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Assistant Treasurer to Chairman & CEO

 739_ Assistant to the Treasurer becomes the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 
Recently David Hoover was the keynote speaker at an ACG Denver luncheon. Dave is Chairman and CEO of the Ball Corporation. Larry asked, "When you started with Ball in 1970, did you have any information or feeling that you would become the CEO and Chairman?" Dave's reply, "No, not really. When I started with the company I was young, fresh out of business school, ambitious, but it wasn't in my mind. When I started, the company was still privately owned, it went public in 1972, so it's hard to believe it's been almost 40 years, but it’s been a great ride and I've been very fortunate to do the things that I have with Ball." Larry pointed out that many people in the geographic area think of it as Ball Aerospace, and we know that is only part of the business today? "Actually it's about 10% of our business today, and you're right a lot of the people in Colorado know us best for Aerospace. It is our oldest business; it's been around over 50 years and the next oldest business, we acquired and got started over in Golden in the beverage can business in 1969. But aerospace is still a favorite of mine. It's actually grown well over the last decade or so, sales last year were close to $800 million. But the company is close to $8 Billion now, so we've grown the rest of the company faster, primarily through acquisition but also organically." Larry asked, "What advice would you give to businesses that are addressing the changes they are today?" Dave shared some great advice, "I think the first thing you have to do is have a real good grasp on who you are, what you're good at, what your capabilities may be, and then take a look at the environment you operate in. You know, in our case now, it's a global market. Make sure you've got the people, the capabilities and the resources to go after what it is you think you want to."...listen for more...
Related Links: Ball Corporation || ACG Denver Website || M & A Channel || Event Photos || Keywords: David Hoover, Ball Corp, Ball Aerospace, Beverage Cans, ACG Denver, Acquisition, Change, Global Market > Channel: ACG 5408684 bytes 11/16/09 LISTEN

Critical thinking, emotional intelligence, Consultative Selling Skills

737_ Critical thinking, emotional intelligence,
and consultative selling skills 
Building Leaders and redefining Sales was the focus of an interview with Colleen Stanley, CEO and Founder of Sales Leadership, Inc. Colleen points out on her website, "The perfect storm…the recession, impact of the Internet and a global economy has created a new selling environment. The profile for successful sales professionals is changing. The sales force of the future must be equipped with critical thinking skills, emotional intelligence skills, and consultative selling skills." She shares a great deal of helpful information including: How to create high performance sales cultures/ high performance cultures; Learn the reason some sales producers can’t make the leap to sales management/leadership; The leadership qualities of great sales managers. In addition she answered some tough questions from Larry. "What are some things a sales manager can do to insure consistent growth year after year? Sales managers often complain about poor forecasting from the sales team? Is there any fix?" There is so much more...When you listen to Colleen's interview you'll, Learn the value of having a sales process/methodology/systems; Reinforce the importance of hiring the right people – getting the right people on the sales bus!; Learn the real reason some sales producers can’t make the leap to leadership; be ready to take notes. Colleen has a great book out, "Growing Great Sales Teams - Lessons from the Cornfield." Larry recommends you read it if you really want to grow and improve your sales team.
Related Links: Sales Leadership || Sales Webinar || Growing Great Sales Teams || Economy Builders || ACG Denver || Keywords: Colleen Stanley, Sales Leadership, Development, Critical Thinking Skills, Emotional Intelligence Skills, Consultative Selling Skills, Association for Corporate Growth, ACG > Channel: ACG 9474355 bytes - 11/9/09 LISTEN

