I have just completed my interim CEO position at Altas Technology Group Inc. All of the assets and business from Atlas has been sold to a new company AtlasTG Holdings LLC which will continue to employ the AtlasTG technical staff in Seattle and will support all of the companies customers from their Seattle and Dallas offices.
Several months ago I accepted a Board of Directors position at Intelli-Pharma Services, Inc. (IPS). One of the most interesting aspects of IPS is the unique way of funding a startup. Instead of selling stock to investors, who then can only see a return if the company is purchased or has an IPO, they are offering interest in ISI Royalty Venture Investments I, LLC. This LLC will own the right to the IP in the Pharmaceutical market, and the LLC will be paid a royalty (monthly) of 25% of the revenue produced by these products until the investors have received 225% of their investment. The investors will start receiving monthly royalty checks starting in July. If IPS is acquired the investors will receive the full 225% at that time.
IPS, an emerging growth company, is essentially conducting a Series B round of financing to fund its entry into the marketplace.
I had the great pleasure to work with my son, Alexander Muse and his team at Big in Japan, in an attempt to buy ATMDirect Inc. It is not that often that you get a chance to be a business partner with your son. Unfortunately we did not win (even though our bid was the highest). See my son
In September I started an assignment as an Interim CEO (half time) for a small ($16 Million revenue) public company. Well half time running a small public company turned out to be full time work at half time pay. In addition, it is very clear to me that with SOX it does not make sense to be public unless the company has revenues of at least $200 to $300 million.
I have accepted a board position and the interim President and CEO role at Safeguard Security Holdings INC. in Dallas. The plan was for this assignment to take a bout 50% of my time, so far about 150%. See press release below.
DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Safeguard Security Holdings, Inc. (OTC:SSHS), a security staffing acquisition holding company announces the election of Ralph B. Muse as the company
I have just completed a little over two years at Input Output Inc. My last position at I/O was as SR VP and GM of the Land Imaging Systems Division (LISD), where we grew the business over 100% in about 18 months. While GM of LISD I completely replaced the management staff (VPs etc.), without having to let any employees go (nice for a change). They now have one of the strongest teams I have ever managed. I look for them to continue to increase market share and profit margins.
The best part is that I am no longer commuting to Houston each week from Dallas, and I get to take a break from globe hopping (for a while). I already have consulting projects underway in the DFW area and am talking to several companies in regard to board position.
Hopefully I can now find more time to keep up the Muse Consulting Blog.
Last stop Dubai
The Burj Dubai, 119 stories so far. Soon to be the worlds tallest building.
Dubai is a truly unusual place. There must be a hundred high-rise buildings under construction. The airport is first class and looks brand new (they are building a new one about ten time larger!).
Our operation in Dubai where we are doing final commissioning and customer inspections for our Indian customers.
What a trip! I am really glad to be home.
Yesterday we met with the Director of our largest customer to discuss the delivery and support for their $60+ Million order. Sorry no photos, just not appropriate.
Today we are meeting with our joint venture manufacturing partner here in New Delhi. Nothing like china, you notice several things right away. In China almost the entire workforce were young girl, in India almost entirely young men. In China machines made by the company (frequently copies of US or European machines), in India all purchased machines from the US or Europe.
Cable Manufacturing
Cable extuder
We did see several women out of a staff of over 200.
Laying out cable for measurements.
Arrived in New Delhi, India around 2 AM Sunday morning. Believe it or not the airport was absolutely packed. Checked in to hotel around 3AM very little security nothing unusual at all. When I got up for breakfast everything had changed. Helos on the roof, the Army and security everywhere. It seams the Southeast Asia summit is being hosted right here and one of the member country
Shenzhen day 6 and 7: Great meeting with our contract-manufacturing partner. Clearly Shenzhen is a different place than Xiamen! They told me the population was over 14 million (I doubt anyone knows). Take a look at the main entrance to the plant. Yes that is a 60,000lbs stone Buddha taking a shower!
Inside is even more impressive Lots of Buddha
