tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75475532715016049552024-03-14T23:37:06.458-07:00IntellZineIntell Zine, an Intellectual property (IP) magazine, chronicles innovation trends and brand building ideas. This blog focuses on patent commercialization, but addresses all aspects of innovation, branding and IP (patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets).BizManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04567436767604729270noreply@blogger.comBlogger185125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7547553271501604955.post-50439103708344146152024-03-14T23:33:00.000-07:002024-03-14T23:36:34.558-07:00What is Pi Day, and what are the useful uses of Pi?<p class="MsoNormal"><b>ChatGPT 4.0</b> (3/14/2024)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JaEiL65wUxFLUcz82ifw84myI6n_pYFJ8Zs-ip28d3W9jAJxErP9jV34COqwtIYSxwlTOAqXKCe-1qFeAKJJZf4mRQTuRVBOigJveAmcFdoZ5nWAQIKkwVpSrfHabgXc7mMumE26hyNeLogUfnU24-eQtE8Azi1yoWx0yUaHzvPVUc9Q8YShgk6Uj9k/s1024/DALL%C2%B7E%202024-03-15%2000.29.10%20-%20Image%20of%20%20Pi%20in%20various%20contexts.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JaEiL65wUxFLUcz82ifw84myI6n_pYFJ8Zs-ip28d3W9jAJxErP9jV34COqwtIYSxwlTOAqXKCe-1qFeAKJJZf4mRQTuRVBOigJveAmcFdoZ5nWAQIKkwVpSrfHabgXc7mMumE26hyNeLogUfnU24-eQtE8Azi1yoWx0yUaHzvPVUc9Q8YShgk6Uj9k/s320/DALL%C2%B7E%202024-03-15%2000.29.10%20-%20Image%20of%20%20Pi%20in%20various%20contexts.webp" width="320" /></a></div>Pi Day is celebrated on March 14th (3/14 in the month/day
format) because the date represents the first three digits of π (pi), which is
approximately 3.14. Pi is a mathematical constant that represents the ratio of
a circle's circumference to its diameter. This ratio is constant for all
circles of any size, making pi a fundamental aspect of many mathematical,
engineering, and scientific calculations. Here are some of the useful uses of pi:<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1. **Circumference and Area Calculations**: Pi is used to
calculate the circumference (C = 2πr) and the area (A = πr^2) of a circle,
where r is the radius of the circle. These formulas are foundational in
geometry and are widely used in various fields such as construction,
manufacturing, and design.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2. **Engineering**: In engineering, pi is used in the
analysis and design of mechanical systems involving wheels, gears, and pulleys.
It is also essential in the calculation of the volume and surface area of
cylinders, spheres, and cones.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3. **Physics and Cosmology**: Pi plays a role in the laws of
motion and gravitation. It is used in calculations involving the orbits of
planets, the propagation of waves, and the distribution of electric and
magnetic fields.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4. **Statistics and Probability**: The Gaussian
distribution, which is a fundamental function in probability theory and
statistics, contains pi in its equation. Pi is also used in various statistical
formulas to calculate probabilities and to analyze data patterns.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5. **Signal Processing**: Pi is essential in the analysis of
signals and in the development of digital signal processing algorithms. It is
used in the Fourier transform, which is a mathematical technique for
transforming signals between time and frequency domains.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">6. **Navigation and Geodesy**: Pi is used in calculations
involving the geometry of the Earth and in the precise determination of
geographical positions using longitude and latitude.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">7. **Art and Architecture**: The golden ratio, which is
closely related to pi, has been used in art and architecture to create
aesthetically pleasing compositions and designs. Pi's properties are also used
in the creation of curves and in the design of structures requiring geometric
precision.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pi's ubiquity in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics underscores its fundamental importance. Pi Day not only celebrates
this mathematical constant but also promotes interest and education in STEM
fields.</p>
BizManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04567436767604729270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7547553271501604955.post-32076286816116916152023-12-16T10:07:00.000-08:002023-12-17T11:27:33.113-08:00Mickey Mouse Enters to Public Domain<p><a href="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/5a57147/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1619x2000+0+0/resize/800x988!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fd1%2Fd9%2F14f0991658db2fb78f677265c130%2F66c217d9127745d9a039024b72c72787" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="648" height="200" src="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/5a57147/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1619x2000+0+0/resize/800x988!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fd1%2Fd9%2F14f0991658db2fb78f677265c130%2F66c217d9127745d9a039024b72c72787" width="162" /></a>The first trademarks by Walt Disney run out of copyright protection starting in 2024. This would have happened 20 years earlier had it not been for the "<a href="https://www.intellzine.com/2023/11/the-mickey-mouse-protection-act.html" target="_blank">Mickey Mouse Protection Act of 1998</a>" (as discussed here). For corporations, copyright lasts for 95 years from first release. (For individual creators/authors, copyright lasts for 70 years after the last author dies.)</p><p></p><p>Associated Press has a discussion about this: <a href="https://apnews.com/article/mickey-mouse-public-domain-disney-minnie-tigger-1dbfa3982a172334503bc8cf87302b6f" target="_blank">Mickey Mouse will soon belong to you and me — with some caveats</a>. This article by Andrew Dalton (Dec 14, 2023) hits two notes that are not intuitive to the average person with only a modest understanding of copyrights. <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>1) When Steamboat Willie (c) Nov 1928 hits 95 years old, this film and some aspects of the stars of the file -- Mickey and Minnie Mouse -- will enter public domain. When Winnie the Poo entered public domain a horror film was released: <span class="LinkEnhancement"><a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA" href="https://apnews.com/article/winnie-the-pooh-copyright-blood-and-honey-batman-mickey-717bf5a77eed30fe02283f1439ca6cd7" rel="noopener" target="_blank">“Winnie The Pooh: Blood and Honey.”</a> (We suspect that A.A. Nihle would not have been pleased!)</span></p><p><span class="LinkEnhancement">2) You have to really wonder in amazement that such characters as Winnie, Minnie and Mickey had endured to the test of time. Many characters or graphics would not be worth much, fading into the background canvas on the painting of time. As these distinctive characters have aged they have moved into a status of folklore; and now with the passage of time, they have moved into a status of public domain as well. </span></p><p><span class="LinkEnhancement">Remember that there are other types of intellectual property protection by Disney, including other copyrights and trademarks. Be careful making a Disney horror film staring Minnie and Snow White. </span></p><p><span class="LinkEnhancement">See <a href="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/5a57147/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1619x2000+0+0/resize/800x988!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fd1%2Fd9%2F14f0991658db2fb78f677265c130%2F66c217d9127745d9a039024b72c72787">The Mickey Mouse Protection Act</a> article from November. <br /></span></p><p><span class="LinkEnhancement">#IntellZine #PublicDomain #Copyright <br /></span></p>BizManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04567436767604729270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7547553271501604955.post-44191073252275917822023-11-24T11:38:00.000-08:002023-11-24T11:38:07.274-08:00The Mickey Mouse Protection Act<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBTSOIqNd_41pEoegE_VvHcvswEkB1ssecDsWZsAbOesqqMgR-lA1vP_jTtbeaFzP9Ha6l8i3WQr0nZ-FVbC31nDaAPjo5zgxKI2crc6DyMrrY-GfUiG4frIKfe-QrEfJfK34mSDNG8pmSAvuR8iu4AY3J1eKmooE55AXzlTfs5bLRajRbutV5dunYqc/s800/Mickey-Mouse-Steamboat-Willie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBTSOIqNd_41pEoegE_VvHcvswEkB1ssecDsWZsAbOesqqMgR-lA1vP_jTtbeaFzP9Ha6l8i3WQr0nZ-FVbC31nDaAPjo5zgxKI2crc6DyMrrY-GfUiG4frIKfe-QrEfJfK34mSDNG8pmSAvuR8iu4AY3J1eKmooE55AXzlTfs5bLRajRbutV5dunYqc/w200-h150/Mickey-Mouse-Steamboat-Willie.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>When you hear The Mickey Mouse Protection act, you
are probably thinking about how to keep the mouse’s tail out from under the heavy boots of the Florida State Governor. But the Law that is informally called the Mickey
Mouse Protection Act of 1995 extended copyright protection for an additional 20
years, giving Disney until November 2024 before the first copyrights on Mickey Mouse
begin to roll off copyright protection. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means that by Christmas of 2024 you can
start to borrow and modify aspects of Steamboat Willie’s 1928 movie including
the world-famous Mickey Mouse figure. HOWEVER, step softly around the mouse
because Disney does have dozens of trademarks, so what comes into public domain
on the one four-fingered hand, might still have intellectual property
protection on the other. <span><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_Term_Extension_Act">Copyright
Term Extension Act of 1995</a> was sponsored by the late Sonny Bono of Sonny
& Cher, so Sonny Bono’s name is part of the act. It is (derisively) called
the Mickey Mouse Protection Act because Disney was one of the biggest and most
conspicuous beneficiaries. Under the new law, corporations now have 95 years
from first publication before their creative works go into the public domain.
During that time the copyright owner(s) has exclusive rights to their creative
works including sales and royalties. The intellectual property ownership of
those rights can be assigned or sold. For an individual author/creator, the
copyright lasts for 70 years after death. If multiple creators/authors, the
copyright lasts for 70 years after the last author dies. (https://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-duration.html)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The cool thing about copyright (and trademark, for that
matter) is that you simply put the cute copyright symbol © on creative works
you want to designate as copyrighted and it magically becomes copyrighted.
Cool. This is why you would want to indicate “copyright” on promotional
materials, your books and your web site content. Books are often “registered”
to strengthen copyright protection and to provide documentation if a lawsuit is
needed to enforce your copyrights. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What happens when a creative work loses its copyright
protection? “After the copyright expires, the creative work falls into the
public domain. Anyone can use a work in the public domain without permission or
payment to the copyright holder. This includes making copies of the creative
work and distributing transformative versions of it.” (<a href="https://MEKipLaw.com/the-mickey-mouse-copyright/">https://MEKipLaw.com/the-mickey-mouse-copyright/</a>)
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqxwtYbKEmRJ71YassAOKFzRUm4lvin_p1GJf4nkQi-Jwx2bhvjkEwVq1xmaTEVYbNFwlhNteHhMY92wIQM4v_LEkMRGXSM50QfsADRvPXdQ9CRht67bYDKpzKWb7BEpwj7RR7FxgNSxFV2zgaZIFADZT_sIGbbMw7iGqXzETDAY-I4oeWQKZP6-fYPI/s906/Copyrights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="906" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqxwtYbKEmRJ71YassAOKFzRUm4lvin_p1GJf4nkQi-Jwx2bhvjkEwVq1xmaTEVYbNFwlhNteHhMY92wIQM4v_LEkMRGXSM50QfsADRvPXdQ9CRht67bYDKpzKWb7BEpwj7RR7FxgNSxFV2zgaZIFADZT_sIGbbMw7iGqXzETDAY-I4oeWQKZP6-fYPI/w200-h146/Copyrights.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>All types of intellectual property protection are discussed
in the Patent Primer by Hall & Hinkelman. <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Visit the SBP Bookstore: <a href="http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/SBPlan">http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/SBPlan</a>
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hall, E. B. & Hinkelman, R. M. (2017). <b><i><u>Perpetual
innovation™: Patent Primer 4.0. Patents, the great equalizer of our time</u></i>.
