Mike Miller, a director at Symbiocracy Inc., will be a panelist during the Swedish–American Entrepreneurial Days in Goteborg, Sweden from Nov. 8 – 10, 2010. His panel’s topic is “”How to Sell to Americans – U.S. Business Culture.” Mike will post his presentation before he leaves for Sweden November 2.

The Swedish–American Entrepreneurial Days has become the most important trade and networking event in Sweden, providing an effective platform for trade and commerce between the U.S. and Sweden. Since 1997, the Entrepreneurial Days has enabled small, medium, and large companies to connect and develop new business. For the past thirteen years the Entrepreneurial Days has not only grown larger, but has also become global in scope with American business leaders networking with their Swedish counterparts. What makes this business-to-business event so worthwhile and successful is that it brings together entrepreneurs and experts from a variety of fields – all sharing their expertise and knowledge of American and EU markets.

For more information, see: http://sacc-edays.org/goteborg/speakers/#9

Mike spent fourteen years in corporate America with Bendix and Allied Signal corporations. Positions he held included divisional chief marketing officer, new product development manager, marketing channel manager, national sales manager, marketing communications manager and acquisition manager, . Since 1989, he has been in the consulting industry. Of Mike’s current clients, three are start up firms. He holds a B.S., Industrial Engineering from Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA), and a M.B.A. from Loyola Marymount University, (Los Angeles, CA), and is certified by the Center for Creative Leadership (Greensboro, North Carolina) to conduct 360º leader assessment and development programs.

Over the last 20 years, one observation I have gained from working with startup companies, or any company, is the failure of management to assign the right talent for the right roles. A serial entrepreneur told me once, “You can take my ideas, money, computers, equipment, buildings and people and if you only let me have one back, I’ll take my people. I will then restart my business and make better and stronger. You can have the rest.”

So, it cannot be emphasized too strongly the purpose of a business plan is to first and foremost demonstrate you and your management team, Board of Directors and Advisors have the skills, experience and capabilities to start, launch and grow your company.

Through your Business Plan, you demonstrate your business has:

• A robust management team.
• Sufficient demand for our product.
• Sustainable competitive advantage.
• Realistic goals & objectives.
• Well thought out financials.
• The Business Plan also shows investors it has:
• Focus. Too many Business Plans promise too much, too soon.
• A well thought out roadmap to an exit strategy.
• Realistic financial forecasts that show acceptable return to your investors.
• Funding needs that support the forecast.

Some resources:

• Angel Investor Network www.angel-investor-network.com
• Capital Vector (Venture Capital directory) www.capitalvector.com
• Keiretsu Forum SoCal www.keiretsusocal.com
• Los Angeles Venture Association www.lava.org
• Maverick Angels www.maverickangels.com
• Pasadena Angels www.pasadenaangels.com
• Tech Coast Angels www.techcoastangels.com

Mike spent fourteen years in corporate America with Bendix and Allied Signal corporations. Positions he held included divisional chief marketing officer, new product development manager, marketing channel manager, national sales manager, marketing communications manager and acquisition manager, . Since 1989, he has been in the consulting industry. Of Mike’s current clients, three are start up firms. He holds a B.S., Industrial Engineering from Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA), and a M.B.A. from Loyola Marymount University, (Los Angeles, CA), and is certified by the Center for Creative Leadership (Greensboro, North Carolina) to conduct 360º leader assessment and development programs.

Just recently, I, along with some really good people, have started to push Symbiocracy forward to a new level, beyond my consulting, workshops and blog. I am really excited that I will now be able to help clients to get further along in their whole internet strategy. An integral component will be a partnership with a well-known and respected technology team, who can deliver the products that businesses need to compete with the global marketplace.

One of the first steps is an updated site that speaks more to our business direction and  capabilities. As a preview of things to come, once the partnerships are finalized our services will include all of the following:

• Strategic social enterprise business plans
• Website branding
• Website architecture
• Website user interface
• Website monetization strategies
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Basic and high-level website creation
• Social media strategy and development
• Social media application creation
• Social media implementation coaching
• Email marketing strategy, development and deployment
• Logos and corporate identity
• Display advertisement design
• Contextual advertisement strategy
• iPhone and iPad applications
• Cause marketing strategy
• Brainstorming

The idea of “living longer than yourself” was introduced to me by the book National Parks: America’s Best Idea by Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns and has since popped up a few more times this past month or so. Many people try to create things and ideas that will outlive them, but it must be done for the right reasons.

