental Design, Inc. is a landscape design/build firm celebrating 17 years in business serving clients seeking unique commercial and residential landscapes. Craig’s design background spans 25 years and includes eco-friendly projects like the Luke AFB Housing rehab and the Estrella Mountain Ranch Golf Course. Craig emphasizes proper xeriscape techniques and micro-climate adaptation.

The most recent growth area of Estrella Environmental Design is in low and no water dust control and water extenders for increased crop yield and erosion control. This division promotes a biodegradable line of products under the Xerisource name. Craig is working with the United States Department of Agriculture testing both of these areas.

Kirk Busch, CEO of AZ4Solar
Az4Solar is a non-profit trade association whose mission is to help create a solar energy economy in Arizona that will support thousands of high-wage jobs. We are collaborating with economic & workforce development agencies, municipalities, educational institutions, private industry and other business organizations to create a vibrant and sustainable solar energy ecosystem. More information at www.az4solar.org.

Tim Precourt, CEO of Salt River Solar & Wind
Tim Precourt is the CEO of Salt River Solar & Wind, a renewable energy system integration and consulting firm. The company provides a full portfolio of turnkey solar and wind solutions for residential and commercial customers. Their solutions include energy audits, weatherization, energy efficiency, solar thermal water heater and solar photovoltaic (PV) power array installations as well as project management and consulting, site evaluations, outsourced solar design and engineering, installation, and commissioning of distributed generation solar power plants. Tim joined the firm in sales, and now he and his team provide expert guidance on how to transform empty rooftops into energy producing assets with solar power.

Other speakers include Dr. James Powers of iLinc, William Carey of Dixon Golf, Michael McClure of Honeywell Building Solutions, Lori Singleton of SRP and Craig Robb of National Bank of Arizona. Our MC will be John Adam Kowalski of the The John Adam Show.

We hope you'll join us!

All the best, Doug Bruhnke