Innovation Isn't Just for Start-ups:
It’s the Key to Building Jobs and Survival in Challenging Times
Innovation isn’t just for start-ups. It’s required for business survival. Not only learn how to bring an innovative environment to your clients and their companies, but how to increase the speed of innovation up to 6 times and decrease the risk from 30-80 percent!
This is the promise of the Innovation Engineering Management System (IEMS), now being offered to small and medium companies all around the country through the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers. This is a program developed jointly by MEP, Eureka Ranch and the University of Maine, and is also offered by an undergraduate minor and graduate certificate at Orono.
Dr. Catherine Renault, will explain why encouraging innovation in existing small and medium companies, especially manufacturers is critical to the growth of our economy, and how the IEMS can help.
ACE members will learn about a system that is available for companies they work with, and one that can be applied to our own businesses. In addition, some ACE members may wish to join Cathy and others in Maine in being certified as a Black Belt in IE in order to increase their value-add to their clients.
Catherine Renault is the principal of Innovation Policyworks LLC, an innovation strategy and evaluation firm focused on the development and measurement of effective state and regional technology-based policies and programs. Innovation Policyworks helps policymakers and executives responsible for innovation and entrepreneurship programs be sure they are delivering the most effective and cost-effective assistance to companies in their region. Their services include evaluation, strategy development and program management. She also is a consultant with NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology).
Dr. Renault was formerly the Director of the Maine Office of Innovation and Science Advisor to Governor John Baldacci. In this role, she worked closely with industry, legislature and research institutions to promote, develop and implement science and technology policy for state.
Dr. Renault has twenty years of experience in state science and technology-based economic development and evaluation, including leading a group at RTI International in Durham, NC, where she consulted with mostly rural states and regions. Her previous state experience was as Managing Director of Virginia’s Center for Innovative Technology where she was responsible for entrepreneurship and access to capital policy as well as statewide technology transfer initiatives. She also spent ten years in the private sector including AT&T and Data General. Dr. Renault is originally from Boston and received her undergraduate degree from Harvard, her MBA from the University of Virginia and her Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The Round Table discussion follows immediately after the main meeting. Presenter: Denise Martin, Good For You Coaching, supporting professionals in taking their business to the next level.
DEVELOPING YOUR NICHE
Shotgun approach - take everyone who's breathing? - or develop an niche? - what is the best marketing strategy? Niche marketing has been proven over and over again to be the best way to go, for the easiest and fastest route to success.
So how do you define, develop, and reach your niche? This discussion will focus on the best way to do that using online vehicles, language, and other tools to help you determine your niche (if you are unsure or juggling several choices) and then the all-important connecting with your niche, so you and your services can be found by your ideal clients!
The A.C.E. regular meeting has networking, a buffet breakfast and a speaker. Guests are welcome.
Registrations are required by March 13, 2012. If you want to be included on the registration list at the meeting then you need to register by the due date.
You can pay online by credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover NOT AMERICAN EXPRESS!) or mail a check to:
A.C.E.
110 Marginal Way #142
Portland ME 04101
If you are mailing a check, please register here so the system can track the registrants for us. Thanks!
Members: the $22 fee only works if you pay in advance. At the door, it is $28.
