We kill them

I recommend everyone read the Globe & Mail article written by Jim Balsillie which begins with his account of a U.S. business leader describing a tactic for dealing with successful Canadian businesses: "... We wait until they get big enough, then we go after them. And we kill them.”  In case it wasn't obvious that business is a full contact sport, the article points out several gaps in how Canadian institutions -- legislative and education especially -- are failing to fortify our national economic interests. Since Jim is a well noted hockey fan, he could have used a hockey metaphor – you must skate with your head up or someone is going to flatten you!

Crowd-sourced copywriting

Last year I met a student named Asad Khan during a University of Toronto class where I volunteer.  Asad has graduated and started an interesting business that will operate a marketplace to match crowd-sourced copywriters with companies seeking creative ideas. If you think you are can compose the type of catchy phrase that can win an online competition (or you simply want to pretend you are on Mad Men) then you might want to sign-up to be notified when the service goes live. Naturally, Asad is seeking initial funding through a crowd-sourced funding site -- indiegogo.

Geek Squad CEO interview

There is an interesting article about Robert Stephens the founder of Geek Squad. He says "not having money can be a real blessing.” One of his lessons was “before hiring a PR firm, do your own PR — you will realize what is good and be a better consumer to PR firms. ... In 2000, I called up Best Buy—I wanted to take over their service department ... They liked the idea. We dated for two years and got married in 2002.” In 2010, Stephens was named Best Buy’s Chief Technology Officer.

Justin's first book

Justin Fabian has released his first book. Justin's website showcases his incredible high resolution landscape prints. His first book is currently available directly from the publisher or in the Waterloo area it is already at Adventure Guide and will be available through retail channels such as Chapters by early in the new year.

Organic Insulation

Ecovative Design was the most interesting presentation at the RPI-hosted Tech Valley Business Plan competition this past May. Many in the audience thought founders Eben Bayer and Gavin McIntyre should have won, but nonetheless they are gathering lots of interest from within RPI's Incubator Center and are another great innovation to come out Burt Swersey's Innovator's Studio class in the product, design, and innovation (PDI) curriculum at Rensselaer.

Their Greensulate product will compete against polystyrene sheets (the pink stuff you often see on the outside of new construction homes). It requires no light, heat, or petroleum products, but it does require a volume of space and time to grow. The R value of the insulation is 3 per inch - comparable to blown insulation or polystyrene, but unlike polystyrene, it doesn't burn and generate toxic gas, so it is a firewall too.

Check out Eben Bayer and Gavin McIntyr giving a presentation.