Pittsburgh, PA, and Cincinnati, OH (February 28, 2007). Business Growth Alliance, LLC (BGA) recently hosted a Middle Market Business Owner/Executive Workshop in Cincinnati. The event was co-sponsored by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber and The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G). The subject of the workshop was: Increasing Profit and Sustaining US-Based Middle Market Businesses By Accessing Fortune 500 Company Know-How & Development Support. The event was open to middle market business owners and executives in the Cincinnati regional area, and attendees had an opportunity to discuss collaboration opportunities with P&G.

“Many Fortune 100 (and some 500) corporations are interested in collaborating with middle market companies, which can access and profit from technologies and know-how these larger corporations have developed,” said Ben DuPont, President, yet2.com, a founding Affiliate Member of BGA. Mr. DuPont added, “Conversely, large companies, such as P&G, are also interested in intellectual property, including technology, products, know-how, design, and packaging which have been developed by middle market businesses. This collaboration is commonly referred to as open innovation.”

P&G has embraced Open Innovation, which it calls Connect + Develop, for about five years, and now over 40% of all of its in-market products have a major component sourced from outside the Company. “P&G is open for business and collaboration,” said Mark Peterson, Director, External Business Development. “We are always interested in identifying opportunities to collaborate with partners here in our own backyard or anywhere around the globe.”

Representatives from P&G's External Business Development group met with the attendees through a series of specialized breakout groups to discuss P&G’s Connect + Develop strategy, which focuses on collaboration with external partners.

“The Cincinnati workshop was a fantastic forum to help fill the unmet needs of privately owned, middle market companies like mine, which may not be aware of the local networking opportunities, financing solutions and growth options such as, accessing know-how and development support from companies like P&G, a Cincinnati based Fortune 100 Company,“ said Mr. J.J. (Jeff) Richards, Vice President Operations, WAYTEK, a manufacturer of paper, film & foil adhesive coating and converting based in Franklin, OH. He added, “A unique event like this one helps fill the need to grow our business in today’s competitive global environment.”

In addition, representatives from other BGA Member Firms were available to explain how a middle market company can improve its business strategy and results by gaining direct access to “know-how” and development support from larger companies. James C. Bly Jr., Co-Chairman, BGA, and President and CEO, Source Companies, LLC, focused on how mid-sized companies must re-think their growth strategies and learn how to factor into their plans the ability to access world-class know-how, development support, and even brands and product lines from Fortune 500 companies.

Mr. Bly presented practical examples of what middle market manufacturing companies are doing to profit from this emerging trend. He also shared with the audience his “10 Rules for Success” which all middle market companies should consider as they build a capacity for breakthrough growth through strategic innovation. “Most medium-sized companies have not considered, as a key element of their growth strategy, accessing know-how and development support from Fortune 500 companies,” said Mr. Bly. “Often, that would be less risky than considering growth through business acquisitions.”

The conference was well received by the companies which had been invited to attend, according to many members of the audience who participated in the Executive Roundtable Discussion at the end of the workshop. “Business Growth Alliance, along with P&G and the Cincinnati USA Chamber, created a unique opportunity for successful fortune 100 (and 500) companies to share proven profitability and value creation strategies with executives and owners of mid-sized companies,” said Mr. Mike Molewski, CEO of Molewski Financial Partners of Bethlehem, PA.

“The Chamber is proud of our association with this conference and the great opportunity it provided for our region's middle market firms to learn from best in class businesses concerning open innovation,” said Mr. Patrick Sheeran, Vice President, Middle Market, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber.

ABOUT BGA

Business Growth Alliance, LLC (BGA) believes that locally owned, privately held, growing and profitable medium-sized businesses are materially important contributors to the betterment of regional economies and the social fabric within communities. BGA has carefully selected and organized a National Affiliate Network of seasoned, professional services firms, which are dedicated to providing growth advisory and investment banking services to middle market and family-owned companies and their principals. In addition to their core growth advisory and investment banking services, BGA Member Firms collaborate to address the strategic growth, capital formation, owner liquidity, and governance needs of such businesses and their owners. The eight Founding Affiliate Members of BGA include: de Visscher & Co., Source Companies, LLC, yet2.com, The Pursuit Group, Tenzing Consulting, Value Defined Middle Market, LLC, Asher Training, and US China Business Solutions Inc.

ABOUT THE CINCINNATI USA REGIONAL CHAMBER

The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber is the nation's fifth largest Chamber, representing the interests of more than 6,000 member businesses. It supports members and the Cincinnati USA region in pursuit of success in today's global economy. The Chamber provides numerous services, including business retention and attraction, programs and events, member benefits to improve members' bottom line, solutions to members' workforce challenges, government advocacy, and more to create and sustain a positive business climate for our community, including demonstrating a commitment to small and medium business assistance and economic inclusion. The Chamber's talented, professional staff of 80 people works with thousands of engaged member companies, volunteers and partners in an effort to create and sustain a dynamic Cincinnati USA, a region of 15 counties located in three states. The Chamber's member businesses and organizations represent approximately 350,000 employees throughout southwestern Ohio, northern Kentucky and southeastern Indiana.

For further information, please contact:
Manning J. O’Connor II
Executive Director, Business Growth Alliance, LLC
Telephone (724)-933-6650
Email: moconnor@bgallc.net