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teQ
PITTSBURGH
FALL 2010
A Publication of the
BEST inShow
2010 DATA AWARD WINNER,
JESSE BEST, LIVES UP TO HIS NAME
READ THE STORY ON PAGE 12.
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FOSSIL FREE FUEL AND ...............
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NATURAL GAS DRILLING
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OPTIMUS TECHNOLOGIES ARE GROWING ...............
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............... EXPERTS, KW INTERNATIONAL,
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THEIR OPERATIONS IN BRADDOCK P. 6 ...............
OPEN PITTSBURGH OFFICE P. 16
teQ
PITTSBURGH
A Publication of the
TECHNOLOGY. ENTREPRENEURSHIP. QUALITY.
V O L U M E S I X T E E N , I S S U E S E V E N , FA L L 2 0 1 0
WEB: news.pghtech.org BLOG: techburgher.pghtech.org
TWITTER: pghtech RADIO: TechVibe Radio 1410 AM KQV
8
uuuu Jesse Best: People just need to buy more art
and less flat screens. Applied correctly, this
formula should work in any city.
ON THE COVER [12]
JESSE BEST, THE 2010 DATA AWARD
WINNER, LIVES UP TO HIS NAME.
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MUST READ
[5] TECHKNOW Tech companies can build better communities.
[16] TECHBURGHER Technology news from techburgher.com.
[19] BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE Use business intelligence to create value.
[25] WHY IT WORKS Brand basics from Rick Cancelliere.
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Let’s change our
entrepreneurial
culture!
[26]
FEATURE [6]
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ASA WATTEN AND COLIN HUWYLER PITTSBURGH TEQ is published seven times a year by the Pittsburgh Technology Council,
2000 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-3110;
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..................... ARE GROWING FOSSIL FREE FUEL © Pittsburgh Technology Council, 2010. All rights reserved. PITTSBURGH TEQ can be found on the World Wide Web at
www.pghtech.org. Address all editorial mail and letters to Jonathan Kersting, Editor, PITTSBURGH TEQ. Address all changes of ad-
AND OPTIMUS TECHNOLOGIES dress and undeliverable copies to Circulation Department, PITTSBURGH TEQ. Adjustment to request should be accompanied by a
mailing label.
IN BRADDOCK. RATES: $29.95 per year. Out-of-town and foreign subscriptions are available at regular rates, plus required postage.
eteq.pghtech.org 3
COUNCIL
CONNECTIONS
PRESIDENT AND CEO
Audrey Russo
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
AND EDITOR
Jonathan Kersting
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Kim Chestney Harvey
PRODUCTION MANAGER/
14 FLASH FORWARD STAFF WRITER
Matt Pross
Chorus Call launches new
social networking platform - ADVERTISING SALES
Emily Goss
Concert-oh.
[14] [15] CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Rick Cancelliere
15 BUY THIS Tim Hayes
Mike Matesic
Go anywhere with
[16 [17] high-speed CLEAR 4G.
Ron Morris
Dave Nelsen
Michael Righi
Greg Steffine
KW INTERNATIONAL 16 FIRST LOOKS
ESTABLISHES PHOTOGRAPHY
Houston-based KW Jonathan Kersting
PITTSBURGH PRESENCE International hopes to
TO SERVICE grow operations in SWPA. PROOFREADER/
COPY EDITOR
MARCELLUS SHALE DRILLERS Chris McClure
17 PULSE PRINTING
Fry Communications
Local tech entrepreneur, Razi
Imam, is “Driven” to succeed.
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FEATURES
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................................................................................................................................................................. MAIN NUMBER: 412 687 2700
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KNOW HOW!
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WEB SITE: www.pghtech.org
Dial 412 .918.4280 and the three-digit
extension below to reach one of our
staff members:
MEMBER SERVICES Brian Kennedy, x297
SPONSORSHIP Brian Lang, x249
ADVERTISING/SALES Emily Goss, x235
EDITORIAL Jonathan Kersting, x295
[18] [20] [21] [22] [23]
The Pittsburgh Technology Council is
a regional association of technology
18 BUSINESS ADVISOR Venture capital investment in the cleantech sector continues to grow. companies, professional service firms, and
20 OFF THE SHELF Why HTML5 will save the world. academic and civic organizations working
21 START ME UP To ensure a successful product launch, master the art of publicity. to foster the development and growth of
22 E-CORNER True entrepreneurs always “find a way” in the face of adversity. the technology industry in western
23 INTERACTIVE Increase sales by establishing rapport through social media. Pennsylvania.
This newsmagazine serves the business-
to-business information needs of area
ON THE MIND technology companies. Information is
obtained from sources considered to be
[24] COMMUNITY CAUSE The Refresh Kittanning Project is leading economic development efforts in this quaint town. reliable, but its accuracy cannot be guar-
anteed. No information or opinion ex-
[28] PUBLIC POLICY Can governor-elect Corbett transform state government? pressed herein constitutes a solicitation
[30] STEM TALENT The best tech talent is at your fingertips! for the purchase or sale of any securities.
Opinions expressed are those of the iden-
[31] COUNCIL BIZ-DEV Explore the Floor is the perfect environment for manufacturers to build business. tified spokespersons and do not necessar-
ily reflect the views of this newsmagazine
or the Pittsburgh Technology Council.
The acceptance of advertising does not
imply an endorsement by the publisher.
4 PITTSBURGH TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL
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TECH KNOW
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TECH COMPANIES
CAN BUILD BETTER
COMMUNITIES
By Jonathan Kersting, Associate Publisher
jkersting@pghtech.org
I’M ALWAYS GOING ON RECORD PRO-
CLAIMING MY LOVE AND PASSION FOR
PITTSBURGH AND ITS SURROUNDING
REGION. I LIKE THE GOOD, THE BAD AND
THE UGLY, THE NITTY AND THE GRITTY
IF YA KNOW WHAT I MEAN.
There are so many things going for our
region, from a diverse business climate,
thriving tech community, killer cost of living and access to the great
outdoors. The list goes on and we all know it.
However, like any region, some of our communities are really
taking off while others are struggling. Just look at Lawrenceville, the
South Side and East End. As Pittsburgh reinvented itself after the
collapse of the steel industry, these parts of town are bouncing back with
a unique mix of the arts, small business (including tech startups), retail
and residential development.
Brownfields in Hazlewood have been converted to technology
parks. The Pittsburgh Technology Council sits on the Pittsburgh Tech-
nology Center, one of the first reclaimed brownfields. Homestead’s Wa-
terfront and the South Side Works have begun integrating retail,
residential and office space into former industrial sites, drawing crowds
of people to live, work, play and, yes, shop.
On the inverse, there are still plenty of communities that are
having a hell of a time trying to find their way. Communities up and
down the Monongahela Valley like Clairton and McKeesport are
holding on tight trying to attract new industries and maintain their with-
ering population bases.
In particular, Braddock, just a few miles up the “Mighty Mon” from
Pittsburgh, has been severely hit. Just this past year, things deteriorated
further as the community lost its namesake hospital.
But, there is hope. A renaissance could be taking shape in
Braddock in a slightly less traditional way as two green technology com-
panies have leveraged inexpensive rent, a centralized industrial setting
and access to a skilled workforce. Optimus Technologies and Fossil Free
Fuel are true technology pioneers setting up shop along the main drag
in Braddock to take a chance on building an alternative fuels hub.
Fossil Free Fuel is in the business of producing fuel from waste oils.
They collect discarded grease from restaurants and turn it into fuel that
a converted diesel engine can chug all day long.
Optimus creates conversions kits for diesel engines to burn
bio-diesel and other fuels without fossil origins. We’re talking engines
for industrial equipment, heavy machinery, delivery trucks and even an
old Mercedes Benz 300D. The market is massive!
The companies have ambitious plans to turn Braddock into a green
energy center, hopefully helping to also play a role in revitalizing this
long-ailing town, without a TGI Fridays or Target. Learn more about
these companies on page 6. While you’re at it, see how Kittanning is try-
ing to attract more businesses on page 24.
With the introduction of tech companies and brash entrepreneurs,
troubled communities, like Braddock, can afford our region a canvas to
create something great and truly transformative. Our blighted commu-
nities can become our biggest assets and zones for true opportunity. I
eteq.pghtech.org 5
FEATURE
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FUTURE By Matt Pross, Staff Writer > Photography by Jonathan Kersting > Design by Kim Chestney Harvey
Two small, Braddock-based With the UPMC Braddock hospital closing down ear-
lier this year, the pain and suffering of one of Allegheny
startups are betting big on
County’s most economically depressed communities
doesn’t seem to have an end. But, if you look closely,
there is hope. Against all odds, a group of pioneers are
biofuel. If successful, they
trying to bring back the struggling community by start-
p
ing and developing new businesses on Braddock’s his-
toric main street. Fossil Free Fuel and Optimus
will develop an industry
Technologies are two green technology startups that
are committed to growing their operations in Brad-
dock and redeveloping the community in the process.
niche that could create THE TECHNOLOGY
Founded in Medina, NY in 2005 as Fossil Free Fuel, the company
energy independence and
relocated to Pittsburgh in 2007 and launched the first genera-
tion of its diesel-to-biofuel conversion technology. Since then,
the company has converted more than 200 individually-owned
rebuild a struggling community...
vehicles with its technology, which is a bolt-on fuel conversion
technology that allows diesel vehicles to utilize various types of
biodiesel, year-round in any climate.
6 PITTSBURGH TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL
FEATURE
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E FUELS
“When we first started the company, we were converting vehicles on a one-off basis,” Colin Huwyler, Co-founder of Fossil Free
Fuel and CEO of Optimus Technologies, explained. “While this provided a good starting point for Fossil Free, it wasn’t a scalable
business model.
“Since then, we have developed a second-generation technology called the Vector System, which is modular and has appli-
cations in agricultural, commercial and industrial markets,” he continued. “The commercial application of the Vector System costs
between $8-10K per vehicle and we are currently working with several clients across different markets in pilot tests of the system.”
In addition to its vehicle applications, Optimus now offers on-site, closed-loop power generation systems for restaurants
and food service facilities that produce waste vegetable oil; and a waste oil burner and heating system for forced air and boiler
applications.
Huwyler co-founded Fossil Free Fuel with David Rosenstraus, who is now COO of Optimus Technologies. In addition to being
responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company, Rosenstraus is focused on manufacturing, servicing and installing the
Vector technology.
THE FUEL
Along with the company’s shift away from one-off conversions to a more scalable, modular business model, Fossil Free split into
two separate companies (Fossil Free Fuel and Optimus Technologies) in July 2010. Before this strategic reorganization, the com-
bined company was not only focused on creating, manufacturing and installing the technology, but it was also heavily involved in
the collection and processing of waste oil. Now Optimus is solely focused on further product development of its Vector technol-
ogy, commercialization and further market expansion. Fossil Free Fuel is now totally focused on the collection of waste oils from
regional outlets and the subsequent processing and distribution. CONTINUED >>
eteq.pghtech.org 7
FEATURE
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[ABOVE] IF STATE FUNDING IS APPROVED FOR THE BRADDOCK
“For a number of years, our fuel operations have been in bootstrapping BIOFUELS BLOCK, THE PROJECT WOULD REDEVELOP THIS VACANT
mode,” Asa Watten, CEO of Fossil Free Fuel, explained. “Now, we are completely LOT INTO A REGIONAL BIOFUELS INNOVATION HUB.
UP CLOSE&
focused on scaling the company to a size where fuel collection and production
can entirely support the company. Pittsburgh will serve as our test market and
then we hope to expand into other markets as well.”
Currently, Fossil Free has agreements with 40 restaurants and grocery
stores in the area to collect the waste oil - or pure plant oil as Watten refers to it
PERSONAL WITH
- created from their deep-fat fryers. Additionally, the company also has collec-
tion agreements with several Giant Eagle locations and also offers a drop point
ColinHuwyler
for residential waste oil.
