BF: How does Munich rank in Germany, and also within Europe, as a competitive location for biotech companies? HD: In the past 10 to 15 years, the Munich Biotech Cluster has been able to reach the undeniable number one position, at least within Germany. In Munich, the first commercial biotech activities started in the early nineties, and due to the strong support of the Bavarian Government––directly or indir ...

BF: When analyzing a company's expenditures, in which utility charges can Advantage IQ find the most significant savings opportunities? RS: Focus on the areas where you have the greatest expense and hence the greatest opportunity for cost savings. If you spend the most on electricity, look closely at your electricity costs and consumption. If you have a high natural gas requirement, you may want to look mor ...

BF: What economic advantages does Texas offer that have kept the state atop Allied's relocation destination list for the last four years? SM: Texas is often at the top our list due to a number of factors. First, it's a large state with a large population; therefore, it's likely to have a greater percentage of activity. The large metropolitan areas in Texas have diversified their economies over the last 20 y ...

Felipe "Phil" Alvarez is president of RCN Metro Optical Networks, where he is responsible for all aspects of the business unit. Alvarez has more than 20 years in the telecommunications field with companies such as NYNEX and Bell Atlantic. Prior to RCN, Alvarez was Chief Operating Officer of Con Edison Communications. BF: What information infrastructure components are necessary for a large company to succeed ...

Guy Tozzoli began his career in 1946 as an engineer for the Port Authority for NY and NJ. In 1970, he helped create the WTCA and, in 1997 and 1999, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. BF: What unique services can a World Trade Center offer to businesses? GT: World Trade Centers (WTCs) support companies that want to grow internationally, whether they're just beginning to look beyond their own region ...

Kathleen Ellis, senior Vice President of Chubb & Son, also is the firm’s Multinational Risk Group manager of Global Accounts. BF: Why is it riskier for small businesses, compared to large companies, to invest or relocate overseas? KE: You need resources to manage risk. Larger companies often have the people and capital they need to navigate the global patchwork of different laws and languages, currencie ...

P.S. Reilly is the president and CEO of the Athena Institute, a Washington-based consulting firm for organizations seeking clean and sustainable solutions. BF: What initial factors should a community consider before embarking on a waterfront revitalization? PR: Waterfront was an overlooked asset for decades-no more. But community waterfront revitalization can imply a significant commitment of time and resou ...

Annette Antoniak heads the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Secretariat, an organization that manages British Columbia's finances for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. Previously, Antoniak worked for the Pacific National Exhibition as the company's youngest ever CEO. BF: What role does environmental sustainability play when constructing new Olympic venues? AA: Sustainability has been an important component fo ...

Tracy Mullin was elected unanimously as the president of the National Retail Foundation in 1993. Mullin also has served as executive VP of the National Retail Merchants Association's Washington Division. BF: In May, the retail industry received a boost as consumers received, and spent, their economic stimulus checks. Do you view this as a temporary gain, or does the industry outlook seem positive for the re ...

Stuart MacKay, president of MMK Consulting, is the founder and co-author of Competitive Alternatives, KPMG's Guide to International Business Location. Before 2001, MacKay worked with KPMG for 21 years, including 11 as a consulting partner. 2008 Cost-Competitiveness Rankings by Country 1. Mexico (79.5) 2. Canada (99.4) 3. United States (100) 4. Australia (100.2) 5. France (102.6) 6. United Kingdom (107.1) 7. ...