Advice from successful entrepreneurs: Thanks ACG

721_ Advice for entrepreneurs from successful entrepreneurs: Thanks ACG
  Just before the ACG meeting started Larry asked three very successful entrepreneurs what advice would they give entrepreneurs in today's economic climate. Chet Marino, President and founder of Verus Partners (also an ACG Board member) said, "It never hurts to constantly evaluate your service offerings and business model in light of changing market conditions; 2nd, evaluate whether you have the right talent on your team to reach your business goals; and 3rd serving your customers beyond what they expect." Chris Carrington, President and CEO of Alpine Access (also speaker at the ACG luncheon) said, "Having lived through three recessions, my advice to entrepreneurs, especially where we're at in the cycle now, is this is the time to double down. there's that natural feeling of hunkering down cutting expenses. But if there's ever been a time to start investing in your sales and marketing, I think it's now. If there's any hope of coming out of this recession, you've got to start placing your bets and I think doubling down is the way to go. Don Van Winkle, Managing Director of SDR Ventures (Also chairing the ACG Rocky Mountain Corporate Growth Conference) said, "You've got to stay focused on three critical areas all the time. No. 1 is valuation of your firm, everything you do is becoming more valuable/less valuable. No. 2 is your capital access. I mean capital access has become a whole new issue whether it's shareholder, debt or mezzanine finance, you better more fully prepare for capital access. No. 3 You gotta think transition, that's succession planning, your exit, how are you going to transition your company to the next level."
Related Links: ACG Denver || Corporate Growth Conference || Verus Partners || alpineaccess || SDR Ventures || M&A Channel || Keywords: Chet Marino, Chris Carrington, Don Van Winkle, ACG, Verus Partners, alpineaccess, SDR Ventures, Association for Corporate Growth, Change, Entrepreneurs - Channel: ACG 5303382 bytes 10/12/09 LISTEN

ACG Denver brings in founder of Travelocity

649_ Association for Corporate Growth, Denver brings in founder of Travelocity 
At the 7th Annual Rocky Mountain Corporate Growth Conference Larry sat down with Terrell (Terry) Jones, founder of Travilocity.com to discuss success in turbulent times. Terry understands dealing with unprecedented change and what has to be done to be successful. During the interview he focused on three things, 1) dealing with change and the speed of change; 2) how important innovation is, particularly in large companies. Travelocity began within American Airlines, which is a little rare, ideas don't always flourish in big companies. 3) and then he talked about building digital relationships with your customers. It's not that face-to-face is going away, but if we don't understand that digital connection with the customer, we're not going to have that customer anymore. Terry said, "Travelocity went through unprecedented change in a very short period of time. The Internet is sort of like Darwinism on steroids - everything happens so quickly. We went from 10% commission on our tickets over three years to zero from the airlines - our entire revenue stream was cut out, we had to revolutionize the company." Listen for more sage advice.
Related Links: Essential Ideas || KAYAK || ACG Denver || M&A Channel || PodCasting Directory || Keywords: Terrell Jones. Terry, Kayak, Essential Ideas, Association for Corporate Growth, Denver, ACG, Travelocity, Kayak, Change > Channel:ACG Bytes= 66166401 > 4.13.09 LISTEN

Changing times creates challenges, choices and competitive advantages

717_ "If there is one lesson that history has taught us, it's that even in the midst of what would seem like the greatest point of confusion - that is perhaps when some of the greatest competitive advantages are created." David B. Strong, Partner, Holme Roberts & Owen Denver. Dave is also the immediate past president of the Association for Corporate Growth Denver. "It's been a wonderful past year and my involvement in ACG Denver has just been a wonderful experience." Larry asked Dave about the new and evolving tax changes business is facing. "For those folks who don't deal in the technical workings of tax every day, I think we're in an interesting time because tax during difficult economic times tends to take the stage in way where it's a tool to help create and spur economic development, that's kind of the bottom-line. So we've heard a lot of noise around that, particularly in the beginning of the year when the new tax proposals came out and the Obama Administration put things into place. The question I get a lot is, As a business owner what do I need to know? What's going on in 'tax land' that I need to be aware of? The most basic way to put it, in addition to all the economic incentives that were created by the relief program, aside from tax, you know direct economic expenditures." He talked more about business taxes and incentives and went onto discuss private equity. "I get a lot of Private Equity questions around the so called 'Carried Interest Legislation' which started in middle to late 2008 and really got legs leading up to and through the election. These rules would change the way in which a lot of partnerships are taxed. And the perceived 'evil' is the way in which hedge funds. Listen for more...
Related Links: Holme Roberts & Owen || It's the Law || HRO Taxes || ACG Denver Home || ACG Channel || Keywords: David Strong, Holme Roberts & Owen, Association for Corporate Growth Denver, Tax, Competitive Advantage, Private Equity, Obama, Carried Interest Legislation, Change,  11686873 bytes 9/14/09 LISTEN