</b>(Also, find on Amazon in e-Book format.)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">#Copyright #IntellectualProperty #PerpetualInnovation
#IPCommercialization</p>
BizManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04567436767604729270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7547553271501604955.post-87473606375662278152023-04-25T08:37:00.003-07:002023-04-25T08:37:24.164-07:00Samsung Takes over from IBM in the US Patents issued in 2022<p></p><p>Samsung Electronics received the most US patents in 2022 for the first
time since 1993. IBM, which had held the top spot for 29 consecutive
years, came in second place. </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 302px;"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 1280; mso-width-source: userset; width: 26pt;" width="44"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 5193; mso-width-source: userset; width: 107pt;" width="178"></col>
<col style="width: 48pt;" width="80"></col>
</colgroup><tbody><tr height="25" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl64" height="25" style="height: 15pt; text-align: center; width: 26pt;" width="44"><b><u>Rank</u></b></td>
<td class="xl64" style="width: 107pt;" width="178"><b><u>Company</u></b></td>
<td class="xl64" style="text-align: right; width: 48pt;" width="80"><b><u>Patents</u></b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="25" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="25" style="height: 15pt; text-align: center;">1</td>
<td>Samsung Electronics</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">6,248</td>
</tr>
<tr height="25" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="25" style="height: 15pt; text-align: center;">2</td>
<td>IBM</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">4,398</td>
</tr>
<tr height="25" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="25" style="height: 15pt; text-align: center;">3</td>
<td>Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">3,024</td>
</tr>
<tr height="25" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="25" style="height: 15pt; text-align: center;">4</td>
<td>Huawei Technologies</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">2,836</td>
</tr>
<tr height="25" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="25" style="height: 15pt; text-align: center;">5</td>
<td>Canon</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">2,694</td>
</tr>
<tr height="25" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="25" style="height: 15pt; text-align: center;">6</td>
<td>LG Electronics</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">2,641</td>
</tr>
<tr height="25" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="25" style="height: 15pt; text-align: center;">7</td>
<td>Qualcomm</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">2,625</td>
</tr>
<tr height="25" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="25" style="height: 15pt; text-align: center;">8</td>
<td>Intel</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">2,418</td>
</tr>
<tr height="25" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="25" style="height: 15pt; text-align: center;">9</td>
<td>Apple</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">2,285</td>
</tr>
<tr height="25" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="25" style="height: 15pt; text-align: center;">10</td>
<td>Toyota</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63">2,214</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><p> In terms of the total "assigned" patents, IBM has also lost #1 position to Samsung. <br /></p><p>See prior posts about the Patent King, IBM: <a href="https://www.intellzine.com/2021/03/the-patent-king-ibm-for-28-years.html" target="_blank">https://www.intellzine.com/2021/03/the-patent-king-ibm-for-28-years.html</a></p>BizManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04567436767604729270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7547553271501604955.post-1872490277999532242023-02-15T09:13:00.009-08:002023-04-23T15:23:23.034-07:00Oil & Gas Spills in North America Since 2010<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHFQDhBPFrkjyhkgjJ839JHKUCUhFhvmAhHDcasJ9cT_Y6WkR-Dqz5zJVTv398uFvdA-IwBiSFy8f1_gu0zJg8dpLeY32gnzrJTknDxk9QdOj6vlMyiayjZ9rVUXUU9soTEBLPQ7SDi6058Oox4OywK-nKQ2LLSMR3gRp7U-Jrpj9cGvtcsly0wHk/s754/Oil%20n%20Gas%20Spills2023-02-15%20at%2009-08-41%20U.S.%20Oil%20&%20Gas%20Pipeline%20Spills%20since%202010.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="754" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHFQDhBPFrkjyhkgjJ839JHKUCUhFhvmAhHDcasJ9cT_Y6WkR-Dqz5zJVTv398uFvdA-IwBiSFy8f1_gu0zJg8dpLeY32gnzrJTknDxk9QdOj6vlMyiayjZ9rVUXUU9soTEBLPQ7SDi6058Oox4OywK-nKQ2LLSMR3gRp7U-Jrpj9cGvtcsly0wHk/s320/Oil%20n%20Gas%20Spills2023-02-15%20at%2009-08-41%20U.S.%20Oil%20&%20Gas%20Pipeline%20Spills%20since%202010.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>This was posted over in <a href="https://www.sustainzine.com/2023/02/oil-gas-spills-in-north-america-since.html" target="_blank">SustainZine </a>originally, but it does pertain to Innovation. The costs of the old systems of fossil fuels are far greater than the price we all pay at the pump. Plus they are crazy subsidized (one estimate is 1% of GDP directly and about 6% indirectly).</p><p>But here's the article. *** <a href="https://www.sustainzine.com/2023/02/oil-gas-spills-in-north-america-since.html" target="_blank">SustainZine</a> ***<br /></p><p>A question I sometimes ask of people who think that fossil fuels are here forever more and that electrification of everything will never happen... </p><p></p><p>Has there ever been an oil spill in Yellowstone National Park? If so, how many?</p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a>The answer I get is surprisingly often, none. It is, after all, a National Park, right?<p></p><p><span></span>ArcGIS does a map overlay with the data of your choice. In this case the data is documented oil and gas spills since 2010, by type of spill and the SIZE of spill. <a href="https://www.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=b515086c8a904ba3b72f7691722aefd3&extent=-149.0405,1.4647,-36.5405,63.5355" target="_blank">Map for North America here</a>. The size of the circle indicates the size of the spill. Note the big circles; size of the circle indicates the size of the spill. Blue is refined oil (gasoline, diesel, etc.). Red is NatGas. Since NatGas just vents into the atmosphere (unless it catches fire or is flared), it's a "clean" spill. Kinda. Natural Gas is a wicked greenhouse gas, with a warming factor of 80x more than carbon dioxide. </p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-8QzfyV9qP7EfeMPxip28eeDJ-YykmdNW3Gw6quF0UcVhEaKhdHjoqiNMVnjlZT6eXRsfv6ysEDwd8Oj5049tmlHpAcNCak5hXhQaqrc084Jx1ItnzfTxDXPCvEOBhVo8jy2DUyBt_uS2KAdZTtId1ZJ_7ALKVqqFwZ-fJZhuZg0ikmZu6mW2Ftp/s677/Oil%20Spills%202023-02-15%20at%2009-10-01%20U.S.%20Oil%20&%20Gas%20Pipeline%20Spills%20since%202010.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="677" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-8QzfyV9qP7EfeMPxip28eeDJ-YykmdNW3Gw6quF0UcVhEaKhdHjoqiNMVnjlZT6eXRsfv6ysEDwd8Oj5049tmlHpAcNCak5hXhQaqrc084Jx1ItnzfTxDXPCvEOBhVo8jy2DUyBt_uS2KAdZTtId1ZJ_7ALKVqqFwZ-fJZhuZg0ikmZu6mW2Ftp/s320/Oil%20Spills%202023-02-15%20at%2009-10-01%20U.S.%20Oil%20&%20Gas%20Pipeline%20Spills%20since%202010.png" width="320" /></a></div>The next chart just shows oil & gasoline spills. Crude oil in green (ironically), refined petroleum in blue. <br /><p></p><p>Yellowstone is in the northeast corner of Wyoming. Yellowstone has had <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowstone_River" target="_blank">two notable oil spills</a> since 2010: an oil spill on the Exxon-Mobil pipeline in 2011, and another spill in 2015 from the pipeline owned by the True Companies. Those spills seem tiny compared to the thousands of spills throughout North America. No info from Canada though. There have been many oil spills in the Alaska pipelines that run all the way through Canada to the US.</p><p>Note that there are tens of thousands of old wells that have been abandoned; many have never been capped or have been poorly capped. Old wells are leaking massive amounts of oil and natgas. The big oil companies sell off the depleted wells to small companies. Those companies milk the well for a while and then go out of business. </p><p>"According to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_Accountability_Office" title="Government Accountability Office">Government Accountability Office</a>, the 2.1 million unplugged abandoned wells in the United States could cost as much as $300 billion.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-:5_2-3"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphaned_wells_in_the_United_States#cite_note-:5-2">[2]</a>" </sup>from this Wikipedia article on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphaned_wells_in_the_United_States" target="_blank">Abandoned Wells in the United States</a>. There are abandoned oil wells everywhere: in the gulf, in Pennsylvania, in Texas, in California. And that is in the USA where there are better regulations than most countries. Read about the Biden effort to go out and <a href="https://www.nrdc.org/stories/millions-leaky-and-abandoned-oil-and-gas-wells-are-threatening-lives-and-climate" target="_blank">cap them</a> at the NRDC. There are lots of other sources, but you get the idea.<br /></p><p>When you think of the costs to the environment, the costs to clean up, and the costs to not cleanup, the costs are massively greater than what you pay at the gas meter or at the pump. And yet the world's governments still subsidize fossil fuels at the rate of $1T per year. According <a href="https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/climate-change/energy-subsidies" target="_blank">to the IMF</a>, explicit fossil fuel subsidies are about 1% of GDP, but implicit is 6% to 7% of GDP (about $6T USD). <br /></p><br /><p><br /></p><p></p>BizManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04567436767604729270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7547553271501604955.post-68589503496387927462023-01-19T16:21:00.001-08:002023-01-19T16:21:35.295-08:00Innovative Countries -- Global Innovation Index<p> </p><p>This is a great summary of innovation by country from Visual Capitalist. See the Global Innovation Index (GII) map here:<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.visualcapitalist.com/most-innovative-countries-2022/&source=gmail&ust=1674230918534000&usg=AOvVaw1JLTxWu1ST4pf_KnksaKxd" href="https://www.visualcapitalist.com/most-innovative-countries-2022/" target="_blank">https://www.visualcapitalist.<wbr></wbr>com/most-innovative-countries-<wbr></wbr>2022/</a></p><p>We,
at Strategic Business Planning Company, www.SBP.com, are always
interesting in all aspects of innovation. Sometimes we hear from a
layperson or an executive that the most innovative country in the work
is ... </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAK9dXV1BFX-pDV5OUqAGyM8zVg-dkl4lTnj0K2nY9D0ub3Bv4lZDfVRrCSC5zl-8_wYMDvVTqANhKxInY3aYxDz6iaP41YdlSam0VWOZ6u5Xnl7EKu73QVJ-2eiXHd_ELdrfoqWirNWEpSHAd2S0HroFvFaW1EPZJSObTw3PbuXRXqYc5Cfnm8HfC/s1327/Global_Innovation_Index_Dec20.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1327" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAK9dXV1BFX-pDV5OUqAGyM8zVg-dkl4lTnj0K2nY9D0ub3Bv4lZDfVRrCSC5zl-8_wYMDvVTqANhKxInY3aYxDz6iaP41YdlSam0VWOZ6u5Xnl7EKu73QVJ-2eiXHd_ELdrfoqWirNWEpSHAd2S0HroFvFaW1EPZJSObTw3PbuXRXqYc5Cfnm8HfC/s320/Global_Innovation_Index_Dec20.webp" width="289" /></a></div><p></p><p><i>Israel </i>and <i>Ireland </i>were
mentioned in recent years. One executive said that "all innovation
comes from Israel". All right, admittedly, Israel is a great source of
innovation and invention, but it is a very small country (population,
GDP). In absolute terms, Israel is not even close, but in relative terms
(adjusted for size of country), Israel is a very respectable #16 in the
world (GII score of 50.2). <br /></p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>So,
a quick search came up with this great source at Visual Capitalist
shows that the top 6 countries are: Switzerland, USA, Sweden, and the UK
all with innovation scores above 60. The rest of the top 10 had
innovation scores over 56.</p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 1.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;"><thead><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 33.75pt;" width="45">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rank</span></b></p>
</td><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 174pt;" width="232">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Country / Region</span></b></p>
</td><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 39.45pt;" width="53">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Score</span></b></p>
</td></tr><tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;"><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 33.75pt;" width="45">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1</span></p>
</td><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 174pt;" width="232">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Switzerland</span></p>
</td><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 39.45pt;" width="53">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">64.6</span></p>
</td></tr><tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;"><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 33.75pt;" width="45">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2</span></p>
</td><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 174pt;" width="232">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">U.S. </span></p>
</td><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 39.45pt;" width="53">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">61.8</span></p>
</td></tr><tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;"><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 33.75pt;" width="45">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3</span></p>
</td><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 174pt;" width="232">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sweden</span></p>
</td><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 39.45pt;" width="53">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">61.6</span></p>
</td></tr><tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;"><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 33.75pt;" width="45">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4</span></p>
</td><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 174pt;" width="232">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">United Kingdom</span></p>
</td><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 39.45pt;" width="53">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">59.7</span></p>
</td></tr><tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;"><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 33.75pt;" width="45">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5</span></p>
</td><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 174pt;" width="232">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Netherlands</span></p>
</td><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 39.45pt;" width="53">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">58.0</span></p>
</td></tr><tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;"><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 33.75pt;" width="45">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6</span></p>
</td><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 174pt;" width="232">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">South Korea</span></p>
</td><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 39.45pt;" width="53">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">57.8</span></p>
</td></tr><tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7;"><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 33.75pt;" width="45">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7</span></p>
</td><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 174pt;" width="232">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Singapore</span></p>
</td><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 39.45pt;" width="53">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">57.3</span></p>
</td></tr><tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 8;"><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 33.75pt;" width="45">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8</span></p>
</td><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 174pt;" width="232">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Germany</span></p>
</td><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 39.45pt;" width="53">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">57.2</span></p>
</td></tr><tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 9;"><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 33.75pt;" width="45">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9</span></p>
</td><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 174pt;" width="232">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Finland</span></p>
</td><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 39.45pt;" width="53">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">56.9</span></p>
</td></tr><tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 10; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 33.75pt;" width="45">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">10</span></p>
