Patent Pointers
Given their obvious lack of intimate knowledge of and hands-on
experience with the actual patenting process, the FTC is in no way
qualified to be making recommendations concerning patents ("Patent
Pending," October). Fact is, qualification standards are
already plenty tough (as anyone who's gone through the
process--including me--knows only too well). Competitors being able
to challenge patents post-issuance already works great. Competitors
can readily review most patent applications at www.uspto.gov.
In fact, [the FTC's] dangerous proposal to limit willful infringement damage awards, a proposal big companies are kicking and screaming for, would only hurt "the little guy"--those creative--thinking individuals normally without the substantial monetary resources necessary to take on big-company infringers. The threat of treble damages is often the only leverage we've got to stop "the big boys" from stealing our ideas.
Steve Morsa
Founder
GetRichSlowly.com
Thousand Oaks, California
Rules to Live By
I have to object to the recent article by Crystal Detamore-Rodman
about bankruptcy ("Severed
Ties," October). She seemed to be saying that reckless
business building should be backed by unlimited bankruptcy
provisions. I'm a CPA and have been working with small-business
owners for almost 40 years. I can say that following the simple
rules of writing a business plan, using the plan, doing research,
and not overdoing it with debt will bring success. Unbridled
optimism combined with easy debt has led many business beginners to
debtors prison. It wasn't thoughtful entrepreneurial activity;
it was spending foolishly. If people have to take on debt, they
should do it through a legal entity by forming a corporation or an
LLC and not by signing unlimited personal guarantees. The rules for
business success are simple. They are just not as much fun as going
berserk with other peoples' money.
Douglas Marvel
CPA
Resaca, Georgia
Getting Personal
Where do we draw the line between the separation of church and
state when the federal government is looking at mandating that
corporations accommodate religious needs ("Prayer
Meeting," August)? If someone has special religious needs,
they should request time off to either go to their place of worship
or find a private place.
Truly, companies are getting the shaft when it comes to this constant barrage of employee requirements, with the fear of lawsuits if they raise any concerns regarding anything personal. Bottom line is the government should butt out and let companies provide corporate benefits as they desire to their employees. If employees cannot find the time or place to accommodate their personal needs where they work, then maybe they should find a new job.
Name Withheld
Milwaukee
Follow the Leader
I just read the August issue, and the feature on stellar selling
("Behind
the Magic") caught my eye, especially "How to follow
up with a prospect." Many times, people are scared of seeming
overzealous in the eyes of their prospects and end up losing touch
with them. However, in a recent research report my company
published, we found that 60 percent of buyers of professional
services said they would be "much more likely" to
consider purchasing a seller's services if [the seller was]
more enthusiastic about winning their business. On the reverse,
only 33 percent said they would be "much more likely" to
consider purchasing a seller's services if [he or she was] less
enthusiastic. It's clear-prospects want sellers to follow
up.
Erica Stritch
Marketing and Sales Manager
RainToday.com
Framingham, Massachusetts
This story appears in the December 2005 issue of Entrepreneur. Subscribe »
