What Are Your Plans for Accelerating Your Business in 2013?

FROM THE CEO

What Are Your Plans for Accelerating Your Business in 2013?

The end of the year in Silicon Valley is more about getting back to work than taking time out for beach, beer and barbies like we do Down Under.

The short Christmas-New Year break was a culture shock for me in my early days in America, a country that does not observe Boxing Day, much less break for a month or more to spend time relaxing with family and friends.

There are a couple of reasons transplanted Aussies or Kiwis will give you for this. One, it's winter in the States. Two, we have been celebrating intermittently since Thanksgiving.

The Northern Hemisphere has short days on its side for doing what's necessary to close out the old year and make plans for the new. In this regard, entrepreneurs based in the Valley (and/or spending their holidays here) have an advantage over those who are not. In a global market, taking your eye off your business acceleration strategy when your competition is planning, focusing and scheduling important meetings and milestones can turn into a critical disadvantage that can set goals for 2013 back significantly.

Am I saying that those of you lucky enough to be having a summer holiday season should cancel your plans and spend the next six weeks indoors? Or, better yet - give up the holiday house on the beach for a hotel room in Silicon Valley? Absolutely not!

But I am saying be sure to allow some time to keep thinking business acceleration amid the good weather and good cheer. Some of our best ideas and solutions come to us when we take a break. Be sure to use this time to your advantage in that regard over your Northern Hemisphere counterparts. Enjoy your holidays!

And for those of us who will be taking just a few more days off this year before getting back to work on January 2, may your futures all look bright!

We wish all our members - in both hemispheres - good health, much happiness and a prosperous and meaningful 2013.
Viki
Viki Forrest, CEO ANZA Technology Network

SAVE THE DATE! Webinar with Venture Capitalist Bill Reichert of Garage Technology Ventures
ANZA's first webinar of 2013 is scheduled for February 6 at 12pm AEDT in Australia / February 5 at 5pm PST in the US.

Bill Reichert, Managing Director of Garage Technology Ventures, returns to give us his latest insights into building great businesses. Last year, hundreds of entrepreneurs from around the world got an inside look at new rules on innovation and entrepreneurship from one of Silicon Valley's most respected leaders in one of its most established VC firms.

This year, we're excited to bring Bill back to hear his latest tips for 2013. Add the date February 6 at 12pm AEDT in Australia / February 5 at 5pm PST in the US to your Google calendar now.

Watch for registration info in mid-January and be sure to sign up ASAP. This webinar will quickly reach capacity.

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BOOK YOUR 2013 MEETING WITH ANZA NOW

Business acceleration plans don't need to stop for the holidays. If you will be in Silicon Valley in January, book a meeting with us at our San Francisco office.

Email Viki to set up an appointment.

We will be in Australia in February. If you are interested in meeting to better understand our Fast Track program and if it is right for your business, email Viki today.

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ANZA ON 21st CENTURY BUSINESS TV

ANZA CEO Viki Forrest was interviewed on 21st Century Business TV as part of a show on "Next-Generation Business Solutions". Watch our segment in its entirety here (or click on the YouTube icon on the left). If you are interested in using this clip (or a shorter, 3-minute version) on your website or newsletter, please contact our marketing manager Kathy Drasky at marketing@anzatechnet.com.
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BUSINESS ACCELERATORS VS. INCUBATORS

by Javier Lopez, ANZA Client Manager

"Business incubators mentor companies through childhood while business accelerators guide them through adolescence into adulthood."

That is one of the best distinctions between accelerators and incubators I have heard. I use this a lot when I meet with potential clients for the first time who are unsure if they are ready for, or actually need ANZA, which is a business accelerator.

I wrote a blog post a while back on the the differences between incubators and accelerators and what an accelerator can offer you in the way of achieving and maintaining success in a new market. You can read my post on the ANZA blog.
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Join the solar revolution with cleantech entrepreneur Danny Kennedy's new book Rooftop Revolution.

Rooftop Revolution is a resource and a how-to guide - not just to putting solar on your roof but also to being part of the fight against Dirty Energy. This book boldly debunks the many myths surrounding the solar industry and unveils simple ways that the public and policymakers alike can engage in generating positive change.

"Danny Kennedy makes a compelling case for why solar power is the crucial energy technology of the 21st century." - Michael Brune, executive director, Sierra Club

Get your copy here.