</td><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 174pt;" width="232">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Denmark</span></p>
</td><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 39.45pt;" width="53">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">55.9</span></p>
</td></tr></thead></table><p></p><p><b>Here is the summary of how the </b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Global Innovation Index is developed/designed.</b> (quote)<br /></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Innovation is inherently challenging
to quantify, but the Global Innovation Index is a longstanding attempt to do
just that. The framework used for the index was
designed to create a more complete analysis, comprising of <b>81</b> indicators
across seven categories to calculate a country’s score: </span></p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 1.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<thead>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7 Categories</span></b></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Example Indicators</span></b></p>
</td>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">🧳</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Business Sophistication</span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Business R&D spend, net inflows of foreign direct
investment</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">📈</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Market Sophistication</span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Size of economy’s GDP, intensity of local market
competition</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">🛣️</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Infrastructure</span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Road, hospital, school construction, energy efficiency</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">👩🏫</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Human Capital & Research</span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Government funding per pupil, quality of scientific and
research institutions</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">🏛️</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Institutions</span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Political stability and safety, ease of starting a
business</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">💡</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Creative Outputs</span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Most valuable brands, industrial design applications,
trademark applications</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">👨💻</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Knowledge and Technology Outputs</span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.visualcapitalist.com/visualizing-companies-with-the-most-patents-granted-in-2021/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Patent applications</span></a>,
increase in labor productivity, spending on software</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As the above table shows, the
framework aims to identify indicators that foster an innovative environment and
breakthrough technologies.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Other Countries</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> The article talks about regions, like North America (namely, US and Canada) and the EU with some 15 very innovative countries. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">China came in 11th
(GII score of 55.3). China sucks up technology from around the world --
legally, unethically, and illegally. And then China shamelessly deploys
and commercializes technology. In terms of patents, China is by far the
busiest patent office in the world. <a href="https://www.wipo.int/en/ipfactsandfigures/patents" target="_blank">World Intellectual Property Organization shows</a>
that China continues to be the busiest patent office in the world. The
patent protection in china is not because it is the 2nd largest economy
in the world behind the USA, it is because patent protection in the
other big economies is also protected by reducing the knock-offs and
piracy from China (India and other countries).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">South
Africa is generally low on the GII innovation index with South Africa
rated 61st country (GII of 29), then Morocco and Tunisia. The nexus of
innovation (regions or pockets of innovation) seems to explain much of
the GII innovation.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b>Summary</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">Innovation
is complex with may areas that enable economic growth and development. A
well rounded environment for invention and innovation is best. There
are several ways to get to an economic environment that is innovation
enabled and invention friendly. </p>BizManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04567436767604729270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7547553271501604955.post-20666179771765331112022-11-26T16:36:00.004-08:002022-11-26T22:41:49.733-08:00Giving Season is Here!<p></p><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6hBoOyTMwG7DjQOBX8jk555nG-FTIjywjtAvCvthyDg4PNX0UpyIRo8uEbeXUXUafzJBfQJrI2BAi5I0pq6-08O4ygJuZltspPs3ZeyKFc2v09cCvsS7SnkVkKmro1lsZ5p2HLOKaP3tm4rjymRMnkbd69GNotQ1ChtZYVeCOKy26oKfJfxi-naa/s343/CharityHeart%20-%20Cropped.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="343" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6hBoOyTMwG7DjQOBX8jk555nG-FTIjywjtAvCvthyDg4PNX0UpyIRo8uEbeXUXUafzJBfQJrI2BAi5I0pq6-08O4ygJuZltspPs3ZeyKFc2v09cCvsS7SnkVkKmro1lsZ5p2HLOKaP3tm4rjymRMnkbd69GNotQ1ChtZYVeCOKy26oKfJfxi-naa/s320/CharityHeart%20-%20Cropped.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">It is giving season, with Giving Tuesday coming up after the
long Thanksgiving weekend. Now is the best time of the year to reach out to
your Donors and make sure that they are thinking of you as they give thanks for
the year and give donations into the end of the tax year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://www.givingtuesday.org/">GivingTuesday.org</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>#GivingTuesday
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">First, it is a busy week starting on Thanksgiving.</span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><a name='more'></a></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Black Friday is named such as a
target date for companies to move from losing money for the year into profits,
out of the red and into the black. Basically, if you paid all your expenses at
the beginning of the year, all future sales after the break-even point would be
pure profits. Thanksgiving Day, at the end of November is a wonderful target,
that leaves one month of pure profits. Plus, if the last month of the year is
disproportionate – like Christmas sales – that is gravy!</span></p><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, let’s see what we have in
November. Thanksgiving on the 4th Thursday. Black Friday. Small Business
Saturday. Sunday Football (or futbol, same name, different game). Cyber Monday.
Giving Tuesday. Buyer’s remorse Wednesday. Returns Thursday.</span></p><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well, all right, I made up the
last two, but they are kinda true.….</span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;">
<span face=""Calibri", sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%;">Hidden in the schedule at the end of November –
before Christmas & New Years season – is Giving Tuesday. This is a perfect
time to reach out to past donors to thank them, and touch base with prospective
donors. Everyone (or business) doing year-end tax planning will benefit from
the reminder to get their donations organized and submitted to their favorite
charities to make a difference this year. Plus, tax deductions are an added
incentive to give donors an extra nudge.<br />
Happy Thanksgiving, Shopping & Giving Week.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%;">Elmer Hall <br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Check out Hall & Hinkelman's book on Nonprofit Planning and Impactful Giving for more on fundraising and philanthropic ecosystems.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
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</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><a name="_Hlk119078651"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Hall,
E. B. & Hinkelman, R. M. (2022). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Perpetual
Innovation™: Strategic planning for nonprofits and the art of impactful giving:
the gift of giving, the art of caring</i>. ISBN: 979-8842614615 <br />
Retrieved from<span style="color: black;">: </span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk119078651;"></span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BF8MB13X"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk119078651;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Amazon.com/dp/B0BF8MB13X</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk119078651;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"> (Available on Kindle eBook as well.)<span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></p><p></p><p></p>BizManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04567436767604729270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7547553271501604955.post-2816283799992156532021-12-31T14:46:00.005-08:002021-12-31T14:55:31.339-08:00 Misery Index (and Pain Index)<p>The Misery Index hasn’t been talked about much since the
1970s when unemployment was really high and inflation was double digit. The
argument is that high unemployment is painful, and high inflation is painful,
so when you add the two together you get a good measure of the misery throughout
the economy. Both presidents Ford and Carter had average Misery indexes of 16,
but Carter when out of office in 1980 leaving a Misery Index of almost 20 to
Ronald Reagan.</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwpLKz8eV48ReJvenUD4OEcstZojUIGxgzx4p3boBXo9zcKZdKti7Hi6me84AnHBQKYbQV5En0eN_8lqX3OpD_ilUvrf9R8xinuJAYIlrLNzeZ_cfLZun6jEm0XUEoAUCTH6uWnom_DzyClCnHleWaeJm2do-CSBF15H4au4IJF4lQO8dPK5SFOe1M=s1000" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="1000" height="66" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwpLKz8eV48ReJvenUD4OEcstZojUIGxgzx4p3boBXo9zcKZdKti7Hi6me84AnHBQKYbQV5En0eN_8lqX3OpD_ilUvrf9R8xinuJAYIlrLNzeZ_cfLZun6jEm0XUEoAUCTH6uWnom_DzyClCnHleWaeJm2do-CSBF15H4au4IJF4lQO8dPK5SFOe1M=w200-h66" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pain Index</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Wikipedia does a great job of organizing information and
trends related to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misery_index_(economics)">Misery Index</a>
by country over time. The article presents 2013 as an example year, just a
couple years out of the worldwide Great Recession of 2007-2008. Several
countries had Misery Indexes of 60 or more (Venezuela, 79.4 and Iran, 61.6). The US had a Misery Index of 11 in 2013,
predominantly because of persistently higher unemployment, inflation was below
2%.) High inflation, or even hyperinflation, is usually associated with an
unstable economy. In 2019, Venezuela had
a Miser Index that was basically unmeasurable because of inflation that was
1000% or far higher.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a>In the 1980s, many Latin American countries had business
relations and huge debts that amplified the misery from the US, especially
loans that were payable in US Dollars. Many countries had misery indexes that
were twice that of the USA. Ouch!<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<h2>Full Employment<o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">Full employment was considered by economists at about 6% unemployment.
Six percent seemed like a good level of unemployed to allow for people moving
from location to location, job to job, entering and leaving the workforce. So,
the base misery index would be about 6 at full employment and 0% inflation. But
as we got into the 21<sup>st</sup> century, especially about 6 years after the
Great Recession, it became clear that full employment could be less than 6%,
Maybe 5%? At end of Obama era and into Trump years, unemployment moved down to
about 4%. With extremely low inflation, the Misery index dropped to a total of
about 5 or 6 in the US.<o:p></o:p></p>
<h2>Modified Misery Index (MI+)<o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">Some economists like to modify the misery index to reduce
the index by the amount of GDP growth. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Misery Index = Unemployment + Inflation (or MI = U + I)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Misery+ = Unemployment + Inflation - GDP Growth (MI+ = U + I
- <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">∆</span>GDP
)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The pain of unemployment is obvious for the unemployed. For
the economy, a year in which a person is unemployed also a year lost worth of
GDP contribution from that person; let’s say a loss of GDP of twice (2x) that
person’s salary.</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhq-9a5eqm7vwizV4r8PKQAwVSd2m0c-xxynHp90qLVwF1t81VOdM7LaeuC5ucY_3GICS6tkvsiY6shVskgnjYHYbX_i3nP5WY15kNIKMkf59X25nLlHTDQS4MB1uFaFnAkrI07X3e77llb51Ixcs1OPoHiwEGGlhtsfksb-Huk_-wSVpu2lw6RA2yl=s601" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="601" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhq-9a5eqm7vwizV4r8PKQAwVSd2m0c-xxynHp90qLVwF1t81VOdM7LaeuC5ucY_3GICS6tkvsiY6shVskgnjYHYbX_i3nP5WY15kNIKMkf59X25nLlHTDQS4MB1uFaFnAkrI07X3e77llb51Ixcs1OPoHiwEGGlhtsfksb-Huk_-wSVpu2lw6RA2yl=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">US Misery Index (MI+) 2001 thru 2021</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal">The pain of inflation is not so obvious. If inflation is 5%
and wages increase by 5%, then the average employee is equally well off.
Central bankers tend to aim for 1%, but less than 2% inflation. Higher inflation
can destabilize the economy (more) because it increases uncertainty and reduces
the ability of businesses, governments, and individuals to plan (and invest). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If the economy is growing, let’s say because of productivity
growth, then that can offset the level of pain and misery. Productivity growth
can be roughly represented in GDP growth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Coming out of the Great Recession of 2008, unemployment had
risen to about 18%, inflation was consistently low, close to zero; and GDP
growth was chugging along at 2% to 3%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Misery Index was about 20. MI+ was about 17 (when reduced by 2%-3% GDP growth)
which looks better but is still painful. No one wanted to give up a job if they
had one; and getting a job if you had none, was ugly. This was misery and pain,
and the US was in much better positions than many countries (even though the
Great Recession was totally manufactured in the US housing asset bubble).
Countries that relied on tourism were hammered by the lack of visitors. No
business travel. The normal vacationers were hit by a triple whammy: no job, or
job uncertainty; the crash of savings and retirement funds; and the collapse of
the housing market where people were struggling to keep their homes or had
already lost them. Ouch! That was painful.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPZV4wKa0onfc_oOilP-wUDOpVA6V_HElAcIFf-ArBpS4PXIplBbdnu9I3AX_iLTQlG-hareQOv-tZUOvvKxNIvkNyCVPIJRfScm3tBWwQW_2fq4Unmwyw9Kc96_02OJoijuQKEjzbno_X5IlA_iHblMDbj-qMVs4a-P7b4Ss387p5yBJVlrs30WwZ=s458" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="458" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPZV4wKa0onfc_oOilP-wUDOpVA6V_HElAcIFf-ArBpS4PXIplBbdnu9I3AX_iLTQlG-hareQOv-tZUOvvKxNIvkNyCVPIJRfScm3tBWwQW_2fq4Unmwyw9Kc96_02OJoijuQKEjzbno_X5IlA_iHblMDbj-qMVs4a-P7b4Ss387p5yBJVlrs30WwZ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><h2>Recessions: Destructive Innovation<o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">Recessions are good, and bad. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">An old economics joke (if there are really any economic
jokes, maybe <i>pun</i> is better) is: What is the difference between a recession and a
depression? A <i>recession</i> is when your neighbor loses his job; a <i>depression</i>
is when you lose your job. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Recessions are destructive innovation. They accelerate the
retirement of old business models toward new and better. The Great Recession of
2008 and the Pandemic Recession of 2020, both accelerated transitions away from
big malls. The Recession 2020 massively accelerated online shopping and the
ability of employees to work from anywhere (telework). Surprisingly, most
businesses and schools didn’t really have the full ability to work online
(security, bandwidth, collaboration); now they can. Big campuses and office
buildings may never go back to full capacity. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the macro level, the economy in 2019 was zipping along at
approximately full employment (4.5%) and a GDP of about $21.5T. During the big
pandemic shutdown in 2Q2020, the economy shrunk about 30%. That’s a lot like
turning off all the (economic) engines and diming all the lights with the hopes
that all the moving parts of the economy would be operational and in place when
the power comes back on. It seems that pandemic relief and the resilience of
the businesses/people allowed for a jump start back out of the recession.
