Many technology
companies have built successful businesses in the domestic
market place and are exploring the opportunities and challenges
of going global.
What is
involved in building an international business and taking
your products to the global marketplace? What are the best
routes to market and the best ways to penetrate into overseas
markets? What lessons can be learned from other companies
that have gone international? What can you do to accelerate
your existing international growth? And what are some typical
pitfalls you might want to avoid?
Hear from
some of Orange County's top international business executives
on how they have taken their high-tech companies global and
built up massive overseas businesses and revenue streams.
Gain insights into their successes and pitfalls, and pick
up hands-on tips that will help in expanding your international
business.
Moderator:
Ron Peeters, Senior Director Business Development Worldwide
of Vision Solutions
Information
on our panelists:
David
van Toor
Vice President and General Manager
Best Software - Platinum Division
David van Toor has global responsibility for the Platinum
and Business Works Division at Best Software (LSE: SGE). He
started his career with Epicor Software in Melbourne Australia,
and relocated with them to Southern California in 2000, before
joining Best Software. He has over 15 years global experience
building overseas businesses in Australia, New Zealand and South
East Asia for US based software companies such as Epicor and
Best Software. A native of New Zealand, he earned a Bachelor
of Arts degree in philosophy from the University of Canterbury
in New Zealand.
Milena
Marinova
Product Planning Manager
eMachines/Gateway
Milena currently formulates European market strategy for
eMachines/Gateway (NYSE:GTW), which includes analyzing the potential
and performance of distribution channels, and determining product
mix and market goals. Previously she worked in the London office
of Mitchell Madison Group, a leading consulting firm, where
she developed European strategies, including the business plan
to launch offices in Italy. Raised in Bulgaria, where she was
ranked the top young mathematician, Ms. Marinova speaks five
languages and earned a B.Sc. with honors at Caltech in 1999
with dual-majors in computer science and economics.
Emmanuel
Boucaud
Vice President - Worldwide Sales
Mitek Systems
Emmanuel has global sales responsibility for Mitek Systems
and in this capacity develops markets worldwide. He has over
20 years global sales and marketing experience working for an
array of software companies. Prior to joining Mitek, he worked
for Cardiff Software in an array of Vice President Sales, Marketing
and channel developments capacities, both here and in Europe.
His company was acquired by Verity (NASQ: VRTY) in March 2004.
Emmanuel is a native of France and earned his BA in Economics
from Occidental College.
Ron Peeters
Senior Director of Worldwide Business Development
Vision Solutions
Ron is responsible for the worldwide development of new
partnerships, markets, and businesses for Vision Solutions and
has over 25 years' global sales, marketing, and channel development
experience. Prior to joining Vision, he worked for an array
of publicly traded and private companies in executive capacities
including Previo (formerly Stac), California Software Products,
Candle Corporation (acquired by IBM), and Marketing Information
Systems. He has lived and worked around the world and moved
to southern California from Hong Kong in 1996 where he was working
for IBM Asia Pacific. Ron is a native of the Netherlands and
earned his MBA in Marketing from Case Western Reserve University
and BBA from Arnhem University in the Netherlands. He is a Board
member of the Software Council of Southern California.
