The NetSuds Monthly Report

The NetSuds (TM) Report

The March 1, 2001 Issue:

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Definition: "com and .com" = Telecom, Datacom, IT or Internet

In this Issue:

        1.0 Heard on the Net
        2.0 Jobs in the "com and .com" Market
        3.0 NetSuds on Tour - Einsof
        4.0 Genetic Programming
        5.0 Calendar of Events
        6.0 Garage.com Bootcamp, Chicago, March 27-28
        7.0 Guest Writers for This Report
        8.0 Apply to Present at a NetSuds Entrepreneurs Breakfast
        9.0 Business Development 101
        10.0 NetSuds Pitch Teams
        11.0 Minnesota Networking Directory
        12.0 Office Space in Chanhassen

1.0 Heard on the Net

1.1 People on the Move:

        Please email: people@netsuds.com to report a change in your
        job status if you are moving from or to a company in the
        "com or .com" space.

        NetSudser Scott Heimes left Pacific Technologies where he was
        Chief Content Officer to become COO of Virtucom Group on
        February 5. Virtucom is a web content production company.
        See http://www.virtucomgroup.com/ for more information.

        NetSudser John McLaughlin, former Strategic Account Manager
        for CopperCom, has accepted a Major Account Manager position
        at Juniper Networks and will be the first sales person located
        in the Twin Cities for Juniper. Contact John at either
        952.937.1142 or johnmc@juniper.net.

        NetSudser Steven Friswold, former CEO of eBody.com is now a
        Managing Partner with the Manchester Companies which provides
        management advisory, financial advisory and recovery management for
        companies in transition. Contact Steven at either 612.338.4722 or
        sfriswold@manchestercompanies.com.

        NetSudser MaiHanh H. Pham has left Emigrant Capital in New York and
        started her own investment banking firm known as Silk Road Capital
        Advisors, LLP advising clients on capital raising, M&A and business
        development. Contact MaiHanh at mhp@srcapitaladvisors.com or at
        212.254.8334.

        NetSudser Chris Nichols left 44degrees and is now a National Account
        Executive with Blue Earth Internet in Inver Grove Heights. Contact
        Chris at either 651.552.5456 or chris@blueearth.net.

        NetSuds intern Kael Anderson is currently seeking a marketing related
        position. At NetSuds, Kael created a new version of the corporate
        Intranet, developed an advertising campaign, and pursued potential
        keynotes and executives for speaking opportunities. Please contact
        him at kaelanderson@excite.com.

        Charles Lyman and Sheila Bennett have joined Profits Journal as EVP
        of Business Development and VP Sales, respectively. Charles was most
        recently at MNN Radio Networks. Sheila has been with Profits Journal
        since August 1999.

        A NetSudser who wishes to remain anonymous reports that the 2 top RF
        engineers at ADC - Steve Loughran and Don Bosch - have left to start
        a design center for California Amplifier in Minneapolis. Ken Okonek,
        an RF technician from ADC has joined them as well.

        NetSudser Larry McGraw has joined GodsNetwork as CEO. GodsNetwork is
        a 1 1/2 year old ISP/ASP organization that currently hosts the
        websites of over 100 Christian churches in the Twin Cities Metro area
        and also provides high speed dialup and DSL service to individual
        members of the churches. Contact Larry at lmcgraw@godsnetwork.net.

        The StoneBridge Group added 4 consultants to its management consulting
        and IT solutions services business. Added were Paula Gibson, formerly
        with BORN, Hiro Shinomiya, formerly with B2Bexchange.com and RCM,
        Betsy Walker, formerly with Zamba, and Nancy Wesley, formerly with
        Renaissance Worldwide.

