As a past guest on the PI Window on Business Show Bill Michels discussed the collapse of the GM domestic supply chain on the August 11th segment “Intersecting Ideals: Why GM’s Supply Chain is in a State of Ruin,” and the implications of government policy as a member of an international guest panel for the September 30th Buy American Special that also included a brief interview with Canada’s Trade Minister Stockwell Day. As part of our new Business Thought Leaders Series, I am pleased to announce that Bill will be providing his perspective on the trends that are influencing and reshaping the world of purchasing and supply chain practice. In this first of what will be quarterly appearances on the PI Window on Business Bill will talk about two areas of great interest; the recent Toyota recall including the role that supply chain has and will play in this unfolding story and, the launch of ADR Academy's new Adaptive Learning Program. To learn more about Bill, please visit the Thought Leaders Section of the PI Window on Business Blog which will be launched on February 26th, 2010

As a past guest on the PI Window on Business Show High Tech Venture Capitalist and premier blogger (Feld Thoughts) Brad Feld discussed the need for Founders Visas in the top rated segment "Diminishing Prospects: How U.S. Policy is Undermining Entrepreneurial Vision."

Brad also joined us in December 2009 to examine the barriers to foreign VC investment in another popular segment titled "Foreign and Domestic Capital Investment: A Matter of Opportunity Versus Choice."

As part of our new Business Thought Leaders Series, I am pleased to announce that Brad will be providing his perspective on the world of Venture Capital investment including the latest news and emerging enterprises that are expected to make a mark in the world of business.

In this first of what will be quarterly appearances on the PI Window on Business, Brad will tell us how Rally Software is building a great company by being responsive to the need for a more adaptable work environment.

To learn more about Brad, please visit the Thought Leaders Section of the PI Window on Business Blog which will be launched on February 26th, 2010

Do you keep thinking or talking about writing a book? Thoughts alone won't make it happen! If you want to see your book in print, you need to make it a priority, make a plan, and obtain some skillful guidance to help you write the best possible book!

Mindy Gibbins-Klein is The Book Midwife™, international speaker, top book coach and leading UK writing and publishing strategist.

"You can and should write your book because it's easier than you think, with the right help and guidance" according to Mindy.

Establishing your personal or corporate brand as a subject matter expert through writing and publishing a book is an essential step in differentiating your services and/or products in what is becoming an increasingly crowded social media-driven world.

Like networking, this is no longer an option. The challenge of course is where to begin. This is where Mindy Gibbins-Klein comes in.

In today's PI Window on Business, Mindy will be sharing with us her expertise and insights on taking those first important steps towards establishing yourself as a brand force in your selected area of practice or business.

Of the diverse, interesting and yes even thought-provoking topics we have covered on the PI Window on Business show leadership, and in particular 21st century leadership, is an area upon which we have focused a great deal of our time and energy. So when I first saw the commercial for Undercover Boss, I can say without any hesitation that I was hooked before the 30 second spot was over. For me it was the realization of an evolutionary leadership cycle which began with the unapproachable reverence surrounding the Henry Ford's and the E.I. du Pont's to the modern day celebrity accessibility of a Lee Iacocca and a Donald Trump to the now real-world vulnerability of . . . an Undercover Boss. Vulnerability, humility and even a healthy dose of courage were words that came to mind along with a feeling that I could only equate with standing over a precipice of the unfamiliar and unknown. In short, it is one thing to walk the talk - it is an entirely different scenario to live the talk, especially on the front lines of a multi-billion dollar corporation. But live it Lawrence O'Donnell, III President and Chief Operating Officer of Waste Management did . . . in front of close to 39 million viewers following this past Sunday's Super Bowl. In a recent interview Mr. O'Donnell, although I would imagine that he would not be offended if I referred to him by the now familiar Larry, used terms such as "not in my wildest imagination," I am definitely not a reality-type person" and "when Lynn Brown brought this to me I told her she was crazy," to describe his first reaction to the suggestion that he become an Undercover Boss. Despite the obvious reservations, Larry O'Donnell did however become the first Undercover Boss on CBS' smash hit. I am also pleased to say that Larry O'Donnell will be my guest on today's PI Window on Business Show.