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ANZA MENTORS are entrepreneurs who have built globally competitive businesses -from startup to successful exit. They have taken products to market, raised capital, built high-performing teams; they have been on both sides of the board table and the investment table and they have M&A and IPO experience. They bring all this talent and experience to ANZA's services when they engage with ANZA to mentor our clients.

ANZA MEMBERS, DISCOUNT AVAILABLE FOR HANDLERY HOTEL IN SAN FRANCISCO. ANZA has negotiated an accommodation discount deal for our members traveling to San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Click here to book discounted room nights at the Handlery Hotel, located in Union Square, downtown San Francisco. Close to SOMA, rental car agencies and public transportation for easy access to Silicon Valley.

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UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Visit our calendar to see a comprehensive list of upcoming events of interest to entrepreneurs and tech industry insiders in the US, Australia, China and more.

- Victorian Companies: Victorian companies looking to do business in the US or China are eligible for the Victorian government's Department of Business and Innovation's Fast Track program provided by ANZA. Click here for more details.

- Market Research: ANZA takes a very practical approach to market research beginning with a thorough understanding of your company's needs and objectives. We then combine our own market research resources (developed over the past 10 years) with our team of in-market mentors to deliver detailed market research to you. Contact ANZA CEO Viki Forrest for more information.

- Business Matching: ANZA leverages our proprietary database of over 5,000 members to provide a superior business matching service across all technology industries in the US and China. These introductions are based on the trusted and personal networks of ANZA's mentors. Before you embark on a business trip to the US or China, ANZA will work with you to understand the purpose of your trip, identify key objectives and desired outcomes and organize a series of business meetings aligned with your travel schedule. Contact ANZA CEO Viki Forrest for more information.

- Fast Tracking: Your business accelerator into the US or China market. Time to market is a top-priority for all CEOs. ANZA has developed Fast Track with this in mind. With the right connections and a laser-sharp focus, Fast Track reduces the costs and risks associated with expanding your business into the US or China. Whether it is raising capital, finding distributors or securing new customers, ANZA has the network of experts to work with you to accelerate your success. Contact ANZA CEO Viki Forrest for more information.

FEBRUARY 6-7, 2013 - Palm Springs, CA. 9th Annual Clean Tech Investor Summit. Come join the "who's-who" of the cleantech sector including leading investors, Fortune 500 executives and entrepreneurs for two days of high-level presentations, conversations, and networking. ANZA members receive $500 discount when you register at this link and use the code: ANZACT.

FEBRUARY 8, 2013 - Sydney, NSW. Deadline for video pitches for Innovation Bay's next Angel Dinner (to be held in Sydney on February 19). Businesses in the high-tech space seeking funding are encouraged to apply. Click here for complete details.

FEBRUARY 20-22, 2013 - Gold Coast, QLD. Australian Association of Angel Investors National Conference. This year's theme is "Games in Technology Investing". Topics covered will include investing in emerging companies and the many game-like approaches applied. The conference will also devote a section to online games and sound investment opportunities in that sector. Click here for program and registration details.

FEBRUARY 27, 2013 - Sydney, NSW. GeoNext. Conference on location-based technology and business. Come join the conversation with leading developers, businesses and entrepreneurs, and learn about the future of location technology, data sharing, the latest location start-ups and much more. ANZA members receive $50 discount. Use code 50DISC. Click here for more details and registration.

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Do you have an upcoming event of interest to share with more than 5,000+ ANZA TechNet members? Would your organization like to partner or form an affiliate relationship with ANZA to more rapidly realize sustainable global commercialization goals? Send your event listing to marketing@anzatechnet.com. For partnership and affiliate information, contact ANZA CEO Viki Forrest at viki@anzatechnet.com.

ANZA. Innovation Rewarded.

See our Calendar for upcoming events near you. Many are free or include discount codes for ANZA TechNet members.

Join the ANZA Technology Network on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Follow us on Twitter at @anzatechnet.

And - as always - keep up with relevant industry news, announcements and opinions as they relate to Australia, New Zealand, the US and China doing business together in Silicon Valley and beyond on the ANZA Technology Network blog.
Do you have an upcoming event of interest to entrepreneurs, investors, tech execs and service providers working with companies in the US, Australia, New Zealand or Asia?

Send details to us at marketing@anzatechnet.com and we will add it to the ANZA TechNet calendar on our website. ANZA now has 5,500+ members worldwide.

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