The New Technology Triangle by Jim Garrettson Hope you enjoy our predictions. The new technology triangle connects Washington, D.C. government contractors to Silicon Valley’s technology and New York’s supply of funding. This triangle acts as the nexus point to access the world’s largest customer, our government. And U.S. firms aren’t the only ones lining up at the government’s door here in the greater D.C. region. International organizations are working through our area firms. Their relationship, like the roads of Rome that led its conquerors to the gates, is also bringing U.S. firms rapidly into the global marketplace with greater speed than ever. Tom Patterson on 1/24     Firms need not be massive to achieve global operations as a result of these new roads in and out of our capital area. Tom Patterson, author of Mapping Security, will speak on January 24th about the ability to do business globally, seamlessly and securely at an upcoming ExecutiveBiz event – Learn more and register here.     Michael Wilbon on 1/25 The Redskins are out, but the best part of the season is still ahead. Don’t miss the January 25th Potomac Officers Club event featuring Washington’s favorite sports writer, Michael Wilbon. This event is made possible by Greenberg Traurig. Click here for full details and registration. Ben Hammer on 2/2     You need to know what reporters are looking for, if you want to get into the headlines. Don’t miss the upcoming event, “Meet the Reporters,” because it will get you noticed. Learn more about this event, taking place on February 2nd at the Capital Hilton. Don’t miss our spotlight interview with Rand Blazer, new general manager of SAP and former CEO of Bearing Point. We also have an interview with Sundeep Sanghavi, chairman of hot new company, Razorsight, on its recent $10 million funding from Sierra Ventures. He talks about the company, what the money will be used for and why they chose a firm outside the D.C. area for funding. So much for the Gold rush -- our executive survey revealed that 56 percent believe its price will only be slightly higher this time next year. Take this week’s survey on who will win the Super Bowl. JOIN EXECUTIVEBIZ - EXECUTIVE CLUB Are you looking for the area's best executive events, best content and a new place to network? ExecutiveBiz is the place you’ve been looking for! ExecutiveBiz the weekly digital magazine is now also ExecutiveBiz the networking organization for the Greater Washington DC area business community. I'm a member of ExecutiveBiz "Having the opportunity to interact with business executives across a variety of sectors provides great insight into market needs and trends as well as potential opportunities for business collaboration. Participating in events and gatherings with subject matter experts also provides a broader view of opportunities to favorably influence the public policy discussion on behalf of important economic and quality of life issues that impact our community and this country. I look forward to being an active participant." -- Robert B. Dix, Jr., Executive VP, Citadel Security Software, Inc. Learn More or Apply for Membership

	Executive Spotlight	BACK TO TOP

Rand Blazer President and General Manager SAP Public Services Last week former BearingPoint, CEO Rand Blazer was named president and general manager of SAP Public Services. In his new role, Blazer will lead over 300 DC area employees of SAP's U.S. public services unit. In an exclusive interview, we sit discuss why he accepted the job, his top challenges in his new job, and the areas of opportunities for SAP in homeland defense. Click here for the full interview.

Past Interviews  T. Patterson Author Mapping Security: Corporate Security Sourcebook for Today's Global Economy [ COMPLETE LIST ]

