Entrepreneurs believe in innovation and invest in technology

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E&Y Surveyed top Entrepreneurs to understand their current plans in this rough patch and their answers are clear - stay focused, innovate, invest, serve customers. business is no different in tough times.

Ernst and Young"s Top Entrepreneurs Keep Their Vision Despite Tough Conditions

Entrepreneurs are hardy folks. Undeterred by current circumstances, they are entirely focused on their vision and a rosier tomorrow.

And in this deep and difficult recession, Ernst & Young found that entrepreneur-driven companies are still looking for growth and opportunity in these tough times by adapting their operating methods to set themselves up for market leadership when the economy does turn to the upside.

Ernst & Young surveyed the 250 winners of the 2009 Entrepreneur Of The Year program, and came up with these valuable findings from respondents:


Growth remains number one. Despite the downturn, 78% are still pursuing growth opportunities.

Clearly customers are always right. 78% have increased their focus on customer satisfaction and loyalty. 75% have plans to expand into new customer segments/ geographies.

Cash is king. However, only a fourth were still seeking to secure their cash position.

Maintaining innovation is critical. 60% wish to implement technology for higher business efficiency or accelerated growth.

Some M&A in the offing. 49% are thinking of purchasing distressed competitors, and 55% think the reason for such transactions would be to add strategic value as well as business growth.

Risk is being scrutinized. 37% place higher emphasis on geographic risk exposure

Act now. 45% are increasing the how quickly they are making decisions since the economic downturn.

Employee motivation. 57% are pushing their communication and transparency harder to retain employees. 46% are using the downturn as an opportunity to fill key strategic posts.


Entrepreneurs are some different as E&Y finds from other mature multinational firms in having higher emphasis on growth and acquisitions.

"This survey confirms that, even in the worst times, future market leaders are looking for growth…. Such trailblazers will be vital to the world"s economic recovery." said Greg Ericksen, Global Vice Chair, Strategic Growth Markets, Ernst & Young.


We can recall hearing of many studies which indicate that the fastest-growth companies are born in a recession. Tough economic conditions provide the breeding ground for innovative, cost-focused, nimble and niche-focused companies. Why? Recessions mean lower competition, recessions means more focus on cash flows and recessions mean creativity to secure niches and gain revenues from demanding customers. Its not easy at all, since demand dries up totally and it calls upon guts and will to keep going in the face of current depression and hopes for a better tomorrow.

But E&Y"s selection of visionary entrepreneurs do stand out for a key reason. They seem to look past the cloud of economic downturn and to the silver lining. Growth and customers are the lifeblood of any business, and by staying focused on what brings in the cash into the door, this mindset lays out a good game plan for all business owners to survive and thrive.

When things do turn around, look for these terrific companies run by E&Y Entrepreneurs of the Year to show the path to success.

What do you think are the impacts of the recession on the supply chain? - PODcast interview with Tracey DeLeeuw

Recently, Dustin Mattison of LogiPi interviewed me on one of my favourite subjects - digital supply chain - and the impact of the recession on trends in the industry. Perhaps it was living in Winnipeg - an up and coming intermodal hub and tax free zone - or the origins of the City as a hub for transportation - but eBiz and supply chain are tightly coupled and value causing in my opinion.

Here is the podcast: http://logipi.pubclip.com/u/n/bMSM8vMjM9d

Here is the article: http://logipi.com/public/item/245186


As you may know - this is a family business. Bizdrive_jenna - our twitter bug on all things organic, sustainable and green is my eldest beautiful Daughter (my youngest beautiful Daughter is Bizdrive_carly twitter bug of marketing, promotions and communications).

In news that only could happen now to make a Mom proud - Bizdrive_Jenna was named in the Twitter Community HOT CHICKS follow Friday list! http://tweepml.org/HOT-CHICKS-Follow-Friday/ ----- quite an honour for a beautiful mind!

So today - she tweeted with her new found status: "My Mom was interviewed on digital supply chain logistics and green footprints - http://logipi.pubclip.com/u/n/bMSM8vMjM9d "

And while we are at the bragging game - Darren has shot to video FAME with his video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTz4DTGegEo -- about anti-virus, anti-spam and firewalls - what they are and how they work. Tracking at 620 views today - up from 35 views 3 days ago - due in part by association with a new catchy Cisco video - CONGRATS Darren! More to come from Darren on trust, security and reliability!!

Have a great weekend!

Tony Crescenzi VIDEO of Twitter Q&A - State of the Small Business Economy

Bizdrive.biz - low barrier to entry for small business selling online!

Bizdrive.biz recently interviewed Tony Crescenzi of PIMCO - who provided insight and commentary on the recently released NFIB Small Business Trends - Nov 2009.

Tony shares his recommendations on what a small business should do to survive and thrive in these tough times. He has great insights on what should be the small business recovery plans - and suggests models such as HTTP://www.BIZDRIVE.BIZ are perfect for small business!

