HBP: How to Build a Brand Like Corona

Rohit Deshpandé, Harvard Business School professor, describes ways that emerging market companies can overcome consumer bias against their products.  Discussion of the providence paradox with examples including Corona Beer and LG Electronics

Export.gov – Where will your next customer come from?

From export.gov – Small businesses looking to increase sales and profit, reduce dependence on the domestic market and stabilize seasonal fluctuations should consider exporting.

Nearly 96 percent of consumers live outside the U.S.

Two-thirds of the world’s purchasing power is in foreign countries.

Go where the customers are. There is significant opportunity for small businesses to profit through exporting.

Executing on Innovation from HBP

From Harvard Business Publishing – Vijay Govindarajan, Tuck School of Business professor, on why innovation is so hard to implement and what you can do about it

2010 Montana Economic Summit – Ballmer and Buffett

Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer and Warren Buffet address the Montana Economic Summit September 13 in Butte.  Introduction by host Montana’s Senior Senator Max Baucus

Brad Feld at the Gov 2.0 Summit 2010

VC and entrepreneur Brad Feld in a recent interview from the 2010 Gov 2.0 Summit

Dicussion of role government can play in business growth; differences between small business and startups; can gov’t hinder innovation; gov’t incentives; etc.

h/t – OReilly Media

Adeo Ressi on Product Development 08/19/2010

Great Resource, good information – This is a talk at the Founder Institute in Boston by Adeo Ressi. Learn more at global.founderinstitute.com or on Twitter @Founding

SBA – America’s Best Preview

SBA and ADP present America’s Best: Their Stories, Their Ways. This trailer offers a glimpse into the inspiring personal experiences of successful entrepreneurs who are responsible for growing some of America’s best-known brands, including Columbia Sportswear, Ruiz Foods, Gymboree, and others.

Small Business Opportunity Workshop – Social Media & Online Marketing

From Senator Jon Tester’s Small Business Opportunity Workshop, July 2010, Kalispell

HBP – Innovating your Business Model

From - Harvard Business Publishing, an interview with  Mark Johnson, Innosight chairman

Treasure State Export Seminar

Senator Jon Tester orgainzed and hosted the Treasure State Export Seminar, held in Billings in June 2010.  From Senator Tester:

“We saw a lot of success at our Export Seminar showing Montanans the goldmine of opportunity available in the export market,” Tester said.  “We had a strong turnout, and had some valuable discussions on how to create jobs and boost Montana’s economy.  Now for the folks who couldn’t make it, the information is just a few mouse clicks away.”

Tester’s Export Seminar brought together more than 100 Montana manufacturers, service providers, farmers and ranchers to learn about opportunities to sell their products and services to customers overseas.

Internet giant Google and the Export-Import Bank of the United States both took part in the event and discussed ways for Montanans to market and sell abroad.