"Why Israel?" and answered it in
the words: "Political stability."
Surely, there were also other
substantive reasons like Mr.
Robertson's belief that opportu-
nities in Israel now match those
which existed in California dur-
ing the 1970s. The country's im-
mense intellectual capital and
burgeoning business culture
make Israel an offshore Silicon
Valley.
Out of every 10,000 workers,
135 are in R&D, he said, corn-
pared with 70 in the United
States and only 28 in Britain.
And local companies could exploit
substantial government funding
for commercial and defense-ori-
ented research.
Examples of these opportuni-
ties were very much on show at
the conference, and they certainly
bore out his thesis. Forty-two
publicly traded Israeli companies
and 27 private ones made pre-
sentations.
Such an array of companies
and technologies would make an
investment banker's mouth wa-
ter. If Robertson, Stephens and
Evergreen play their cards right,
they should provide a rich foun-
tain of underwriting commissions
in the not-too-distant future.
There were no seats to be had at
either of Vocaltec's presentations;
it was standing-room only. The
company, which is reportedly be-
ing besieged by investment
bankers begging to take it pub-
lic, is the developer of the Inter-
net phone. This enables PC users
to conduct conversations over the
Internet, anywhere in the world,
for the price of a local phone call.
The demonstration, though not
glitch-free, was impressive
nonetheless.
Robertson, Stephens special-
izes in limited areas — technolo-
gy, health care, retailing and
special situations. The firm em-
ploys 32 research analysts and
its research covers 317 compa-
nies. It employs 30 institutional
brokers who average 14 years' ex-
perience in the business. 0

What's waiting for you back at the office?

It's true. Time is money. And the time you or your employees spend
standing in old-fashioned teller lines could be costing you thousands!
Franklin Bank offers modern banking options like our "Express
Deposit" lockbox, courier deposit pickup and EDI electronic deposits.
They're all part of the Total Package of financial services for small and
medium-sized businesses.

Why spend time standing in bank lines? Call Franklin Bank today at
(810) 358-5170 and start saving money!

Franklin

B

N.A.

We Need
Nominees!

We're looking for your
picks of the most interest-
ing, successful and/or un-
usual businesses or
businesspeople in our com-
munity, in any category.
Please send your nomi-
nations, including the
phone number of the per-
son or business, by Dec. 30
to Julie Edgar, Business
Editor, The Jewish News,
27676 Franklin Road,
Southfield, MI 48034. The
winners will be included in
our special business edi-
tion early next year.

(810)358-5170

FDIC Insured

The new thinking in banking for business.

Southfield • Birmingham • Grosse Pointe Woods

YOUR EXERCISE CONNECTION

• TREADMILLS Electric/Manual
• STAIR CLIMBERS
• HEALTH BIKES
Manual/Dual Action/Electric
• ROWING MACHINES
• MISC. GYM EQUIPMENT

(ALL ITEMS DISCOUNTED)

LARRY ARONOFF

ACTON RENTAL & SALES
(810) 540-5550
(313) 831-6500

•Bloom and Bloom •

• Registered Electrologists •

Come and let us remove your unwanted hair problem and improve your appearance.

Near 12 Mile Rd. bet. Evergreen & Southfield

559-1969 Appt. Only. Ask For Shirlee or Debby

Al