About
As the Director UF Innovate | Accelerate, I oversee two award-winning business incubation…
Articles by Karl R.
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Hack 50 | 24 Years of Working with Inspirational Business Builders: 10 actionable insights
Hack 50 | 24 Years of Working with Inspirational Business Builders: 10 actionable insights
By Karl R. LaPan
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Hack 49 | Success, Significance, and Legacy: 3 stages of a fulfilled and blessed life
Hack 49 | Success, Significance, and Legacy: 3 stages of a fulfilled and blessed life
By Karl R. LaPan
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Hack 48 | The KonMari Method 3 ways to unclutter your business life
Hack 48 | The KonMari Method 3 ways to unclutter your business life
By Karl R. LaPan
Activity
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🚀 Exciting news! I’m growing my new seminar business, Lilly Seminar Training LLC, and I'm looking for opportunities to share my expertise on…
🚀 Exciting news! I’m growing my new seminar business, Lilly Seminar Training LLC, and I'm looking for opportunities to share my expertise on…
Liked by Karl R. LaPan
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Don’t miss seeing Kathy Chiu at IGNITE FSU!
Don’t miss seeing Kathy Chiu at IGNITE FSU!
Liked by Karl R. LaPan
Experience
Education
Licenses & Certifications
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Certificate, Entrepreneurial Center Management
InBIA, International Business Innovation Association
Issued -
Mastering Emotional Intelligence Level I
TalentSmart
IssuedCredential ID Working towards certification -
Certified Coach - So What? Who cares? Why you?
Wendy Kennedy International
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Gallup's Coaching Entrepreneurial Talents Course
Gallup Organization
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Sales Development
The Resource Development Group
Issued -
Real Estate Broker
Indiana Public Licensing Agency
Issued Expires -
Certified Dream Manager
Floyd Consulting Group
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Growth Wheel
Start-up Company
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One Page Business Plan
Jim Horan
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Predictive Index Psychometric Assessment
PI Worldwide
Volunteer Experience
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Past Board Chair
InBIA, International Business Innovation Association
- 1 year 2 months
Economic Empowerment
Previous Second Vice-Chair (2 years) and First Vice Chair (1 year)
Previous Chair-Knowledge Services, Membership Committee, Strategic Directions
6 years (two term) board member -
Council Member- Doermer School of Business
Indiana University—Purdue University Fort Wayne
Education
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Council Member - Engineering, Technology, & Computer Science Industry Advisory Board
Indiana University—Purdue University Fort Wayne
- 2 years
Education
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Member-Community Advisory Council
Fort Wayne Ballet
- 11 months
Arts and Culture
* Share the Ft. Wayne Ballet's history, purpose, goals, and programs with our community.
* Serve as a sounding board for community opinion
* Provide a network that enhances Ft. Wayne Ballet's visibility with other organizations and the community -
Board Member, Past Chair of the Board
League for the Blind & Disabled
- 11 years 11 months
Social Services
[Oct 2001-September 2004] - Chair of the Board
During my multiple terms on the board, I served in other leadership capacities on budget & finance committee, investment committee, executive committee and strategic planning committee -
Board Member
Indiana Chamber of Commerce
- 3 years 7 months
Science and Technology
Appointed to the Economic Development Policy Committee.
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Advisory Board Member
Ball State Entrepreneurship Center
- Present 6 years 4 months
Education
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Steering Committee Member
Tech Startup Readiness Project
- Present 6 years 9 months
Economic Empowerment
www.bsu.edu/ReadinessProject
To provide actionable advice about how tech startups can accelerate venture growth and attract employee talent. We are focusing on three research questions:
--How does coachability affect early venture outcomes?
--How does customer learning affect early venture outcomes?
--How do startups get commitment from initial employees? -
College of Business Advisory Board
Franklin Pierce University
- Present 5 years 6 months
Education
Inaugural founding member of the new College of Business Advisory Board of my Alma Mater
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President
Florida Business Incubation Association
- Present 3 years 1 month
Economic Empowerment
Advancing the skills and impact of the entrepreneurial support network powering higher quality, higher paying jobs across Florida
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Community Advisory Group Member - Ecosystem Building Leadership Project (EBLP)
InBIA, International Business Innovation Association
- Present 2 years 7 months
Economic Empowerment
*Advise the project team on key aspects, providing community perspective on key considerations
*Be a sounding board for project deliverables
*Help work toward consensus among working team members on the project goals, network alternatives and sustainability plans
*Engage my network to learn and become involved in the project
Publications
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Entrepreneurial Hacks
AuthorHouse
Wikipedia defines a hack as "any trick, shortcut, skill, or novelty method that increases productivity and efficiency, in all walks of life." Entrepreneurial Hacks: Practical Insights for Business Builders was written to provide inspiration, knowledge, encouragement, and companionship to you along your entrepreneurial journey. By design, this book focuses on shortcuts to reduce the "noise" and aperture. By doing so, you can increase your opportunities for upskilling, forming new habits, and…
Wikipedia defines a hack as "any trick, shortcut, skill, or novelty method that increases productivity and efficiency, in all walks of life." Entrepreneurial Hacks: Practical Insights for Business Builders was written to provide inspiration, knowledge, encouragement, and companionship to you along your entrepreneurial journey. By design, this book focuses on shortcuts to reduce the "noise" and aperture. By doing so, you can increase your opportunities for upskilling, forming new habits, and making better and more effective life and business choices. My sincere hope is this book will inspire you to be better. I hope that you choose better. Only through better leadership, better innovation, better customer experiences, better learning opportunities, better citizenship, better engagement with our calling, and better relationships can we truly become the best version of ourselves. This aspiration is my goal for all of us, including myself.