Economic growth in 3Q2020 was +33%. By the end of 2021, the economy is/was
zipping along at about $23T annual GDP. Wow. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But the economy is different in small and big ways. The
pre-pandemic economy was 70% services (69%, actually). Now people are buying
more goods and only 65.5% services. Both the goods, and the services are
different now. Very little international travel, so countries relying on
international leisure and business travelers are getting hammered. More to fix
up your house. Try buying a boat, an RV, an ATV, an auto, or a house! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People are buying differently; think Amazon,
eBay, Etsy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The toilet paper problem during the pandemic was that there
were two supply chains for toilet paper: the soft and cushy 2-ply for
households, and coarse (Brillo pad) single-ply for businesses and government.
Turns out they were totally different supply chains.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Changes in supply chains, increased demand along many supply
chains and supply interruptions (labor, containers, etc.) all resulted in
shortages and cost increases. The biggest factor in 2021 inflation is energy,
which filters through all aspects of the economy into the food chain and supply
chains. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Oil demand went back above 100 million barrels per day, in
an industry (fossil fuels) that needs to be discontinued sooner, not later, to
meet climate goals. The transition away from fossil fuels, will be disruptive. Why
invest more in rigs, pipelines, and tankers if the entire industry needs to be
phased down in 10 years and phased out in 30 years?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">BIG oil (Saudi, Russia, Exxon, etc.) is hoping we will never
make the switch off our oil-addiction… After 40 years of talking about it, they
seem to be largely correct.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<h2>Healthy Consumers<o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">During the Pandemic Recession, many people saved lots of
money. First, there was no good place to spend money, except maybe to fix up
your house. The Federal Government shoveled out buckets of money to families.
And, for those people who kept their jobs, most of them had suddenly reduced
their monthly expenses in traveling to work and eating out. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Staycations, not vacations. Personal and
Institutional savings went from just over $1T in 2019 to $4T 1Q2021 (BEA.gov). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Housing values have jumped by 30%, 40% or even 50% in many
locations, leaving those people lucky enough to own housing real estate in a
very sweet position. Selling may be the easiest it has been in decades. Low
interest rates and very few properties for sell. Since the Great Recession we have
built far too few houses, so there really is a bit of a housing shortage; no
bubble in sight. Of course, people looking to buy, or rent, are not going to be
happy. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The stock market, and retirement funds, have gone only up
since the great recession. There was a retraction for the pandemic, but
otherwise it has continued to go higher. In 2021, all the US markets were up
dramatically with the S&P 500 up 25+%, hitting 70 all-time highs throughout
the year. Many market analysists think a small correction, or even a big
correction, is near; but the bulls seem to be winning almost every week. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, let’s see if we have this right? Unemployment is the
lowest it has been in our lifetime. Employment opportunities are the best they
have every been with job openings exceeding the applicants by 2 or 3 times. If
people want to go back into the workforce they can, but they can probably
afford not to work for the indefinite future. The house is probably worth
several times what you paid for it. Investments are good and retirement fund is
bulging at the seams. Your old car is worth more than you paid for it 5 years
ago.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Inflation is up, especially for housing, fuel, and food;
but, if your salary is up as well, that shouldn’t be too bad. The cost-of-living
increase is 5.9% for retirees who probably own their house and don’t drive
much.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your biggest problem is you must wait 6 months for your new
car; and you may have to postpone, again, your international vacation. Consumers
may be in better positions than they have been in years. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why do many people think the economy is in the toilet and
why are so many people so anxious?<o:p></o:p></p>
<h2>Anxiety and Fear<o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">The consumer is probably better, financially, then he or she has been for a couple decades. But COVID uncertainty and political divisiveness has wreaked havoc. And then there is the new, wildly prolific, Omicron strain of COVID-19. Normally during times of war or major uncertainty, the US has pulled together. Not this time. That doesn’t seem to be happening. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Somehow, we seem to have dropped into the abyss that news outlets have fallen into. Good news, and even great stats, are a yawn. Bad news, with death and mayhem, that’s news! So, news outlets have moved to sensationalizing. And talking heads perpetually pander to their base. It is hard to find fair and unbiased sources, and most people have gotten to where they don’t want or believe real news. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Fear mongering seems to work, at least to build followers. </p><p class="MsoNormal">And everyone is always stressed out. Even if things are really quite good, all things considered. Especially when considering that we’ve had two-year of pandemic, and more than 800,000 US deaths associated with COVID. We’ve had a world economy come to a complete stop and now we are some 5% further than before. That is pretty spectacular. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Look at how far we have come up the mountain range, not at the last high peak. Imagine how easy things might be if we all worked together? </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">#Innovation #DestructiveInnovation #MiseryIndex #Inflation
#Unemployment #EconomicDevelopment<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_4" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" style="height: 4in; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: -422.4pt; mso-height-percent: 0; mso-height-relative: page; mso-position-horizontal-relative: text; mso-position-horizontal: absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative: text; mso-position-vertical: absolute; mso-width-percent: 0; mso-width-relative: page; mso-wrap-distance-bottom: 0; mso-wrap-distance-left: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top: 0; mso-wrap-style: square; position: absolute; visibility: visible; width: 343.5pt; z-index: 251658240;" type="#_x0000_t75">
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</w:wrap></v:imagedata></v:shape><o:p></o:p></p>BizManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04567436767604729270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7547553271501604955.post-51030393381636858532021-09-08T09:14:00.001-07:002021-09-08T09:19:07.560-07:00OZ, by any other Name, could be a Profitable Opportunity! <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMJdpBLkAnG3eWY1_NSQwmq8iVK-3fji5tz4XOkCHHphMO6JvNwidGzbeV_Cthpe6p9dlepietCpLQCMONG6vw11q8CyAXSUrEk2gPAp3rMrTTVvA-QGl9pJ_DKmY53AIBVvOd1RhVyQ/s904/Untitled+94.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Qualified Opportunity Zone Map for USA" border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="904" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMJdpBLkAnG3eWY1_NSQwmq8iVK-3fji5tz4XOkCHHphMO6JvNwidGzbeV_Cthpe6p9dlepietCpLQCMONG6vw11q8CyAXSUrEk2gPAp3rMrTTVvA-QGl9pJ_DKmY53AIBVvOd1RhVyQ/w320-h214/Untitled+94.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Opportunity Zones present a hidden opportunity for Real Estate (RE) investment that should be widely utilized across the US. Why not? (View Interactive <a href="https://opportunityzones.hud.gov/resources/map" target="_blank">HUD Map here</a>.)<p></p><p>There’s a spectacular investment tool that was associated
with tax cuts of 2017 by the Trump administration. Along with the massive tax
cuts, there was a non-partisan tax break to funnel private investments into
underdeveloped communities around the nation.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>It took a couple years for the census tracts in every state
to be identified and for the final definition of the program. There are 8,700+
census tracts across the US that are designated as “zones”. Most people are
surprised to find that they live in, or within a few miles, of one of these
special tax – legal loophole – areas. There are at least two major reasons why
these special zones have not received substantial attention and engagement: massive
confusion related to the name, Qualified “Opportunity Zone” (QOZ); and, the
COVID pandemic/recession.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>OZ, We’re not in Kansas Anymore, Toto.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Using the term “Opportunity Zone” for these census tracts
across the nation, was a horrible idea. People think of Enterprise Zones (EZs),
Industrial Parks, Community Redevelopment Areas (CRAs) and such when they hear
“Opportunity Zone”. Enterprise Zones are usually a specific campus or
industrial park, so a business has to locate, or relocate there. Plus, an EZ
usually has specific target business development such as light-industrial, or
high-tech research. Business incubators often are located inside an EZ. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) might be added to
EZs where there is a port (or airport) of entry to enjoy special import/export
treatment. Anyone, and everyone, who hear about Qualified Opportunity Zones for
the first time have to disconnect their thinking from the historic use of
“Opportunity Zones”. Essentially, we’re not in the land of OZ anymore, we’re in
a qualified version of OZ, a Q.O.Z. Maybe a better approach would be to
redefine a term or acronym for QOZ. It is a legal tax loophole related to
designated census tracts; maybe calling it something a Qualified Opportunity
Tax Area would be better. Let’s use <i>QOZ</i> for the qualified tax areas; and
<i>QOZ-Fund</i> for the formal bank account of the qualified company that manages
QOZ funding and reports to the IRS; and <i>QOZ-Property</i> for the real estate
investments that are central to the QOZ project. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Probably and equal put-off is that an investment in a QOZ
goes into a “Fund”. This sounds complicated, a lot like setting up and managing
your own mutual fund; however, it is surprisingly straight-forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Essentially, set up a bank account specific
to the real estate investment within a qualified census tract; let the IRS know
on a form (Form 8997) that money has come in from capital gains of an investor;
and later let the IRS know that the property has been sold and that taxes are
now payable. (Taxpayers file a Form 8949 each year illustrating how much
capital gains tax continues to be deffered.) The investors’ capital gains taxes
could, and should, be much lower in addition to being deferred. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The funding associated with such an investment
is called an Opportunity Zone Fund (QOZ-Fund).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="hgkelc">The Opportunity
Zone program creates a tax incentive for individuals who reinvest unrealized
capital gains into high-impact, long-term projects in high-poverty communities
across the country. It is based upon bipartisan legislation authored by U.S.
Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Tim Scott (R-SC). (Booker press release, Oct
31, 2019)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="hgkelc">The Opportunity
Zones provision is based on the bipartisan Investing in Opportunity Act, which
was championed by <b>Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Cory Booker (D-NJ)</b> and
Representatives Pat Tiberi (R-OH) and Ron Kind (D-WI), who led a regionally and
politically diverse coalition of nearly 100 congressional cosponsors. (Economic
Innovation Group, https://eig.org/opportunityzones/history)</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Who should consider QOZ projects?<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Answer 1: Anyone involved in real estate in or adjacent to a
designated QOZ census tract. This, of course, includes Realtors® and mortgage
lenders, builders, and contractors. (Illegal businesses, and “sin” businesses
like cassinos, do not qualify.) There are the parties that are exchanging property
in a real estate sale, of course. The seller would likely have capital gains
from the sell of the property that could/should be invested somewhere; and a QOZ
fund investment would allow for deferring or completely avoiding taxes on the
capital gains. The buyer(s) might want to purchase using their own capital
gains (from any source). Even outside parties might want to jump in and invest
in a real estate (or development) project so that they can avoid and defer
paying capital gains taxes.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Answer 2: Anyone with capital gains should be interested. This
introduction of outside parties to a real estate project within a QOZ is
probably the biggest paradigm shift for many people. Everyone is comfortable
with bank (debt) financing but using outside (equity) investors may be novel
for many real estate developers. There is no reason to avoid debt (bank)
leverage, but the change in ownership will restructure the funding from all
sources.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Investors: Capital Gains and Benefits of Taxes Avoided/Delayed
<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The beauty of compounding is an almost magical thing. A 7%
return on investment would double in value about every 10 years. So, a $100,000
investment might easily grow to a $200,000. That is a reasonable investment
growth rate for the value of real estate, even if there were no improvements or
operating profits (like from apartments or offices). But the investment in a QOZ
Fund would be from moneys that would otherwise be subject to capital gains taxes.
