WHAT'S UP IN THE SDSI 'HOOD?

Too much! The pulse of our business cycle seems to be associated with the school calendar. Summers are nice and low key. Fall is much busier… Spring…craazzy!

Last week we had one of our four annual Leadership Dinners at the Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa. This one, sponsored by long time SDSI supporter Procopio, featured David Wells, Yankee perfect game pitcher. What an extraordinary night. David related some MLB memories and shared the amazing story of growing up a “gym rat” in OB. As you can imagine there were plenty of questions related to playing in the Majors, throwing one of only 21 perfect games, playing for Sparky Anderson (his favorite) and Joe Torre (his least favorite). I think it would be fair to say all were transfixed, including guests Mayor Faulconer, Bill Walton, Peter Ripa from the Farmers Insurance Open and other assorted San Diego VIP’s. We all went home with an autographed ball…under my pillow at home! These Leadership events are a rare chance for SDSI to bring forward our value to the Business Community. Many thanks to Procopio for making this happen.

OK, trivia “bar winner” question from David Wells: What is the only high school in America to produce two Perfect Game Pitchers? …Point Loma High! Please send 10% of all trivia bet wins to us asap!

MLS coming to town?...There’s too much to detail here, so let me be lazy and add a link with the latest on these efforts. But there’s no doubt about our position: 100% FOR. Let’s be honest… head injuries in football are a huge concern for all players. The NFL is working on solutions but there is no way back for those who have suffered traumatic head injuries, unfortunately. But from a U.S. societal point of view, I believe it’s fair to say that more and more parents prefer their children find an alternative sport, and in most places, that is Soccer. It’s not perfect either. Headers remain a challenge, but in general it is safer and far more inclusive - little boys and girls to adults. Having a MLS franchise will be a bellwether for youth soccer here in the county and a great rallying point. Hopefully SDSU will soon see the value and get emotionally on board. It’s been a while since a group of San Diegans have stepped up and made a proposal so fantastically good for San Diego. Two SDSI members, Surf Cup and soccerloco are very active and enthused…us too!

Omni Channel CEO Conference…SDSI members wrestle with the conundrum of modern business every day. The advent of social media and wireless communication has shifted the epicenter of purchasing from the hands of the industry into the hands of the consumer. Balancing selling efforts and protecting branding across all channels is a tall order. SDSI, through Red Door Interactive, Quiverr and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, is presenting a forum next week featuring L2 Digital Partners and guest speaker David Kahan, CEO of Birkenstock. The topic…Omni Channel Strategy of course. This event is “sold out” but I will make a decent report for the next newsletter.

SDSI Welcomes new members soccerloco and Athelytix

soccerloco is proud to announce its newfound partnership with SDSI. soccerloco delivers athletic performance products needed to take committed soccer players, teams and fans to the next level. The brand represents the sheer passion and hysterical love for soccer shared by its customers, employees and partners alike as depicted in the brand’s blog, SoccerNation.com. soccerloco believes everyone deserves the freedom to write their own future. Sport is not just the source of their business but of their passion for engaging in business with other likeminded brands who are also built around love, trust and family values. Greater than the sum of its parts, this family bond requires selflessness and teamwork and this collaboration has enabled soccerloco to create the leading destination to find high quality soccer footwear, apparel and equipment. soccerloco is always seeking to foster a more innovative and creative future keeping the Southern California community a top priority, which is why they are thrilled to work closely with SDSI. Learn more at soccerloco.com.

Athelytix is pleased to join the San Diego sports and active lifestyle community through our membership in SDSI. We are an early-stage sports technology start-up focused on bringing analytics to all levels of athletic training. Our first product for baseball/softball, ‘The Grid’, synchronizes real-time video with precision laser measurement to give customized hitting or pitching feedback. Our patent pending technology can also be used in other object based sports, and we plan to launch our MVP later this year. Our team includes sports and video industry experts and we are excited to connect with other members of the local sports community. You can learn more about our technology and The Grid at athelytics.com.

SDSI’s first Cycling SIG - a success!

This month SDSI gathered cycling industry executives at the home of Bill Walton for the first Cycling Special Interest Group (SIG). Bill Walton was on his A game, welcoming the group to his botanical garden and setting the tone for a morning that fostered collaboration and good old story sharing. The group was honored with a special appearance by Cycling Legend John Howard, San Diego’s own Olympic cyclist and former holder of the land speed record. Michael Marckx shared the brand building story of the Belgian Waffle Ride. Of course, we served waffles - complements of Encontro North Park! Check out the event video here.