Once the pure plant oil is collected, it is processed at Fossil Free’s fuel
processing site in Braddock, where it is turned into a vehicle-grade fuel. While
Fossil Free is currently seeking investment to scale to a 2 million-gallon test
facility, this past summer the company expanded its current capacity from 800
to 2,500 gallons a month and is on trajectory to continue doubling its collections
several times a year. TEQ: Quickly tell us about Optimus and its products.
“Pure Plant Oil has serious environmental benefits over other biofuels like COLIN HUWYLER: Optimus is a Pittsburgh-based company with our oper-
corn ethanol and biodiesel because it takes minimal energy and cost to ations located in Braddock, Pa. The primary product that we manufacture
produce,” Watten explained. “When compared with petro-diesel, it is far is the Vector system; this system enables diesel engines to operate on a
superior from a cost standpoint and an environmental perspective as it offers variety of renewable fuels. The system is a retrofit that can be utilized in
significant decreases in the emission of poisonous unburned hydrocarbons, any application with a diesel engine; our focus is on commercial and in-
carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, particulates and sulfur oxides.” dustrial users.
Optimus’ Vector technology is capable of but not limited to operating on The great thing about this technology is it has such diverse applica-
pure plant oil, algae oil, animal fats, bio-crude, pyrolysis oil and all blends of tions; diesel engines power our economy. From agricultural tractors to
biodiesel. over-the-road trucks and everything in between, there is almost nothing
that exists that doesn’t rely on a diesel engine at some point in its produc-
THE COMMUNITY tion. The down side is that we are heavily dependent on imported oil, which
Although Optimus and Fossil Free Fuel officially split their operations earlier raises huge national security and environmental issues. For businesses, the
this year to maximize growth opportunities, the two companies are still work- volatility in the petroleum market can have a huge impact on their bottom
ing hand-in-hand. Both startups are portfolio companies of seed-stage investor, line; the Vector product allows our clients to save money and stabilize their
Idea Foundry. In collaboration with the non-profit organization, Pittsburgh costs by utilizing next-generation renewable fuels.
Region Clean Cities (PRCC), Optimus and Fossil Free are pursuing the devel- We also manufacture two additional product lines, the Apex and the
opment of the Braddock Biofuels Block, which is a project designed to redevelop Exotherm. The Apex is a self-contained combined heat and power unit de-
the vacant gateway block of Braddock and establish a regional biofuels signed for food service facilities. The Apex plumbs into a facility’s fryer bank
innovation hub through the development of: an advanced fuel system and processes used vegetable oil into electricity. The system provides the
manufacturing, installation and technology development facility, an alternative additional benefit of offsetting hot water usage for the kitchen or restrooms.
fuel station, public resource center and headquarters for PRCC, and a The Exotherm is a commercial heating system that can operate on
zero-waste biofuel pilot facility and biomass liquid fuel research laboratory. waste petroleum oils such as hydraulic fluid, transmission oil or motor oils
While the $2 million needed to fund the project has yet to be approved, in addition to any of the biofuels compatible with the Vector system.
Huwyler and Watten said that if the Braddock Biofuels Block does indeed
become reality it would create approximately 100 jobs, produce 2.5 million TEQ: So the Vector, Apex and Exotherm are all designed and
gallons of biofuel annually and redevelop two brown fields in Braddock. built in the region? Tell us more about that.
“It will be terrific if we pull this project off because it will be the first thing CH: We currently design and manufacture these products at our Braddock
you see as you enter Braddock,” Watten said. “The only thing slowing us down facility. We’ve been at our current location since 2007 but we’ve run out of
is the necessary capital to move forward with development.” I space. At the moment, we’re in the planning phases of expansion; we’re
looking t0 redevelop a site that’s just a few blocks away from our current
8 PITTSBURGH TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL
facility. That would give us space to part in. Our primary focus is on
p
scale our production and build a growing our business and ulti-
much larger, much needed, mately that’s a driver for so many
FEATURE
research lab. other things, but we’re active in the
Although our sales are community as well.
primarily regional, we have a As we scale, we’ll be looking to [BELOW] OPTIMUS COO, DAVE ROSENSTRAUS, WELDING A
deployment strategy to distribute employ people from the region and
COMPONENT OF THE COMPANY’S VECTOR TECHNOLOGY FUEL SYSTEM.
our products nationally; however, we’ll have a variety of positions all
we are committed to the region and requiring different skill sets. This ROSENSTRAUS CO-FOUNDED FOSSIL FREE WITH HUWYLER IN 2005.
intend to keep all of our production region has a legacy of industrial
right here is southwestern Pa. knowledge that has been lost in
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most other parts of the country but
TEQ: You’re a pioneer in this we also have an expansive and
industry and leading the ever-emerging tech industry. It’s
charge to rejuvenate Brad- really the best of both worlds; for
dock. Tell us what’s happen- our scale-up we will be hiring ma-
ing in Braddock and how chinists, welders and engineers,
Optimus and Fossil Free are but we’ll also need a sales force and
playing a role. management team that under-
CH: When we moved to the area, stands emerging industry and new
we had a new company and two technologies. I think that business
employees; we’ve now expanded development and job creation is the
into two companies, more than key to revitalizing economically
doubled our staff and Optimus depressed areas.
alone is targeted to be at 12 em-
ployees by the end of next year. TEQ: What’s been the coolest
Braddock is a place with a rich his- thing about building Optimus?
tory and a promising future and CH: That’s tough. Building a com-
there are a lot of great things going pany is such a challenging process,
on here that we’re excited to take but seeing your ideas transform
CONTINUED >>
eteq.pghtech.org 9
into a commercialized product is really awesome. We have a partnership with Giant biodiesel. The feedstock of these is typically waste vegetable oil from
FEATURE
Eagle that we’re expanding upon right now. They’ve been piloting an early version the food service industry, but we anticipate a commercial scale algae
of the Vector system for about two years now and with the next phase of the part- oil solution to emerge in the next few years. The main constraint on
nership we’re going to be retrofitting 10 of their distribution trucks. I’d say most algae oil production currently is the cost; most manufacturers are try-
people don’t put too much thought into how groceries actually get onto the shelves ing to combine the oil growth, extraction and biodiesel processing in
at Giant Eagle. It’s been amazing working with them and seeing the logistics and one operation. The Vector system would enable the algae oil to be used
operational infrastructures that go into actually getting a loaf of bread onto the without post-processing it into biodiesel, which brings the cost down
shelves. It’s really cool to shop there knowing that we had something to do with significantly. Algae oil is the most promising next-generation fuel and
that process. we’re here to help ensure that you’ll be able to utilize it within the next
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We get to work with people from all different backgrounds and who have had a five years! I
variety of different experiences. I’d have to say that the relationships we’ve built have
As a young entrepreneur,
been the most rewarding aspect of building the company. As a young entrepreneur, the
thing I appreciate the most is the willingness of people to help. It’s incredible to have
so many people that are willing to lend a hand or give a perspective on something that
may be similar to a situation that they’ve experienced in the past.
the thing I appreciate the most is
TEQ: Where do you see the company in five years?
CH: Growing. We’re taking things a step at a time but our goal is to see the Vector the willingness of people to help.
system integrated at an OEM level. Ideally, Giant Eagle will be able to go to Volvo
and place an order for their new trucks and our technology would be integrated as It’s incredible to have so many peo-
a standard feature. There are a significant number of improvements we can bring
into the picture if we’re integrated at a factory level rather than as a retrofit. Most ple that are willing to lend a hand or
of the major manufacturers are struggling with biofuel integration strategies and
the Vector technology has a number of proprietary solutions that would simplify give a perspective on something that
their lives.
The technology is designed in such a way that it is fuel neutral. There are a
variety of fuels that can be utilized and our system optimizes the combustion re-
may be similar to a situation that
gardless of the base fuel. The primary fuels utilized today are pure plant oil and they’ve experienced in the past.
10 P I T T S B U R G H T E C H N O L O G Y C O U N C I L
Industry Stats
FEATURE
SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA’S ENERGY
TECHNOLOGY CLUSTER IS GROWING QUICKLY
AND GAINING MOMENTUM AS A REGIONAL EM-
PLOYMENT ENGINE THANKS TO INNOVATIVE
COMPANIES LIKE FOSSIL FREE FUEL AND
OPTIMUS TECHNOLOGIES. HERE IS A BRIEF
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LOOK AT SOME KEY INDUSTRY DATA BETWEEN
THE YEARS 2005-2009 FROM THE PITTSBURGH
TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL’S STATE OF THE
INDUSTRY REPORT:
p THE TOTAL ENERGY TECHNOLOGY
CLUSTER GREW FROM 832
COMPANIES IN 2005 TO 902
COMPANIES IN 2009.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE INDUSTRY
p ROSE MARKEDLY AS WELL, GROW-
ING 12.9 PERCENT FROM 26,744
JOBS IN 2005 TO 29,940 JOBS IN
2009.
IN TERMS OF TOTAL ANNUAL PAY-
p ROLL, THE REGION’S ENERGY
TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY GREW
NEARLY 20 PERCENT BETWEEN
2005-2009.
THE AVERAGE WAGE OF A JOB IN
p THE INDUSTRY IS IMPRESSIVE AS
WELL, COMING IN AT $71,645 IN
[TOP] COLIN HUWYLER (LEFT) AND ASA WATTEN STANDING NEXT TO FOSSIL FREE’S
2009, A 7.1 PERCENT INCREASE
450-GALLON FUEL COLLECTION VEHICLE, BIG RED. [BOTTOM] AS PART OF THE
FROM 2005.
BRADDOCK BIOFUELS BLOCK REDEVELOPMENT, THIS VACANT GAS STATION WOULD BE
TRANSFORMED INTO AN ALTERNATIVE FUELS FILLING STATION.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO OF
COLIN AND ASA DETAIL THEIR COMPANIES.
e t e q . p g h t e c h . o r g 11
BEST inShow
ON THE Cover
2010 DATA 15 MINUTES AWARD
WINNER LIVES UP TO HIS NAME
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By Jonathan Kersting, Associate Publisher [jkersting@pghtech.org]
P
arallel universes, Pittsburgh, deep space, and blue
collar alcoholism are just a small sample of mixed
media artist Jesse Best’s subject matter.
Sick of the hyper-intellectual art world that alienates
viewers, Jesse tries to make his work accessible and
grounded with his self-professed style of industrial expressionism. His
no-nonsense approach of incorporating haunting imagery with wood
and ankle-deep resin made him the logical pick for this year’s 15
Minutes Award at the Pittsburgh Technology Council’s Design, Art &
Technology (DATA) Awards and Regional Art Exhibition.
Part of the Council’s Art and Tech Initiative, the awards recognize
excellence in several categories from video to music to innovation, with
the 15 Minutes Award honoring the highest excellence in 2-D visual
arts.
This year, Jesse’s “Thin Villains” really caught our attention and
gets the nod. He’s truly living up to his name ;-)
“Thin Villains” is representative of Jesse’s industrial
expressionism style. His work incorporates tight graphic imagery tied
with loose organic brush strokes. Jesse’s wooden textures create a near
three-dimensional quality with the addition of a few deep layers of his
signature high-gloss resin.
We asked Jesse a few questions about his art and inspira-
tion. Here’s what he had to say:
TEQ: Tell our readers a little about your background and
your art.
JESSE BEST: Initially I wanted to be a director, but after working on
a few films I quickly realized what a daunting task that actually is and
how difficult it can be to have your creative vision carried out by a team
of strangers. Painting allowed me to create whatever I imagined and
“TECHNOLOGY DEFINITELY INFLUENCES MY WORK. WHETHER IT’S THE DON’T MISS JESSE’S
MATERIALS I USE, SUCH AS THE EPOXY RESIN OR THE SCIENCE SPECIAL I UPCOMING SHOW AT
WATCH ON DEEP SPACE, TECHNOLOGY IS AFFECTING WHAT I CREATE AND THE GALLERY 4
IN SHADYSIDE
HOW I CREATE IT. AT THIS POINT IN HISTORY, I THINK IT’S UNAVOIDABLE.” SPRING 2011
12 P I T T S B U R G H T E C H N O L O G Y C O U N C I L
ON THE Cover
[BOTTOM RIGHT]
CLICK HERE TO WATCH JESSE HARD AT WORK
A VIDEO OF JESSE BEST. AT HIS HOUSE IN SOUTH
OAKLAND, WHICH CO-
wasn’t limited by budget or politics. I’m INCIDENTALLY IS THE
addicted to the freedom and control I have as a
VERY SAME HOUSE THE
fine artist.
