A more seamlessly connected experience.
That's what Jeff DeGraff thinks Michigan needs to move its economy forward. DeGraff is our partner for The Next Idea. He's a clinical professor of management and organizations at the U of M Ross School of Business.
DeGraff says he sees Michigan’s economy as three distinct parts: large multinational corporations based in the greater Detroit metro area; mid-level businesses in western Michigan; and small startups in places like Ann Arbor that have young, vibrant, and intelligent people.
Click on the link above to hear Cynthia's conversation with DeGraff.
DeGraff says right now, these businesses operate in their own, separate economies, and they don’t really sync up with one another.
DeGraff says ideally, things might work like this: small start-ups would create intellectual property that would then be licensed to mid-size company, which in turn could create physical products that would be purchased by large multinational corporations.
DeGraff says that kind of ecosystem would maximize each business type's strengths, while downplaying their weaknesses. DeGraff believes that practicality and entrepreneurial zeal of Michiganders will ultimately lead to economic success among Michigan businesses.
