Show Up – Stand Out

Almost every day, as CEO of Arizona’s Bioindustry Association, I see and hear about the most amazing things.

I meet researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs who are discovering and developing new ways to feed the world, create alternate sources of energy, and are delivering innovations that sustain, improve and save lives.

I meet lawyers, bankers, investors, advisers, economic developers and leaders committed to do helping them do just that.

The funny thing is, in almost every conversation, at one point or another, the same questions come up:

  • How do I connect to partners?
  • How do I connect to capital?
  • Where do I find the talent I need to grow my team and my  business?
  • Are the resources I need available here?
  • How do I let people know how what we have/do can help them?
  • How can I help my elected officials understand what we need to succeed?

The underlying belief is that we each could be more successful if we had the answers to those 6 questions.

Perhaps the answers can be found if we follow two steps…

Step One:  Showing Up

Whether it is showing up at events, at capital conferences, at industry gatherings, or at  the State or Nation’s Capitol, showing up is the  first step towards getting the attention, shared understanding, support and resources we need to succeed. Showing up and engaging person-to-person lays the foundation for relationships, future collaborations, and partnerships.

We miss the chance to tell our story, demonstrate our expertise, or gain acceptance for our innovation, product or service if we do not connect and engage with others.

Step Two:  Standing Out

When we show up we often find that we are not alone.  Lots of folks understand the importance of showing up and do it consistently.  So the next step is making sure we stand out. There are many strategies for standing out from the crowd.  Here are just a few.

  • Show up consistently.  When you do, old friends look for you and new contacts are told to keep an eye out for you as someone they will want  to meet.
  • Demonstrate what you do or have to offer.  For example, the top 10% don’t just show up for trade shows and conferences, they are on center stage and top of mind with exhibits, poster presentations, sponsorships and ads.  They are  easy to spot and much less likely to get lost in the crowd.  They are much more likely to be remembered the next day too.
  • Offer assistance.  Those that help others get singled out, are at the center of the action, and rarely get lost in the melee.
  • Deliver value.  Nothing makes a longer lasting impression.

This Spring AZBio has a number of opportunities for you to Show Up and Stand Out. 

From simple community gatherings in each region like Beer & Bio to statewide events like the AZBio Expo and at national conferences including the Bio International Convention and AdvaMed 2012, AZBio is committed to providing you with the opportunity to show up, stand out and get noticed.

Want more opportunities to get engaged?  Every week we’ll keep you In The Loop with the latest events and up to  date schedule of where you can show up and stand out.  Plus, you can find national opportunities by subscribing to AZBio Opportunity Alerts at AZBio.org.

It’s all part of AZBio’s commitment to you and  to your company.

We’re keeping our community connected  so that together we all keep moving forward faster.

AZ Biosciences: Innovation, Investment and ROI

2012 marks year 10 of Arizona’s Bioscience Road Map, a collaboration between private  investors, philanthropists, public and private corporations, universities, governments and a dedicated group of leaders who share a vision for Arizona’s Bioscience Industry and our state’s future.  Committed to bioscience  innovation and the social and economic benefits it brings, our community has invested and now is reaping measurable returns on those investments.  To stay the course, we must continue to innovate and invest.Continue reading

Arizona’s Next 100 Years

On Valentine’s Day in 1912, Arizona became the 48th state and the last of the contiguous 48 states.  Alaska and Hawaii would join The Union later, but for native Arizonans, it was a momentous day.    Fast forward 100 years and now Arizona is in its centennial year.  The celebrations have begun and more are to come.  The question is, what lies ahead in our next 100 years.

Spending my days in the midst of Arizona’s bioscience community, I get little glimpses of the future.  Artificial hearts, life saving technologies, truly green energy sources drawn from algae farms, and agricultural advancements that will allow us to feed the world.

So in honor of Arizona’s centennial, it might be fun to postulate on what it will be like to be an Arizonan 100 years from now at our bi-centennial.

Continue reading

BIO History: Scottsdale attorney shares stories from BIO’s early days

BIO was created in 1993 through the merger of the Association of Biotechnology Companies and the Industrial Biotechnology Association. The goal was for the entire industry, from young startups to established companies, to speak with one voice for the industry on important policy issues.  Some of the biggest breakthroughs in the early days came from BIO’s work with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

AZBio Member and Scottsdale patent attorney Barbara J. Luther was part of the team of BIO members that worked through those early changes at the USPTO and shares memories of those early days in this continuing series…Continue reading

The Power in Showing Up

Last week on January 18th, I had the opportunity to join our Arizona Bioscience Community for the celebration and dedication of expanded facilities at the Arizona Center for Innovation at the U of A Tech Park in Tucson.  It was wonderful to see industry leaders and partners from across the State  of Arizona take the time to connect and celebrate this new milestone in AzCI’s growth and to learn about the companies that are supported and make a home there.  Together they are building businesses, creating  jobs, and launching technologies  that will lead to new innovations.  It all starts when we choose to show up.Continue reading