WORLD-FAMOUS PITTS-
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TEQ: What inspires you to do what you
do? BURGH ARTIST, ANDY
JB: As for the work, I am a mixed media painter WARHOL, GREW UP IN.
working with wood, stains, acrylic, spray-paint,
and resin. My subject matter swings from blue- [TOP RIGHT]“TOOTS”
collar alcoholism to parallel universes and [BELOW] EXCERPT
whatever else falls in between. I’m attracted to
not only the conceptual message of the work, FROM “KARL”
but also the physical presence of each painting.
A photograph can only tell you so much, it’s
important to experience the work in person.
TEQ: Does technology ever inspire or
impact your art?
JB: Technology definitely influences my work.
Whether it’s the materials I use, such as the
epoxy resin or the science special I watch on
deep space, technology is affecting what I
create and how I create it. At this point in
history, I think it’s unavoidable. It still trips me
out that my daughter was playing her Nintendo
DS at the age of 2. She went from saying her first
couple words to playing video games? It seems
to be inherently woven into our DNA.
TEQ: What have been some of your
biggest influences?
JB: Pretty standard: TV, movies, Internet,
family, friends, good art, beer and whiskey.
TEQ: How can Pittsburgh grow a tighter
art scene and support up-and-coming
artists?
JB: People just need to buy more art and less
flat screens. Applied correctly, this formula
should work in any city.
TEQ: Duchamp or Warhol?
JB: Warhol without question, although I pretty
much have to say that since my fiancé is from
the Warhola family. But in all fairness, Duchamp
was no slouch. I
CHECK OUT HIS WORK AT
WWW.JESSEBEST.COM. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JONATHAN KERSTING
e t e q . p g h t e c h . o r g 13
FLASH Forward
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CHORUS CALL’S AIMEE MILLER, JOE HEULER AND BEN SCHMITT ARE
READY FOR CONCERT-OH TO TAKE SOCIAL MEDIA TO A NEW LEVEL.
CONCERT-OH
By Tim Hayes, Contributing Writer
NEW CHORUS CALL TECHNOLOGY HAS POTENTIAL TO REVOLUTIONIZE
SOCIAL NETWORKING…MORE TALKING, LESS TYPING
Dubbed “Concert-oh,” its aim is nothing less than to
W
ouldn’t it be great to take the “work” out of social network-
ing? To type less and talk more, in other words? The innova-
tors at longtime Monroeville-based tech pioneer Chorus Call revolutionize the social networking world
thought so, and have introduced a new application that takes
social networking to the next level. directly with groups of people they represent, and then can use a special
Dubbed “Concert-oh,” its aim is nothing less than to revolutionize the Q&A feature. This permits the host to speak directly to individuals one at a
social networking world through multi-user, live, interactive audio and video. time while the rest of the participants can hear without distractions or back-
It’s like Skype on steroids, and it’s absolutely free. The product will be sup- ground noise. It’s a way to interact directly while keeping the event organized
ported by advertising once user rates have reached a critical mass. and respectful.”
“We’re using the world-class teleconferencing and videoconferencing Introduced in early September, the company has incorporated im-
capabilities of Chorus Call to elevate social networking,” explained Ben provements suggested by early users to make Concert-oh’s registration and
Schmitt, Marketing Specialist for Concert-oh. “This product allows you to navigation easier, and those efforts will continue, he said.
sign up, make friends, and set up live video chats with up to 10 friends at a Schmitt acknowledged that the idea behind Concert-oh, as manifested
time, using your webcams. Concert-oh audio conferencing can include an in the clear technological advancement beyond the familiar and comfortable
unlimited number of participants.” world of social networking today, may hold some potential users back. But
Add in document sharing functions, the choice to make chats public or he offered these thoughts on that subject.
private, use of simultaneous PowerPoint presentations, and other features, “Once you get over the intimidation factor of using this new offering,
and you can tell Go to Meeting to go someplace else. people have found that it’s really easy and they stick with it.”
And, in what may be the most inspired or diabolical application of all, de- “Our goal is to make Concert-oh as user-friendly and welcoming as pos-
pending on your point of view about such things – Concert-oh is also being sible,” he added. “The opportunities for users in accessing this product are
marketed to politicians as the perfect way to conduct Town Hall meetings endless. Catching up with old friends, conducting business meetings, hold-
with large groups of voters and constituents, as Schmitt explained. ing fantasy football drafts, coordinating study groups, hosting virtual uni-
“Concert-oh is Web-based and simple to use, it’s available free of charge, versity lectures, or just getting together to hold discussions on any topic you
and it has superb video and audio quality,” he said. “During the campaign and your friends like – it’s the new way to meet and socialize with less typ-
season and afterward, elected officials can use Concert-oh to communicate ing and more talking.” I
14 P I T T S B U R G H T E C H N O L O G Y C O U N C I L
PLUG ‘N PLAY CLEAR 4G SERVICE MAKES
BUY This
INTERNET ACCESS EASY
By Jonathan Kersting, Associate Publisher [jkersting@pghtech.org]
CLEARWIRE CORPORATION, ONE OF THE TOP The CLEAR experience is similar to wi-fi but speeds and limitations of 3G modem cards;
PROVIDERS OF WIRELESS BROADBAND SERV- without the short-range limitations. CLEAR uses • A college student can now have affordable
ICES AND OPERATOR OF THE LARGEST 4G wireless 4G technology that differs from wi-fi Internet service whether at home, on campus or
NETWORK IN THE COUNTRY, LAUNCHED ITS because it provides service areas measured in miles, on-the-go;
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CLEAR® 4G, A TAKE-IT-WITH-YOU INTERNET not feet. CLEAR also offers average mobile download • A commuter can now work on large files or
SERVICE FOR BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS speeds of 3 to 6 mbps with bursts over 10 mbps. stream their favorite shows while riding the bus or
IN PITTSBURGH EARLIER THIS FALL. With Outside the CLEAR 4G service area, dual-mode train;
CLEAR, anyone can now use the Internet at 4G/3G modems keep users continually connected by • A busy parent can now keep kids occupied
speeds four times faster than 3G – whether at leveraging Sprint’s 3G data network. studying or playing games in the back of the family
home, in the office, or on-the-go within CLEAR With CLEAR, people can stay better con- minivan.
coverage. nected and more productive. For example: Clearwire offers several ways to connect to
In Pittsburgh, CLEAR covers more than • A travelling business executive no longer needs CLEAR 4G service – via a modem, mobile device, or
820,000 people. Regionally, service extends from to seek out wi-fi hotspots or be constrained by the a 4G-embedded laptop or netbook.
North Hills to South Park and from Monroeville to I tested out the CLEAR 4G+ Mobile USB on my
Carnegie. A detailed coverage map of CLEAR 4G MacBook Pro. I simply plugged-in the compact Clear
service is available at www.clear.com/coverage. 4G+ Mobile USB into my laptop to get online. This
“With CLEAR, residents now have a fast, mobile dual-mode 4G/3G modem gives users access to the
Internet connection that goes with them over the 4G network in the CLEAR coverage area and to 3G
rivers and throughout the Pittsburgh area,” said coverage nationwide.
Jeannie Weaver, Regional General Manager for The device worked seamlessly after a quick soft-
CLEAR. “We’re offering game-changing access to the ware download. I never tapped into the 4G network
Internet. For the first time, consumers are able to and all of its goodness. The 3G was working just fine.
wirelessly access the Internet at super-fast speeds, This is a pretty simple solution to ensure Internet
at affordable prices, and without limits on how much access.
data they use.” For more information, hit www.clear.com. I
e t e q . p g h t e c h . o r g 15
FIRST Looks
KW INTERNATIONAL BREAKING NEWS FROM P
Get your tech news fresh off the grill
PA NANO CENTER ANNOUNCES $980,000
ESTABLISHES IN AVAILABLE RESEARCH GRANTS
The Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization
Center (the Center) is issuing its largest request for
PITTSBURGH PRESENCE proposals to accelerate the commercialization of
nano-materials research.
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On November 1, 2010 the Center made
TO SERVICE available $980,000 in grant funds to Pennsylvania-
based university researchers and small and large
companies to support the development of innovative
MARCELLUS SHALE DRILLERS
By Tim Hayes, Contributing Writer
product ideas using advanced materials and
nanotechnology.
There are two categories of funding: $30,000
grants for fast-track pre-commercialization projects
Decades of Texas-based natural gas drilling West Mifflin last February, in the middle of that and $200,000 for full commercialization projects.
expertise is being brought to Pennsylvania incredible snowstorm. We chose that particular The Center is a not-for-profit organization that
and the subterranean bonanza of the location because it is geographically in the center of has proven results in accelerating and supporting
Marcellus Shale natural gas deposit. Lone the Marcellus Shale territory, giving us the most nanotechnology commercialization for new and
Star to lodestar, one might say. efficient client accessibility." enhanced products/processes critical to the U.S.
At the forefront of this Texas tidal wave stands The most striking value proposition represented economy and manufacturing base. To date, the
KW International, headquartered in Houston. Ken by KW International to its Marcellus-based clients is Center has awarded more than $4 million to support
Wind, Founder and namesake of this 50-year-old the ability of its onsite staff to help their clients sort the development of nanotechnology.
family run firm brings third-generation expertise to through equipment rental and purchase options, then The Center has developed a unique partnership
his company. Son Kurt Wind, President and CEO, customize the equipment to the client's specific needs model which encourages the proposing teams
said the Marcellus Shale offers enormous potential and budget. This is supported from the bidding stage consisting of a combination of universities, small
for economic development and greater energy through startup by a seasoned team of engineers, and/or large companies. This collaborative approach
independence, and that's why their company has sales, service and project managers. produces an innovative technology supported by a
established a post here. "Our company is known for its field-friendly business development team with experience in the
"You're sitting on top of one of the hottest en- designed equipment that is easy to operate and market, customer base and manufacturing;
ergy plays in the country in Pennsylvania," Wind said. maintain," he noted. "One example that we will be components necessary for commercial success.
"Support services have been weak to this point, we introducing in the fourth quarter of 2010 is a The Center will be hosting informational
saw an opportunity there, and there is a vast talent modified version of the sand trap that's better Webinars for the RFP. Visit the Web site,
pool available in the region to draw from.” equipped to filter out sand from the fracing process. www.pananocenter.org, for more details.
KW International sells, services, and manufac- It will be a lower profile, higher capacity, and more Submissions are due no later than January 28, 2011.
tures surface-level production/processing equipment economic option to the current equipment offered to
for the part of the industry that operates above the the industry."
surface once oil and gas have been extracted through Wind said his team in West Mifflin is eager to
the well head. Examples of their products and serv- play a larger role in development of the Marcellus CHEMIMAGE LAUNCHES
ices include: "sand traps" that filter out frac and for- region – for economic reasons, naturally, but for a GATEWAY ANALYTICAL
mation sand extracted from natural gas; "slug larger purpose at the same time. Gateway Analytical, a new quality-focused
catchers" that process liquid collecting in the pipeline; "There's enough natural gas in the region to analytical testing and consulting services
"separators and scrubbers” for entrained liquid sep- provide energy for the country for more than 100 company, opened its doors for business recently.
aration; “glycol dehydrators” to remove moisture in years. If we could get everyone on board and behind Despite a weak economy, testing companies like
the gas stream; and a patented process to reduce or natural gas, it's real impact for the U.S. could be Gateway Analytical are thriving, with an expected
eliminate BTEX emissions to name a few. meaningful employment for thousands of the annual growth rate of 5.7 percent in the next five
"Our goal is to bring the same high-caliber serv- currently under- and unemployed – not just in the years according to a March 2010 IBISWorld report
ice to the Marcellus region as we have done in Texas industry itself, but for the effect it would have on all on U.S. laboratory testing services. ChemImage
for many years," Wind said. "We opened an office in facets of the economy." I launched the company as a subsidiary.
