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:

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.

It was an exciting night for the Symbiocracy team. We showcased our company and celebrated the launch of our brand new website to over 300 startups and investors. The team had a great time “Schmoozing” with the guests and met a lot of great people.

Here are some photos from the event:

Symbiocracy.com Cell Phone Holder

The Symbiocracy cell phone holders were released, and will be coming soon to a desk near you!

Joseph Sarmiento, Alex Scoble and Moriah Harris-Rodger

Joseph Sarmiento, Alex Scoble and Moriah Harris-Rodger

Symbiocracy.com and LAVA: Moriah Harris-Rodger, Michael Miller,  John Dmohoswki and Alex Scoble

Symbiocracy and LAVA: Moriah Harris-Rodger, Michael Miller, John Dmohoswki and Alex Scoble

Symbiocracy.com at Schmoozd Event

Symbiocracy with the guy who created the school search tool on MySpace (Moriah expressed her gratitude) and MySpace's technical relationship manager at Schmoozd Event

Symbiocracy.com and Friends

Symbiocracy.com and its Symbiotic Relationships: Jennifer Oki and Mike Miller

Symbiocracy.com at Schmoozd Event

Crowd at the Schmoozd Event at Wokcano