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When creating a new product, there are so many things that can go wrong (many of which cannot be prepared for or are completely unexpected), so it only makes sense to use existing technology or ideas in your product to increase reliability.

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Filed under: Alphonse Anderson | Ann Arbor, MI | Charles King | Competing Globally | Financing | Innovation | Renewable Energy | Start-Ups | Velocity² Wind | Wind Power

When talking to Alphonse Anderson and Charles King of Velocity² Wind I found that one of the most interesting parts of their process to create a new product of small wind turbine was how much of their product was, essentially, theirs. King said, "we try to re-invent as little as possible. Use what's out there."

What is "out there" for small wind turbines? Again, King: "We've found ourselves taking ideas from aerospace to roller coasters." Roller coasters? Sure, the aerospace industry can easily offer some design ideas to small wind turbines, but the thought to look into how roller coasters are built (presumably regarding their light-weight structure; they wouldn't comment) is marvelous.

It turns out that Anderson and King have tapped in to a historically successful business plan: don't re-invent the wheel. When creating a new product, there are so many things that can go wrong (many of which cannot be prepared for or are completely unexpected), so it only makes sense to use existing technology or ideas in your product to increase reliability.

I posed this question to Alphonse Anderson and Charles King of Velocity² Wind: "what are some of the first things you should do when you first have an idea for a new business?"

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Filed under: Alphonse Anderson | Ann Arbor, MI | Charles King | Competing Globally | Financing | Innovation | Renewable Energy | Start-Ups | Wind Power

I posed this question to Alphonse Anderson and Charles King of Velocity² Wind: "what are some of the first things you should do when you first have an idea for a new business?"

King told me that it's necessary to make sure that the idea is original. He said to use "Google Patents and research databases of universities to look for Phd. topics" and to find where technology is now. There's no sense in spending your time on a product for which you cannot get a patent or a service that is already being developed by another (presumably larger) company.

He said that "you must look at your personal network to find people who are willing to help you." This goes beyond asking freinds and family for money. When starting a new endeavor, you need to know who can be a part of your program, or even who knows somebody who can offer advice or a service. It's much more efficient to utilise your network rather than the yellow pages for your entrepreneurial needs.

King followed up by saying "If you believe that you have no connections, then you're not trying hard enough."

They have chosen to use alternative materials in building small wind turbines in an attempt to increase efficiency and decrease cost. With only a few tweaks of materials, Anderson and King have a real shot at breaking into the fledgling industry.

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Filed under: Alphonse Anderson | Ann Arbor, MI | Charles King | Competing Globally | Financing | Innovation | Renewable Energy | Start-Ups | The MORE Program | Velocity² Wind | Wind Power

Recently, I met with Alphonse Anderson and Charles King, founders of Velocity² Wind and participants in the MORE Program. They have chosen to use alternative materials in building small wind turbines in an attempt to increase efficiency and decrease cost. With only a few tweaks of materials, Anderson and King have a real shot at breaking into the fledgling industry.

The fledgling industry of small wind power, that is. Large-scale commerical-grade wind power is already a huge market, making up most of the 5.2 thousand Megawatts of wind power that was installed in the U.S. just last year. However, the small wind industry is still struggling to take flight, mostly due to the consumer worries of cost efficiency, noise, and visual impact. Oh, and safety issues, too (although there have been no 'innocent bystander' casualties due to wind power. The only casualties have been to workers installing and repairing the large-scale systems, and an unfortunate parachuting accident).

When King had the idea for using alternative materials for a wind turbine, he realized that the only way to properly approach his idea was to attempt it in small wind systems, whether or not it would work in large-scale wind. He remarked that trying to pitch his idea to the large-scale wind companies would be futile, but small wind was a good bet since no company has jumped out to be the leader.

Anderson and King have been working with prototypes of their design and comparing it to existing designs from competitors. So far, their tests have given them great results. Since they decided to enter an industry that has not yet solidified may very well allow them to break through to the surface soon.

UM has begun to meet new entrepreneurs halfway by allowing them to "utilize the school's enormous resources [such as] faculty consulting, laboratory equipment, research projects and professional development classes."

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Filed under: Ann Arbor, MI | Competing Globally | Innovation | Start-Ups | University of Michigan

The University of Michigan is (finally) doing its part to lift Michigan's economy: it has recently opened many of its resources to area entrepreneurs not linked to the university.

A good way to turn around this poor economy is by creating new industries to bring money into Michigan. UM has begun to meet new entrepreneurs halfway by allowing them to "utilize the school's enormous resources [such as] faculty consulting, laboratory equipment, research projects and professional development classes."

What does this mean? Well, for one, that UM is feeling the slow economy. In addition, it has decided to take steps toward changing things. With any luck, area entrepreneurs will be able to use UM's resources to solidify their business in the market.

An American manufacturing company builds printed circuit boards in southeast Michigan. Saline Lectronics meets needs small and medium sized businesses.

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Filed under: Competing Globally | Manufacturing | Saline Lectronics | Saline, MI

As a leading manufacturer of Printed Circuit Board (PCB), Saline Lectronics provides their customers with a fully integrated system which gives customers flexibility and control throughout the entire production process.  This insurance comes with an involved testing process, quick and efficient manufacturing, prototypes to test validity of design, and finally a flexible inventory management system.  Addressing the needs of small and medium sized business, Saline Lectronics works with wide array of industries; ranging from medical to aerospace. 

A standout feature of Saline Lectronics is their quality of service.  Not only do they quality test along most points of the production process, they guarantee response to your assembly needs within 24 hours and offer instant job estimates online.  In a market segment that is often outsourced overseas, it is easy to see that in order to stay competitive Saline Lectronics offers a friendly, customer focus approach to their business strategy.

Saline Lectronics knows more then just PCB construction.  They also excel at electromechanical design, DFMA (Design for Manufacture and Assembly), project engineering, and outsourcing.  All of this in pursuit to “Deliver the highest quality circuit board assemblies, on time, within budget, and providing the best customer service possible”. 

The use of SaaS to provide businesses with solutions to common international business problems.

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Filed under: Ann Arbor, MI | Competing Globally | Janeeva

When companies go global, they are doing much more then opening shop in a different country.  They are accepting an entirely new culture and way of life different from their own.  The single most difficult piece of this process is communication.  Companies have difficulties managing communication within their own office, so imagine the trouble you could find yourself in a foreign country.  Along with the communication differences comes different technology standards, government policies, and business practices.  It is no wonder why going global is one of the most daunting tasks a business owner faces.

This is where Janeeva steps in. As a company specializing in Outsource Relationship Management, Janeeva can help smooth out the communication process of globalization.  Areas that Janeeva provides assistance in include: Governance, IT Support, Call Centers, Financial Services, and Heathcare.

To understand how Janeevas software works, you first need to understand Software-as-a-Service, or SaaS. SaaS is an emerging way of administering software solutions. Vendors provide their services over the internet, rather then giving you a software package to load onto your computer. This enables everyone to use the same software, thus eliminating compatibility issues. Saas also simplifies software updates, with all updates managed server-side; you get the most up-to-date version of the software every time you log on.

The most impressive point of Janeeva is the experience of their management team. Their CEO, Vinay Gupta, has an astounding history managing companies on a global scale. Additional members of their staff show very strong computer skills along with international experience.

Janeeva provides an affordable way to launch into a global market. Their great selection of products gives Janeevas customers convient access to technology that limits communication issues and solves many more business problems.