“Gateway Analytical fills a necessary niche
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.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... out there—providing regulatory expertise in the
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.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... face of increased government regulations on
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.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... consumer, pharmaceutical and food products,”
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.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... said David Exline, Senior Vice President of
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Gateway Analytical.
16 P I T T S B U R G H T E C H N O L O G Y C O U N C I L
burger
P U LSE
ITTSBURGH’S TECH SCENE
every day at www.techburgher.com. DRIVEN TO SUCCEED ..................................................
BNY MELLON RECEIVES
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LOCAL TECH
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EPA GREEN POWER LEADERSHIP AWARD
BNY Mellon recently announced that it has received
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ENTREPRENEUR
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a 2010 Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S.
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RAZI IMAM’S
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The annual ..................................................
awards recognize the country’s leading green power
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NEW BOOK
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purchasers for their commitment and contribution ..................................................
to helping advance the development of the nation’s
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DETAILS THE
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voluntary green power market.
BNY Mellon was one of only 10 organizations
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CONCEPT OF
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nationwide to receive a Leadership Award in the ..................................................
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“JUNOON”
Green Power Purchase category. The award ..................................................
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recognizes EPA Green Power Partners who
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.................................................. By Tim Hayes, Contributing Writer
distinguish themselves through purchases of green GET IN THE ZONE. HIT THE WALL. FIND Nelson Mandela, and Madam Curie as examples of
power from a utility green-pricing program, a YOUR FLOW. ALL ADMIRABLE AND those who have experienced Junoon, but stresses
competitive green marketer or a renewable energy PERSONALLY REWARDING STATES OF that anyone can tap into this font of intellectual,
certificate (REC) supplier. MIND. BUT EACH PALES WHEN COMPARED emotional and moral clarity with the proper direc-
BNY Mellon purchases nearly 230 million WITH JUNOON. tion and encouragement. For that reason, he offers a
kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, which “Junoon,” a Persian word with no English workshop to help people get into a state of Junoon.
is enough green power to meet more than 75 percent equivalent, describes a hypnotic zeal that drives
of the organization’s purchased electricity use in the ordinary people to achieve extraordinary things. It’s
United States. BNY Mellon is buying a utility green
power product and RECs from NextEra Energy
a state of healthy obsession toward achieving a WHAT GIVES PEOPLE THIS
high-impact goal that changes not only the life of the
Resources and Pepco Energy Services for renewable person at its center, but the lives of many others –
ABILITY TO ACHIEVE
energy projects in the United States that use wind and all for the better. AS THEY EXPERIENCE
and solar power to generate electricity without
producing carbon dioxide or other harmful
Razi Imam, a highly successful entrepreneur, JUNOON? THEY ENTER A
has devoted 12 years of research into the concept of
pollutants. Through the NextEra partnership, which Junoon and has published a new book titled STATE OF PURE INSPIRA-
represents a majority of BNY Mellon’s green
investment to date, 100 percent of the revenue is
“Driven” (Amazon) to explain it and offer ideas on TION WHERE ONE CAN
how anyone can achieve this ideal state of thought,
directed to The EarthEra Renewable Energy Trust to focus, purpose, achievement and impact.
LOOK AT ALL ASPECTS OF
build new facilities, accelerating the construction of
renewable energy projects.
“I have been intrigued and puzzled as to why A GOAL AND SEE THE
BNY Mellon currently ranks #17 on EPA’s
some people become so successful and others
struggle so hard,” said Imam. “Education is a big
PLAN THAT MUST BE
National Top 50 list. EPA updates its Top Partner piece of it, but it’s not all. What gives people this FOLLOWED TO REACH IT.
Lists quarterly at www.epa.gov/greenpower/toplists. ability to achieve as they experience Junoon? They
enter a state of pure inspiration where one can look His latest practical demonstration of Junoon in
at all aspects of a goal and see the plan that must be action comes through his firm 113 Industries, whose
NEWTON CONSULTING NAMED TO followed to reach it. purpose is to build and sustain an “advanced
PRESTIGIOUS INC. 5000 LIST “There is nothing unhealthy about this obses- materials cluster” for Pittsburgh, centered at the for-
Newton Consulting, LLC, an information technology sive focus,” he continued. “You are able to attract mer Seagate facility in the Strip District.
and human resource management consulting opportunities that move you closer to your extra- “We have a building right here, ready for im-
services outfit, has been named to the prestigious ordinary goal. You reach a metaphysical phase that mediate use, that is the best advanced materials re-
Inc. 5000 list, a compendium of the most entrepre- protects you from fatigue and illness, and that keeps search facility in North America – and it’s standing
neurial and fastest growing companies in America. your mental energy high. there empty,” he said. “At 113 Industries, we are
“We are thrilled to have been named by Inc. “Finally, Junoon brings you to a level of moral working to attract advanced materials companies
magazine as one of the nation’s top entrepreneurial energy, where you have the ability to do the right and support funding here to transform the region
companies,” said Rick Newton, the company’s thing in every instance, regardless of criticism or into a center of research and innovation. As this hap-
President and Founder. “Our company differentiates obstacles,” Imam said. “You stick to your moral pens, the economic benefits can be very powerful as
itself in the marketplace by our customer-focused, principles and your commitment to achieve this support and service providers come in, high-level
values-driven services and our unique shared goal. It is an extraordinary process, and one that I talent locates here because they know there are mul-
ownership operating model that attracts and retains have experienced several times in my life.” tiple employers, and Pittsburgh can become a brand
the top talent in the consulting industry,” he said. Imam points to global icons such as Gandhi, location for advanced materials.” I
e t e q . p g h t e c h . o r g 17
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BUSINESS Advisor ....................................................................................................................................................................................
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VC INVESTMENT IN CLEANTECH WILL
CONTINUE TO INCREASE
B Y T O M M O O N E Y, K P M G TMOONEY@KPMG.COM
IN ADVANCE OF THIS YEAR’S ALWAYSON GOING GREEN
SILICON VALLEY CONFERENCE, KPMG AND ALWAYSON CLEANTECH CONTINUES
SURVEYED LEADERS IN THE VENTURE CAPITAL COM-
MUNITY ON SOME OF THE CRITICAL ISSUES FACING TO BE A KEY INVESTMENT
THE CLEANTECH SECTOR. BETWEEN THE ECONOMY,
THE RECOVERY IN THE IPO MARKET, AND LOOMING SECTOR FOR VENTURE
TAX AND REGULATORY CHANGES, 2010 IS TURNING OUT
TO BE AN INTERESTING YEAR FOR THE VENTURE CAPITAL, AND OUR
CAPITAL COMMUNITY.
Cleantech continues to be a key investment sector for venture capital, and our RESPONDENTS SEE THAT
respondents see that trend continuing in the coming year. Similar to last year, 75
percent see a continued increase in cleantech investment next year compared to TREND CONTINUING IN
this year. When asked where that investment will focus, energy storage and effi-
ciency led the list, just as in 2009. In terms of which U.S. geographies are going to THE COMING YEAR.
see more investment, the West leads by a healthy margin with 64 percent followed
by the Southwest (15 percent), the Northeast (12 percent) and the Midwest (9 per- SIMILAR TO LAST YEAR,
cent). Outside of the U.S., Asia leads the pack with 57 percent of respondents list-
ing it as the non-U.S. geography that will see more investment, followed by Europe 75 PERCENT SEE A
at 24 percent.
Transaction activity is starting to rebound, and VCs are bullish on prospects CONTINUED INCREASE IN
for that trend to continue. Sixty-eight percent expect an increase in M&A activity
compared to more than 70 percent last year. Seventy-one percent of respondents CLEANTECH INVESTMENT
predict an increase in IPOs in the next year; down a bit from last year’s 75 percent.
When asked if this is going to be another investment bubble, 75 percent opti- NEXT YEAR COMPARED
mistically say no. In terms of the IPO market, 52 percent expect valuations to be
about the same compared to the last two years and 29 percent expect higher val- TO THIS YEAR. WHEN
uations.
Government and public sector involvement last year was a key driver of clean- ASKED WHERE THAT IN-
tech activity. Respondents are unsure how that will continue. Fifty-one percent
expect further increases in cleantech funding from the federal government, re- VESTMENT WILL FOCUS,
gardless of the economy, and an additional 25 percent foresee an increase only if
the economy improves. Public-private partnerships fill part of the gap in govern- ENERGY STORAGE AND EF-
ment backing, and our leaders see that growing. Eighty-eight percent of those sur-
veyed envision a continued increase in public-private partnerships compared to 83 FICIENCY LED THE LIST,
percent in 2009.
In terms of other industry trends, 64 percent do not believe that cellulosic ex- JUST AS IN 2009.
traction for ethanol will be a success. Conversely, 59 percent expect algae-based
fuels to be a commercial success. A majority of respondents (57 percent) believe
that regulating C02 emissions will effectively mitigate global warming and 47 per-
cent expect increased carbon-trading activity. Looking into their crystal ball re-
garding oil prices, 67 percent of venture-capital leaders surveyed expect crude oil
prices to close this year between $75 and $99 per barrel and 53 percent expect oil
prices to peak after 2012.
KPMG and AlwaysOn are excited about our involvement with the GoingGreen
Silicon Valley conference. If you would like a full copy of the survey, please shoot
me an email and I’ll get it out to you. I’d be happy to meet with you and discuss the
results of this survey. I
18 P I T T S B U R G H T E C H N O L O G Y C O U N C I L
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......................................................................................................................................................................... BUSINESS Intelligence
CREATING VALUE STARTS WITH
STRATEGIC THINKING BY GREG STEFFINE
SDLC PARTNERS
This is the fifth Aspirational Modeling (figure 1) is the tech- BI Competency: People
article in a continuing nique I use to flesh-out strategic requirements People represent an organization's greatest source
series on business around BI. It’s a “big picture” look at where you are of competitive advantage. This competency focuses
intelligence and value today (point A), where you want to be tomorrow on improving the performance of human capital in
creation. (point B), and how you intend to move your busi- order to maximize BI-driven value creation.
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................................... ness in order to create value for your constituent
...................................
...................................
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................................... groups. People Capability: Organizational Planning
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...................................
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................................... BI-savvy organizations establish a company-wide
respect for fact-based decision-making and they
Thane Yost once wrote, "The will to win is use- build a leadership structure to encourage and
less if you don’t have the will to prepare.” Strat- support it. Organizational planning guides strategic
egy is all about preparation. It’s the cornerstone thinking around culture, leadership, and your
of an effective and sustainable business intelli- people roadmap for BI.
gence (BI) competency and a mission-critical
piece of your requirements-gathering effort. People Capability: Performance Management
That’s why it’s the foundation of the Right Think- Smart organizations evolve. They leverage
ing™ Model. Strategy’s function is to guide and strengths, strengthen weaknesses, and build value-
direct all BI-related activity so that short-term impacting intellectual capital by hiring, training, and
decisions are always in alignment with long-term retaining the right people. Performance manage-
objectives. Strategy focuses needed attention on ment guides strategic thinking around skill assess-
the “big picture.” ment, recruiting and retaining, and training and
Alvin Toffler, the American writer and futurist development.
recognized by Accenture as one of the world's top (figure 1)
business thought leaders, writes about the concept BI Competency: Process
of “big picture” thinking. "You've got to think about As you can see from the diagram, a lot of atten- For BI to work, data must be relevant, information
big things while you are doing small things,” says tion is given to understanding your organization’s must be meaningful, and insight must be actionable.