For most investors this would be 20% or higher tax rates. So instead of
investing the $100,000, taxes would go to the IRS leaving only about 80,000 to
invest today. Stated differently, to make the $100,000 investment today, you
would need $125,000 of money that was taxed at 20% capital gains. (Capital
gains can be much higher, especially for short-term capital gains.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">QOZs are a longer-term investment tax mechanism. If you keep
the investment for 10 years, you pay no taxes (0% tax rate) on the “profits”
when you sell and cash out of the investment. Wow!... And the taxable amount of
your original investment will be reduced by approximately 10% if you keep the
money invested for 5 years (or more). There is a deadline of December 31, 2026
to reach the 5 year deadline; this deadline puts some pressure to complete a QOZ
investment into a fund by the end of 2021. After 2021, the 5-year stepdown of
10% will no longer be possible, but taxes on the original investment will still
be deferrable until the end of 2026. (There was an additional tax break at 7
years, but that stepdown of taxes is no longer possible because of the 2026
deadline.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eventually, you have to pay capital gains on at least part
of the original investment, but the time that taxes are deferred is time in
which the compounding of the investment works in your favor. This is a little
like a traditional IRA, you invest tax-free money today, but pay taxes in 30
years when you start to withdraw; but during that 30-year period your money
plus the money that would have gone to the IRS for taxes has been working for
you. Hopefully, doubling, and then doubling again. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Map of QOZ Investment Tracts<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How do you know which areas are designated for this special
OZ tax treatment. The Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has an interactive
map that allows you to zoom in on a region to find the census tracts that are
given this special investment status. See the US Map of QOZ census tracts at
HUD: <a href="https://opportunityzones.hud.gov/resources/map">https://opportunityzones.hud.gov/resources/map</a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Some listing services show properties that are in QOZs. So,
your favorite Realtor would be able to tell you when properties you look at are
within QOZ tax havens. QOZ status should help to bolster property values.
Alaska has massive QOZ tracts, and all of Puerto Rico is a QOZ.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are several groups who gather QOZ investment
opportunities around the nation and investors with capital gains to invest. One
group, <a href="https://opportunitydb.com/">OpportunityDB.org</a>, does podcast
and provides a catalog of various QOZ projects. Many Banks and investment
houses will assist in creating a QOZ or with finding Funds to consider for
investing your capital gains.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Capital Gains in the Future<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The future is uncertain. Many people find themselves locked
into assets (stocks, real estate, etc.) because selling them would incur a huge
tax on capital gains. Stocks that you bought in a brokerage account at $10 per
share are now at 10 times that. Virtually all capital gains! The QOZ program is
a mechanism to jump out of investments that are in a <i>Capital Gains Trap</i>.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you bought property for $1,000 and now it will sell for
$50,000? Well, there is a mechanism for “like” real estate investments where
you can move your investment (and profits) from one property to another. But
there are lots of restrictions to this 1031 tax deferment. Plus, you now have
your principle and profits tied up in the new real estate.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But, if you cash out your profits this year, and know that
you will have to pay capital gains – at least in part – in 5 years, then you
might be worried about the capital gains rate going up under a Democrat/Biden
Federal Government. (Capital gains would be the most likely, if any, of the
possible tax hikes within the next 10 years.) But with an QOZ, you are taking
out capital gains now, with the expectation of reducing tax payments in the
future and avoid all taxes on the profits this investment generates. If you
keep your current capital gains locked up, the lock would be even worse if/when
capital gains rates go up in the future. Essentially, the Capital Gains Trap gets
even bigger.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the tax side, if you invest in a QOZ in 2021, you should
start to manage your cash flows for paying some taxes on your capital gains in
5 years. Your tax forms show (much like your IRAs) how much money you have in
tax-deferred status. Paying taxes in 5 years, is usually better than paying
taxes today.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Profits are a Wonderful Thing<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You should rejoice in making profits. All things equal, you
should prefer to pay higher taxes because that means that you are making a lot
of income (profits). In general, you should make your finance and investment
decisions without considering taxes, and then factor in the tax implications. A
good investment will rarely be negated by the tax adjustments; but a marginal
investment might be swayed by tax considerations. Evaluate carefully where you
invest to make sure the QOZ investment is a profitable venture prior to any tax
benefits. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You should never make financial decisions solely based on
taxes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many people have much of their
life’s savings tied up in a couple asset (classes) that are heavily subject to
capital gains taxes. The QOZ investment mechanism is a great way to work on
cashing out of some of the “capital-gains locked assets”. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is surprising how little the QOZ tax deferral program
seems to have been utilized. Makes you wonder why? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/opportunity-zones-frequently-asked-questions">IRS
provides questions, answers</a>, and a lot of confusion on the topic. Be sure
to seek advice from professionals who have QOZ knowledge and experience (CPA, RE
Attorney, Financial Planner, etc.) before making the leap into – and out of –
QOZ investments. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, if you are
single, you can try to marry someone who has lost lots of money; then your
profits might wash with their losses. What could go wrong with that strategy?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">QOZ tracts for Florida and Pennsylvania.<o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIwX5hCuRl9ndnmInIYeDnkV2ORlCwEabwvCOdmWHhEIRo7lc6kf8IJ2E09F1jaeHPvDBec-EvGpcJuJwzu6sXj01EPc-mQXYOUOdo608TfXupD3MIMd3ptOwT51AmR559sc82ZFqLcc/s904/QOZ-FL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="904" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIwX5hCuRl9ndnmInIYeDnkV2ORlCwEabwvCOdmWHhEIRo7lc6kf8IJ2E09F1jaeHPvDBec-EvGpcJuJwzu6sXj01EPc-mQXYOUOdo608TfXupD3MIMd3ptOwT51AmR559sc82ZFqLcc/s320/QOZ-FL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroSf-nXf1n9I_2hqrxxohdBdC2RARzGDhueHfxjFbEklovEMicQWKa8zUgXWeQEKL4SZEJmqka2SEz8fSro1s-0MopwIyY0E6k1zEeSzwU8dVk8USeodbONIMgOFAHYZkBRPkUKexCj4/s904/QOZ-PA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="904" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroSf-nXf1n9I_2hqrxxohdBdC2RARzGDhueHfxjFbEklovEMicQWKa8zUgXWeQEKL4SZEJmqka2SEz8fSro1s-0MopwIyY0E6k1zEeSzwU8dVk8USeodbONIMgOFAHYZkBRPkUKexCj4/s320/QOZ-PA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />BizManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04567436767604729270noreply@blogger.com0Orlando, FL, USA28.5383832 -81.37892690.22814936382115292 -116.5351769 56.848617036178844 -46.222676899999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7547553271501604955.post-32498166232035380482021-04-03T11:43:00.022-07:002021-04-05T09:26:59.580-07:00 Is Trade Secret a Good Strategy? A Trade Secret Assessment<p></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; margin-left: -5.4pt; width: 655px;"><tbody><tr style="height: 5.65pt;"><td style="border: none; height: 5.65pt; padding: 0in; width: 279.35pt;" valign="top" width="372"><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6NhB2mIfu2OST9T8QIqNoC5A2a_tXRfujya3NgIbJLRfCr8OSWs6xta8LM71J0U2zQ6Q6ePxn9wWwriOIkpqHH-7NB1bT_E4VvsorNNw5OZvdbevWM0fNEwBYxXmgRBPI423cjz_0wYc/s475/TradeSecret-Shhhh.png" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="336" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6NhB2mIfu2OST9T8QIqNoC5A2a_tXRfujya3NgIbJLRfCr8OSWs6xta8LM71J0U2zQ6Q6ePxn9wWwriOIkpqHH-7NB1bT_E4VvsorNNw5OZvdbevWM0fNEwBYxXmgRBPI423cjz_0wYc/w79-h112/TradeSecret-Shhhh.png" width="79" /></span></a><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background: white; color: #232222; line-height: 17.12px;">The most widely identified Trade Secret is, of course, Coke Cola. (The original formula included caffeine and cocaine – thus the name – but that is a different discussion!) In 1903, cocaine was removed, leaving caffeine as the sole stimulant ingredient, and all medicinal claims were dropped. But the Coke-a-Cola trade secret lives on. <span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #232222;">Sections below: </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background: white; color: #232222; line-height: 17.12px;"><a href="https://www.intellzine.com/2021/04/is-trade-secret-good-strategy-trade.html#TradeSecrets">Most Widely Acknowledged Trade Secrets</a>. </span></span></li><li><span style="background: white; color: #232222; font-family: times; line-height: 17.12px;"><a href="https://www.intellzine.com/2021/04/is-trade-secret-good-strategy-trade.html#AssessmentTool">Our Trade Secrets Assessment Tool</a>.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background: white; color: #232222; line-height: 17.12px;"><a href="https://www.intellzine.com/2021/04/is-trade-secret-good-strategy-trade.html#UTSA">T</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #232222;"><a href="https://www.intellzine.com/2021/04/is-trade-secret-good-strategy-trade.html#UTSA">rade secrets definition and law</a> (UTSA).</span></span></li></ul><a name='more'></a><p></p><p></p><h3 id="TradeSecrets"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #232222;">Most Widely Acknowledged Trade Secrets</span></span></h3><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #232222;">Other trade secrets include WD-40, Thomas’s English Muffins, the Google search algorithm, Listerine, Mrs. Field’s Chocolate Chip Cookies, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Big Mac special sauce, Bush’s Baked Beans, and the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Best_Seller_list">New York Times Bestseller List algorithm</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #232222;">. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">When you look at Strategic Business Planning Company’s Perpetual Innovation™ series of books, you will find descriptions of Trade Secrets and when they might be best utilized. In many cases, trade secrets that are ultimately released in commercial products are more advertising gimmicks than true secrets. Someone with a refined pallet, and a spectrometer, can identify all the elements that go into a bottle of Coke, for example. In which case, the copyrights © and Trademarks ® are more important than the (open) secret. We have had clients that wanted to use Intellectual Property (IP) protection for food products and consumer electronics. In both cases, the secret would be out there for an industrious competitor to reverse engineer once the product is launched. An “outed” secret in a competitor’s hands! A ruthless competitor could utilize all the powers of Intellectual Property against you, and all the powers of unethical business (like knock-offs) as well. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; color: #232222; font-family: times;">Probably the best trade secret is related to internal manufacturing where the finished product gives no evidence as to the innovation that yields a competitive advantage. In fact, we have had clients who patent an internal manufacturing process but have no way of determining if competitors adopt the technique inside their factories. The patent application tells them how to improve their processes. Our advice might have been to keep this invention internal as a trade secret. However, once the patent application was filed (published really), the next best approach was to manufacture and sell the new machines that capitalized on the invention. Everyone in the industry needed to upgrade to realize the production improvement.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; margin-left: -5.4pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed; width: 655px;"><tbody><tr style="height: 5.65pt; mso-yfti-irow: 11;"><td style="border: none; height: 5.65pt; padding: 0in; width: 279.35pt;" valign="top" width="372">
<h3 id="AssessmentTool"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #232222;">Our Trade Secrets Assessment Tool</span></span></h3><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #232222; font-family: times;"><div><a href="http://www.SBPlan.com" target="_blank">SBP </a>has a Short Trade Secret Checklist and a regular checklist to see if new technology should be considered for protection as a Trade Secret. Here is the short form (with only 6 of the original 11 questions).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDT47tLRLEgtMfJX8A1FVibHxLQFGNtYrkvHUfBTWwVd5FaiN9NwEFFOts_O-If4Idex1KcCS0dxCHC5aEhPlymt_3_FpmuDYCEzhyphenhyphenkWD4hlLMeF61IfSy3VVkbh9tzlBASubSHheAJk/s624/ShortAssessmentTable-TradeSecretExample.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="624" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDT47tLRLEgtMfJX8A1FVibHxLQFGNtYrkvHUfBTWwVd5FaiN9NwEFFOts_O-If4Idex1KcCS0dxCHC5aEhPlymt_3_FpmuDYCEzhyphenhyphenkWD4hlLMeF61IfSy3VVkbh9tzlBASubSHheAJk/w400-h253/ShortAssessmentTable-TradeSecretExample.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>As well, here is the interpretation of the checklist assessment in this Short Form example; the score was 4.8 (out of 10). The Longer Form (not shown here) for this same business case was slightly higher at 5.1, up slightly from a low to a medium trade secret position.</div><div><br /></div><div>If a trade secret is the decision for IP protection, then you will want to develop a <i>Trade Secret Plan</i>. The plan will include how to protect the secret by limiting who knows the secret, confidentiality agreements, etc. The Trade Secret Plan will also address what happens <i>when</i> the secret is exposed. Note the <i>when</i>, not <i>if</i>, here. There might be circumstances where you would expose the secret yourself, maybe in the disclosure associated with a patent application.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazGxYNykuS1_PdzJ-09yEngAmv9MgOqGsTdEcKznuDUCqlQk2wk6XCKxKfdIgbIDKbLbxsyXw7KJBoDa3On6cWGCsLCpm9qPebC9b7nox-0LRBpTa9JZmRkqNIKEKZj7hrfdlLwoeu5M/s368/SummaryTable-TradeSecretExample.