Episode 202: An Entrepreneurial Meeting of the Minds

Episode 202 originally broadcast on April 18, 2009

It is the innovators and entrepreneurs who will save our struggling economy—and we can prove it! On this week’s show, Russ reports in from Rice University, site of the 2009 Rice Business Plan Competition. Russ and Brad Burke, managing director of the Rice Alliance, discuss this year’s Business Plan Competition where 42 teams are competing for $800,000 in cash and prizes. Then, we’ll flashback to a visit with Esther Steinfeld, founder of NotAllCEOsAreJerks.com. She’s making a stir by shedding a positive light on a maligned group—CEOs.

School of Business 04/18/09

Russ and John present the show for the artists and athletes of our economy, the innovators and entrepreneurs who are pushing uphill and against the wind. Includes: BusinessMakers Quote of the Week—an astute observation from science fiction author Frank Herbert; This Week in Business History includes such historical and well-known personalities as Paul Revere, Santa Anna, Gen. Robert E. Lee, Joan of Arc, Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, astronaut Sally Ride and mayor Marion Barry; Navigating Business Jargon—acronyms, technospeak and trendy new stuff that makes John look pretty good; and Dumbest Moments in Business History—at $2 billion, the new Yankee Stadium is a big expense for a cash-strapped city.

2009 Rice Business Plan Competition - Elevator Pitches

This year’s Rice Business Plan competition is the biggest yet, and boasts 42 teams from around the world competing in front of 200 judges for more than 800,000 in cash and prizes.

Flashback - Esther Steinfeld: NotAllCEOsAreJerks.com

Esther Steinfeld may be the only person on the planet who does NOT have an ulterior motive. She grew weary of all the negative press being aimed at corporate leaders who have made bad financial decisions. As the daughter of “a great guy,” who is also a great CEO and a champion of the economy (Jay Steinfeld, CEO of Blinds.com and a September 2006 BusinessMakers interview), Esther Steinfeld launched NotAllCEOsAreJerks.com to showcase the CEOs who are NOT jerks. Russ visits with a remarkable young entrepreneur who only wants to give credit to a maligned group of heroes.

PKF Texas: The Entrepreneur’s Playbook® - Importance of People

In stark economic times, knee-jerk reactions to cost-cutting woes often involve staff reduction or lay-offs. Greg Price believes people-related decisions require extra planning and careful thought, in order to keep your company properly positioned for the next economic upturn.