Toffler, “so that all of the small things go in the right current operating model. That’s because there’s no This competency focuses on the practices that make
direction." That's particularly true in the world of such thing as a “one size fits all” BI strategy, and data an invaluable enterprise asset.
business intelligence where organizations often nothing beats real-world insight into how decision-
deploy tactical, uncoordinated solutions in order to makers in your particular company currently use (or Process Capability: Information Planning
eliminate pressing business pain. Not a preferred can’t use) business intelligence to create value. As- Smart organizations effectively use right informa-
approach, but one that certainly reflects the kind of pirational Modeling is used in conjunction with The tion to create value. Information planning guides
demanding, fast-paced business climate that pres- Right Thinking Model to focus attention on BI com- strategic thinking around the organization’s busi-
sures decision-makers to create and maximize value petencies and related capabilities most important to ness plan for BI, its strategy map, and performance
as quickly as possible. Thing is, these tactical solu- long-term BI success (figure 2). measures.
tions often grow to mission-critical applications. It’s Here’s an overview of the components: [continued on pg. 34]
only through an appropriate strategy that organiza-
tions can effectively integrate these information silos
into a unified and sustainable business intelligence
capability. Those that fail to adequately plan ulti-
mately pay the price. Gartner analyst Betsy Burton
predicts that companies without a cohesive BI strat- (figure 2)
egy spend upwards of 70 percent of their total BI
budget resolving issues around people, process and
technology resulting from poor planning.
The primary reason you prepare before you de-
liver is to help future-proof your work effort. Peter
Drucker puts it best when he says, "Strategic think-
ing does not deal with future decisions. It deals with
the futurity of present decisions [emphasis mine]."
In other words, do the up-front work necessary to
ensure today's decisions have future life. Thinking
strategically helps you to "do it once, do it right, and
make it last.”
e t e q . p g h t e c h . o r g 19
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OFF THE Shelf ..............................................................................................................................................................................................
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HTML5 SAVES THE WORLD - HUZZAH!
BY MICHAEL RIGHI, FIELD EXPERT, INC. MICHAEL.RIGHI@FIELDEXPERT.COM
that a nuclear bomb has been placed somewhere in Pittsburgh. get how to drive when they enter a tunnel.
You have 24 hours to locate it, and the terrorist's only clue is Fortunately, your Web-based email takes advantage of
“YouTube Double Rainbow Video.” You're happy to have a clue, HTML5's offline Web capabilities. HTML5 allows Web pages to
but what does it mean? WHAT DOES IT MEAN!?!? behave like desktop software, only occasionally needing to dial
Until recently you weren't able to watch YouTube videos into a server. It works like this: When you lost your Internet con-
at work because the Adobe Flash plugin is banned at the FBI. nection inside the tunnel, the Web page saved your email to a
However, YouTube recently started encoding its videos in an local database within your Web browser. Even though a dead
open format that can be played in browsers that support battery is about to shut off the computer, the next time you ac-
HTML5. Without Flash, you're now able to watch the video, find cess your webmail it will scan your browser's database for un-
the bomb, and save the city. Pittsburgh is released from the grip sent messages. The email will be delivered and cancer will be
HTML5 is soon to be the of terror, and more importantly the Web is freed from the bur- cured. Huzzah!
new standard for building den of having to install Adobe Flash. (This is just one of many
Web pages. Although the reasons why HTML5 will kill Flash. Huzzah!) Microdata
specification isn't finalized In an act of planetary revenge, an asteroid has knocked Pluto
yet, many Web browsers al- Offline Web Applications out of orbit and onto a deadly path towards Earth. Our only
ready support parts of this Imagine you're a cancer researcher. Now imagine you're on a hope of survival lies in the hands of Bruce Willis who in 1998
next generation of HTML. train. Now imagine you're on a laptop pouring over the results proved that Earth could be saved from such disasters with nu-
To demonstrate its power, of an experiment and you stumble across a cure for all cancers. clear bombs, Hollywood magic, and the sacrifice of Bruce Willis.
here are some hypothetical This is a big deal. You fire up a Web-based email app to share Conveniently, Jack Bauer has a spare bomb he just found in
examples of how HTML5 the exciting news with colleagues, typing with excitement for Pittsburgh, so now we just need to give Mr. Willis a call. Just one
could save the world. an hour. Just before you click “send” the train enters a 30-mile problem: nobody has Bruce's number.
tunnel, dropping your Internet connection. Did I mention your Finding somebody on the Web used to be difficult. If you
Video (Without Flash) laptop only has two minutes of battery left? Did I mention you were looking for a Susan Smith living in Seattle, searching for
Imagine your name is Jack suffer from a rare condition known as Tunnel-Induced Mem- “Susan Smith Seattle” would return pages for people named
Bauer and you've just learned ory Loss? That's right, you're about to forget the cure to cancer
because of the same condition that causes Pittsburghers to for- continued on pg. 34
20 P I T T S B U R G H T E C H N O L O G Y C O U N C I L
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.................................................................................................................................................................................................. START Me Up
KEEPING PUBLICITY REVVED FOR PRODUCT LAUNCH
BY MIKE MATESIC, CEO, IDEA FOUNDRY
I
F YOU WANT TO LEARN HOW TO GENER- licity occurs in short spikes, with a news event or a hot re- and validates the integrity of your product. It’s an objective,
ATE PUBLICITY FOR YOUR STARTUP, view of your product setting off a loud bang before dissi- third party endorsement you can leverage to generate leads,
THERE’S NO SHORTAGE OF EXPERTS pating into media silence. attract business partners and incite interest from investors,”
PROFFERING ADVICE ON THE INTER- Part of the solution to this problem is averaging out says Gaynier.
NET. GOOGLE THE WORDS “PUBLICITY” the sharp drop between publicity highs and lows by creating Recently, Gaynier’s iTwixie Web site, which is tagged
AND “STARTUP,” AND UP POP THOU- a media buzz that you manage. A judi- “the ultimate hangout for ‘tween girls,” was named one of
SANDS OF LINKS THAT PROMISE TO cious flow of substantive press releases, Disney’s FamilyFun Magazine's top 10 Web sites for kids.
MAKE YOU A MEDIA STAR IN A FEW blog posts and tweets can generate a When she received the news she did two very savvy things.
EASY STEPS. steady hum about your business. When First she delayed dropping the press release for three
Assuming the advice is sound and unexpected media attention hits, you weeks after Disney published the news. She did this to
your execution is flawless, you’ll quickly be can funnel the news through the com- spawn a second, more targeted PR campaign to connect di-
flush with customer, media and investor munications channels you’ve already es- rectly with the kid-oriented media outlets that reach her es-
inquiries. Success. You’re set to sell. tablished, creating a ripple effect that you tablished and potential customers, partners and advocates.
But what happens when the media can capitalize on over time rather than a Second, she followed up with a steady stream of tweets
blitz rolls out before your product or service disruptive splash that comes and goes and Facebook posts, creating a viral effect that cascaded
is ready to follow suit? What happens if with no gain. through her network of contacts and took on a life of its own.
Murphy’s Law proves true and the launch that was sup- Rebecca Gaynier is Founder and CEO of iTwixie, a B2B Gaynier believes that harnessing that initial media
posed to happen yesterday gets delayed a week, a month…or company that helps ’tween-girl-focused organizations and spark is an opportunity to “warm up the world to who you
longer? Or what do you do on those rare, seemingly heaven- companies to develop better products and messaging for are as a company and what you have to offer. It allows you
sent occasions when the media machine appears without their target consumer. Her background as a Madison to fine-tune your message and engage inquiring minds in
ever even being summoned? What can seem like a windfall Avenue advertising executive taught her the importance of ways that pull them in and keep them coming back.”
of acclaim and attention can turn into a nightmarish missed both generating publicity and maximizing its usefulness by While you might not be able to control when publicity
opportunity if the public is ready for your product, but your increasing its longevity. strikes, with some planning, prep work and patience, you
product’s not ready for the public. “Publicity not only creates an awareness of your com- can buy time and determine yourself when to step up to the
As it is, these “what ifs” happen fairly often. Most pub- pany, but just as importantly, establishes your credibility podium with product in hand. I
e t e q . p g h t e c h . o r g 21
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E Corner ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................
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GO LEFT, YOUNG MAN BY RON MORRIS, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
For those of you (like me) who study the great really studied the man himself. And, neither did
HOW DOES THIS
SOUND TO YOU ...? entrepreneurs, you may have already figured I study the events in his life that propelled him
out that the individual I’m describing here is to the great successes he achieved.
• He was fired from Walter Elias Disney, quite possibly the greatest Entrepreneurs are a tough-minded bunch.
the Kansas City Star non-scientist entrepreneur in the history of this And here, I’m talking about the real ones –not
newspaper because great country. the, “Look at me, I’m an entrepreneur, too” – as
his work “lacked Why Disney? Simple. Because I’m writing they accept and then burn millions of dollars in
creativity.” this column while with my family at Disney start-up capital – kind.
World; his “touch” is everywhere. You can My definition of an entrepreneur is some-
• He lost his first business and all of his employees because hardly not think of him. one who lights out armed with nothing more
he neglected to read the fine print in his contract. Moreover, Walt would have been proud of than his or her wits and courage. I’m talking
the fact that my family is with me while I’m about the individuals who, and when they meet
• Only two of his employees stayed with him through the working on this article because it was his belief adversity, instead “find a way” to succeed. Lose
tough times -- two employees and his brother, that is -- the that “family is everything.” In his own words, all your employees? This too shall pass. Get
rest were hired away by a competitor because he failed to “The most important thing is the family. After cheated out of your trademarked character?
legally arrest their movement. all, family is the backbone of our whole busi- Re-invent another, better one.
ness.” All these things and more happened to
• After enjoying some small degree of success, he rewarded I knew very little about W.E. Disney when Walt Disney. I
his parents with a new home. Unfortunately, the home he my family and I recently traveled from
purchased had a defective heating and ventilation system, Pittsburgh for a four-day mini-vacation to the Finish reading and comment on this article
causing him to lose his dear mother to carbon monoxide Magic Kingdom. Oh, I knew that he was the at Ron Morris’ Web site: TAEradio.com/TEQ.
poisoning. He went to his own grave feeling personally driving force behind the magnificent Walt © Copyright, Ron Morris 2010, All Rights Re-
responsible for this tragedy. Disney Corporation (magnificent then, not served
necessarily now, unfortunately), but I never
22 P I T T S B U R G H T E C H N O L O G Y C O U N C I L
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................................................................................................................................................................................................... INTER Active
INCREASE REVENUES BY ESTABLISHING RAPPORT – SOCIAL MEDIA CAN HELP
BY DAVE NELSEN, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
N obody wants to be sold to. Instead,
they want to buy from us if we
solve their problems. In order to
truly understand a prospective
with any new prospect, review their LinkedIn
profile to identify potential connection points.
Look for a shared college, hobby, sport, past em-
ployer, industry association, professional ac-
more hard work led to the ultimate sale.