“We're on the verge of entering the Exponential Economy."

640_ “We're on the verge of entering the Exponential Economy."
 Jack Uldrich's understanding of nanotechnology has brought him into emerging technologies and in a sense what he is a "Business Technology Forecaster". Jack says, "I don't predict the future but explain a range of possibilities and highlight the broad trends that are pulsating through society and definitely going to impact business." Larry Nelson, w3w3® interviewed the ACG Denver Corporate Growth Conference Keynote Speaker earlier this month. He asked Jack about the economy and how he saw the technological forces changing or impacting the future. The long term economy... Jack is really optimistic, he believes we are entering the 'exponential economy'. He goes on to talk about the nine technological forces growing exponentially (doubling every 6 to 24 months), "These forces are going to break thru, they're going to transform business and they're going to create new business. No doubt we are in a crisis right now and it is easy to focus on the danger, but if we focus on these forces you will see the opportunity and that's what good executives need to do". In the Near Term material sciences... nanotechnology is creating immense opportunities in the manufacturing sector; Mid Term, Jack is really bullish on the energy sector, solar, wind, cellulosic ethanol. and the big trend is in healthcare. "The future is going to be diagnosing disease and preventing them before they take root. There are lots of exciting things coming down the pike". Uldrich, a former naval intelligence officer and Defence Department official, he also served as the Director of the Minnesota Office of Strategic and Long Range Planning. Jack's comments in Larry's book, Mastering Change in the Midst of Chaos are very eye-opening.
Related Links: ACG Denver || M&A Channel || Jump the Curve || YouTube || Amazon 'Look Inside' Mastering Change || Keywords: Jack Uldrich, Exponential Economy, nanotechnology, forecaster, emerging technologies, healthcare, author, Jump the Curve, The Next Big Thing is Really Small Channel:ACG Bytes= 8300985 > 3.30.09 LISTEN

" My volunteer work helps me be a better consultant"

599_ " My volunteer work helps me be a better consultant", says Lucy Vento
Terry Morreale, senior engineer at Applied Trust and producer and director of the Women in IT Channel interviewed Lucy Vento about her two passions: her career at Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) and her work at Colorado Youth at Risk (CYAR). Lucy has 20 years of experience in the information technology industries. She is a Principal for CSC Consulting in the Supply Chain Management practice where she specializes in global logistics, inventory management and wireless enablement applications at a variety of client sites. Lucy has been involved with CYAR for five years. Lucy went onto explain, " It is a mentoring organization for teens at risk of dropping out of high school. We teach the adults, mentors and teens in the program a variety of listening and personal transformation tools that they can use to make better choices for their lives. I have been a mentor for 2 years, a group leader for 2 years and now I am a certified facilitator. I use the CYAR tools frequently in my consulting practice work. It’s been very cool how both seemingly different environments I have been so involved in have come together so elegantly for me especially in the last year. My work at Colorado Youth at Risk has taught me to become a better consultant." Lucy has always been very involved with the community. Lucy is the founding president of the Colorado RFID Alliance and was the 2001 President of the Denver Telecom Professionals (renamed to Communications Technology Professionals). She was an adjunct faculty member for four years at the University of Denver. Listen for some win/win ideas that will help you in your career as well as benefit the community. They both give some great advice in Larry's book, Mastering Change in the Midst of Chaos.
Related Links: Computer Sciences Corporation || Colorado Youth at Risk || Applied Trust || Women in IT || Mastering Change || Keywords: Lucy Vento, Computer Sciences Corporation, CSC, Colorado Youth at Risk, CYAR, Terry Morreale, Applied Trust, Women in IT, Consulting
Channels: WiIT Bytes: 10572176 > 1.5.09 LISTEN

