Episode 067: Language Services, Banking and Technology

Episode 067 originally broadcast on September 16, 2006

School of Business for September 16, 2006

It's time for another session of the School of Business. It's always fun putting these together because the world of business is always so full of interesting stories anecdotes and quotes. This week's quote comes from H. Jackson Brown best-seller "Life's Little Instruction Book."

"Opportunity dances with those already on the dance floor." - H. Jackson Brown Jr.

This quote originally came from the June 200 issue of Reader's Digest but it still holds true today. If you are a business and you've been putting off that "great idea" or opportunity, just remember opportunity doesn't like wallflowers. Get in the habit of grabbing onto opportunity.

Preview of This Week in Business:

Have you ever heard of U.S Patent No. 3,167,440? What about Noah McVicker and Joseph McVicker? Still no clue? Well in 1956 they were granted this patent for a "plastic modeling compositions of a soft, playable working consistency" that we have all come to know as Play-Doh. Play-Doh was first introduced in Woodward & Lothrop Department Stores in Washington, D.C.

Flavia Schroeder of FS Language Services

As a teenager in Buenos Aires, Flavia Schroeder tutored her cousins. At age 18, she had 50 students, a year-round business and a full-time load of college classes. Today, FS Language Services conducts language and cultural seminars internationally. The BusinessMakers visit with a fascinating woman who began her entrepreneurial career at a very early age.

Manny Mehos of Green Bank

Manny Mehos founded, built, then sold Coastal Bancorp in 2004. He now has formed Green Bank, with products designed to reward customers who choose service options that reduce waste. Its headquarters building was built to LEED specifications and its stated goal is to become a "carbon neutral" company. The BusinessMakers visit with founder Manny Mehos.

Gary Orr and Michael Treacy

There are lots of great events going on this time of year from awards to showcases for new and emerging companies. Today we talk with Gary Orr about the Comerica Business Forum. The Comerica's Business Forum is an exclusive speaker program featuring nationally known experts from business, economics, and world affairs. The next will be on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 where Michael Treacy, author of "Double-Digit Growth: How Great Companies Achieve It" will be the keynote speaker. Michael is an internationally-known expert on corporate strategy and business process transformation. He talks about helping companies develop products like crest white strips and how companies can develop growth strategies.

Paul Frison Discuess the Upcoming Houston Technology Center Showcase

On September 27, 2006 The Houston Technology Center will be holding the 4th annual Technology Showcase. The Houston Technology Center (HTC) is a technology incubator that helps emerging companies accelerate the commercialization of their product and/or service. Paul Frison the president and CEO of HTC joins Russ and John to share news about HTC and discuss the upcoming showcase.

Flashback - Geary Broadnax

John and Russ take a look back at their interview with Geary Broadnax founder of Insync.net and current President & CEO of Dovarri Inc., a leading, a leading provider of software solutions for sales organizations. It's a great look back at a very interesting entrepreneur.

Best Practices for September 16, 2006

We have been really pleased with the reception that we have gotten for the best practices segment. It's a really cool segment because whether you are starting your business or are already running one you can take these best practices and use them to improve your business. If you haven't read T. Harv Eker book "Secrets of the Millionaire Mind" there is a great quote that says "Rich people constantly learn and grow. Poor people think they already know." This can be applied to business owners. Good business owners are always learning and growing, poor business owners think they know it all. The best practices segment is designed for those who want to keep learning and growing. Today's best practices include: budgeting and spreadsheet tips from PFK Texas, commercial real estate purchasing tips from Boyer and Millar and marketing tips from Pierpont Communications.