        The domain name "exadc.com" has been registered by me to track
        all those ADC folks who have left for other jobs. I am looking
        for someone (a local PR or web development firm makes sense) to
        develop a web site for this domain. Nothing fancy needed. It
        will be hosted by me and any ex-ADC employee can get an email
        address from me and email will be forwarded to them. Perhaps
        we can get a directory of names and email addresses going.
        This is not unprecedented. Look at www.excray.com and
        www.exmsft.com

        If you are a tech worker or executive looking for your next
        "big thing" consider interning at the NetSuds office.
        NetSuds sees lots of great opportunities every day in the
        start-up AND public company markets. To find out what it
        takes to be an intern = see http://www.netsuds.com/intern.htm

1.2 Companies on the Move:

        Please email: start-ups@netsuds.com to report (1) the
        formation of a new start-up, (2) momentum change at an
        existing start-up, (3) addition of key hires, or (4) a funding
        event at a start-up. Please give details on the above
        including any information you do not want made public. We
        are very discrete.

        CourseWise was sold to Cincinnati-based Atomic Dog Publishing.
        Tom Doran of Coursewise is now Editor-In-Chief of Atomic Dog
        Publishing. Contact Tom at 651.695.0870.

        Launching their site on February 6, 2001 are John Coonen and Tom
        Wondra, both of Crystal Lake, Illinois (both Minnesota college
        grad's: MSU '87 and St. Olaf '87 respectively) have recently joined
        forces and formed a new Midwest Marketing and IT Consultancy, called
        The Coffee Group (www.coffee-group.com). Their tagline provides an
        idea of both their approach and their lifeblood: "Caffeinated
        Solutions For Business."

Bridgecom is reported to have had a workforce reduction from 20
to 8 employees as of January 31.

Stockwalk Group is reported to have had a workforce reduction of
9 people, its second since letting 12 people go in early December.

        For those of you interested in broadband (everyone), it is rumored
        that WorldCom is close to launching "wireless DSL" soon in the Twin
        Cities. For the techies, MMDS (multi-point multi-channel distribution
        system). Actually, perhaps MMDS is better described as "wireless
        cable" as it is the evolution of the older 1-way MMDS which was used
        to deliver television channels over a fixed broadband wireless system.
        Both ADC (Minnetonka) and NextNet Wireless (Bloomington) develop MMDS
        equipment. The WorldCom roll-out will use either Vyyo or ADC gear.
        Learn about MMDS - http://www.forbes.com/2001/02/26/0226dvorak.html

2.0 Jobs in the "com and .com" Market

        Please email: jobs@netsuds.com to report job openings in the
        "com and .com" Market. In the body of the message, give the
        name of the company and a URL link to the job postings.

        *** Intranet Solutions -
                http://www.intranetsolutions.com/overview/employ.html
        *** Net Lifestyles - http://www.netlifestyles.com/mn/tgreenslade/
        *** Nervewire - http://www.nervewire.com/careers/jobs.htm
        *** Net Perceptions - http://www.netperceptions.com/careers
        *** Meritide - http://www.meritide.com/careers.htm
        *** ACT-Consulting - http://www.actcinc.com/ActKeywordSearch.htm
        *** Optical Solutions - http://www.opticalsolutions.com/join.htm
        * CentriFusion - http://www.centrifusion.com/ns/careers/Careers_Index.html
        * LSI Logic - http://idealcareers.lsilogic.com/joblist.html
        * Data Base Ideas - http://www.dbii.com/hj.htm

ADS

If you would like to place an ad in a NetSuds email, contact Matt.Noah@netsuds.com by email or 952.934.5424.

Integra Telecom Account Executive

        Integra Telecom is a full-service, integrated communications provider of a
        wide variety of services to a broad range of small, medium and large
        businesses and institutions. With a network that combines the full range
        of essential communications solutions, including local phone service, long
        distance, high-speed internet access and more.

        We are currently seeking candidates for the Minneapolis Metro area who are
        energetic and ready to grow with this dynamic, fast-paced, growth-oriented
        organization.