A Reluctant Prospector is someone who owns a small business and loves what he (or she) does... but hates the idea of self-promotion. He'd be happy as a clam if he could just DO what he DOES all day long and not have to worry about where his next client or customer is coming from. He realizes that there is a certain amount of marketing he'll have to do, but he sees it as a necessary evil, not something he enjoys. He's NOT a salesperson in search of a product or service to sell - he has a product or service and wishes it would sell itself. Sound familiar? When sales guru Jennifer Allan, author of critically acclaimed books including "Sell With Soul" and "If You're Not Having Fun Selling Real Estate, You're Not Doing it Right" was a guest on the PI Window on Business Show this past December, it was clear from the start where the Soul of her book and beliefs originated. In fact, and in a world in which personal branding is the key element of building one's profile and establishing an enduring presence, Jennifer's belief that success is not found in aggressive marketing techniques or hard-core sales pitches, but rather in being competent in one’s craft" was refreshingly energizing. A quiet competency I would write, that establishes confidence in those with whom she seeks to connect and serve. Needless to say, when Jennifer agreed to making regular appearances as a guest on the PI Window on Business through a series of conversational lectures, I was delighted to bring this knowledge to you our listeners. In this first in what will be a regularly scheduled segment, Jennifer will tackle what is the most challenging and prevalent task facing the sales professional . . . finding and connecting with prospective clients. This 45 minute segment will feature a 20 minute lecture by Jennifer, followed by an open Q&A session in which you the audience, can ask questions or share experiences.

The story of William Felix Browder and Hermitage Capital Management’s experience in Russia is an interesting story. One in which the seemingly symmetrical alliance of opportunity and history converging in an emerging Western-style market promised to deliver prosperity to a nation in transition.

So what happened?

What was behind Browder's and Hermitage's dramatic shift from being the “largest foreign portfolio investor in Russia,” to what is “now the biggest enemy of the State of Russia.”

This is an intriguing tale of “corrupt bureaucrats and their businessmen accomplices,” false accusations of an apparent “risk” to national security and the unlawful seizure of company assets in the hope of gaining access to $230 million.

It is a story in which one might be inclined to see this as the persistent and pervasive remnants of a fatally flawed state.

What is interesting is that the drama in Russia has little to do with the apparent failings of an ersatz democracy or even the establishment of a westernized monetary system. The real issue is one that is likely to both surprise and engage you!

One in which Hardy contends, has little to do with the trappings of wealth and its voracious pursuit, and more to do with power.

Turning our attention back to the Hermitage experience in Russia, the real question that needs to asked and answered is simply this . . . is the Bill Browder story an example of a flawed political state resurfacing in the guise of capitalistic aspirations? Or is it an example of the toxic mix of oligarchical capitalism and a country that is susceptible to an artificially created concentration of wealth and power?

Joining me today to expand on the Hermitage story, as well as look at other areas of concentrated influence is author of "The Hidden Game" John Berling Hardy.

Last evening Judy Bradt contacted me suggesting that we bump our scheduled 3rd segment in the 7-Part "Seven Steps To Success" Series on winning government contracts.

According to Judy, a Washington-based expert author on government contracting practices, the Canadian Government will announce today:

* A BAA waiver on the remaining stimulus money and,

* a Canadian "sign-on" to the WTO 37-State access (something Bradt indicates other countries already have in place

Given the above news I am of course inclined to agree.

That said the regularly scheduled series will resume on March 1st, with a Special Buy American segment airing in its place today.

Key areas upon which Judy will focus include:

* to what degree will the ARRA waiver be retroactive, and at what point in the procurement process will there be meaningful access for Canadian firms.

* the significance of WTO 37-State access, which Bradt has referred to as a "major" win for the Canadian water, wastewater, HVAC, construction and building supplies firms.