At California Lutheran University’s Corporate Leaders Breakfast on January 21, 2010, Donald E. Petersen, former CEO and Chairman of Ford Motor Company, announced that one of the predominant problems in the American car industry is that CEOs continue to try to make their mark on companies without any regard to the long-term success of the company. In other words, they push their respective companies to make drastic changes without considering if those changes will create a stronger company or even if those new items will last. Sometimes companies don’t need big, sexy new products, they just need basic alterations on their already successful products and practices to succeed. (I’ve known numerous executives who have done this when they want a product named after themselves, even when it is clear that the product will fail.)

2006 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus also pushes the idea of living longer than yourself, but he does it (and encourages others to do it) through social business.  When he spoke on February 26, 2010, at an event for California State University – Channel Islands, he encouraged the students in the university’s new social business program to choose a problem they want to solve, and instead of just improving the state of that issue, actually try to solve that problem, 100%. It is his mission to end poverty by 2030. It is a mission that he holds himself accountable for. He says that if it is possible to cut poverty in half, it must also be possible to eliminate it entirely.

Mike Veny, professional drummer and owner of Funky Music Store, uses his online store to raise funds for The Fender Music Foundation as well as promote general support for music education. He has given about four times more often than any other foundation supporter. And, these funds will go on to get instruments into music education programs, strengthening the leaders and communities of the future. Because he is choosing to support an organization like The Fender Music Foundation, he is making a far larger impact than if he had created his own charity and tried to reinvent the wheel. Sure, it’s less glory, but it’s far more efficient in addressing the difference he is trying to make in the world.

All three of these people have looked outside themselves, in space AND time. Only by acknowledging their infinitesimal presence in this world can they create something that they deserve to be remembered for.

From Goodjoe’s website:

Goodjoe is dedicated to inspiring change through creative design and in the process giving back to the community around us. We really believe that people do great things when they’re inspired. A small change can and will create a big impact. Everyone really does care to make their surrounding world better. That’s why we created the goodjoe site, where hopefully, all kinds of creative and inspiring ideas are made visible and will be seen passing through the streets in many different forms.

Goodjoe will hold an ongoing T-shirt design contest. Everyone is welcome to participate by submitting inspiring T-shirt designs, rating designs, and giving artists positive feedback.

Here is how the process works:
1. Artists submit T-shirt designs with an inspiring message into the contest.
2. Each week, goodjoe selects inspirational designs from the contest to print.
3. Printed tees are sold and everyone involved (artists, schools, and other organizations) shares in the proceeds.

Goodjoe contacted me at The Fender Music Foundation last fall and proposed a t-shirt design contest in its honor. During the contest, we received 138 design submissions, and the winning design was much more stylish than what I would have designed on my own.

Goodjoe’s t-shirt design contests are a great way for nonprofits to engage potential supporters online. The company was established with the intention to make a difference, which they not only accomplish with their t-shirt design contests but also with how they treat their charities, celebrities and partners.

What a world this would be if every company were run like Goodjoe.

A video on social enterprise:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7u-HMmlkaAE]

Many people have dedicated their lives to making the world a better place. They have stood up for those without a voice, and they strengthen our communities. However, few of them treat their charitable dreams as businesses, and instead trust that they will make a difference because, “who wouldn’t support this cause?” But there’s more to a charity than the cause.

It is the charities that are set up as social enterprises (businesses that do good), however, that I see making the most difference. And, as long as they keep up with their competitors and with current trends and technology, I believe that they will continue to be effective. Edelman even did a study on this and found that consumers are much more likely to purchase products associated with causes — even if they cost more.

Sometimes, a charity can even last for a while without a strong business model behind it, but when an economic downturn comes along, these organizations seem to drop like flies. Over the past year or so, I have witnessed this. Social enterprises that are saving lives but have weak marketing are failing. Organizations that are saving the environment but have let their overhead get out of control are filing for bankruptcy. Charities that were cutting their communities’ crime in half have cut back until they are no longer effective. In other words, when these social enterprises fail, we all lose.

One of the most unfortunate examples of this right now is the newspaper industry. If journalists aren’t a significant force in this country, I fear what those who are wealthy, powerful and selfish will get away with. I also fear that if they are not supervised and protected by a large newspaper that either they will either also become wealthy, powerful and selfish or will be eliminated. And where will we be then?

The solution?

Social Entrepreneurs/Nonprofit Founders: Do your research before you start a company/charity. The way you do business is at least as important as the cause you choose.

Corporations: It will benefit you to give back. (There is too much to say about this to insert it here.) But, give back strategically. Choose a cause or charity that is in line with your mission statement. Either start a foundation to address that cause or select a few charities. Either the company or the corporate foundation must give to those who will really make an impact on that cause.

The Public: Support at least one charity. Find a charity that will make the biggest difference on your cause with what you have to offer as a donation (money, goods or time). Not all charities will fail. Just do a little research so your contribution won’t be for naught.