Successful Entrepreneurs Listen First, Pitch Second
Entrepreneurs have to be salesmen to convince customers to choose their technology over others. But before you can pitch your product to customers,you need to let the customers do the talking. NorTech...
View ArticleWhy We Need More Minority Tech-Entrepreneurs
Innovative research, commercialization and tech-entrepreneurship are cornerstones of the 21st century, U.S. economy. Yet, a large portion of Americans are disconnected from these economic building...
View ArticleInnovation & Entrepreneurship Will Rebuild U.S. Manufacturing
The next decade of manufacturing will require an innovation capacity and entrepreneurial spirit that only the U.S. can harness, NorTech President and CEO Rebecca Bagley writes. Forces that will allow...
View ArticleHow To Turn Large Companies Into Customers
One of the biggest challenges early-stage companies face is capturing large customers that accelerate commercialization. NorTech President and CEO Rebecca Bagley offers advice on how to target anchor...
View ArticleWant To Innovate? Invest In Values
A country’s ability to innovate is traditionally measured by things like R&D spending levels, the quality of its universities and the availability of venture capital. But we are not measuring...
View ArticleLet's Increase Our Innovation Capacity This Year
As I am reflecting on the discussions I had with business leaders, policymakers, academics and economists in 2013, it’s clear to me that America needs to do one thing in particular to maintain its...
View ArticleThe 10 Traits Of Great Innovators
What makes companies great? Innovative leadership is one key component of successful businesses, large and small. Here are the 10 traits of great innovators.
View ArticleTomorrow's Innovators Need Challenges And Opportunities Today
The future of American innovation is in the hands of our next generation of entrepreneurs and relies on their ability to solve problems and connect multiple technologies in creative ways.
View Article8 Lessons Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Iron Chef
“Every time you open a business – whether that’s a restaurant or a tech startup – you are taking a risk. While that can be nerve racking, it is motivating, too,” Chef Symon says.
View ArticleWhy Scaling Up Sometimes Requires Slowing Down
The temptation is high for entrepreneurs to scale up their operations quickly. But be careful. While growth is important, scaling up effectively sometimes requires slowing down.
View ArticleDisrupt Your Business Before Someone Else Does
Companies of all sizes must be willing to disrupt themselves before their competitors do. The ability to do that is a driver of productivity, competitiveness and growth.
View ArticleFive Tech Trends That Can Drive Company Success
Embracing new technologies and manufacturing opportunities can distinguish you from your competitors. Here are five tech trends that, if you haven’t embraced them yet, have the potential to transform...
View ArticleBiomimicry: How Nature Can Streamline Your Business For Innovation
Biomimicry – innovation inspired by forms, processes and systems found in nature – is a tool that allows companies to develop a new class of products and services.
View ArticleHow 3D Printing Can Transform Your Business
As 3D printing is becoming more accessible, more affordable and more capable, it is beginning to redefine the way we think about manufacturing almost anything - and the way we run our businesses.
View ArticleHow Do We Increase Diversity In The Tech Industry?
How can we increase minority entrepreneurship and employment in the Innovation Economy? The answer might be exposing students to opportunities early in life.
View ArticleWhat's The Real Potential Of The Internet Of Things?
There's a lot of buzz around the Internet of Things. But what’s its real impact and what are the opportunities for entrepreneurs?
View Article6 Ideas To Make America's Manufacturers More Innovative
From talent investment loans to a "Big Trends-Small Firms" initiative: Here are six ideas to accelerate the innovation capacity of America’s small and medium-sized manufacturers.
View ArticleU.S. Businesses Face Global Competition For Software Talent
The demand for software engineers is higher than ever, but an apparent lack of talent is impeding the success of U.S. businesses who are increasingly looking abroad for new hires.
View ArticleHow The Cloud And Big Data Are Changing Small Business
Big data and the cloud have a profound impact on business operations in almost any industry today, allowing companies of all sizes to more effectively serve customers, perform risk-analyses and create...
View ArticleThe LeBron Effect: Why Narrative Matters To Regional Innovation
A region’s or an organization’s ability to innovate is as much about attitude as it is about resources. A positive narrative helps shape that attitude.
View ArticleHow 'Unconferences' Unleash Innovative Ideas
Unconferences are getting more popular and could be a model for how regional economies implement cultures of innovation.
View Article7 Tips For Startups To Attract And Retain Top Talent
Bringing the right people on board is important for any business, but startups in particular can’t afford to make hiring mistakes. Here are seven tips to help startups attract and retain top talent.
View ArticleHow A National Network Can Spur Manufacturing Innovation
Manufacturing is one of the most advanced industries in the U.S., but we can do more to accelerate its pace of innovation. A national network might be the answer.
View ArticleWhy The Midwest Is The Heartland Of Opportunity For Venture Capitalists
Promising start-ups are popping up all over the Midwest. While there has never been a better time to launch a company in the heartland, growing that company can be a challenge due to a lack of venture...
View ArticleFrom High School To High Tech: Bridging The Talent Gap In The Innovation Economy
We need to do a better job of exposing students to new trends and technologies early; and we need to do a better job of harnessing their entrepreneurial spirits. The question is how.
