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Written by Jackie Hutter, MS, JD
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Tuesday, 26 January 2010 00:00 |
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Intellectual property (”IP”) is often a subject that is “out of sight, out of mind” for entrepreneurs who are launching new business ventures. And, why shouldn’t it be: business schools rarely teach much about law in general, let alone about the highly specialized world of IP law. Since non-business school trained entrepreneurs generally take their cues from the methods of their colleagues, it follows that a significant majority of entrepreneurs likely do not consider IP to comprise a necessary step when they are formulating their business plans. My conversations with entrepreneurs from all backgrounds over the years bears this out. When IP does form a fundamental basis of an entrepreneur’s new venture, it is likely because scientific or technical subject matter forms the basis of the business. In this context, it makes sense that the scientific or technical core of the business model must be protected by seeking patent coverage. While patents are significant in this context, in my opinion, this is a far too narrow view of when a new entrepreneurial concept requires IP protection, however. |
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Written by Akilah Lowery, Marketing Manager
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Friday, 25 September 2009 00:00 |
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 The Georgia chapter of PDMA hosted an impressive innovation summit.So I wasn't sure what to expect from the summit besides networking opportunities and industry insights. It was a pleasant surprise to meet the people behind the companies that also contribute to the total innovation process - strategists, patent attorneys, packaging companies, human factor researchers, sustainability consultants, academia partners, and manufacturers. For me, one of the most intriguing presentations was given by Dr. Kenneth Kahn who shared findings between the "best" companies and the "rest". The best seem to have focus, a proven process for innovation, and team concepts that foster creativity. The best seem to always look ahead instead of reacting to the present. Most importantly, the best companies in any industry always innovate. Keynote speaker, Tony Ulwick, was clear and concise with his illustration of when, why, and how a company should approach innovation in their respective industry. I think many project managers took away important and practical tips for success from his experience. Dr. Wendy Rogers expanded my perception of open innovation through university collaboration, as well as, the benefits of virtual technology in product design. |
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Written by Jackie Hutter, MS, JD
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Tuesday, 15 September 2009 00:00 |
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Recently the CEO of a start-up asked me for the most important advice I could give before she filed a patent application directed toward protecting her company’s core technology. In response, I said “don’t be a selfish patent applicant.” Few patent applicants obtain such counsel from their advisers and it shows: the vast majority of patents are written from a selfish perspective. (Note that I am using “selfish,” in the context that the term is used in marketing i.e., thinking that others see the same things in your product or technology as you do. When one selfishly markets her product or technology, she assumes that others will buy it for the benefits she sees, not for the reasons upon which consumers will base their purchasing decisions. So when I say that most patents are written “selfishly,” I mean that applicants (both individual and corporate inventors alike) approach the patenting process with a focus on what they think are the important aspects of the product or technology, as opposed to what others will find innovative.) |
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Written by Joseph Pruitt
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Monday, 24 August 2009 00:00 |
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 So I co-wrote a book this year: Handbook of Research on Computational Arts and Creative Informatics. I’m not entirely certain what the title means, but I have been telling people that the book is about “the collaboration of art and science within product development.” Perhaps a better phrase would be “the collision of art and science within product development.”
My contribution to this Handbook began several years ago as the topic to my Master’s Thesis at The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). My work was focusing on the intersection between Engineering and Industrial Design (a fascinating topic, I know). I wanted to write something fresh, something new that would change the world! Okay, maybe not the world, but at least the design community at SCAD. That was a good start. So my thesis revolved mostly around controlling creativity within product development. Okay, here goes in a nut shell:
On one hand you have Engineers. Engineers think about boxes; especially what they can put inside of boxes. Engineers like straight lines and math. Most of them have the drawing skills of a 7 year old. Nevertheless, they are good at what they do and they know it. “Don’t talk to me about Particle Physics” you might hear one say (you don’t know enough to have a meaningful conversation with them on the subject). Engineers design products based on the laws of the universe. This is science.
On the other hand you have Designers. Designers think about people using boxes with things inside of them. They are more interested in human experiences than how things work. Most of them have the math skills of a 7 year old. They are good at what they do and they know it. “Don’t talk to me about color” you might hear one say (you don’t even know what the postfix letters on the Pantone Chart stand for). Designers produce products based on the overall “human experience” that the end product creates. This is art. Engineers and Designers don’t often agree, which can lead to tension and bad products. How can this be overcome? How can art and science co-exist in harmony to create successful products? To find out, you can buy my book on Amazon.com for only $265. Keep thinking about the future. ~ Joseph |
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Written by Erica Knight, Industrial Designer
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Wednesday, 10 June 2009 15:38 |
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 On June 6th, I attended Atlanta’s first “ProductCamp.” This was an opportunity for product managers and related professionals to get together and essentially learn from and network with one another. ProductCamp is what some of the organizers would call an “unconference,” with little session planning by the event organizers, and with a lot of freedom to move around, ask questions, and have good discussion. When I first arrived, the networking was in full swing. I ran into a couple of friends from school and some other acquaintances in the Atlanta product development community.
To start off the day, we assembled in the main auditorium and learned about the ProductCamp process, while also getting introductions from those who would be presenting their topics. The process works pretty simply. Anyone in attendance can essentially present on a topic they feel is relevant to the “campers.” The topics are posted on big sticky paper outside, and everyone gets three sticky dots to post their votes for the sessions they are most interested in. Within a few minutes, votes are counted, sessions are selected and are assigned rooms and timeslots throughout the day. Most of the presentations I attended were definitely planned before the event, but it was kind of intriguing to think that I could have shown up, made a fun name for a session, gotten votes, and led a session. The last session I attended was called “Elegance with Product Management and Innovation,” led by Ken Westray. His presentation introduced some interesting ideas. One that I have discussed with colleagues since the event is the idea that people will only pay for their needs, not their wants or desires. |
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Written by Jackie Hutter
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Friday, 17 July 2009 00:00 |
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Do you treat your patents as a fence or a tollbooth? If you wish for your start-up technology company to obtain investment from or acquisition by a bigger player, you had better understand the difference.
Most start-up technology company entrepreneurs and CEO's understand that patents can be key to establishing the value of a new business idea. Typically, entrepreneurs and CEO's such as yourself will engage patent attorneys to build an IP portfolio that protects the start-up's technology and products to the fullest extent possible. The motivation for this effort and expense is, of course, to protect your start-up's idea from use by others. As management of a start-up you may be seeking to build an ongoing business around the patented technology, but often the goal of building a solid patent portfolio is to make your business an attractive target for investment or acquisition by a larger company. I believe that such an inwardly focused patenting strategy is a misguided approach for companies that wish to obtain investment from or be acquired by larger companies. Why do I think this? Let me use a simple analogy.
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Written by Akilah Lowery, Marketing Manager
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Monday, 01 June 2009 01:30 |
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Welcome to our Slingshot Innovation Blog! Here you’ll find the inside scoop on present day innovators and what goes on behind the scenes of product development. With the help of some friends, we’ll share insights, stories, and tidbits from a little less technical point of view. Change vs New. Many of us may be resistant to change, but most of us like something new. New allows us to do what we have always liked to do even better. Understand, however, that we may have to change everything...processes, mindsets, ergonomics, materials, specifications, and even price...just to make something we call "new". Innovation is very clever that way. I experience the power of "new" everyday. The Slingshot family is a perfect fit for an ingenious gal like me. There are so many fascinating people involved in this creative process...a few a little quirky, too. It is rewarding to see how true innovation improves the lives and the profitability of businesses alike.
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