Having followed this story extensively, including the September 30th, 2009 broadcast of a special Buy American segment on the PI Window on Business in which I was joined by both a guest panel and Canada's Trade Minister Stockwell Day, this should be both an interesting and insightful show.

Broadcasting by Live Remote Feed from the prestigious Manitoba Club in Winnipeg Canada this event, which has been coordinated through Winnipeg-based Beyond Referrals, will provide valuable insights from one of the most proficient governments in terms of public sector procurement policies and practices, Australia.

Conference Overview:

There is much that Canadians can learn from Australian innovation in professional services procurement.

James Leathem, Managing Director of Magnetized Markets in Australia will be presenting research results from almost 300 Australian organizations highlighting issues and opportunities consistently faced by government and business procurement departments and suppliers.

He will also present case studies showing two different approaches used in Australian Local Government for sourcing of professional services – both decentralized sub-tender sourcing, and centralized vendor management.

The case studies will focus on the role of innovative new technology that has been developed by Magnetized Markets to support these approaches, simplify the process, and lead the drive toward better results for all parties.

100 Episodes! It doesn't seem that along ago that I moved into the host's chair here on the PI Window on Business Show on Blog Talk Radio. Perhaps it is not a milestone that can be measured in terms of time, but instead in the richness of the experience of being able to share the virtual airwaves with some of the most fascinating, insightful and amazing people. As I am sure you already know, this is a passion of mine, and I consider it to be a great privilege to connect with you the audience, who so generously give of your time to join me each week. I can only hope that you have come away from our time together enriched in some small way, and that through the first 99 shows you have enjoyed the experience as much as I. There has of course been a great deal we have experienced, and interviews too numerous to count that we have enjoyed. From leading political figures such as Canada`s Trade Minister Stockwell Day, and social media gurus and Godfathers such as David Cushman and Shel Israel. We have had on the show new media journalists like The Young Turks' Cenk Uygur and branding experts such as Libby Gill, Marsha Friedman and the incomparable Marketing Doctor himself Dr. John Tantillo. We've talked about leadership with Dr. John Ullmen, Bill McAneny and Dr. Gaby Cora, as well as examined the world of social networking with both Penny and Thomas Power. We have even welcomed both local as well as international musical talent such as John Wright and award winning blues band Ryan Hartt and The Blue Hearts. It has been a fun, action-packed ride. So much so that naming everyone who has been a part of each and every broadcast would require more space and even more time than a 90-Minute Special could afford. That said I have taken the liberty of assembling some of the most memorable highlights from the past 99 episodes to share with you today. So sit back, enjoy, and thank you for giving me the opportunity to do something I really love.

Welcome to this the second of a special seven part series, in which I am joined by Judy Bradt who is an expert author, speaker and consultant who will provide invaluable insight into on how companies can capitalize on the emerging opportunities in the US public sector.

As the Principal of Summit Insight in Washington DC, Judy’s been covered by national media including SBTV, ABC Radio, the Financial Post, Fortune Small Business, and Entrepreneur Magazine. From 1988 to 2003, Judy was the top specialist in US government contracting at the Canadian Embassy in Washington DC. Leveraging her more than 20 years of experience advising more than 6000 clients on success in government contracts that collectively have accounted for revenues in excess of $300 million US, Judy will take us through her critically acclaimed “Seven Steps to Success” presentation.

As a supplier you will gain the necessary insights to shorten the time line between the response to government tenders, and the realization of tangible revenue. As a government procurement professional, you will find the answers to why bid responses have been declining and with it the value in both pricing and quality of service.

In our first segment on the 18th of January, we covered the principles associated with step one of Judy's seven steps for winning government contracts, which centered on the importance of Strategy.

In today's 60 minute broadcast will we will discuss the importance of FOCUS.

Just a reminder for our listening audience, that we are on the air with Judy every second Monday when we will review the remaining steps which include; Process, Competition, Teaming, Relationships and Marketing. (Note: Please refer to the Seven Steps to Success Page on the Procurement Insights Blog for series dates and times.)