        Our Account Executives are responsible for the origination of new business
        customers and expanding the telecommunications product mix with existing
        customers. Solicit business customers through various external contacts;
        develop territory or business base to maximize new customers and/or expand
        product mix offered to existing customers. Maintain positive client
        relations with existing customers through continuous contact; evaluate
        on-going telecommunications needs.

        Bachelors degree in Business or Finance or a related field, or the
        equivalent in training and experience. Demonstrated experience in
        professional sales and marketing, specifically selling technical services,
        indicating an ability to prospect new accounts and manage existing
        accounts. Exposure to the telecommunications industry through direct or
        indirect work experience. Basic knowledge of local exchange, long distance
        and internet markets. Ability to make sales presentations to small and
        large sized groups. Strong analytical and time management skills.

To apply, please forward your resume to kristi.johnson@integratelecom.com
or fax to 952-746-7305.

ADS

US Recruiters is a strategic search firm, specializing in the permanent
placement of top-shelf telecom professionals. We offer:

- Professionalism and confidentiality for all involved in the search process
- Unparalleled service, responsiveness and attention to detail
- Constant, open and honest communication
- Thorough research, pre-screening, reference checks and a detailed profile on any candidate presented
- Counseling for candidates on career planning, resignation, counter-offers and transition to the new employer
- Complete Follow-through with clients and candidates to confirm the success of candidates placed with our clients

We are a Minnesota-based company with a Nationwide database US Recruiters is here to ensure your success, through the offering of innovative concepts, unparalleled service and superior industry talent. Our goal is to represent exceptional clients, deliver exceptional candidates but more than anything, create an exceptional match for both.

3.0 NetSuds on Tour - Einsof

NetSuds loves on-site tours! Email me if you want to show off your
company. I can be reached at matt@netsuds.com.

        I had the pleasure of hooking up with Kim Albee, CEO (female Kim) of
        Einsof recently. Kim gave me a presentation and demo of their
        product, the Einsof hub. Since I didn't get the full demo, I can't
        comment on all the working aspects of the product (Kim - let's get
        the product on my Linux server). What I did see was impressive.

        First, the Einsof hub is "content management on a budget". This is
        a very important feature because so many content management systems
        appear geared towards Fortune 100 companies. Second, the Einsof hub
        aims at creating or facilitating "community development" - the sort
        of thing that creates a desire in visitors to your web site to want
        to come back. Throw in the personalization, securities and
        permissions features along with commerce (e- of course) and site
        section and navigation, then you have a fairly full-featured product
        at a reasonable price.

        I don't consider my visit to Einsof a due diligence trip so I am not
        recommending anything to private investors. You can always hire me
        to do that.

        What I liked was the focus of the product, the market, the technology
        behind the product and the product's perceived usefulness. As a small
        business owner, this is the type of product which makes sense to me
        when I want to get beyond simple "brochureware" for my website but
        don't want to spend $500,000 on the highly-scaleable brand-name
        products built for the Amazons and BestBuys of the world.

Check out www.einsof.com for more information.

4.0 Genetic Programming

By Gary Blauer, gblauer@yahoo.com

        Over the past few years, research has produced fascinating progress in
        the rather new field of Genetic Programming. Using techniques inspired
        by natural evolution (it turns out there's a lot more than just mutation
        and "survival-of-the-fittest"), working computer programs are evolved
        without human hand-coding.

        I am a former Piper Jaffray venture capitalist (among other things) and
        have a background and strong interest in the field. GP has already been
        used with exceptional results in a wide range of areas including: data
        mining, electrical circuit design, process control, animation, computer
        system security, financial markets analysis, software autoparallelization,
        robot control and more.

        I am looking for people with interest in GP or with problems to which
        it might be applied. I believe that significant technical progress, not
        to mention new products and companies, are on the way. Anyone so inclined
        is invited to contact me at gblauer@yahoo.com.