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="105" data-original-width="368" height="91" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazGxYNykuS1_PdzJ-09yEngAmv9MgOqGsTdEcKznuDUCqlQk2wk6XCKxKfdIgbIDKbLbxsyXw7KJBoDa3On6cWGCsLCpm9qPebC9b7nox-0LRBpTa9JZmRkqNIKEKZj7hrfdlLwoeu5M/w320-h91/SummaryTable-TradeSecretExample.png" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>#TradeSecret #IntellectualProperty </div><div>#IntellZine #IPplan #SBPlan</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 id="UTSA">Uniform Trade Secrets Act (UTSA)</h3></span></div><div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times;">This is from the UTSA (with 1985 Amendments):</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times;">The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Trade_Secrets_Act">USTA (Uniform Trade Secrets Act)</a> "<i>trade secret</i>" (UTSA § 1.4) “means information, including a formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique, or process, that: (i) derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use, and (ii) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times;">The UTSA also provided refinement through comments to the definition of a trade secret itself:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"></p><ul><li><span><span style="color: black; font-family: times;">Multiple parties may hold rights to the same trade secret, as they may all individually derive value from it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li><span><span style="color: black; font-family: times;">A trade secret ceases to exist when it is common knowledge within the community in which it is profitable. This means that the secret does not need to be known by the general public, but only throughout the industry that stands to profit from it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li><span><span style="color: black; font-family: times;">A party that reverse engineers a trade secret may also obtain trade secret protection for their knowledge, provided the reverse engineering process is non-trivial.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li><span><span style="color: black; font-family: times;">Knowledge preventing loss of funds, such as that a particular idea does not work, is valuable and as such qualifies for trade secret protection.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li></ul><span style="font-family: times;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="color: black;">Regarding reasonable efforts to maintain secrecy, the UTSA maintained that actions such as restricting access to a "need-to-know basis" and informing employees that the information is secret met the criteria for reasonable efforts. The UTSA stated that the courts do not require procedures to protect against "flagrant industrial espionage" were not necessary.(</span><span><a href="https://www.uniformlaws.org/HigherLogic/System/DownloadDocumentFile.ashx?DocumentFileKey=e19b2528-e0b1-0054-23c4-8069701a4b62&forceDialog=0"><span style="background: rgb(234, 243, 255); color: #3366bb;">Uniform Trade Secrets Act with 1985 Amendments"</span></a><span class="reference-accessdate"><span style="background: rgb(234, 243, 255); color: #202122;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">. Retrieved </span></span><span class="nowrap"><span style="background: rgb(234, 243, 255); color: #202122;">2020-04-19</span></span></span><span style="background: rgb(234, 243, 255); color: #202122;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;">.</span>)</span></span></span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span><span style="background: rgb(234, 243, 255); color: #202122;"></span></span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: times;"><u><span style="color: black;"><span>Remedies</span></span></u><span style="color: black;"><span>. The UTSA provided for several potential remedies for wrongs committed under the act, including injunctive relief, damages, and attorney's fees.</span></span></span></p>BizManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04567436767604729270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7547553271501604955.post-53386087353042058482021-03-15T09:23:00.004-07:002021-03-29T20:57:56.744-07:00The Patent KING: IBM for 28 years<p>IBM is again the leader in patents issued. That's 28 years and running. IBM had 9,130 patents issued in 2020, compared to the next highest, Samsung with 6,416. There's about 15 electronic and manufacturing companies with 2,000 to 3,000 patents issued. Note that all the top 10 are electronics and/or chip makers. Forbes has a nice <a href="https://fortune.com/2021/01/12/ibm-most-patents-2020-full-rankings/" target="_blank">article by Roberts about the top 20 patent recipients of 2020</a>. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXjUx_zvwcFH9ZQdt62GqSgY7M5w3rYKLEuXzag1bNIAtM_aBsjOButr0CG9lWktypXouAIrQKI8O08rxqqe-OEvpwHFmOWKCpg0L1fGgpC6raOYltuFWbN_9XZGgIOD2ZPc86BTsj_U/s1024/TopPatentCo2020.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="1024" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXjUx_zvwcFH9ZQdt62GqSgY7M5w3rYKLEuXzag1bNIAtM_aBsjOButr0CG9lWktypXouAIrQKI8O08rxqqe-OEvpwHFmOWKCpg0L1fGgpC6raOYltuFWbN_9XZGgIOD2ZPc86BTsj_U/w400-h256/TopPatentCo2020.webp" width="400" /></a></div><div>Apple, the largest company by market cap ($2.1T), is 8th with 2,792 patents. Apple is starting to get serious about batteries and autos.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>Amazon and Google are the only two in the top 20 that are not electronics and/or manufacturing. Amazon (2,244 patents) comes up at 11th. Google at 17th had 1,817 patents issued. The automakers of Toyota and Ford are 14th and 15th.</div><p></p><p>A couple years ago, Samsung kinda dethroned the King as discussed in our 2017 blog post: <a href="https://www.intellzine.com/2017/04/the-end-of-patent-dynasty-ibm-has-been_4.html" target="_blank">The End of a Patent Dynasty, IBM has Been Dethroned</a>. Samsung, including all of its related companies, with lots and lots of design patents, outpaced IBM in 2016. For 2020, Samsung Display company had 1,902 patents, so Samsung, as a consortium of companies, again rivals IBM in total patents.</p><p>GE, even though it is a shell of it's former mega company, is still in the top 18, with 1,760 patents. GE continues to divest of various business unites including financials to focus on a few core business like turbines, renewables, transportation and healthcare. </p><p>A Bloomberg article by <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-12/ibm-s-patent-income-slips-as-companies-resist-godfather-deals" target="_blank">Brody Ford on March 12 2021 discusses IBM as more of a Godfather of Patents</a> than a King. With more that 38,000 active patents and a spectacular war chest of patent licenses, or cross licenses, IBM is a force to be reckoned with. Ford discussed Chewy fighting back, kind of the dog nipping at the heels of the King (or the Godfather). IBM is way down from the times when it was customary to produce $1B a year from licensing royalties. Patent revenues peaked at $1.7B in 2000 and then again in 2016 at $1.6B. The patent landscape has changed. One thing that Ford alluded to, but didn't fully address, is that IBM has significantly changed the way they approach patent commercialization. If they can't directly use patents, they seem to be doing a much better job of figuring out ways to commercialize. If they sell the patent, that, I believe, would not show up in their patent revenues which reflects royalty streams. </p><p>In the meanwhile, IBM is on a multi-decade move to upgrade the company to more relevant businesses and business models. Mainframes are only needed for businesses in "as a service" models (SaaS). </p><p>IBM is a leader in Quantum computing and in blockchain. IBM is actually my way to play the blockchain mega trend and avoid the mania associated with various bits and bytes of cyber coins. </p>BizManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04567436767604729270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7547553271501604955.post-47322825063956817482021-02-09T13:48:00.004-08:002021-03-29T21:01:40.335-07:00Stop Gaming GameStop, Robinhood. Hold em, or Fold em?<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What’s up
with the Stock Market(s)? Feb 8, 2021 the various stock market indexes all hit
all time highs. Wow. First off, Trump was very business friendly – some would
argue too business friendly (at the expense of the environment and labor. But
the market has chugged happily upward based on the likelihood of a Biden win
and the certainty of it after the election. Markets don’t like uncertainty, and
Trump has been a wildcard on many things like trade and certain industries. But
historically the markets have gone up after a presidential election no matter which
party wins. Of course, there are sector winners (renewables) and losers (oil,
coal and gas).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xZafeJzsV8LnS6PQPM4ItMLv4vKkUOeJflwpBJLAZPtApDbdNjlHotmUiYgdlgVYWEVJOANcenwMjmdfGhcnPrH1SSYf6iTPvJLaXA68e_u2oCTtscUZO5npNYQVP3WzZQgBEWqEIWk/s1151/MarketIndexes-Low-to-Hi-2020.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="1151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xZafeJzsV8LnS6PQPM4ItMLv4vKkUOeJflwpBJLAZPtApDbdNjlHotmUiYgdlgVYWEVJOANcenwMjmdfGhcnPrH1SSYf6iTPvJLaXA68e_u2oCTtscUZO5npNYQVP3WzZQgBEWqEIWk/s16000/MarketIndexes-Low-to-Hi-2020.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span><a name='more'></a></span>Major US Stock Indexes for Year ending Feb 8 2021. S&P, DOW, Russel 2000, NASAQ QQQ</div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The current
stock market is betting on another massive stimulus package and trillions of
dollars sloshing around in the economy. The interesting thing about the
mid-2020, the December and the upcoming stimulus is where all these boatloads
of money go. Many people have been working from home, making roughly the same
amount of money, and no good place to spend it. Savings rates were about 35%
from the first round, vs some 10% typical. There’s a limit to how much time and
money you can spend on your house. There’s a limit to how many vehicles you need
when you are working from home. Fixed income investing yields nearly zero
percent (real) return. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">How about,
let’s go gamble – I mean invest – in the stock market. And we did. They call us
“Retail” investors (or individual investors) because we go out and buy stocks
on our own without the adult supervision of brokers and money managers. A whole
new group of investors were born using platforms like Robinhood and forming
investment forums in places like Reddit. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">On the other
hand, there’s the institutional investors that have large investment portfolios
for pensions and such. Money managers have to be in a bull market or else they
miss the boat, look bad by reasonable comparison, lose money in their funds,
and get fired. Then there’s the hedge funds that use leverage and options to
make profits when the market goes up, when the market goes down, and especially
when there’s lots of volatility. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The basic
stock options are puts and calls. You can buy a call option for a specific strike
price in a specific month (usually the 3<sup>rd</sup> Friday of the month is
when options expire). If I think that Apple (AAPL) is going to go up, I can buy
a contract for 100 shares of apple in the future, say March. Apple is currently
at $136 (Feb 8, 2021). If I purchased 100 shares I would need $13,600, but I
could buy a contract to buy 100 shares of AAPL at $150 strike price in March
for a paltry $.80 per share. That’s $80 for 1 contract, plus some brokerage
fees. If the stock price goes up, the value of the option goes up dramtically.
But, if it doesn’t go all the way to $150 or higher by the expiration date, the
option becomes worthless, I lose my $80 per contract, and the person who sold
it to me still has their 100 shares of apple, plus an extra $80 for the
inconvenience. If Apple goes above $150 by early march, the option is “in the
money”, i.e., it will execute at that level on expiration Friday. If AAPL goes
to $152.80 at expiration, then I will automatically own 100 shares of AAPL at
the strike price of $150. Although I do have to fork over a lot of money ($150
x 100 = $15,000), I am getting $15,280 worth of stock that I can immediately
sell. So I made $2.80 per share, but it originally cost me $.80 a share for the
call contract. Usually, I don’t hold my call options for Apple until expiration,
I just sell my options for a profit or a loss a before expiration. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">If the stock
goes up, say 5%, the strike price becomes much more attainable and the options
value may go up 20% or 30%. Of course, the same is true of a drop to amplify
the losses! But, the most I can lose in the case is $.80 on my long bet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Brokerages
are so nice, they will lend you money to buy “on margin”. If you had $100,000
that you invested today in stocks, for example, you could borrow maybe 50% on
margin, meaning that you could buy another $50,000 in stock to go with your
cash purchases. When the market (or your specific stocks) are going up, you are
doing the happy dance!:-) But, when things go south, you could end up getting
crushed. The higher volatile stocks that you were borrowing against may become more
risky and move to 0% marginable. The leverage that helped you expand your
purchasing power by 50% will increase your losses on the way down. The
brokerage might even issue a “Margin Call”, and start selling off your (good)
stocks to cover your margin. Ouch. Ouch! And Double OUCH!!! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">You can buy
stocks, and you can buy options, with a long position (expecting the stock
price to go up) or a short position (expecting the stock price to go down). Hedge
funds sometimes get into stocks (via options) when they anticipate something
big happening. If they expected the company to be struggling and maybe even go
out of business they could bet short and make a lot of money doing so. In fact,
just the attention by hedge fund (short interest) can make a struggling company
have even more problems and even put them into bankruptcy. For a $20 stock, let’s
say for example GameStop (GME) they might bet it would drop and have options to
sell stock on expiration at, let’s say $25. These contracts are 100 shares
each. What if the hedge fund has agreed to a contract to deliver, say, 1
million shares of GME at $25 at expiration in Feb, BUT they don’t actually own
any shares in the gaming company. Risky shorts find themselves in this
position. This is called “Naked Shorts”. The hedger has to buy stock on the
open market to cover their shorts. This is called a short squeeze. At one point
the shorted shares for GME were more than 150% of all available shares. And as
GME kept rising and rising, up to almost $500 per share, the pain of the
squeeze and the struggle to cover the naked shorts got worse and worse. The
Robinhood gamers just kept piling in. This is for a stock that was under $3 per
share at the bottom of the COVID recession in March 2020. People who rode the
stock down for $400 to $60 are probably pretty sad right now. There’s no good
reason that it won’t return to $20 or even lower.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s funning
that the Crowds have been rooting for the underdogs, the Robinhooders. Some
hedge funds have been crushed. Regulators think there’s something they should
do. Assuming that there’s nothing criminal going on, they are probably just
billowing smoke. In the meanwhile the Robinhooders and Reddit gangs have taken
on other targets like American Airlines (AAL), AMC, silver and others. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Feel free to
follow the Reddit gangs. This may be the best thing to happen to younger
investors where they make investments, hopefully in addition to the retirement
plans (IRAs, 401K). Make sure to use your “Mad Money”, not your life savings.