Rapport building idea #2: When communicating
more broadly, a cultural touchstone can provide an equally
effective connection point. In his “Randy’s Journal” blog,
customer's problems, we’ve quaintance, or almost anything Boeing (specifically Randy) cleverly riffed on the 20th an-
got to talk to them. Well, not else (avoiding, say, shared for- niversary of the movie “Back to the Future” to explore the
talk “to” them, but talk mer spouses and the like). past and future of the airline industry. Like Michael J. Fox
“with” them...openly. I was speaking to a CEO (a.k.a. Marty McFly), Randy traveled back in time by track-
Side note: One of my fa- group in Baltimore this sum- ing down Boeing’s 20-year forecast for passenger air miles
vorite sales rules: “Remember, mer when one CEO asked to from 1952. Then he went back to the future, showing Boe-
you have two ears and one share his story. His company ing's latest 20-year forecast.
mouth; spend twice as much had been trying to crack a key I call this framing. If airline industry insiders start to
time listening as talking.” account, making no headway see that same future, it’s a safe bet that they’re more likely
(Frankly, 10-to-1 would be over many years. Finally, the to favor Boeing planes over Airbus.
even better, but how much of this behavior can CEO reviewed the decision maker's LinkedIn Rapport building idea #3: Current events, especially
you really expect from extroverts?) profile and discovered that he’d played lacrosse anything that’s caught your target audience’s imagination,
The goal of the conversation is to discover in college. Using email, he asked his sales staff if can provide another powerful connection point.
your prospect's “pain.” Before they will share that, any of them had played college lacrosse. In January of this year, a hiker on Yosemite Bear
you will have to establish rapport. With rapport, Ka-Ching! Mountain happened upon a "full on double rainbow all the
you have the opportunity to build trust. With It took a few weeks for that salesperson to way across the sky." We could hear but not see this guy
trust, you have the opportunity to make a sale. connect live with the prospect. Yet, in a “surpris- as he trained his camera on the rainbow and moved to a
Social media helps you establish rapport in ing” twist, the topic of college lacrosse surfaced vista to better capture the entire view. To say that he was
so many ways; just pick your favorite. less than 30 seconds into the call; imagine that. It incredibly enthusiastic or unbelievably stoned...or both...is
Rapport building idea #1: Before meeting broke the ice, established rapport, and after lots an understatement. [continued on pg. 34]
e t e q . p g h t e c h . o r g 23
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COMMUNITY Cause .............................................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................................
TAKE ACTION!
The mission of the Refresh Kittan-
REFRESH KITTANNING AIMS TO INSPIRE GROWTH
AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN SWPA TOWN
spired to invest in the community. or ask a similar existing shop in the can also submit news or announce-
ning Project is to ignite and advo- While they assume the majority of region to consider opening another ments to the site. This site is not only
cate economic growth amongst people would like to see a large inno- branch. Another option that group about attracting new businesses, it’s
businesses in Kittanning, Pa. The vative company such as Apple or hopes for is that someone reading the also about helping current businesses
group created a Web site, www.re- Google open up a local office, the site with entrepreneurial ambitions succeed.
freshkittanning.com, in which peo- group has no problem starting small— may see a clear need and consider Kittanning is a very scenic town
ple can share ideas on how to make as one job created is better than none. investing in the community. located on the banks of the Allegheny
the community better. Each month The concept is River. Residents are able to enjoy the
there will be a new featured topic pretty simple and is best of both worlds. The town is sur-
that focuses on economic develop- hoped to work as rounded by many outdoor activities,
ment. The group hopes to use the follows. They expect but is only a short commute from the
collective power and talents of the the site to receive a lot center of Pittsburgh. In addition, there
community to improve upon and of ideas on each topic, are many universities and technical
promote the advantages of their but hope to find schools of all distinctions within an
community to the world. reoccurring trends or hour’s drive from town. Being a county
The initial topic asks what type of needs within the seat also helps create traffic in town.
businesses community members responses. For exam- The low cost of living and low cost of
would like to see in town. The group ple, if many people in doing business is very advantageous
expects to see a wide array of ideas, the community would This quaint town is looking for ideas: for businesses.
ranging from massive undertakings to like to see a coffee shop www.refreshkittanning.com! You don’t have to be a resident to
simple suggestions. They can then open, the group will share your ideas—all ideas are
take that feedback and ask local busi- take that feedback to current local The Web site has a few other welcomed. Anyone with entrepreneur
nesses about expanding into that area. businesses and see if they would be in- features for businesses, which include aspirations is strongly encouraged to
They also hope entrepreneurs who terested opening one. They could also a free directory listing and a commer- regularly check the site as they might
visit the site will see a need and be in- use the data to target a national chain cial property listing. Local businesses find a great opportunity. I
24 P I T T S B U R G H T E C H N O L O G Y C O U N C I L
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........................................................................................................................................................................................................ WHY IT Works
BRANDING 101 By Rick Cancelliere, President, Nerve Marketing
Your logo is not these aside and consider them “brand ele- Wikipedia says: think “athletics.” When you put those
your brand. ments.” “A brand is the personality that identifies a shoes on or those basketball shorts on –
Neither is your product, service or company (name, term, you go from John Doe (or Jane) to John (or
slogan, product What is a brand? sign, symbol, or design, or combination of Jane) Athlete. It is an instant metamor-
name(s) or company name. However, Branding incorporates the brand elements them) and how it relates to key constituen- phosis that occurs simply by veiling your-
these elements are a part of your brand that work together to form a brand concept. cies: Customers, Staff, Partners, Investors, self in the company’s brand. The brand
and branding itself (the term) has Brands are managed as a part of a brand etc.” aspiration is so strong that they expect you
caused quite a bit of confusion in many strategy and their value depicted by the When asked to define Apple’s brand, to play harder, run faster and throw further
business circles. Keep this article handy phrase “brand equity.” Next, brand posi- Steve Jobs said their brand answers this simply because of what you feel when you
if you ever need clarification. tioning and leveraging are branding man- question: “Who is Apple and what we stand wear this name.
agement approaches. Finally, the identity, for in the world?” and that their brand
Clearing up the confusion: Branding 101 image, personality, essence or soul, charac- needs to help them stand out in a very noisy Building your brand
After working with technology companies ter and culture are the brand components. world. He went on to define their brand as Again, branding begins with a strategy. For
for over 15 years, we see “branding” is all too All of the brand elements we typically their “core value” which all of their brand more information on a brand strategy, stay
often confused with a number of business find people confused by normally fit into components support: “Apple at the core, its tuned to future Why It Works articles. I
elements that are a part of the brand but not one of these components. Essentially, core value, is that we believe that people
“the brand.” branding is the result of the combination of with passion can change the world for the Rick Cancelliere (rick@ivegotnerve.com) is
all elements that create the brand, brand better.” Everything they create supports President of Nerve Marketing, Pittsburgh’s
What is not a brand? perception, and brand awareness. that idea. marketing specialist for the medical and
To understand what a brand is, let us first When asked to define Nike’s brand it technology sectors. Nerve develops and
establish what it is not. Your logo, trade- In plain English, please? still shocks me how many people say “It’s implements marketing strategies,
mark, company name, product name, serv- Try to see branding as a “prejudice” for or the Swoosh!” or “Just Do It!” In reality, campaigns, Web sites and hosted
ice name, mark, sound, etc. are all elements against something. Nike’s brand is much simpler. It is “athlet- applications for medical and other
of the brand – not the brand itself. Let’s set ics.” When you think Nike, they want you to technology companies.
e t e q . p g h t e c h . o r g 25
REBRANDING PITTSBURGH [PART 7]
BY AUDREY RUSSO, PRESIDENT AND CEO, PITTSBURGH TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL
s a region, as a city, we continue to Giving birth to a business is not a one-person hilarating. This work consumes one’s life. This
FROM THE PRESIDENT
A hear from the tech community, par-
ticularly startups, that we are not an
entrepreneurial place to create or
grow a tech business. We hear that it
is difficult to attract investors of varying levels
job. As one colleague reminds me, “It takes a vil-
lage to start a company.” It does. It takes a ton of
time to ensure community engagement on the part
of the new CEO and their team. It requires the abil-
ity of a new CEO to push against the odds of deliv-
work is not to be taken lightly. There is no such
thing as work-life balance for a very long time.
Today, 85 percent of all jobs in the U.S. are in
small businesses. This is our future. We actually
have no choice but to embrace small businesses!
of need. We also hear that there is a need for ering or designing their product or service while So what can we do to help these companies, in par-
talent in areas of technical expertise, as well as working to understand the inner workings of op- ticular, tech companies, to thrive?
seasoned leadership, which are required to erations while simultaneously selling. Selling to 1. If you know someone who is taking an idea
rapidly position and grow amazing ideas and customers, pitching to investors, selecting em- and bringing it to fruition, ask how you can help.
solutions into vital (and viable) companies. ployees, figuring out leases, realizing the need for Perhaps you can collaborate on an idea or with a
Now I could tell you, in detail, all the companies insurance, making payroll, working with an ac- customer.
who are thriving (you recall, we did have Tech countant, finding legal support, protecting I.P., dis- 2. Our region’s multinational corporations with
50 in October, which demonstrated all the com- covering partnerships, reviewing contracts, headquarters here in SWPA – open your procure-
panies who ARE growing and have received in- solving people issues, and keeping abreast with the ment to these newly launched businesses. Let
vestment). Instead, I propose that what we competitive market are just some of the variables them beta test in areas that would provide value
need as a region is to embrace the practice of of launching a business. This work is NOT for the and limit business risk. Be an ambassador for their
tolerance and inclusion. faint-hearted! This work is grueling as well as ex- business.
26 P I T T S B U R G H T E C H N O L O G Y C O U N C I L Translation by Echo International [www.echointernational.com]
CHANGING OUR ENTREPRENEURIAL CULTURE
3. When you discover a business has not taken hold and cated workforce will also reflect more diversity. (CORO 2001) TODAY, 85 PERCENT
the CEO has dissolved the business only to start another 6. Encouraging attraction of diverse populations means
FROM THE PRESIDENT
one – celebrate their resiliency and realize they are driven we have to be inclusive, and tolerant of differences. People OF ALL JOBS IN THE
and will learn from their previous business. (In other re- who start new businesses, particularly tech companies, U.S. ARE IN SMALL
gions of the country, entrepreneurs are revered for taking seek access to the best and brightest talent. This is a cir-
these risks and venture capitalists often look at this cuitous process that only accelerates when there is growth. BUSINESSES. THIS
process as talent development.) 7. Angels, I know you are out there. In order to have a IS OUR FUTURE. WE
4. Pittsburgh has finally been able to hold a positive net thriving entrepreneurial culture, we need to have healthy,
migration, with some data pointing to our increase of robust angel networks. We need more of you to understand ACTUALLY HAVE NO
young (25-34) people who are highly educated (college what these companies are working on, in addition to your CHOICE BUT TO
degree). Remembering that small businesses provide 85 wisdom and investment.
percent of all jobs nationally, Pittsburgh HAS to ensure the EMBRACE SMALL
creation of small businesses to ensure our talent remains So Pittsburgh, what do you say? At the Council, we work BUSINESSES! SO
here, the retention will attract others of like minds and hard for our members to make sure they are connected
interests. with business opportunities across the regional, national WHAT CAN WE DO
5. We have the best and brightest people studying at our and international ecosystem. We know that the next ren- TO HELP THESE
universities. Students in science and technology are more aissance has begun, as tech companies forge the path. We
likely to leave the region after graduation than any other also know that this will not happen without the region look- COMPANIES, IN PAR-
discipline. People who obtain secondary degrees are even ing ahead not behind. We are not a gray, dirty region any- TICULAR, TECH
more likely to leave the region. Our universities attract more. That’s a memory. We are NOW paving the road,
diverse populations, which does not mirror SWPA’s popu- where few, if any, U.S. cities, have traveled. Keep Pittsburgh COMPANIES, TO
lation. If we can keep the educated population, our edu- entrepreneurial. I THRIVE?
e t e q . p g h t e c h . o r g 27
CAN GOVERNOR-ELECT CORBETT
TRANSFORM STATE GOVERNMENT?
PUBLIC POLICY
B Y B R I A N K E N N E DY, V P O F G O V E R N M E N T A F FA I R S, P I T T S B U R G H T E C H N O L O G Y C O U N C I L
SHORTLY AFTER PRESIDENT BARACK
OBAMA’S ELECTION TO THE PRESI-
absolutely nothing transformative during the
past 20 years, the need for innovation and gov-
THE GOOD NEWS FOR CORBETT
DENCY, HIS NEWLY APPOINTED CHIEF ernment reinvention calls out like an American
OF STAFF, RAHM EMANUEL WAS auto company for a government bailout.