Time for the Software Genome Project? For general info on the subject,
please see www.genetic-programming.org

5.0 Schedule of Events

5.1 - Minnesota

        3/13 Entrepreneurs Breakfast - http://www.netsuds.com/eb/2001/March/
        3/13 Public Policy Debate - http://www.netsuds.com/eb/2001/March/
        4/11 Entrepreneurs Breakfast - http://www.netsuds.com/eb/2001/April/
        5/15 Evening Gathering - http://www.netsuds.com/netsuds/
        5/9 Entrepreneurs Breakfast - http://www.netsuds.com/eb/2001/May/ (coming soon!)

        5.2 - Elsewhere

        March 22 Entrepreneurs Breakfast - Phoenix, AZ (as part of Spring 2001 VON)
                (This will be the first EB outside Minnesota. 3000 people are
                expected at the Spring 2001 VON. To be considered for a presentation
                slot or even to attend, you must register for the the VON Conference -
                http://www.pulver.com/ No extra charge to presenters or attendees will
                made at this inagural event. If you would like to sponsor this event,
                contact matt@netsuds.com or call 952.934.5424. This will be a hot
                ticket at the Spring 2001 VON).
        pulver.com Schedule of Events - http://www.pulver.com/conference/
        Spring 2001 National Entrepreneur Conference, May 6-8 in Boston

Host: The John M. Morrison Center for Entrepreneurship, University of St. Thomas

Title: The Venture Capital Industry

Description & Audience: One of a six-part seminar series that is open to budding and established entrepreneurs involved in a high growth enterprise.

Presenters: Jay Hare, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, is a partner in PwC's
Technology Industry Group; Kenneth Cutler, partner, is co-chair of the
Emerging Growth Companies Practice Group at Dorsey & Whitney LLP; and
Michael Gorman is a General Partner with St. Paul Venture Capital, a
national venture capital firm with $1.7 billion under management.

Date/time: March 8, 2001 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm

Location: UST Minneapolis campus, 1000 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis

Cost: $100 includes breakfast

Sponsors: PricewaterhouseCoopers, Dorsey & Whitney, St. Paul Venture Capital

For more information contact the John M. Morrison Center for Entrepreneurship at (651) 962-4400 or entrep@stthomas.edu

6.0 Garage.com Bootcamp, Chicago, March 27-28

NetSuds and Garage.com invite you to take advantage of the "Bootcamp
for Startups" taking place in Chicago, March 27-28.

44% Off for Wireless, Software, IT, Biotech, Medical Device, Hardware,
and Semiconductor Startups

        If you are building high tech or life sciences company, be sure to
        attend Garage.com's Bootcamp for Startups conference. In two days,
        you'll learn how to raise money and make your business successful in
        these tough times. Topics include:

Venture capital Business models Business Plans Angel capital
Roadshow preparation Recruiting Marketing and PR

        If you sign up now, you will receive a 44% ($300) discount by
        selecting "Affiliate Guy" in response to the question, "How did you
        hear about Bootcamp?"

PLUS, through our referral program, you can earn additional discounts
when you sign up others.

7.0 Guest Writers for This Report

        I want to open up the Monthly NetSuds Report to guest writers. If
        you have a passion for a topic, and you can write (at least no worse
        than me), send an email to me at matt@netsuds.com. You can even send
        copies of your work. It needs to be on "com and .com" topics and can
        include entrepreneur/investor activities. Good information from our
        service providers and vendors is also welcome so long as it is not a
        "commercial" for any one company or individual.

We will consider both sponsored and unsponsored columnists and guest
writers.

8.0 Apply to Present at a NetSuds Entrepreneurs Breakfast

        Every month since Autumn 1999 NetSuds has had an Entrepreneurs
        Breakfast (see http://www.netsuds.com/eb/ for past and current
        events). If you are a pre-IPO "com or .com" start-up, you can apply
        to present your company to the investment community at a future
        breakfast event. Apply online at http://www.netsuds.com/eb
        Our next Entrepreneurs Breakfast in March 13. See
        http://www.netsuds.com/eb/2001/March/ for details and to register.