View ArticleLeading In The Box: How To Help Your Employees Process Extreme Change
People jump into a “box” once they are made aware of pending change. Effective leaders get into the box with them and help them get out. It’s called “Leading in the Box.”
View ArticleThe Economic Development Game: 'Go Big' To Accelerate Innovation
In order to stay globally competitive in this new economy, regions must have an economic base that constantly innovates and optimizes the use of technology. But what regional strategies work to...
View Article6 Small Business Trends To Watch Out For In 2015
2014 was the year of small business and there are reasons to believe growth will continue next year. Here are six trends that might contribute to that growth.
View ArticleWhy The Midwest Can Lead The Wearables Revolution
The potential of wearable and embedded electronics has ignited a global race for leadership with companies and entire regions making large investments. One region that might benefit from the rise of...
View Article7 Observations By An Out-Of-Work Leader
Change. It happens to all of us. Some of us embrace it, others fight it. In the end we all learn from it. Here's what I have learned from being an out-of-work leader.
View Article'Icebreaker': Offshore Wind Making Waves in Energy and Economic Development
The Obama Administration is pursuing an “all of the above” strategy for U.S. energy development. Last week, the Administration boosted the prospects of offshore wind energy becoming an integral part of...
View ArticleThe Key to Growth: Transformational Change
Statistics show that most Americans who make a New Year’s resolution fail to achieve it. A study by the University of Scranton found that only 46 percent of us maintain our resolutions after six...
View ArticleGreatness Revisited
I have spent a lot of time recently pondering the question, “What makes an organization a great one?” I think this question is essential as we continue on our path of economic recovery and aim to...
View ArticleThe Smart Business of Advanced Energy
As a former investment banker on Wall Street I know of the importance of a diverse portfolio. It’s simple. Unless you like to gamble, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. That old cliché should also...
View ArticleLocal Leadership Key in Inclusive Economic Competitiveness
One of America’s great strengths is its diversity. There are few, if any, countries in the world that can claim a workforce as diverse, innovative and driven. Our talent pool is rich in culture,...
View ArticleHow to Hire Successfully: Focus on Mission, Values, Talent
Like many leaders I feel like I am becoming a hiring expert. Between building my own organization and serving on multiple search committees, I have spent a lot of time thinking about hiring and...
View ArticleInnovate, Grow, Succeed: Staying Competitive in Today's Economy
Are you innovating? NorTech CEO Rebecca O. Bagley discusses the importance of implementing innovation strategies for long-term business success.
View ArticleWhy Large Companies Should Become Anchor Customers
Becoming an anchor customer can be a large company's engine for innovation and growth, NorTech CEO Rebecca Bagley writes.
View ArticleDefining a Microeconomic Strategy for Global Competitiveness
For most of the 20th Century, Northeast Ohio’s economy was supported by its material sciences, engineering, transportation infrastructure, and steel and auto manufacturing sectors. But, like other...
View ArticleSpeed to Market: An Entrepreneur's View
NorTech CEO Rebecca Bagley and Peter Broer, President and CEO of Lumitex, discuss the importance of speed to market and how coordinated efforts can help businesses accelerate commercialization.
View ArticleSuccessful Lives Vs. Successful Careers: A Rock Climber's Advice
Using a rock climbing anecdote, NorTech CEO Rebecca Bagley stresses the importance of being true to oneself and putting trust in others, realizing there are different paths to success, and knowing that...
View ArticleConnecting With The Treasury Secretary & Other Influencers
NorTech CEO Rebecca Bagley discusses how she makes meaningful connections with influential people.
View ArticleHow Regions Can Access Their Full Energy Potential
NorTech CEO Rebecca Bagley discusses strategies that help a region access its full advanced energy potential.
View ArticleWhy Manufacturing In The U.S. Is Personal
Leaders from the business, foundation, NGO and government sectors came together in Chicago two weeks ago to find solutions that accelerate the economic recovery in the United States. They came to the...
View ArticleBrookings: Regional Networks Are The New Heroes
Regional networks are emerging across the country to create jobs and prosperity. NorTech President and CEO Rebecca Bagley takes a look at Northeast Ohio’s efforts and explains why regions should form a...
View ArticleWhat's Next For U.S. Manufacturing?
Is U.S. manufacturing experiencing a renaissance, or is it not? That’s the billion-dollar question economists, policy makers and business leaders are pondering these days. NorTech President and CEO...
View ArticleTruly Human Leadership: Why You Should Value Your People
Why should leaders of businesses and other organizations implement a people-centric culture? Because it improves your productivity and enhances your ability to innovate and respond to challenges,...
View ArticleHow To Develop A Compelling Value Proposition
Developing a clear and compelling value proposition in many ways is the most important part of the market opportunity assessment process. After all, how can you sell a product or service if you can’t...
View ArticleHow To Grab Government Dollars
There a various reasons why entrepreneurs should consider pursuing government funding. The process can be a daunting task, however. NorTech President and CEO Rebecca Bagley shares some advice on how to...
View ArticleHow To Identify Your Market And Size Up Competitors
Successful entrepreneurs do their homework to understand target markets, identify a customer base and size up the competition. Start with research from your desk, NorTech President and CEO Rebecca...
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