	2006 Business Predictions	BACK TO TOP

Predictions from Local Business Leaders for 2006
	"2006 is set-up to be a very strong year in the satellite broadband market. The Internet access revolution that occurred in the developed world over the past 10 years has gained substantial momentum in developing nations. No school, or hospital, or government office or even the smallest business can operate in the global economy without access to a broadband network and the satellite industry is benefiting from this trend. In addition, the global economy seems to be strengthening. Capitalism continues to spread and the broad affect of this is positive. Yes global competition is increasing, but so is global investment and global consumption, and these trends are net positive for the worldwide business climate." John Kealey, CEO, iDirect Technologies
	"The outlook for Government contracting in 2006 should yield positive results for both small and large contractors, as the Federal Government performs more and more A-76 studies. In their quest for the most efficient organization (MEO) to meet mission and program needs that produces sustained return on investment, federal agencies will be seeking comprehensive, timely professional services for attendant programs. This is especially true in the areas of systems integration; telecommunications system upgrades; information and computer security system enhancements; and, overall information technology support. Federal agencies are even more reliant on engineering and technology contractors as they seek to infuse IT within all aspects of program and mission requirements in an attempt to improve system efficiency and effectiveness. Successful contractors must embrace this changing paradigm and focus on providing support while continually looking to reduce life-cycle costs. Opportunities will be available for those firms that have a demonstrated history of performance- based support, implementation of innovative IT systems and solutions, quality control, and program cost reductions in manpower through the use of related open systems." Rodney Hunt, President & CEO, RSIS
	"I continue to be very bullish on the Greater Washington area. The not-so-secret of our recent successes has been our ability to attract and retain excellent creative people. For 2006 and beyond we will need to individually and collectively do what is necessary to improve the region's quality of life . No longer can we hope that someone else is going to seriously address our transportation problems. We will also need to come to grips with the high cost of living. Unless these problems are addressed by leaders from all elements of the community we will lose our desirability as a place to live and work." Alan Merten, President, George Mason University
	"2006 will be another year where the transforming power of technology continues to create a global playing field for business. Companies will continue to find that technology has made it easier to "go global" and that competition has made it essential to do so. New organizational structures will continue to transform preferred ways of doing business from vertically integrated organizations to partnerships and joint ventures integrated via sophisticated supply chain systems. The key drivers: technology, entrepreneurial business models, and global supply and distribution systems will become even more obvious as the ones that businesses must master for success." Howard Frank, Dean, Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland
	"2005 was a very strong year for the M&A and private equity financing market. 2006 is shaping up to be just as strong if not stronger. A 'perfect storm' with variables including relatively low interest rates, a significant private equity fund overhang, large pools of retained earnings sitting in the treasuries of Fortune 1000 and overseas conglomerates set aside for strategic investments and acquisitions, industry consolidations, new technologies and excitement over the applications of Internet 2.0, well funded venture capital and hedge funds and many other factors are contributing to this exciting environment. So buckle up and get ready for a busy year." Andrew Sherman, Esq., Dickstein Shapiro Morin & Oshinsky
	"Technology will continue to transform the way people communicate--particularly in the public relations and communications field. The media will rely even more on online sources for its news, participating in and following online communities of contributors and experts. Business leaders will increasingly obtain news from alternative sources, such as blogs and podcasts. PR is fully a CXO-level initiative and an important mechanism to communicate to multiple audiences: employees, customers, analysts, investors, partners, etc." Elizabeth Shea, Partner, SheaHedges Group
	"2006 will be a year of acceleration: acceleration of global relationships in sales, outsourcing and even banking. India, with its superior intellectual property enforcement, will eclipse China as a target of offshort investment. acceleration of wireless access, products and services. The US will finally catch up with South Korea. Acceleration of the healthcare cost debate, particularly as it relates to American industry, retailing and tax policy. The Maryland Walmart strategy will be the new new thing in forcing employer-paid healthcare." April L. Young, SVP Managing Director, Comerica Bank - Technology Life Sciences
	"For a number of years there has been much discussion and anticipation of ‘convergence’ of technologies, the inevitable coming together and delivery of multiple devices and services. Although delayed beyond original predictions and requiring just a little more capital than anyone expected, 2006 looks like it will be the year when we actually experience great strides in convergence and the seamless adoption of many technological advances. We will see more alignment of interests and collaboration among the organizations that sustain and support the growth and development of entrepreneurial companies in the Mid-Atlantic. In 2006, convergence may be the term that describes how the technology councils, the investment communities, the economic development entities and others will find opportunities to build on the cooperative discussions and events carrying over into the New Year - 2006." Penny Pickett, President, Washington DC Technology Council
	"AOL will continue its impressive resurgence and may have a new owner before the Nationals do! Cable companies and telcos will beat the stuffing out of each other and prices for consumer triple play convergence offerings will plummet. Off shoring to India, and other emerging technology centers, will continue to grow at a fast rate. The winners will figure out how to embrace and benefit from this. The venture industry will continue to invest heavily in consumer internet businesses. Hopefully the painful lessons of the past will be used, not repeated." Gene Riechers, General Partner, Valhalla Partners, L.P.

	Executive Spotlight	BACK TO TOP

Sundeep Sanghavi Chairman and President Razorsight Last week, Fairfax-based Razorsight announced that it had secured $10 million from Bay Area Venture Capital Firm, Sierra Ventures. Sundeep Sanghavi, chairman and president of RazorSight talks about the company, what the money will be used for and why they chose a firm outside the DC are for funding. Click here for the full interview.

Past Interviews  C. Thomas CEO NISCO (Razorsight) [ COMPLETE LIST ]

	Opinion Poll	BACK TO TOP

Question: Who will win the Super Bowl? THANK YOU FOR YOUR OPINION! Right: Most of our readers think gold will be slightly higher this time next year.

LAST WEEK

	Featured Area Events	BACK TO TOP

	Thanks, Potomac Officers Club Sponsors	BACK TO TOP

	Editor	BACK TO TOP

From the Editor This digital magazine is designed to serve the needs of the local business community. Please contact us with your content ideas or advertising requests. We currently reach nearly 50,000 area executives. J.D. Kathuria, ExecutiveBiz Editor jd@executivebiz.com

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