Episode 198: Modern-day Marvels in the Age of Technology

Episode 198 originally broadcast on March 21, 2009

This week we have two Featured Guests. Brenden Macaluso, an industrial designer, has built a sustainable computer of earth-friendly cardboard. Our second Featured Guest, Steve Latham, has founded an online marketing agency, Spur Interactive. Then, “flashback” to Episode 163 and Russ’ interview with Bruce Blausen, a talented illustrator who founded a global medical services operation.

School of Business 03/21/09

Russ and John present the show that WE do because YOU like it! Includes: BusinessMakers Quote of the Week—wise words from British economist E.F. Schumacher; This Week in Business History includes such diverse topics as the U.S. Navy, adhesive medical plaster (band-aids), Popeye, Glenn Miller, polio and Davy Crockett; Navigating Business Jargon—acronyms, technospeak and John’s vast vocabulary; and Dumbest Moments in Business History—an erroneous math formula put us all in the poor house.

Steve Latham of Spur Interactive

Russ visits with Steve Latham, founder of online marketing agency Spur Interactive. Latham advises clients on using the internet to grow their business, build their brand or generate leads. Latham helps determine the most effective approach for an online strategy and then measures and assesses performance results. Latham discusses the different skill sets that help to maximize a company’s presence on the web, and why an online marketing agency can be so important.

WebXtra - Steve Latham

Brenden Macaluso, Recompute

John Whiteside visits with Brenden Macaluso, the designer of a sustainable desktop computer made of recyclable cardboard. Cardboard has a higher flashpoint than plastic, it provides its own ventilation and disposal of parts such as toxic circuit boards is faster and simpler. Macaluso’s creation is part of a complete package: this computer was constructed from recyclable cardboard in a simplified manufacturing process that lets users include only those parts that they need based on their own usage patterns, and it allows more efficient disposal of obsolete parts. Macaluso is stressing sustainability; he wants people to open the book and rethink the process of manufacturing an item that will be obsolete and replaced in three to five years.

WebXtra - Brenden Macaluso

Flashback - Bruce Blausen of Blausen Medical Communications Inc.

Russ flashes back to Episode 163 and his interview with Bruce Blausen, a talented illustrator who founded and built a global medical services operation. Blausen started Blausen Medical Communications in 1991, producing medical and scientific animation and illustration. As demand grew and media technology became more sophisticated, additional services and divisions were launched. Over time, as websites became more common, downloads happened faster and consumer desire for medical information became more prevalent, Blausen Medical’s library grew to be the largest in the world with more than 7,000 animations and 12,000 illustrations. In this segment, Blausen remembers the early days of his company, the education he pursued in order to become a medical illustrator, the passion of growing his company and being able to “give back.”

PKF Texas: The Entrepreneur’s Playbook® - Sources of Insight

In nearly every field, technology offers a wealth of business and consumer insight. The trick is to use this information to form effective business insight. Greg Price provides nine sources of insight into your business, customers and the world.