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Guard Rails: Build Your Business and Self Through Insights and Innovation
Author House
Guard Rails are loosely defined as a system designed to keep people (or vehicles) from straying into dangerous or off-limit areas. This is the exact intent of this book. This book highlights practical advices to expand your thinking and provides important frameworks for applying this book to your business and personal life. The insights included in this book are meant to push your thinking and perspective toward new approaches to solve issues and realize opportunities that business builders and…
Guard Rails are loosely defined as a system designed to keep people (or vehicles) from straying into dangerous or off-limit areas. This is the exact intent of this book. This book highlights practical advices to expand your thinking and provides important frameworks for applying this book to your business and personal life. The insights included in this book are meant to push your thinking and perspective toward new approaches to solve issues and realize opportunities that business builders and leaders face. Where do you find your inspirationfrom gathering ideas, meeting people, traveling, attending conferences, interacting with people who think differently than you do, reading books, talking to strangers, hanging out in a bookstore or a brewery, or thinking in the shower? Ideas, a-ha moments, inspirations, and innovations are everywhere. The secret sauce is how you connect them, and how you glean insights and take action. Take action and become a better you
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Innovation Guidebook Series: Business Creativity & Innovation
Self-Published
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Best Practices in Action: Guidelines for Implementing First-Class Business Incubation Programs, Revised 2nd Edition
NBIA Publications
Originally published in 2001, Best Practices in Action has been thoroughly updated and revised to reflect the realities of a maturing business incubation industry. Its eight chapters address key best practice areas, from incubator governance and facilities management to leveraging innovation and serving clients. Each chapter explains why individual practices are important to incubator or company success and provides examples of how those practices are implemented at some of the industry's most…
Originally published in 2001, Best Practices in Action has been thoroughly updated and revised to reflect the realities of a maturing business incubation industry. Its eight chapters address key best practice areas, from incubator governance and facilities management to leveraging innovation and serving clients. Each chapter explains why individual practices are important to incubator or company success and provides examples of how those practices are implemented at some of the industry's most successful and innovative programs. A chapter of case studies examines incubators that are overall models of best practice.
Other authors -
Innovation Center Guidebook: Strategic Plan on A Page for Incubator Professionals
Self-published
Courses
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Disney Customer Experience Summit
2018
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Disney Institute Approach to People Engagement
10/16-10/20/2017
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Disney's Approach to Brand Loyalty
9/17/2006
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Disney's Approach to Creativity & Innovation
3/22/2009
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Disney's Approach to Leadership Excellence
5/11/2008
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Disney's Approach to Quality Service
10/23/2005
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Disney's Approach to Selection, Training & Engagement
8/15/2007
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Harvard University Strategic Perspectives in Non-profit Management
2013
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Mahler Advanced Management Skills Program
1996-97
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Stanford University-Executive Program for Non-Profit Leaders
2010
Honors & Awards
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InBIA President's Award of Excellence
International Business Innovation Association
First presented in 2010, this award honors individual InBIA members for lifetime achievement in the business incubation industry. The award does not have a formal, external nomination process but instead draws on the InBIA staff’s experiences with members who have contributed greatly to the industry and the association over the years. This recognition was made " for going above and beyond in my leadership of the NBIA and for my dedication to serving entrepreneurs across the globe."
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IPFW Champion Award
Indiana University, Purdue University Ft. Wayne
For outstanding contributions and role as ambassador in connecting the university to the community.
Languages
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English
Native or bilingual proficiency
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Spanish
Elementary proficiency
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We are excited to announce a 5 session book study, Holy Habits: 10 Small Decisions That Lead To A Big Life by Noah Herrin. All book study sessions…
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I'm looking forward to moderating a panel of amazing women in tech at the September 10 collaborative event of Central Florida Tech Grove, Women in…
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I don't ever do stuff like this, but I thought of this the other day, and thought I'd share this. My Dad, Corey Balzer, is the Owner of Backyard…
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The University of Central Florida is in the top rankings in SO many areas. Once again, we're in the top five nationally in yet another ranking. We…
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Turnkey Laboratory Available Now at UF Innovate | Accelerate @ Sid Martin Biotech! Are you ready to elevate your research in an award-winning…
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Honored to have Congresswoman Annie Kuster visit Rindge today! She toured the Marcucella Health Sciences Building, met with students and faculty and…
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Former UF Innovate | Accelerate client PeerFit, once based in The Hub, has come a long way and is now making waves in the digital fitness world…
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What an honor to meet the great Les Brown this evening in Orlando! #LesBrown
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Warning: #ProudMama post! Be on the lookout for my talented daughter Megan Cochrane in an upcoming episode of Wild West Chronicles on the INSP…
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