Comments

WINNERS NEVER QUIT; QUITTERS NEVER WIN

Posted by K.Sriram at March 29, 2006 11:06 PM

POOR TOM!. When I read that Tom Peters, perhaps the greatest business motivator around was going to speak to WIN, I almost fell over. Wisconsin isn't about innovation. It’s the epitome of conservatism and maintaining the Status Que. Over the past 5 years you could count the number of VC deals done in that state on one hand. Governor Doyle sponsored his Smart Growth plan and section 255 but they, and the department of commerce in WI restrict only giving money (albeit tax breaks only) to investors who have invested in one of three areas: Agriculture, IT, and Manufacturing. In my opinion these three industries going no where fast. Provided, that may be an argument for investing in them, but why throw good money after bad.

This is an experiential economy we are in, those three industries don’t typically understand that. More than 62% of those companies in WI don’t even have a CMO. In the state of WI more than 72% of the businesses are service based and we all know the situation globalization is creating for WI in those three areas. WI also has a serious problem with Brain Drain. With one of the nations best education systems the kids there are smart but leaving the state for better opportunities. Recruiting top tier talent to WI is a major problem and the talent pool for superstars in any industry sums up the phrase "Qualified Labor Pool Shortage".

I feel sorry for Tom. He is going to speak to a bunch of people who don't get it. At least he will be well paid.

Someone in WI needs to step up, check their watch and realize what’s going on out there. Business has a pulse and WI has a very faint one at best.

Yes WIN is a great acronym, but you can’t WIN by doing nothing.

Posted by Mr. Stacy Gentile at March 30, 2006 10:01 AM

Mr. Gentile may have a point - Wisconsin is not known for high flyers. He is also unaware of the shear volume of bio-tech work going on in SE WI. Yes, Madison has a lot of medical and biological people, and they are doing all sorts of commercialization with it. right here in my tiny corner, Racine, there is a lot more going on than meets any eyes. I see only a small part of that.

And yes, these people are 'conservative' and arguably a bit backward. They also listen when I tell them that all we have with which to compete for our survival is our Lake Michigan, and our brains. The application of all of those brains, in low profile and some high profile ways, may save us. Nothing else will.

Now, if Mr. Gentile has some specifics, for each firm and situation, I and my acquaintances would like to hear them.

Jay Warner, author of the A2Q Method ™

The A2Q Method - what do you want to improve today?

Posted by Jay Warner at March 31, 2006 1:11 PM

It was a real pleasure to listen to Mr. Peters at the WIN conference. He presented several interesting perspectives on business and business trends, and my colleagues and I got a lot out of it. He was in good company too - other speakers at the conference:

President, Trek Bicycles
Chairman & CEO, Johnson Outdoors
President & COO, Harley-Davidson
Vice President, Johnson Controls
President & CEO, Northwestern Mutual
President, Ariens Company

All of whose (Wisconsin) companies should rightly be considered innovative. When we think about it, innovation should be defined in a broad context. A biotech firm might go nowhere; venture capitalists might lose their shirts. Lean manufacturing practices at a lawn mower company don't sound sexy, but they can (and do) generate profits in the millions. It's not about your industry or your location - it's about your approach and your execution. I think Mr. Peters would agree with that.

Posted by John Erskine III at March 31, 2006 7:17 PM