Try to take your winnings out of any profitable play and maybe let some of your
winnings ride. This gaming the market and betting. In the wise words of Kenny
Rogers: “You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em; know when to
walk away; and know when to run.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0iGYc79kpNfGUpT_F5x7PMdj6XGVC12wDj6BezhLtZRgP31Cqg_lm_pKsCe6qW9X5PNAMwzwKhSTVBBSw97E3hyphenhyphen8neQ4vEseRJICYSqPh_wCesqEnKfarXcC1sCuLb1msZ2PH0tH2wY/s800/GameStop-Feb82021.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="800" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0iGYc79kpNfGUpT_F5x7PMdj6XGVC12wDj6BezhLtZRgP31Cqg_lm_pKsCe6qW9X5PNAMwzwKhSTVBBSw97E3hyphenhyphen8neQ4vEseRJICYSqPh_wCesqEnKfarXcC1sCuLb1msZ2PH0tH2wY/w640-h298/GameStop-Feb82021.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GameStop (GME) Stock Price for Month ending Feb 8 2021</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">#Robinhood #Investing #Reddit #Options #LosingYourShorts #IntellZine #SBPlan #IPPlan<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>BizManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04567436767604729270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7547553271501604955.post-11156795923776777472020-12-31T10:45:00.005-08:002021-03-29T21:02:38.194-07:00Invest in the Future of Self-Driving Cars and EVs<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFyRqF2uuzE5-EAw1xDj00dPD5PVgy9abnO9jnAAXkNTal6-s9cfUQrMz8n03eQgsXIZa0n5fVvTZure8xpfzYvgJDmHnExqGJcLw56VbCbVVxz52wWhe-LUxE1CtVNS8oF6g0Viy_zQ/s615/0_THE-JETSONS.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="615" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFyRqF2uuzE5-EAw1xDj00dPD5PVgy9abnO9jnAAXkNTal6-s9cfUQrMz8n03eQgsXIZa0n5fVvTZure8xpfzYvgJDmHnExqGJcLw56VbCbVVxz52wWhe-LUxE1CtVNS8oF6g0Viy_zQ/w298-h298/0_THE-JETSONS.jpg" width="298" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">When you look at the future of cars
(and trucks) there’s a couple things that you can learn from the Jetsons. Yes,
the cartoon characters of the future. Self-driving. Not limited by Gravity. </span><p></p><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">There are several things that would
be reasonable to expect in the future of autos:</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">1.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Huge
computing capabilities.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Mountains
and mountains of data.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Lots
of sensors.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Vehicles
that can talk to each other, directly and indirectly. Kind of the Internet of
things on (mobile) steroids. (If the
traffic ahead is stopped, it would be good to know before you get there.)</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Electrification
on the way to sustainable/renewable transportation.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Self-driving</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">7.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">New
vehicle uses and business models.</span><!--[if !supportLists]--></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Although there is much overlap, we’ll
focus on only two points at the moment, but from a stock-and-market
perspective: the self-driving car and batteries (range). </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Look at the article on IntellZine from 2017: </span><a href="http://delphiplan.com/2017/03/15/intel-and-mobile-computing-an-eye-on-big-computing-on-the-move/">Intel and Mobile Computing: An Eye on BIG Computing on the Move</a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Autos and Self-Driving</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">. Everybody thinks of Tesla related
to self-driving, but there are others. See excellent Wikipedia </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-driving_car">Self-Driving</a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> article. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of investors are trying to jump into the
early stages and even the late stages of this market. But let’s start with
Tesla.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_FIrW1GMLPOXi8qT3FQwEyaWtxAkdXx5PuK715jPbepjMNtPUq12re_Gg94J_V_djzitXszAnEe2HXYdIuRU0MJay5m5VwRTxtzAMppJFVDSxEB4CJQ9dA8BpXIypOFssG8xCLh7mG4/s1920/self-driving-illo-01-2016_126487.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_FIrW1GMLPOXi8qT3FQwEyaWtxAkdXx5PuK715jPbepjMNtPUq12re_Gg94J_V_djzitXszAnEe2HXYdIuRU0MJay5m5VwRTxtzAMppJFVDSxEB4CJQ9dA8BpXIypOFssG8xCLh7mG4/w400-h225/self-driving-illo-01-2016_126487.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Tesla’s market cap at the end of
2020 exceeded $650B, making it larger (based on stock value) than the top 10
automakers </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">combined</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">. In an industry that is expecting to sell only 14.5
million units in 2020, it is a little hard to justify this crazy high market
pricing. The Price-Earnings ratio is 1,300; but based on expected earnings, the
PE is more rational for a growth stock at 160 times. However, if the rapid
growth (130% yoy revenue growth) continues, the PEG ratio is closer to 1.3. For
a smaller company expecting 100% or more revenue growth for several years is
not impossible in some cases, but for a larger company going into a maturing
industry, not so likely. So, buy tesla at these elevated levels at your own
risk.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The Tesla car has been referred to
as an iPad on wheels. Much of the smarts behind the Tesla user interface is
from Apple. Apple is by far the largest company in the world with $2.3T market
cap. So, wouldn’t it be interesting if Apple decided to get into the Electric
car business, as rumored (but not officially announced) in December 2020.
Apple, in the meanwhile is developing their own chip sets so they can separate
themselves from the big chipmakers, chips that are more efficient and faster.
At the same time, Apple is partnering with manufactures of sensor technologies.
Apple appears to be designing its own break-through battery technology. The
current (announced) plan appears to be an Apple car release in 2024. (See the
Reuter’s </span><a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-autos-exclusive/exclusive-apple-targets-car-production-by-2024-and-eyes-next-level-battery-technology-sources-idUSKBN28V2PY">article
about this</a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">.) <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">So let’s see, the key 3 ingredients
to the car of the future are: the software, the user interface/ecosystem, and
the battery. Throw in the ability to market and sell. Anybody can manufacture
the car, well, anyone with the factor and skilled factory workers. Apple looks
like a safer buy even at a PE of 44 and 33 forward PE (back out the $100B cash,
though). The PEG ratio is way high 3.3 because of -7% revenue growth last
quarter, but it has historically been about 2.0 which is very reasonable for a
mature but growth company. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The other way to play these trends
is to go for the break-through technology companies in the battery and sensor
space. A couple that have gone absolutely nuts after a reverse merger this year
are LAZR and (QS). QuantumScape (QS) has patented technologies and manufactures
solid-state lithium-metal batteries, especially for the auto industry (up about
1,000% over 6 months). Luminar Technologies (LAZR) designs, builds and sells
long-range lidar products for autonomous driving (up about 300% since
Thanksgiving). Both have stabilized a little, so consider buying them on
weakness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Related to battery technology is
fuel cell. Fuel cell technology functions like a battery or a battery backup,
all you need is hydrogen. This year, fuel cell technology has gone absolutely
bonkers. FuelCell (FCEL) is up from $2 to $12 in a month. Bloom (BE) is up from
$5 in March to $30. Plug Power (PLUG) is up from $5 in June to $35 in December.
Over the years you could have lost a lot of money owning these companies; maybe
the time for fuel cell is finally arriving.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">In short, if you love Tesla, go buy
the car. Lots of companies can, and will make the cars of the future, including
electric and self-driving. The Tesla company does have room to grow in lots of
directions (Trucks, Solar, HVAC), but there is already a MASIVE amount of
growth already priced in.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h1 style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h1>BizManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04567436767604729270noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7547553271501604955.post-59378815029350555972020-11-09T09:20:00.004-08:002021-03-29T21:04:21.628-07:00Putting Pen to Paper with Patent Innovation<p><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="991" data-original-width="1100" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWw_5Q0hm996SLqdyknmxagB3wkGn97y-O7fN9enSiQF1zasHz5-ddua_jgMsBehWTldfN3PcxaoFPy-azAvVL454piHGz3bvK56bCuJ8SoLMd9H3icYKe3IMinuBYrJFfFCmUMMOF-c/w320-h285/InkPenNWell.png" width="320" /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">When you think about images of the first writing instruments, you envision charcoal, paint brushes and quill pens. The image of Shakespeare dipping a quill pen into an ink well come to mind. The ink smeared, it blotched and it took time to dry. You know the sign of a writer by the ink all over their hands (and their poverty, of course). The poverty part is still true, about the starving writer, right?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">There are many key inventions related to the pen, but none so significant as the ball-point pen. The most </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: georgia;">significant developments involving the ballpoint pen can be traced to Hungarian inventor </span><a href="http://invent.org/inductee-detail/?IID=317" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #23408f; font-family: georgia; outline: none; transition: color 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">László Jozsef Bíró</strong></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: georgia;">. <a href="https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2014/12/10/the-evolution-of-modern-ballpoint-pen-a-patent-history/id=52550/" target="_blank">Stephen Brackman</a> provides a great history of ball-point invention and the patent history at IPWatchdog.</span></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The reason that anyone and everyone ended up with dozens of pens is because of </span></p><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <i>Bic</i>. Marcel Bich (company name was shortened to Bic) was the key player in this mass production product bringing the pen down to $1 or so per pen from hundreds of dollars per pen (converted to current price equivalents). Bic licensed the patent technology from </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://invent.org/inductee-detail/?IID=317">Bíró</a>, and also had a couple design patents.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A great article about the evolution of the ball-point pen is presented in <a href="https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20201028-history-of-the-ballpoint-pen" target="_blank">BBC by Stephen Dowling</a> (Oct 29, 2020). As you read through, read through this exceptional history, think about the monks copying books by hand, and how far and how fast we have moved forward with the printing press, the pen, the mail. All still in use today. (Well, not the original printing presses...)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Another fun article is about other patents in the ink printing space. Here are <a href="https://www.jetpens.com/blog/5-fascinating-pen-patents/pt/432" target="_blank">5 Fascinating Pen Patents</a> at the Fun Facts section of Jet Pens. You want to read and look at the pix!:-) Here are the 5 patents:</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pilot Frixion Erasable Gel Ink Pen. That’s right, you write in this special ink and the eraser erases it. (Kinda, thermal makes the ink invisible.)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Fisher Space Pen. The pen that has pressurization, so it works up-side-down and in space.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lamy Dialog 3 Fountain Pen. This fountain pen retracts and then a solid ball covers the nib so it doesn’t dry or leak.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Field Notes Color Cover Memo Book, Expedition Edition. This specialized book has Yupo synthetic paper that is waterproof, tear-proof and 100% recyclable. So this is not really a pen, but for a pen to work, you do need paper. You will want to take this book and your space pen on your Himalayan adventure.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sakura Gelly Roll Gel Ink Pens. The ink in these pens has metallic and glitter. Since the ball-point pen works on the idea of a very smooth, even flow of ink, this is an interesting technology to achieve. </span></li></ul><p></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Even with the invent of the computer, there are times when you want to, or need to, write. Studies show that you retain information better when you right them down, even if you don't revisit the notes. You retain better with handwritten notes than typed notes. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">What do you think are other great pen, or writing related, inventions?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">What do you think is the next great, or not so great, invention related to the mighty pen?</span></div></div></div>BizManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04567436767604729270noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7547553271501604955.post-46455136305679585172020-10-07T10:23:00.027-07:002020-10-07T10:40:35.565-07:00Strategic Planning for Small Businesses and Non-Profits<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">Every business
needs to do planning and reporting. The trick for each organization is to do
the right amount of planning. You can’t spend all your time planning, and you
can’t completely avoid planning. Ideally you should work the planning process
around the reporting and accounting that you have to do anyway: mainly tax reporting
that culminates at the end of the tax year. The approach visualized in<i> Figure 1</i>
organizes your year so you can build a corporate calendar and activity
checklist that matches your needs.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJ8ahe8XAsCa7lUTY6jGXYIlWsmzgWMcFCNGXTdu4AC_nyWgW54ioYHq1YY2b6KnlPxKkx8tYqeczHsTzwFHE_LbddkRXUeZKRLk8RQL8lwk2G2l5T3PKp9ZzFPh-7kDBnGVVbSHln40/s910/NonProfit-2020-Fig1PlanningProcess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="910" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJ8ahe8XAsCa7lUTY6jGXYIlWsmzgWMcFCNGXTdu4AC_nyWgW54ioYHq1YY2b6KnlPxKkx8tYqeczHsTzwFHE_LbddkRXUeZKRLk8RQL8lwk2G2l5T3PKp9ZzFPh-7kDBnGVVbSHln40/w640-h318/NonProfit-2020-Fig1PlanningProcess.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Even though an
annual planning process, with a calendar and checklist, is important,
occasionally things will happen that require instant and immediate planning.
