Please view the introductory video below.

Michelli is an internationally sought-after speaker, author, and organizational consultant who has been described as “catching what is right in the world and playfully sparking people and businesses to grow toward the extraordinary.” In addition to writing best-selling books about enduring business principles, he hosted an award-winning daily radio program in Colorado Springs, Colorado for over a decade.

In this video, filmed before his keynote address at the 2010 i xchange, Michelli discusses outcome-based vs. incremental innovation with Lehigh Valley Entrepreneur TV.

Click the image above to download a PDF of the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern PA 2009 Annual Report (2.5MB)

Pennsylvania recently created an Alternative Energy Development Program (AEDP) to save energy costs, reduce dependence on foreign fuels, expand clean energy production, and create energy-related jobs in the Commonwealth. Under the AEDP, the four Ben Franklins statewide have been provided with a total of $40 million over five years to initiate activities that encourage the development and growth of energy-related companies in Pennsylvania. The AEDP will help bring energy to economic development across the state.

Similarly, now more than ever before, companies must bring “energy” to the marketplace. They have to do something that no one else does, and constantly employ innovation in order to continue to succeed. Firms that have the courage to try new things and to identify creative solutions will achieve sustainable competitive advantage.

Inspiration can’t be purchased. You can’t will it to come forth; in fact focusing on it often makes it even more elusive. But when the vision strikes, you must be ready to act upon it. Because inspiration without energy and hard work to drive it is nothing more than a lost idea.

Inspiration can’t be purchased. You can’t will it to come forth; in fact focusing on it often makes it even more elusive. But when the vision strikes, you must be ready to act upon it.

At Ben Franklin, we help companies to act swiftly and appropriately when their inspiration is marketable. They come to us with ideas. We supply them with the tools they need to seize the opportunity and achieve their goals. We provide financial investments. We introduce clients to proven business and technical experts, to resources at area colleges and universities, and to sources of follow-on funding. When we bring these elements together on behalf of our clients, there is no limit to what their creative energies can achieve. We energize innovation.

R. Chadwick Paul

President & CEO
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania

Before the event, Lehigh Valley Entrepreneur interviewed DeGraff about the current state of the innovation in the United States. This is Part One of the interview. Click here for Part Two.

Degraff is a professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. He is also the managing partner of Competing Values Company, a consulting firm that assists leaders in facilitating change, and the executive director of the Innovatrium Institute for Technology.

3M, Apple Computer, American Express, GE, Johnson & Johnson, LG, Pfizer, Toyota, and Yahoo are a few of DeGraff’s representative clients. Besides being a charismatic and in-demand speaker, DeGraff is a thought leader at top innovation incubators and think tanks such as the Aspen Institute. His advice is frequently sought by the investment community on how to choose, manage, and harvest winning ideas and successful business enterprises.

The i xchange combined the presentation of Ben Franklin’s fifteenth annual Innovation Awards and executive networking sessions with a keynote address by Jeff DeGraff, who is known as the “guru to the innovation guru” at Fortune 500 companies. Awards were presented in eight categories, to companies, organizations, or individuals who have achieved business success through Ben Franklin, have helped others to achieve success, or who have improved their business through innovation.

Click each picture below for a larger view.

Entrepreneurial Achievement Award, Solid Cactus

Past Innovation Award Winners

Academic Partner Award, Dale Falcinelli

i xchange 2009: What exactly is "innovation"?

Incubator Graduate Award, Right Reason Technologies

Keynote Speaker Jeff DeGraff, the "innovation guru"

Product Innovation Award, Saladax Biomedical

The lobby of Zoellner Arts Center during i xchange 2009

Innovative Application of Technology Award, Diversified Information Technologies

Keynote speaker Jeff DeGraff

Manufacturing Achievement Award, United Corrstack

Event host R. Chadwick Paul, President & CEO, BFTP/NEP

Entrepreneurial Advocate Award, CEO & Stuff

Ben Franklin, American Innovator

Special Achievement Award, Ellen Horan

This year, BFTP/NEP profiled client company Custom Processing Services in a video at the start of the awards ceremony.

Ben Franklin TechVentures is located on Lehigh University’s Mountaintop Campus, across the street from the former Ben Franklin Business Incubator at Jordan Hall. The facility is owned and managed by Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern PA.

Ben Franklin greets TechVentures visitors

Cutting the ribbon

Inside Ben Franklin TechVentures

Please view the 2007 movie below.