SDSI gets media attention for Springboard – NBC and CW6 video interviews included

Thanks to Fleishman Hillard, the SDSI Springboard application window for Class 9 caught the eye of NBC7 and CW6 who both featured live interviews sharing the great success stories of our Springboard program and its graduates. Watch Bill Walton on NBC7 with Slyde Handboards and Renne Catalano Gussman on CW6 with ElliptiGO, Slyde Handboards and Hookit.

Walton back to calling the NBA

SDSI Executive Chairman Bill Walton, called his first NBA game in several years as the Indiana Pacers took on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Feb 15. This was part of ESPN’s crossover series pairing different ESPN personalities on games they wouldn’t normally do. Bill and Dick Vitale called LeBron James’ High School game on ESPN in 2002, so ESPN brought in Dick Vitale to join Bill and Dave Pasch for this LeBron game 15 years later. The game tipped off with, “Alongside Hall of Famers Dick Vitale and Bill Walton, I’m Dave Pasch and yes, this is really happening.” See some of the highlights here.

Cardiff Skate donation brings fun and skating to Sublimity, Oregon
Students and teachers at elementary and middle school Cascade View Christian School in sublimity Oregon were in for a fun suprise when they received a class size set of Cardiff Skates donated to the PE Classes. read the full story and see photos of the fun here.  

Liquid Force’s newest team ambassador – Barack Obama?!
Barack Obama and Virgin’s Richard Branson took it to the water, kiteboarding and foil boarding at the Virgin Islands, decked out in Liquid Force gear. It sure looks like they are having fun. Check Branson’s blog post on the excursion and watch a video recap.

Slyde Handboards recognized as one of Shark Tanks most successful companies

Business2Community featured Slyde Handboards as one of Shark Tanks most successful companies. Co-owners Angela and Steve Watts, share the history of body surfing and how Slyde Handboards founds its path to success. The keys: authenticity to the industry, a product that is easy to use, a lifelong dedication to the product and staying true to their brand. Read the full interview at Business2community.com

soccerloco celebrates 20^th anniversary!

Over its 20 years in business soccerloco has grown to become the top destination for those looking for premium soccer cleats, jerseys, apparel and equipment. In celebration of 20 years in business, soccerloco reflected on how The Beautiful Game has progressed over the past two decades and the growth of soccer in the U.S. Read the full blog post at soccerloco.com.

Countdown to Camp Shred

Camp Shred, brought to you by The Enthusiast Network (TEN), Surfer and Surf Ride, is just two short weeks away! The event and festival at the San Elijo Campground in Cardiff on March 11-12 brings the best surfing brands and their customers together for a weekend of surfing and giving back to the community. The festival is free and open to the public and will have music, entertainment, food trucks, a beer garden and lots of demos of your favorite surf and SUP gear. Proceeds from the Pizza Port Beer Garden will benefit Friends of Cardiff and Carlsbad State Beaches (FCCSB). See festival updates and information at transworldbusiness.com

Norb Garrett on closing Surfing Magazine
The Enthusiast Network (TEN) made the very tough decision to close Surfing Magazine, founded in 1964, to focus on it second surf media property Surfer Magazine. Norb Garrett EVP/GM at TEN shares with Shop-Eat-Surf the reasons behind the decision and the positive future of a single consolidated global surf media property. Read the full interview at ShopEatSurf.com.

Tower Paddle Boards to be featured on ABC as one of Shark Tank's all-time best investments
This Friday, Feb. 24 at 9pm ABC is airing a two-hour Shark Tank program to celebrate the milestone of $100M of invested by the Sharks. SDSI’s Tower Paddle Boards is scheduled to be featured as Cuban's personal all-time best investment from the show, and one of the best overall investments in the history of Shark Tank. The interview discussed Tower Paddle Boards evolution into a more holistic beach lifestyle company, TowerMade.com, and their innovative new brand experience store. Check out ABC’s wind up of the special two-hour programing.

TurningPoint launches new sales and marketing Mastermind Groups

TurningPoint Executive Search approaches its 10 year anniversary and launches new Mastermind Groups to celebrate. Catering to Sales Leaders, Marketing Leaders and small company CEOs, these intimate groups meet monthly, allowing members to discuss challenges, metrics and other issues related to revenue production and brand management. The first group is full and will launch on February 24. Additional groups will be added in March and April. Contact Ken Schmitt for more details.

