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 Interview with Al

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Int: I see you have Bachelor & Master’s degrees in Engineering.  Why did you go on to receive extensive post-graduate education in Business Economics and Business Administration?

Al: While growing up on a farm I was interested in “what made machines tick” so I studied engineering in college.  Later, as a practicing engineer, I found that regardless how good a design was it was of little economic value unless supported by a strong business.  So I went back to school to learn “what made businesses tick!”

Int: So you got hands-on experience learning “what made businesses tick” by switching between self-employment and positions as an employee? 

Al: Yes, I owned a very small manufacturing company and a couple of different consulting businesses.  Each of them gave me good, practical experience in running small businesses.  But several times I succumbed to “offers I could not refuse” to become an employee again!

Int: Yes, I see you had positions as: project engineer, project leader, senior engineer, product & engineering manager, and manager of engineering & R&D.  How did you get involved in EDC (EDC ComputerS, Inc.)?

Al: In 1990 I started a consulting business called Engineering Design Concepts.  A year later my son, who had just graduated with a degree in computer science, joined me.  Eventually we became less involved in engineering consulting and more involved in computer related services and incorporated as EDC ComputerS, Inc.

Int: Is that when you started providing management-consulting services to small businesses?

Al: Yes.  We found that computers and software were often only a small part of what small businesses really needed.  What they were really looking for were ways to become more efficient, save time, make more money, streamline their operation, provide better service, etc.  So, whenever possible, we would help our customers evaluate their entire business in search of ways to make it even more successful.

Int: Is your son still a part of EDC?

Al: No. Late in 2000 my son took a computer programming position with a company that sells photographs taken from satellites.  At that time I semi-retired and provided business consulting services to a half-dozen loyal customers through EDC. 

Int: What’s next?

Al: I really enjoy helping small businesses become even more successful and want to expand the management services offered.

Int: So you would prefer to offer management advisory services on an ongoing basis?

Al: Yes, I have worked with some businesses through EDC on an ongoing basis for some time.  Now I would like to also work with some small businesses where I can obtain some equity in the business for added incentive to make the business even more successful.

Int: So you will consider partnering with selected small businesses?

Al: Yes.  I formed a corporation called F I Group, Inc. for the express purpose of partnering with small businesses.

Int: Does F I Group, Inc. have a web site?

Al: Yes, www.FriendlyInnovators.com, will be evolving as a source of information about technology, and starting and running small businesses.  For more information, contact:

Al Leedahl, 716 - 11^th Street South, Benson, MN 56215  (320) 843-3930