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Focus, execute, compete
1/10/2008
Business Review
by Randy Thelen
It's funny how once in a while somebody will say something to you, and with a little thought it hits you that the comment tells a much broader truth than what may have been intended.
That happened to me one night last fall, when Lakeshore Advantage, along with Pfizer Inc. and Michigan State University, were recognized for the Economic Development Deal of the Year by Business Review. It was an exciting night -- the awards ceremony was fun, and it was great to see the recognition given to the MSU bioresearch institute under development in Holland.
But it was after the event concluded that I got a powerful reminder of what it is that makes west Michigan so successful.
On my way out, I stopped for a quick chat with an area business leader who offered this observation: "What I like most about Lakeshore Advantage is that you guys say what you are going to do, and then, more importantly, you do it."
I was proud to hear that because that statement is much bigger than Lakeshore Advantage. It truly represents what is best about business in west Michigan. Businesses here do what they say they are going to do, and as simple as that sounds, it really does provide an important competitive advantage in an inconsistent world.
If you look at any one of the successful companies here, you'll find that focus and execution are at the heart of how they approach their business.
It's true of our established companies, and it's true in our successful start-ups as well.
One fun aspect of Lakeshore Advantage is our business incubator, the Lakeshore Business Garden.
In just three years, the Business Garden has directly assisted in the beginnings of 16 companies -- who together have created more than 50 new jobs. And it's still growing.
We've found that these successful enterprises share some things in common.
* They are working to fill a clearly defined need.
* They have a sharp focus on how they can create value.
* And they are committed to doing what it takes to execute on their vision.
When they bring these characteristics to the table, we most often see a successful business as a result.
"... Say what you are going to do, then do it." That philosophy has helped launch some great companies through the Business Garden, companies such as
* Creative Byline (creativebyline.com) -- The company is the first to provide book authors online access to the book publishers. Creative Byline is focused on providing high-value service to both sides of the market.
* StabilityOne (Stability One.com) -- This high-end I.T. firm is committed to providing cutting-edge technology services to its clients.
* Visionary Technologies (vis-tech.com) -- This company is focused on providing advanced quality-control automation equipment by using machine-vision technology.
* Crayon Interface (CrayonInterface.com) -- Crayon has developed technology that enables your cell phone to serve as a remote control of almost anything imaginable -- car, home, business.
* William Edwards (william-eds.com) -- WE provides advanced donor-management services to not-for-profits across Michigan, and it's growing. Consider this the not-for-profit world's first move toward outsourcing.
The list of other companies with similar focus, hustle and moxie goes on. In working with the entrepreneurs behind these growing start-ups -- and with leaders of some of our most established, successful companies -- I've come to appreciate how deeply ingrained this is into the DNA of our business community.
Our ability to cut through the clutter and to focus and execute is what allows us to compete with anyone, anywhere. I know that's not exactly a hot new trend around here, but it's important to keep it in mind just the same.
Randy Thelen is president of Lakeshore Advantage, the economic development organization for the Holland-Zeeland-Saugatuck area.
"Economic Advantage" alternates with columns by Battle Creek Unlimited's James Hettinger, Southwest Michigan First's Ron Kitchens and the Right Place Inc.'s Birgit Klohs.
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