Two videos cover the interview with Tony.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lij7mf5K050

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGuRz1eh0VM

Tony Crescenzi Commentary on NFIB Small business Economic Trends

Part ONE of the two part interview with Tony Crescenzi - held live on Twitter, copied here and captured on video.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00k__o1f-uY


Tony Crescenzi - Interview - NFIB Small Business Survey Commentary
on youtube.com/bizdriveTV

Tony is specifically commenting on Small Business and the Economy and in part, some references are made to findings and statistics by Dr. William Dunkelberg and Holly Wade of NFIB.

http://www.nfib.com/Portals/0/PDF/sbet/SBET200911.pdf

Transcript: Interview with Anthony Crescenzi of PIMCO

November 10, 2009

TWITTER interview: Anthony Crescenzi, PIMCO SVP and Portfolio Manager, Esteemed Author, Regular Special Guest and sited expert on CNBC, Bloomberg and WSJ



Follow us on twitter: @bizdrive, @bizdrive_Darren, @bizdrive_carly, @bizdrive_jenna, @bizdrive_guest


Q 1 The October NFIB index increased a tad, to 89.1 from 88.8 in September. What led the increase?
A 1 More small businesses said that they expected a better economy and their hiring plans improved.



Q 2 Why is it important that small businesses feel confident about economic prospects?
A 2 Job creation. Census Bureau data show that about 80% of net new jobs created from 1990-2003 were by small businesses.



Q 3 Aside from direct job creation, what else about the small business sector is important to economic activity?
A 3 For one, note that SBA data indicate that small businesses apply for 13-14x more patents per employee than do large firms.




Q 4 What can government do to help the small business sector to rebound?
A 4 Boost immigration of technology experts, commercialize academia, give tax benefits to those that lend to the sector, and boost govt help.






Q 5 What is worrying small businesses these days? Why is their confidence lower than for big businesses?
A 5 Small business owners worry about new healthcare costs, expiring tax cuts (2011), credit availability, immigration laws, and more.





Q 6 What is one way the small businesses can do more to be ready for a recovering economy?
A 6 Invest in technology and gain a presence on the Internet. It can help cut costs and attract new customers from around the world.





Q 7 What are barriers to success for small business these days?
A 7 Cost, time and knowledge – unless you choose innovative website such as Bizdrive.biz where costs are minimal compared to the benefits of expanding market share.




Q8 How soon before the small business sector begins operating on all cylinders again?
A8 It could be around the corner because of massive monetary and fiscal stimulus. Business owners need prepare now to capitalize.




Q9 How does the “New Normal” play into the outlook for small businesses, in particular as is relates to the consumer?
A9 Following a big loss of wealth, consumers are apt to be more thrifty and save more. Consumers are likely to become choosier about the services they buy and the prices they pay.




Q10 How might the US economy regain its vigor and return to the old normal of robust economic activity?
A10 With its financial and economic system broken, new industries such as the green economy must supplant the old ones.
A10 (more) This has always been the case in the U.S., the only question usually over its timing. The green economy is now.



From Tracey DeLeeuw @bizdrive

Anthony Crescenzi @bizdrive_guest - Thank you so much for your candid answers and the insights and ideas you've shared with us today.

Anthony Crescenzi @bizdrive_guest: I'll put the transcript of this interview at http://bizdrive.blogspot.com and hope you'll take questions?

The video version of this interview with Anthony Crescenzi of Pimco @bizdrive_guest will be available on www.bizdrive.biz and youtube soon!



From Anthony Crescenzi @bizdrive_guest

@bizdrive @bizdrive_carly @bizdrive_darren @bizdrive_jenna - Thanks for the great questions on the small biz outlook and success to Bizdrive

Highlights from the Video Interview will be published to YouTube and BizdriveTV shortly.

Questions for Anthony Crescenzi may be submitted as comments to this blog and he will answer them for the next several weeks.

**************************************************************

Bizdrive.biz and Bizdrive TV wish to extend extreme gratitude to Anthony Crescenzi for his participation in this cross channel interview.


Join http://www.bizdrive.biz and be apart of something new

Twitter Interview with Anthony Crescenzi Nov 10 2009 - 8pm est

Anthony Crescenzi has agreed to answer questions on Twitter!

Bizdrive.biz is a small business marketplace for service providers and a great foundation for a small business recovery plan for any small business.

Anthony Crescenzi will provide insight and clarity on current economic news as it relates to and impacts small business and entrepreneurs.

A podcast, blog Q&A with links and video coverage from the interview will be available. A cross media interview!

Join in! Follow bizdrive on twitter or follow along here and post questions in the comment area. Questions may also be emailed to info@bizdrive.biz over the next two weeks.

Tracey DeLeeuw
CEO, Bizdrive.biz

TWITTER! Following 7000+ and no longer a virgin!

Ha!

Bizdrive.biz is carving out our place on twitter. I have recruited my savvy Daughters Jenna and Carly to help reach our small business target audience.

Bizdrive_Jenna is an environmentalist, sustainability advocate, a Buddhist and a fan of organic gardening, holistic health, new energy sources and entrepreneurship. She follows and is followed by people of the same ilk - who we hope will help her spread the bizdrive.biz message to 'green' businesses. http://twitter.com/bizdrive_jenna

Bizdrive_Carly is a communications and marketing natural who is succinct, dialed in and innately innovative. She spits our inventions, sassy slogans and sound bites like the rest of us do sunflower seeds. She is focused on getting young entrepreneurs, small business service providers, consultants, new media, bloggers, journalists and other related and interest groups in the small business world to help spread the word. http://twitter.com/bizdrive_carly

I did my first tweet today to my 700+ followers - putting my stake in the ground. Carly announced mine and Darren's new 40 marketing and growth tricks video series to her 800+ followers. It is a very interesting social experiment to see how far reaching twitterville is.

Check out the video series at


or visit our BizdriveTV channel on Youtube here - start here with tip # 1
http://www.youtube.com/BizDriveTV

Please tell your small business friends!