IS THAT THERE ARE MILLIONS
QUOTED AS SAYING “RULE NUMBER In Pennsylvania, some legislators know that
ONE: NEVER ALLOW A CRISIS TO GO TO they support government spending for key serv- OF PENNSYLVANIANS THAT
WASTE...THEY ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO ices, but I suspect that some have forgotten why:
DO BIG THINGS.” for their constituents who use the services, or for WILL SUPPORT HIS EFFORTS
In Pennsylvania, where our budget deficit the benefit of the public sector unions that
easily may exceed $5 billion in the coming deliver the services? TO REINVENT STATE GOVERN-
months, and with Governor-Elect Tom Corbett For legislators that fancy themselves as
who has made an iron clad promise to avert any champions for particular government services, MENT FROM THE GROUND UP.
form of a tax increase, Pennsylvania will be hard this is a key question that must be answered dur-
pressed to go on doing business as usual. In- ing the coming debates. If we are innovative, and IN THE TECHNOLOGY INDUS-
deed, now is the time for us to require “big if there are no sacred cows, service reductions
things” from our policymakers. The opportunity, are not inevitable. TRY, THIS IS EXACTLY THE
both from a political and circumstantial perspec- What is needed in Pennsylvania is a com-
tive, has never been greater. plete reinvention of government, where leaders TYPE OF CHALLENGE THAT
To be sure, in the next couple of months, of both parties reach consensus on what services
leaders from the General Assembly will try to
maneuver according to their historical roles. A
are “core” and then set-out to identify the most
effective means of delivering those services.
EXCITES ENTREPRENEURS
large group of legislators will call for higher busi- Obviously, this sounds like a simple concept.
ness taxes in order to avert what they will declare But in Pennsylvania, we often prioritize the de-
AND INNOVATORS.
“draconian” reductions in key services. Other leg- livery mechanism of government services over
islators - emboldened by public outrage over the actual delivery of the service.
IN ADDITION TO THE
government spending - will enthusiastically sup- The good news for Corbett is that there are
port reductions in government services as a millions of Pennsylvanians that will support his OBVIOUS TECHNOLOGICAL
means of avoiding higher taxes and future efforts to reinvent state government from the
deficits. ground up. In the technology industry, this is ex- INNOVATIONS THAT MEMBERS
But eventually, even the most emboldened actly the type of challenge that excites entrepre-
of fiscal hawks will find them self lamenting the neurs and innovators. OF THE PITTSBURGH TECH-
loss of a particular government investment. In addition to the obvious technological
After all, governments do exist to perform cer- innovations that members of the Pittsburgh NOLOGY COUNCIL CAN OFFER,
tain key functions. With a budget deficit that is Technology Council can offer, they also live in
approaching 20 percent of the state’s overall our communities and have a vested interest in THEY ALSO LIVE IN OUR
budget, even the most core government services the success of the state.
will be imperiled. Hopefully, and with the assistance of the COMMUNITIES AND HAVE A
Writing about this topic, David Brooks re- Pittsburgh Technology Council, these entrepre-
cently published an insightful op-ed in The New
York Times (Paralysis of the State) that lamented
neurs will look at the current crisis as an oppor-
tunity to reinvest in Pennsylvania’s future. Our
VESTED INTEREST IN THE
the inability of governments to meet their obli-
gations and to do what he labeled as “big things.”
organization looks forward to working with Cor-
bett’s transition team and towards connecting
SUCCESS OF THE STATE.
He placed the blame for this squarely at the feet his organization with our region’s best and
of public sector unions and their patron law- brightest.
makers who have purposefully blunted the abil- We all look forward to having a more nim-
ity of governments to be innovative and nimble. ble and effective government. I
In a state like Pennsylvania that has done
28 P I T T S B U R G H T E C H N O L O G Y C O U N C I L
e t e q . p g h t e c h . o r g 29
CONNECT WITH THE BEST TECH TALENT THROUGH
THE PITTSBURGH TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL
By Justin Driscoll, Director, STEM Talent Acquisition [jdriscoll@pghtech.org]
THE PITTSBURGH TECHNOLOGY COUN- careerconnector.com) since it averages well over DURING THE MONTH OF
CIL IS WORKING HARD ON BEHALF OF 1,000 open opportunities. About 500 of our mem-
SEPTEMBER, I WAS ON 12
S T E M TA L E N T
OUR MEMBER COMPANIES TO FIND TOP ber companies use the site on a yearly basis. Over
TECHNOLOGY TALENT FROM ACROSS the last 12 months, the site has been visited about DIFFERENT FLIGHTS VISITING
THE NATION TO WORK IN LOCAL TECH- 500,000 times. It is a great resource for any com-
NOLOGY COMPANIES. Over the past several pany looking to find top technology talent to relo- 10 DIFFERENT COLLEGES AND
weeks, I have spent a lot of time traveling the coun- cate here to Pittsburgh UNIVERSITIES. AT THESE EVENTS
try visiting job fairs at leading computer science If your company is in the process of recruiting
and engineering universities looking for great tal- talent, we have about 500 resumes from across the WE CAME ACROSS SOME GREAT
ent to relocate to Pittsburgh. During the month of country and across the Pittsburgh region that you TALENT FROM UNIVERSITIES LIKE
September, I was on 12 different flights visiting 10 might be interested in perusing. If you would like
different colleges and universities. At these events access to them, send me an email with “Out-of-
GEORGIA TECH, DUKE, MIT, PENN
we came across some great talent from universities town resumes” in the subject line, STATE, AND MANY MORE WHO
like Georgia Tech, Duke, MIT, Penn State, and many jdriscoll@pghtech.org. I will be happy to provide.
more who are looking for internships or full-time As 2010 winds down and 2011 cranks up, the
ARE LOOKING FOR INTERNSHIPS
jobs. Many of these students were not aware of the Council will continue to ensure that our member OR FULL TIME JOBS. MANY OF
technology opportunities that are available in the companies have access to the best computer sci-
Pittsburgh region. I spent the most of my time ed- ence and engineering talent by visiting pockets of
THESE STUDENTS WERE NOT
ucating these students about how Pittsburgh has the country where these pools of candidates cur- AWARE OF THE TECHNOLOGY
changed and pontificating the virtues of the great rently exist. We will also continue to form partner- OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE AVAIL-
companies that exist in our region and finally why ships with other economic development
they need to come here to work, play and live! organizations that are interested in bringing the ABLE IN THE PITTSBURGH REGION.
I was encouraging candidates to visit the best talent the nation has to offer to our three
Council’s Career Connector Web site (www.pgh- rivers. I
30 P I T T S B U R G H T E C H N O L O G Y C O U N C I L
B2B Business Development
EXPLORE THE FLOOR: for Manufacturers Only
By Jennifer Young, Managing Director, Advanced Manufacturing Network & Green Technology Network [jyoung@pghtech.org]
One of the most difficult tasks I am charged their process and/or their company philosophy novate solutions, and create value for their cus-
COUNCIL BIZ-DEV
with as a member of the member services and here’s the kicker: it’s only open to manufac- tomers is very helpful to me and our organization.
team here at the Council is finding creative turing firms. By limiting attendance to manufac- Also, I’ve connected with other companies who
new ways to encourage business-to-business turers only, the threat of being targeted as the have helped open doors for us with potential new
interaction with a hopeful result of business sought-after “red meat” is eliminated. It allows at- customers.”
growth. For manufacturers, this task is espe- tendees to let their hair down, network with their The AMN has sold out nearly all of the re-
cially daunting, mainly because these individ- peers and, most importantly, get inside the doors gionally held Explore the Floors, most recently on
uals are often highly sought-after at of another plant to potentially learn something November 16 at United States Steel Corporation.
networking events. This is perhaps the most new. The next Explore the Floor is planned for Mine
difficult hurdle to overcome when planning a What’s the best thing that has come out of Safety Appliances in March.
networking opportunity - convincing a manu- the series? The companies in attendance often Over the lifespan of the series, the AMN has
facturer who doesn’t want to be “sold to” to connect with other companies and create busi- taken the show on the road, transporting a group
come out and network. ness relationships with one another that often re- of 30 manufacturers on a charter plane to Cater-
In an attempt to create something that man- sult in utilizing each other’s networks down the pillar in Peoria, Illinois, in April as well as Lincoln
ufacturers would not only find valuable, but also road to connect with a highly sought-after client. Electric in Cleveland, Ohio in [September]. An-
would be able to use to make those coveted “busi- “I try to attend every Explore the Floor that other out-of-state Explore the Floor is planned for
ness -to-business” connections, AMN created the my schedule permits,” says Dave Spehar, Direc- the spring of 2011, and it’s one you won’t want to
Explore the Floor series, a tour of a manufacturing tor of Operations for the California-based Penna- miss. (Hint: this one also includes a chartered
company - with teeth. How does it differ from tronics. “Manufacturing products always plane ride!)
every other site tour? Prior to the excursion, the presents challenges, and some of those challenges For more information regarding the
host company provides attendees with an are universal regardless of industry. Seeing how Explore the Floor series, contact Jennifer Young
overview of a particular aspect of their business, other manufacturers handle those challenges, in- at jyoung@pghtech.org. I
e t e q . p g h t e c h . o r g 31
NEW MEMBERS
3 Rivers IT Solutions, LLC Bravo Group, Inc. Doug Owen Consulting Flying Cork Media, LLC. Megha Technologies Sandler Training
3 Park St 8162 Brittany Pl 101 Washington St, Ste 1 320 Fort Duquesne Blvd Ste 200 1061 Parkview Blvd 2593 Wexford Bayne Rd Ste 104
Charleroi, PA 15022 Pittsburgh, PA 15237 Pittsburgh, PA 15218 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Sewickley, PA 15143
MEMBERS
www.3riversitsolutions.com www.thegravogroup.com 412-580-3351 www.flyingcorkmedia.com www.meghatechnologies.com www.dan.sandler.com
412-217-7330 412-288-5142 412-897-6623 412-203-3117 724-940-2388
Dynamic Manufacturing, Inc.
Adecco Compass Business Solutions Inc. 156 Armstrong Dr Frances Harpst MGM Automation
2 Gateway Center, Ste A 8963 Seneca Ave Freeport, PA 16229 49 Wilson Dr 1665 Washington Rd Seegrid Corporation
Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Pittsburgh, PA 15237 www.dynamic- Pittsburgh, PA 15202 Pittsburgh, PA 15228 216 Parkwest Dr
www.adeccousa.com www.compass-resources.com manufacturing.com 412-983-8192 www.mgmautomation.com Pittsburgh, PA 15275
412-261-0304 412-366-7881 724-295-4200 412-833-0101 www.seegrid.com
Group 16 412-621-4305
Allegheny Investment Concept Development Group ePlus Technology, Inc. PO Box 782 MYRIAD Communications
Strategies LLC 2305 Smallman St 323 North Shore Dr Ste 350 Monroeville, PA 15146 PO Box 578 The Search Monitor
5539 Raleigh St Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Pittsburgh, PA 15212 www.group-16.com Ligonier, PA 15658 117 Nottingham Dr
Pittsburgh, PA 15217 www.conceptdevgroup.com www.eplus.com 412-980-1955 www.myriadcommunications.com Pittsburgh, PA 15205
412-422-7435 425-890-9183 412-258-1694 800-698-1038 www.thesearchmonitor.com
Growth Consulting & Interim 321-206-9705
Allsteel, Inc. Consolidated Power Supply, Ethical Intruder, LP Executive Management PGH Marketing
346 Tampa Ave Engineered Products Divison dbaEthical Intruder 219 5th Ave PO Box 125 Valdez International Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15228 241 Center St 1213 Galveston Ave Carnegie, PA 15106 Oakmont, PA 15139 795 Pine Valley Dr Ste 22
www.allsteeloffice.com McKeesport, PA 15132 Pittsburgh, PA 15233 412-418-5399 www.pghmarketing.com Pittsburgh, PA 15239
412-715-5108 www.consolidatedpower.com www.ethicalintruder.com 412-225-7478 www.valdezicorp.com
412-678-1010 412-720-8542 Intuo Tech 412-205-5776
Applied Sciences Group 300 Hidden Ridge Ct Ste 102 Plum Borough School District
4455 Genesee St Cook MyoSite, Inc. Fifth Third Private Bank South Park, PA 15129 900 Elicker Rd Xerox Corporation
Buffalo, NY 14225 105 Delta Dr 707 Grant St www.intuotech.com Plum, PA 15239 8 Penn Center West
www.appliedsciencesgroup.com Pittsburgh, PA 15238 Gulf Tower, Ste 2000 508-308-1220 www.pbsd.k12.pa.us Pittsburgh, PA 15276
716-626-5100 www.cookmyosite.com Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-795-0100 www.xerox.com
412-963-7380 www.53.com Louis Plung & Co. 412-506-4858
Bike Pittsburgh, Inc. 412-291-5555 Four Gateway Center, Ninth Fl Ripple Rock, LLC
3410 Penn Ave Data Networks Pittsburgh, PA 15222 1621 Blackburn Heights Dr LIST INCLUDES NEW AND
Pittsburgh, PA 15201 400 Lytham Ct www.louisplung.com Sewickley, PA 15143 RENEWED MEMBERS
www.bike-pgh.org Moon Township, PA 15108 412-281-8771 www.ripple-rock.com THROUGH 10/31/10.