UC San Diego becomes official Health Care Provider for the SD Padres

A multidisciplinary team of UC San Diego Health clinicians and staff members will care for the Padres at UC San Diego Health hospitals and clinics, as well as throughout Spring Training and during the season at Petco Park. The multiyear partnership provides the SD Padres access to advanced surgical and medical diagnostics, procedures, expertise in family medicine and numerous specialties. Read the full press release at ucsdnews.com.

Turning Point Tip: Times they are a Changing! When was the last time you reviewed your hiring process? Many of our clients are dusting off that old job description, firing up the compensation meter and jumping back into the job market for the first time in several years, only to find a very different reality. The job market has changed dramatically since the candidate-heavy, company-in–the-driver-seat days of 2008-2013. One of the biggest changes is the expectation held by today’s top talent. No longer are they attracted to bland, non-descript and unengaging websites and dry job descriptions, or positions that require them to be in the office 5 days/week, from 8-5. The best candidates are will rarely accept a new position for a the same compensation, and they don't have the time or the patience to conduct two phone screens and a personality test before they even have an opportunity to meet the hiring manager. Top talent isn't looking for you; it's up to you to seek them out! And trust me when I tell you that whatever they experience during your hiring process, will be shared – both through word of mouth and online – so be prepared and treat your candidates with professional courtesy.

Job Openings
Business Development Manager, FinTech – Los Angeles
Sales Executive, Medical Products – Phoenix and Seattle
BD Manager, SaaS Reporting - SoCal and Texas
Director of Marketing, Retail - San Diego
Sales Executive, Industrial Products - SoCal
Brand Manager, Innovation, Consumer Packaged Goods - San Diego
Director Marketing Content & Communications, Real Estate - San Diego
Sales Executive, Building Products - SoCal
Sr Sales Executive, Biotech/cell therapy – San Diego

Challenged Athletes Foundation - Director of Marketing & System Administrator click for info

Competitor Group – Multiple Positions Available click for info

Digital Operative - Multiple positions available click for info

EliptiGO - Strategic Marketing Manager click for info

Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa - Multiple positions available click for info

J!NX - Multiple positions available click for info 

KPMG - Multiple positions available click for info

RSM - Multiple positions available click for info 

Red Door Interactive - Multiple positions available click for info

SKLZ - Multiple positions available click for info

TurningPoint Executive Search, ranked #33 on SDBJ "2016 Fast Growing Private Company", is SDSI's resident expert for hiring, retention and job search. A San Diego native with more than 16 years of recruiting experience, President and Founder, Ken Schmitt is available as a sounding board who can share industry “best practices” with SDSI members.  

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Mar. 21 – SDSI Springboard Intake Panel
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Mar. 28 – SDSI General Membership Meeting: Shark Tank Experiences with SDSI’s Shark Tank Success Stories

Apr. 25 – SDSI Board of Directors Meeting

May. 9 – SDSI Springboard 15 Minute Presentation #2

Jun 7 - SDSI Advisory Board Meeting at SeaWorld, 10am-12pm

Jun. 20 – SDSI Springboard 15 Minute Presentation #3

Jul. 25 – SDSI Board of Directors Meeting at KPMG, 4-6pm

Aug. 1 – SDSI Springboard Quick Pitch/Elevator Pitch Presentation

Aug. 9 – SDSI General Membership Meeting: Product Development and Design

Aug. 22 – SDSI Advisory Board Meeting at KPMG, 4-6pm

Oct. 24 – SDSI Board of Directors Meeting at Jackie Robinson Family YMCA, 4-6pm

Dec. 12 – SDSI Holiday Party

Mar. 12-15 - ROTH Capital Conference, Orange County, CA click for info

Mar. 13-17 - Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve 1^st International Surfing Symposium, Queensland, AU click for info

May 11-14 - Amgen Breakaway from Heart Disease Women’s Race click for info

May 14-20 - Amgen Tour of California click for info

May 20-21 - Belgian Waffle Ride, San Marcos, CA click for info

Jun. 19-13 - San Diego Startup Week click for info

Jul 25-29 - Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, Salt Lake City, UT click for info 

Sep. 13-15 - SFIA Industry Leaders Summit, Chicago, IL Click for info 

Sep. 20-22 - Interbike, Las Vegas, NV click for info