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HOT TOPICS
- The Accelerator Conundrum
- The Startup Velocity Question
- Platform as a Service
- Man and Superman
- Web 3.0 = (4C + P + VS)
- The Future: End of Capitalism
- Capitalism 2.0
fiber optics
Deal Radar 2009: VeraLight
VeraLight is a medical devices company that uses a breakthrough approach to address a critical issue in the diabetes market – detection of diabetes at the onset. Clinical studies have shown that the disease is treatable and, if detected early enough, preventable. Unfortunately, due to performance and procedural shortfalls with existing blood-based screening tests, diabetes
Turn Around Series: Jerry Rawls, Finisar (Part 14)
In the conclusion of the interview, I find it very interesting how Jerry was able to remain motivated and energized throughout the entire process, even after he had made (as Frank calls it) ridiculous amounts of money. SM: That sounds like a great story, congratulations for being able to navigate your ship through all of
Turn Around Series: Jerry Rawls, Finisar (Part 13)
Here we see some of the philosophical lessons learned by Jerry throughout this entire process. Words of wisdom if you will. SM: This is a great, great story. Personally what is your philosophical analysis or gains out of this experience? You have gone up and down and hit highs and lows, what is your take
Turn Around Series: Jerry Rawls, Finisar (Part 12)
Jerry now discusses the future of Finisar, given the altered landscape. JDSU just bought Picolight, a leading designer and manufacturer of optical pluggable transceivers for $125 Million. Infinera, which integrates optical and electronic functions in its proprietary InP-based photonic ICs, intends to raise $150 million through an IPO filed on February 26, 2007. The number
Turn Around Series: Jerry Rawls, Finisar (Part 11)
After undertaking significant changes, cost cutting and other strategic moves, Finisar has emerged as a company poised for increased market growth. SM: And your stock went from under a dollar to quite a bit higher now? JR: Our stock is quite volatile, and always has been. It went from less than a dollar to, I
Turn Around Series: Jerry Rawls, Finisar (Part 10)
More on the strategic decisions and cost-cutting measures taken. SM: How did you do that? Did you change materials, did you negotiate your supply contracts? I mean 70% of material costs is a lot of material costs to shave. JR: The way we did it was we bought a laser fab in Fremont to make
Turn Around Series: Jerry Rawls, Finisar (Part 9)
Essential to the turnaround of Finisar were decisions which were much different than those being made by competitors, and different than prevailing popular trends. Ultimately, these decisions were also the right ones for Finisar’s survival. SM: And there were lots of process innovations along the way? JR: Exactly. So sharing all of that with a
Turn Around Series: Jerry Rawls, Finisar (Part 8)
After confronting the realities of the new market, difficult decisions needed to be made. Here the “engineer” in Jerry proves very helpful as he tackles the issue, at least in some ways, as an engineering problem. Cutting costs and establishing new operating procedures required far reaching changes. Also, I find it impressive that Jerry did