412-726-5872 www.datanetworks.com 412-719-9204 COMPANIES THAT JOINED
412-491-3953 OR RENEWED AFTER THIS
DATE WILL BE INCLUDED
IN THE NEXT ISSUE.
COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE W.S. (Rick) Brown IV Jay Katarincic, Jr. Keith Schaefer John P. Friel
COMMITTEE MEMBERS Lucas Systems, Inc./ Draper Triangle Ventures BPL Global, LTD. Medrad, Inc.
Lightfoot Inc.
James E. Cashman III Pradeep Khosla, Ph.D. Chris Simchick Donald H. Jones
ANSYS, Inc. Thomas G. Buchanan Carnegie Mellon University SDLC Partners Draper Triangle Ventures
Chairman Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, PC CIT Dean’s Office
Jim Spencer Angel G. Jordan, Ph.D.
David P. Klasnick Eric G. Close Eric Koger EverPower Wind Holdings, Inc. Carnegie Mellon University
PNC Financial Services Group RedZone Robotics, Inc. ModCloth
Treasurer Raul Valdes-Perez William R. Newlin, Esq.
Giorgio Coraluppi, Ph.D. Mark Jay Kurtzrock Vivisimo, Inc. Newlin Investment Company
Peter M. DeComo Compunetix, Inc. Metis Secure Systems
ALung Technologies, Inc. Robert E. Wohlford Frank Brooks Robinson, Sr.
Patrick Daly Frank E. Livorio Ericsson Data Networks Regional Industrial
Lynette A. Horrell Cohera Medical, Inc. Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania Development Corporation
Ernst & Young LLP of Southwestern
Ilana Diamond Richard R. Lunak EMERITUS BOARD Pennsylvania (RIDC)
James W. Liken Sima Products Corp. Innovation Works MEMBERS
J.W. Liken Holdings Jack Roseman
Sanford Ferguson, Esq. Marc Malandro, Ph.D. Jay D. Aldridge Roseman Institute
Marlee S. Myers, Esq. K&L Gates University of Pittsburgh JDA Associates
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP John R. Thorne*
Theodore G. Glyptis, CPA John W. Manzetti Glen F. Chatfield Donald H. Jones Center for
Audrey Russo PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Pittsburgh Life Sciences OPTIMUM Power Technology Entrepreneurship
Pittsburgh Technology Council Greenhouse
Michelle Heying James Colker James Williams, Jr.
DynaVox Technologies Sean C. McDonald CEO Venture Fund Seagate Technologies
DIRECTORS Precision Therapeutics, Inc.
John Houston Mark S. Evans *Deceased
Anthony R. Bridge Bayer MaterialScience, LLC Robert M. Moorehead
United States Steel Corporation First Niagara Bank Confluence
Chairman Emeritus
32 P I T T S B U R G H T E C H N O L O G Y C O U N C I L
RENEWED MEMBERS
All Water Systems Inc. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney DON’T MISS THE DECEMBER BREAKFAST BRIEF-
MEMBERS
Allegheny Conference on Community Mt. Lebanon Office Equipment Co., Inc. ING ENTITLED “THE BUSINESS OF HEALTH” WITH
Development and Affiliates NanoLambda, Inc.
CHRISTOPHER T. OLIVIA, M.D., PRESIDENT AND
Allegheny County Parks Foundation Nerve Marketing
Belcan TechServices Corporation Nokomis Inc. CEO, WEST PENN ALLEGHENY HEALTH SYSTEM
Bossa Nova Robotics Oakland Real Estate
Bradley Brown Design Group Omnyx When: December 2, 2010, 7:00 AM - 9:15 AM
Bridge Semiconductor Corporation Open Minds LLC
Where: Rivers Club, 301 Grant St #411, 15219
BxVideo Solutions, LLC Panasas Inc.
Carnegie Speech Company PEAL Center
CIBER, Inc. PESTCO, Inc./AIR-SCENT International With more than 13,000 employees, 700 physicians and
Citrin Consulting Pipitone Group 500 residents, West Penn Allegheny Health System is
Clark Testing Group Pittsburgh Penguins the second-largest private employer in western
Communifx Pittsburgh Transportation Group
Pennsylvania. West Penn Allegheny is a five hospital,
Community College of Allegheny County Preservation Technologies, L.P.
Compu-Fix, Inc. Presidio Networked Solutions
academic health system with two major teaching
Computational Diagnostics, Inc. Quest Analytics facilities and $1.7 billion in revenue.
Concurrent Technologies Corporation Raeder Landree, Inc. Olivia has been leading the System since 2008. To
Consulting Professional Resources, Inc. Regency Group date, he has: reorganized the System’s leadership
Cowden Associates, Inc. Rhiza Labs
structure and devised operational performance
Crossroads Development Group, LTD Right Management
Daedalus Inc. Scalable Solutions, Inc. improvement assessment and implementation plans;
Datavibes, Inc. Schneider Downs & Company, Inc. negotiated an improved cotract with the region’s
Deborah Shapiro SDLC Partners L.P. dominant payor; secured gains in public funding;
Diane C. Wuycheck Public Relations/Marketing/ Semantic Compaction Systems
established the mission and long term vision for the
Communications Consultant Sherrard German & Kelly, P.C.
Ernst & Young LLP SomnoTech, L.L.C. business; put forth a major hospital consolidation
Executives Associates of Pittsburgh South Hills Movers plan; and improved operations by more than $140
Finneran & Associates, LLC Sprint Nextel million. And Olivia has just begun! Come see how
Foerster Instruments Inc. Staffing Direct Business Solutions, LP
Olivia is addressing the current challenges and
Frank E. Sparr & Co. Strategic Development
Gateway Financial Group, Inc. Sucevic, Piccolomini & Kuchar Engineering, Inc. opportunities facing West Penn Allegheny and how he
Generation Technologies, L.P. Synergy Staffing Inc. plans to lead the System to success.
GigaHertz, LLC Systems Imaging, Inc.
Hamiltonian Systems Inc. TCG Solutions, Inc.
Register for this event and other Council
Health Monitoring Systems Technology Blue, Inc.
Icebreaker Resources LLC The DBA Zone, Inc. events at: www.pghtech.org/events
ICON Consultants TriMech Solutions
Idea Foundry Trinity Energy Corporation
IQity Solutions, LLC University of Pittsburgh, Office of Human Resources
Kurt J. Lesker Co. University of Pittsburgh, Office of Technology Management
Lang Patent Law LLC
Life'sWork of Western PA
Verizon Pennsylvania, Inc.
Warner Telecomm CLICK HERE TO SEE
Manpower Professional Westinghouse Electric Company
MARC USA Wombat Security Technologies
HOW TECH COMPANIES FIND
Mastech Inc. Youngstown State University VALUE WITH THE PTC.
Michael Baker Corporation YouthPlaces, A Tides Center Project
Mizrahi Inc.
COUNCIL PARTNERS IIII
The Pittsburgh Technology Council programs and products are made possible through the generous financial support of our partners and
members like you. For more information about how you can become a partner with the Council, please contact brian lang at (412) 918-4249.
e t e q . p g h t e c h . o r g 33
...............................................................................................................................................................................................
CONTINUED... ...............................................................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................................................................
CREATING VALUE STARTS WITH HTML5 SAVES THE
STRATEGIC THINKING WORLD - HUZZAH!
[continued from pg. 19] [continued from pg. 20]
Process Capability: Information Management Susan Seattle living in Fort Smith, or a Chicago barista at
Managing and controlling the quality, access, and use of infor- Seattle's Best Coffee named Susan Smith. The traditional
mation assets is an essential part of supporting effective deci- Web just wasn't very good at providing context.
sion-making. Information management guides strategic thinking Microdata adds context to HTML, allowing comput-
around governance and compliance, data quality, and presenta- ers to understand Web pages as easily as people can. Bruce
tion and analytics. Willis could make it easy for search engines to find him by
adding this HTML5 syntax to his MySpace page:
BI Competency: Technology
Technology plays an important role in supporting the BI Value <span class="given-name">Bruce</span>
Chain. This competency focuses on the systems infrastructure <span class="family-name">Willis</span>
side of BI. <div class="tel">310-555-1234</div>
Technology Capability: Systems Planning Microdata formats exist for geographic coordinates, re-
BI requires the right technology infrastructure to support the or- sumes, calendars, and even recipes. Search engines that
ganization’s vision for BI adoption and use. Systems planning support Microdata (such as Google) can provide more ac-
guides strategic thinking around software, network servers and curate search results thanks to the added context. Web
storage, and security. browsers can use Microdata to extract meaning from
pages, which opens the doors to many cool features. For
Technology Capability: Data Management example, imagine if Firefox automatically added an event to
Smart organizations implement best practices to control, pro- your calendar when you accept an Evite invitation.
tect, enhance and deliver timely, accurate and relevant informa- Thanks to HTML5, cancer will be cured, Pittsburgh
tion. Data management guides strategic thinking around and Earth will remain out of harm's way, and we'll never
database management, integration and transformation, and mas- have to watch another Bruce Willis film again. Huzzah! I
ter data management.
In the next issue of TEQ, I’ll discuss BI competencies and their
related capabilities through the lens of Delivery. I
INCREASE REVENUES BY
ESTABLISHING RAPPORT
Greg Steffine has been helping organizations use information [continued from pg. 23]
to sell more, spend less, and work smarter for more than two
decades now. His client experience represents a broad cross- Almost 15 million views later, Microsoft realized that
section of industry and company size, from mid-market growth this scenario (the double rainbow part) would beautifully
organizations to the Fortune 500. Greg has held management illustrate the need for one of their products.
positions in sales, marketing, product development, and infor- In early September, Microsoft did a humorous
mation technology and has been involved in nearly every aspect sendup of the original, showing us the Crazy Double Rain-
of systems development. As a business intelligence and in- bow Guy (brilliant move #1 – and he looks pretty much like
formation management strategist, he helps clients effectively in- he sounds) to promote its Windows Live Photo Gallery
tegrate people, process, and technology in order to support product. They had their buttoned-down corporate
value creation. Mr. Steffine currently serves as the BI Practice voiceover guy exactly parrot the language of the original
Director for SDLC Partners, L.P. You can learn more about Greg (brilliant move #2 – very funny and surprisingly endear-
through his online profiles at www.linkedin.com/in/steffine and ing).
www.visualcv.com/steffine. You can also reach him through Payoff: Imagine one million people voluntarily view-
email at TEQBI@sdlcpartners.com. ing your commercial and then recommending it to their
friends. Brilliant!!! (…to quote another commercial – Guin-
ness).
So next time you venture into social marketing (say
this afternoon), try using this technique to start the con-
versation. I
34 P I T T S B U R G H T E C H N O L O G Y C O U N C I L
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