Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 27, 2014

The bad news is that patent trolls (non-producing companies that make their money from licensing patents) can squeeze the lifeblood out of unsuspecting entrepreneurs, as exemplified by the recent mess around Lodsys suing small Apple IOS developers. Yes, the software patent process is a mess. Applying for a patent is a negotiation.

Software Review 250

Software Review Software Technical Review Intellectual Property 250

Gust

OCTOBER 19, 2014

The bad news is that patent trolls (non-producing companies that make their money from licensing patents) can squeeze the lifeblood out of unsuspecting entrepreneurs, as exemplified by the recent mess around Lodsys suing small Apple IOS developers. Yes, the software patent process is a mess. Applying for a patent is a negotiation.

Software Review 173

Software Review Software Technical Review Intellectual Property 173

Berkonomics

JANUARY 9, 2020

You should be clear from the start that no one at your company may offer a job to any current employee of a stakeholder – a customer, a partner in development or in distribution, or of a supplier. The clerk told the owner, and the rest is history. No winking, sending signals, or quiet promises. The exception.

Employee 62

Employee Customer Holding Company Distribution 62

Berkonomics

FEBRUARY 28, 2013

You should be clear from the start that no one at your company may offer a job to any current employee of a stakeholder – a customer, a partner in development or in distribution, or of a supplier. The clerk told the owner, and the rest is history. No winking, sending signals, or quiet promises. Email readers, continue here.]

Holding Company 48

Holding Company Distribution Employee Restful 48

Up and Running

JANUARY 19, 2015

Sure we provide benefits and hold company retreats, but they were most appreciative of the information that allowed them to be the agents of their own financial wellbeing. – David Hassell, 15Five. Earlier this year I created three money management webinars for my employees. The feedback from the team was incredible. Tweet this tip!

Employee 60

Employee California Community Salary 60

Jeff Hilimire

JANUARY 22, 2020

I sold one of my companies (Engauge) to a holding company, and the result was quite frankly disastrous. We had ~200 employees that went to the new company, and five years later roughly 90% of those employees were no longer with the company. He’s an amazing leader and person.

Marketing 36

Marketing Georgia Holding Company Advertising 36

Seeing Both Sides

JUNE 25, 2012

Somewhat to the chagrin of the rest of the family, Tom left America for China 20 years ago to be an executive for advertising agency JWT (one of the WPP holding companies). So when my cousin, Tom Doctoroff , released his second book on China, What Chinese Want , I was excited to read it.

China 30

China United States Asia America 30