Monday June 22, 2009 - Live at 2:00pm - Colorado Rising IP TV on w3w3.com

677_ It’s IP TV. Listen and watch the four interviews listed below. We archive all interviews for anytime viewing on the Colorado Rising / w3w3 TV Channel. And, BTW, if you have any entrepreneurial interview ideas, contact us.

Monday June 22, 2009 - Live at 2:00pm

This weeks guests are...
2:00 Kathleen Quinn Votaw & David Strong: ACG - M&A
2:15 Aleen Campbell: Saving Lives and Raising Money
2:30 Steve Replin: When the Banks Say No...
2:45 Adam Sachs: TechStars Winner (Via SKYPE)
         (SKYPE Address: w3w3tv)

Related Links: Broadband Video || Colorado Rising Archives || Economy Builders || Blog ||  Channel:ColoradoRising > Show ARCHIVES

Colorado Companies to Watch – Growing and Creating Jobs

672_ Colorado Companies to Watch – Growing and Creating Jobs 
"However many billions the federal government is pumping into the economy, one truth rings clear: It will be business that will lift the country out of the doldrums and thrust it forward into the 21st century," says Colorado Biz Magazine. Larry talked with Stephanie Steffens, who gives us an overview of an exciting new program 'Colorado Companies to Watch' recognizing second stage companies all over the state of Colorado. She said, "In addition to the gala event on the 25th of June, we're also going to recognize these companies through a year-long program called 'This Week's Company to Watch' where we spend a week highlighting that company, press releases, interviews, attention and recognition, and we will do that every week for 50 weeks. An example of one of the resources is the partnership with ACG Denver. This is about all the companies in Colorado that are growing, creating jobs, developing valuable products and services, and a lot of times creating brand new industries. These are incredible companies that make a huge impact in our state, day after day; fly under the radar, nobody knows they're there - but they're plugging away and creating a huge number of jobs. On June 25th all 50 companies will be receiving awards.
Related Links: Colorado Companies to Watch || Advance Colorado || Colorado Rising || ColoradoBiz || Keywords: Colorado Companies to Watch, Stephanie Steffens, Second Stage Companies, ACG, Colorado Biz, Awards, 6/8/09 > Bytes: 12905119 LISTEN

Doing Business in Mexico can be very profitable...if done right

652_ Doing Business in Mexico can be very profitable...if done right
Starting a business in Mexico can easily take two plus months just to get the doors open. If you are going to start doing business in Mexico through an M&A it's a great deal trickier. Troy Braegger of Holme Roberts & Owen discussed the ins and outs with Daniel del Rio (Abogado) of Basham, Ringe y Correa, S.C. in Mexico City. They focused a great deal on the cultural differences and then went on to a macro overview of Mexico going back to the beginning of NAFTA and up through the economic challenges in 2008-09. In Daniel's presentation at the HRO offices in downtown Denver, he outlined the top M&A considerations: Historical background of M&A in Mexico; Necessary transitions; The challenges & trends; The difficulties of regulations, current business trends; Key sectors; Decision making and negotiations; Understanding client's needs; a different time pace; Power of Attorney challenges; The power of attorney differences are one example out of many that if understood and handled properly can make a significant difference in becoming a profitable center. Legally speaking there is so much more, listen now.
Related Links: Holme Roberts & Owen LLP || It's the Law Channel || Basham, Ringe y Correa || Find It Page || - Channel:Law Bytes= 11793870 > 4.20.09 LISTEN