9.0 Business Development 101

        First, what is Business Development, or BizDev? To me, it means
        the development of new business relationships which mutually benefit
        all parties involved. It is not marketing although it may open up
        new markets. It is not sales although increased sales are part of
        the desired outcome. Its new business.

        I am approached quite frequently by people who have no clue what
        business development is about. Most of those people want to use the
        NetSuds network to increase their business but haven't considered
        whether that use is either appropriate or benefits NetSuds and its
        "members". In short, they understand the benefit to themselves but
        don't understand that others have to benefit as well. A typical
        example, which happens weekly, is an employer who wants to advertise
        a position in the NetSuds monthly newsletter ... for FREE. As soon
        as the Star Tribune, Pioneer Press and KARE-11 start giving away
        column-inches and 0:15 spots, let me know.

        Another, albeit infrequent, request is to advertise other groups'
        events ... for FREE. There was one group that even wanted free
        advertising for their event in conflict with a NetSuds event. And
        I suppose Don Pablo's is taking reservations for Chevy's, too!
        Granted, there are some services in the marketplace which are
        event listing services. Some are free. The Star Tribune does run
        free event listings in their calendar section. NetSuds has a service
        where we run free job postings, subject to a size and format criteria.

        The general rule in business development is simple. Don't ask somebody
        to do something you wouldn't do. It is actually garage.com founder
        Guy Kawasaki's 9th point of "Rules for Revolutionaries". It is just a
        common sense rule ... which gets broken daily. When proposing a business
        relationship, always first of what the 'other guy' gets out of the
        relationship. I'm sure you have already thought about what you want to
        get out of the relationship. I have seen relationships flourish when the
        parties are not trying to "1-up" the other and get an unfair advantage in
        the relationship. It is only with your competitors that you want an
        unfaire advantage, not the business partners you want to have help you
        succeed.

        And, no, I can't give you the names of all the start-ups in the Twin
        Cities, their web pages, their CEO's email addresses and phone
        numbers. [At least not for free.] ;-)

10.0 NetSuds Pitch Teams

        Over the course of nearly 2 years, executives at various local
        start-ups have presented their companies at NetSuds breakfast events.
        I thank each of them for participating.   I hope the exposure has
        helped in many ways. This has been and continues to be my goal.

        Each entrepreneur brings a unique set of skills when presenting his
        company. Most pitches have been creative. Most have been good.
        Some have been excellent. Some could have benefited from professional
        coaching. In order to increase the overall quality of presentations
        and hopefully the probability of attracting serious investors, I am
        happy to announce my affiliation with 2 local entities, which provide
        coaching, mentoring and presentation services. I have found both to
        be excellent resources and both are very dedicated to helping
        entrepreneurs achieve their goals.

        I am happy to welcome the "Pitch Preparation Team" (Acumen Management
        Group and Mackmiller Marketing & Research) and Moser Associates as
        official NetSuds affiliates. Here is a little more information about
        each affiliate.

MOSER ASSOCIATES - http://www.netsuds.com/joanmoser.htm &
www.joanmoser.com

THE PITCH PREPARATION TEAM -
http://www.netsuds.com/pitchprepteam.htm

11.0 Minnesota Networking Directory

        One well-kept secret around town is the breadth (not depth) of networking
        companies with headquarters or satellite offices here. I am compiling a
        list and need your help in completing it. Take a look below. Tell me
        which companies I have missed. Email me at matt.noah@netsuds.com. If
        you know the General Manager or CEO of the company/division, pass that
        along to me as well. Thanks!

