I don’t know how many Xconomy followers still read print newspapers. But did you see this headline—Health Coverage in Limbo for Many Small-Business Employees—on The Seattle Times’ front page? It’s a storm warning the state’s innovation industries can’t ignore. If you’re a leader of a tech or life science company, your existing insurance plan could … Continue reading “Run An Early Stage Tech or Life Sciences Company? Heads Up”
Author: Ken Myer
Ken Myer is an interim executive and advisor to technology companies providing both strategic and hands-on assistance. For more than 25 years Ken has helped launch or turnaround companies ranging in size from startups to Fortune 100.
Early in his career Ken quickly rose within IBM to take on leadership positions ranging from General Manager of the Pacific Northwest to National Industry Executive for the North America Computer Services Industry---a $500 million IBM business.
Ken enjoys the professional challenge of working in diverse industries and company sizes. He has co-founded a start-up, been a corporate officer and board member of a public company, and has run the Washington Technology Industry Associations --- one of the largest non-profit trade associations of its kind. He has been recognized as one of Seattle’s most influential business leaders and has twice been recognized for leading a “best company to work for”.
Ken holds an MBA and MA from the University of Washington and teaches Technology Commercialization, and Leadership of High Performance Organizations at the UW Foster School of Business. Ken currently serves on the boards of AnswerDash, ESNA Technologies, and Forterra.
Five Predictions for Technology in 2011
Here are a few of my predictions for how 2011 will be remembered: 1. Passive television viewing starts a long slow slide to oblivion. Despite Google’s planned delay of its IPTV launch, 2011 will be the year where Internet Television hits the consumer market and a fundamental shift begins from passive to interactive TV viewing. … Continue reading “Five Predictions for Technology in 2011”
The End of a Recession, the Beginning of a Talent Crunch
The longest recession in U.S. history officially ended in June of this year, according to the National Bureau of Economic Statistics. Yet people in Washington State, even in the technology sector, are still feeling the pinch. Between July and August of this year, our state lost more than 9,000 jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau … Continue reading “The End of a Recession, the Beginning of a Talent Crunch”
New “Innovation Tax” Puts Tech Industry and Professional Service Firms at Risk
The challenge currently before our Governor and Legislature to balance the Washington state budget in the face of declining tax revenues is not an easy one. No one envies the task of either cutting needed state programs or raising new taxes—yet this year we are faced with the prospect of both. In the past 24 … Continue reading “New “Innovation Tax” Puts Tech Industry and Professional Service Firms at Risk”
In Tough Times, We Need Leadership, Not Interference, From Lawmakers
Likely you have heard about the large and growing budget problem we have in our state. Right now the gap between projected tax revenues and spending obligations is over $6 billion and it is expected this will grow by another $1+ billion by the next revenue forecast in March. With this significant financial problem hanging … Continue reading “In Tough Times, We Need Leadership, Not Interference, From Lawmakers”