        ADC (Minnetonka)
                Richard Roscitt |       952.938.8080 | http://www.adc.com/index/
        Allot Communications (Eden Prairie, Tel Aviv, Silicon Valley)
                PG Narayanan | 952.944.3100 |   pg@allot.com | http://www.allot.com
        Aravox (Arden Hills)
                Bill Treacy | 651.256.2700 | http://www.aravox.com/
        Bravida (St. Paul, Palo Alto)
                Bill Dunham     | http://www.bravidacorp.com/
        Caspian Networks (Bloomington)
                Grahame Rance | 952.876.4600 | http://www.caspiannetwork.com/index_f.shtml
        Ciprico (Plymouth)
                Bruce Bergman | 763.551.4000 | http://www.ciprico.com/
        Cisco (San Jose, St. Paul, Maple Grove)
                John Chambers | 1.800.553.6387 | http://www.cisco.com/
                Mark Cree |     763.398.1000 | mark.cree@nuspeed.com | http://www.nuspeed.com/
        CNT (Minneapolis)
                Thomas Hudson | 763.268.6000 | http://www.cnt.com/
        Digi International (Minnetonka)
                Joseph Dunsmore | 952.912.3444 | http://www.digi.com/
        Envoda (Eden Prairie)
                952.942.1000 | http://www.envoda.com
        FireSummit (St. Paul)
                Toby Velte | 651.632.6200 | http://www.firesummit.com/
        Gearworks (Minneapolis)
                Keith Lauver | 952.857.2500 | klauver@gearworks.com |
                http://www.gearworks.com/
        Lucent(Ascend(NetStar) (New Jersey, Eden Prairie)
                908.582.8500 | http://www.lucent.com/
        Multi-Tech
                http://www.multi-tech.com/stats/ (fascinating!)
        NextNet Wireless (Minneapolis)
                Ralph Muse | 612.929.4008 | muser@nextnetworks.com |
                http://www.nextnetwireless.com/
        NorthStar Photonics (Plymouth)
                Mark Bendett | 763.553.0345 | mbendett@northstarphotonics.com |
                http://www.northstarphotonics.com
        Nx Networks (Aetherworks) (St. Paul)
                John Dubois     | 888.552.3300 | http://www.aetherworks.com/index_hi.html
        Optical Solutions       (Plymouth)
                Darryl Ponder | 763-268-3300 | http://www.opticalsolutions.com/index1.htm
        RIPP Networks (St. Paul)
                http://www.ripp.com
        Seagate (Eden Prairie, Scotts Valley, CA)
                Stephen Luczo | 405.936.1234 | http://www.seagate.com/
        XioTech (Eden Prairie)
                Philip Soran | 952.983.3000 | phils@xiotech.com |
                http://www.xiotech.com/cgi-bin/xiotech_root.pl
        Secure Computing (St. Paul, San Jose)
                John McNulty | 408.918.6100 | http://www.securecomputing.com/
        Sistina Networks (Minneapolis)
                Matt O'Keefe | (612) 379-3951   | okeefe@sistina.com | www.sistina.com
        Tellabs (SNT) (Plymouth, Chicago)
                Richard Notebaert | 630.378.8800 | rich.notebaert@tellabs.com |
                http://www.tellabs.com/
        Vitesse Networks (Minneapolis)
                John Jaffray | 612.252.2300 |   jjaffray@vitessenetworks.com |
                http://www.vitessenetworks.com/
        Zhone (Roundview) | (Maple Grove, Oakland, CA)
                Mory Ejabat     | 510.777.7000 | mejabat@zhone.com | http://www.zhone.com/
                Ted Stockwell

12.0 Office Space in Chanhassen

Need a ready-go-to office in Chanhassen? No long term commitments?
Contact me at matt@netsuds.com or 952.934.5424. $400/month.

If you are aware of others who would like to receive the NetSuds Report, ask them to visit http://mailman.netsuds.com/ to subscribe or unsubscribe.

Please send your comments and feedback regarding this issue of the NetSuds Report to matt@netsuds.com.

Matt Noah

P.O. Box 277
Chanhassen, MN 55317

952.934.5424
fax: 425.795.2019
matt@netsuds.com

We help people build and enhance their network of contacts in the "com and .com" world.