You might have developed contingency plans for certain possible events, like a hurricane
disaster recovery plan, but occasionally the world will dramatically change
around you such that you are thrown into a situation where everything – and
even the existence of the organization – is thrown up into uncertainty. The
COVID pandemic is such an exogenous event. All aspects of the long-term
direction of the organization must be revisited, and the near-term approach for
survival needs to be mapped. Survival Planning will be addressed later.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">All organizations
have a similar process that they <i>should</i> execute, a process that spreads
the planning out over the year. It is often easiest to break the major planning
activities into four quarters. That doesn’t mean that you work all quarter on a
specific planning activity, just make sure you do it during that quarter. For
example, you might have a summer weekend retreat for brainstorming new products
and services.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">Unfortunately,
most small organizations, especially small non-profit organizations, do not take
the time, or schedule the time, to do the most critical planning. In the worst
case, they may miss critical deadlines (IRS filings, for example) and even jeopardize
the continuity of the organization. Think of this as non-compliance, i.e., not
doing the things that are required of any business or non-profit organization.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">Large companies
use the corporate strategic planning process as a tool to continually focus on
their goals and objectives, to understand where they are going and to engage
employees in building the business.
Normally conducted on an annual basis, the process takes several months
from initial data collection to the completion of the corporate business plan,
annual report and budget. With few
exceptions, if it isn’t in the plan and the budget, it won’t get done. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><i>Figure 1 </i>depicts a general
planning process and how the planning activities for the next year begin soon after
the operations of the current implementation year has begun in the first
quarter. Smaller organizations can simplify this process somewhat, but still
should do similar activities.<i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Here's how the planning process would
work on a quarter by quarter basis. Assume that the business operates on a calendar
year with December being the last month of the year, and January being the
first month of the next year.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Qtr 1, the implementation quarter. The 1<sup>st</sup>
quarter of the implementation year is when all the planning and budgeting from
last year needs to be implemented. This is a very busy time, hiring people,
buying stuff, launching initiatives. In short, there is no time for planning
during the implementation quarter, it is time to start executing the business
plan approved and funded during the prior planning year that culminated in an
approved business plan and budget. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Qtr 2, Spring Strategic Outlook, is a good time for
brainstorming: to do longer-term planning and new product development. Are
there new products or services that need development efforts in order to be
considered this planning year for launch next year? This is a good time to do a
Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats (SWOT) analysis if the environment
has changed significantly since the last SWOT analysis. Consider a rapid planning
and prototyping process like LEAN Canvas. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Qtr 3, Business Performance Assessment. After 6
to 9 months of the year, the organization should know how things are going. Is
everything on budget? Are changes working out? You should now be able to accurately
estimate the full year. This is the time to develop a proposed budget for next
year, especially for those things that are going as planned this year and
should continue uninterrupted next year. New products or major purchases for
next year’s budget consideration should be narrowed down and refined.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Qtr 4, Business Plan Development and finalized
budget. Quarter 4 is the major planning and reporting quarter. That is when the
best information of the year will be available. The full year numbers have to
be organized, reports to IRS completed, employment filings completed, etc.
Therefore, the end of the year is when the best information is available. As
part of that process is full financial statements and a proposed budget for
next year. The board of the organization needs to approve the budget for next
year and the plan that goes with it. (Note that the required reporting is not
due on the last day of the quarter, December 31 in this case, but all the past
years numbers should be very close if not exact, so federal and state reporting
in the first few days of the new year will be easily accomplished before
deadlines. Consequently, some of the final stages of the planning process
described for the 4<sup>th</sup> quarter might not be completed until the first
few weeks of the new year.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>The next Implementation year begins with the new
plan and budget, so a scramble ensues to implement the plan and have a successful
new year. <o:p></o:p></p>
<h3><a name="_Toc48626107"></a><a name="_Toc495842487">Links and Resources<o:p></o:p></a></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Several
organizations and books provide resources and checklists for people who are
planning to launch a business. They generally don’t distinguish between a
for-profit and a non-profit because every organization needs to do the same
types of things: draft a business plan, accumulate startup funding, incorporate,
etc. Each year you should revisit this checklist to see what needs to be
updated. The planning process described in Figure 1 helps with updating the
business plan, the goals/objectives, the past financials, and the proposed
budget. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Here
are several links of startup checklists/resources and also compliance
checklists for Non-Profits.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: X-NONE;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Small
Business Administration Resources: <a href="http://www.sba.gov/">www.SBA.gov</a> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: X-NONE;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Small
Business Administration <a href="https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/10-steps-start-your-business">10-Steps to Start a Business</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: X-NONE;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->SCORE’s
<a href="https://www.score.org/blog/non-profit-startup-checklist">Checklist for Non-Profit Organization
Startup</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: X-NONE;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Indiana
(IN.GOV) <a href="https://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/files/checklist_cover_your_assets_8_29.pdf">Best Practices Checklist for Non-Profits</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: X-NONE;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->WildApricot’s
<a href="https://www.wildapricot.com/blogs/newsblog/2017/09/28/complete-nonprofit-compliance-checklist#:~:text=Ensure%20your%20current%20tax%20exempt,of%20the%20Secretary%20of%20State.">Compliance Checklist for Non-Profits</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: X-NONE;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Cullenan
Law’s <a href="https://cullinanelaw.com/nonprofit-year-end-checklist/">Year-End Checklist</a>. (5 categories)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: X-NONE;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->RocketLawyer’s
<a href="https://www.rocketlawyer.com/article/non-profit-compliance-checklist.rl">How to keep your Non-Profit in Compliance:
a Checklist</a>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: X-NONE;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Wayfind’s
startup <a href="https://www.wanonprofitinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Legal-checklist-1.pdf">table/checklist</a> (long but comprehensive).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: X-NONE;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->BoardEffect’s
<a href="https://www.boardeffect.com/blog/checklist-for-starting-a-nonprofit-organization/">Checklist for starting a Non-Profit</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<h3>Metrics<o:p></o:p></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">All businesses need to have clear
metrics. How do you know that you are being successful? Revenues and net profits
are always good metrics, but you want to have more than that. For example, you have
to get the customers before you get the increased sales. There should be a
pipeline of customers. You can identify early if your pipeline is showing leaks
by various types of customer satisfaction checks. For non-profits, there may
not be “customers” but there will be key constituents; you don’t technically
have <i>profits</i> and <i>net income</i>; however, if you still need more
money coming in than expenses to maintain operations.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">You may want to issue a certain number
of new products/services ever year, so you could look at the new products and
how well they are received.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Non-profits (NPs) have special
challenges. Many NPs sell products and services, even if they are frequently
discounted or subsidized compared to the full costs. They also may have donor funding,
grants, etc. And they usually have volunteers, sometimes a massive number of
volunteers compared to a few employees. Keeping a good accounting of the
volunteers, volunteer hours, and approximate savings from volunteers is
important for reporting and justification of how far you can stretch funding from
donors and grants.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">As a Non-Profit, think about those
factors that influence people to select and donate to a cause. Organizations
that have high administrative expenses will have much less money to contribute
to the actual cause. Donors (and volunteers) who are reviewing the causes that
they will support look to see how charities are ranked and rated. People visit
these key sites, among others, to make charitable giving decisions:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.charitynavigator.org/">CharityNavigator.org</a>.
This site ranks charities within particular categories. This is the most
important site for someone considering which causes to select for charitable
giving. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://www.guidestar.org/">GuideStar.org</a>.
This site does a deeper dive into the non-profit, reporting, officers and programs.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.give.org/">Give.org</a>, by
the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, provides a Better Business Bureau type of list
for complaints about Non-Profit organizations. Use this source carefully. A
very large national or international organization might have thousands of
complaints but only a tiny fraction of all customers served.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Exempt-Organizations-Select-Check">IRS.gov</a>
has a searchable database of charities that qualify for charitable tax
deductions. Since most people like the added benefit of a tax deduction from
their charitable giving, Non-Profits <i>must</i> remain vigilant in maintaining
their tax-exempt status as well as their qualifications as a charitable organization.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->An excellent article in <span style="background: rgb(252, 252, 252); color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/nancyanderson/2017/12/17/3-websites-to-check-to-be-informed-before-giving-to-charity/#1359ddd65e13">Forbes</a>
by Nancy Andersen discusses these important online resources for someone selecting
a charity, and therefore, critical to the non-profit charity as well.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Social Media, especially FaceBook and LinkedIn pages,
for the charity will have followers, likes and even ratings that will offer
clues as to the quality of the organization and the services provided. Many
charities have blogs and resource pages as well. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">We wish you the very best with your
endeavors and hope that this brief article on planning will jump start a quick
and efficient planning process for you and your organization.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">This article is adapted from the introduction from a 2017 book by Hall and Hinkelman on Strategic Planning and Patent
Commercialization (the first in the Perpetual Innovation™ series). All rights reserved.
Visit our bookstore: </span><a href="http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/SBPlan" style="text-indent: 0.5in;" target="_blank">http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/SBPlan</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Based
on the reception of this article, Hall & Hinkelman </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">may develop a book
for small businesses and non-profits in the Perpetual Innovation™ series.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Hall, E. B. & Hinkelman, R. M. (2018). <i>Perpetual Innovation™: A guide to strategic
planning, patent commercialization and enduring competitive advantage, Version
4.0</i>. Morrisville, NC: LuLu Press. ISBN: 978-1-387-31010-4 Retrieved from: <a href="http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/SBPlan">http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/SBPlan</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Hall, E. B. & Hinkelman, R. M. (2017). <i>Perpetual Innovation™: Patent primer 4.0:
Patents, the great equalizer of our time! An overview of intellectual property
for inventors and entrepreneurs.</i>
Morrisville, NC: LuLu Press. ISBN:
978-1-387-07026-8 Retrieved from: <a href="http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/SBPlan">http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/SBPlan</a> <br />
[Amazon v4.0e ASIN: <b>B074JJCDHG </b>Retrieved from: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B074JJCDHG">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B074JJCDHG</a>
] <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #403152; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 18pt; mso-no-proof: yes;">Strategic Busi</span></b><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #403152; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 18pt; mso-no-proof: yes;">ness Planning Company<br /></span></b><b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">We Develop the Plans that Every <span class="msoDel"><del cite="mailto:Elmer%20Hall" datetime="2020-10-07T10:33">Business </del></span>Organization
Needs</span></b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">™<br /></span><a href="http://www.sbplan.com/" target="_blank">www.SBPlan.com</a><span style="color: #1f497d;"> | </span><a href="http://www.ipplan.com/" target="_blank">www.IPplan.com<br /></a><span style="color: #1f497d; mso-no-proof: yes;">Blogs: </span><a href="http://www.intellzine.com/" target="_blank">IntellZine</a><span style="color: #1f497d;"> | </span><a href="http://www.sustainzine.com/" target="_blank">SustainZine</a><span style="color: #1f497d;"> | </span><a href="http://www.scenarioplans.com/" target="_blank">Scenario/DelphPlan<br /></a><b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">Planning for </span></b><b><i><span style="color: #0a8816; font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">Sustainable</span></i></b><b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-no-proof: yes;"> Success</span></b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">™<br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Copyright © 2020 Strategic Business Planning Company<o:p></o:p></p>
<p> </p>BizManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04567436767604729270noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7547553271501604955.post-31797960077378317052020-09-02T13:57:00.003-07:002020-09-02T15:58:22.473-07:00Who will beat Amazon in the New-Abnormal<p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The COVID pandemic creates winners and losers. Will it simply accelerated some winners and some losers. As with any recession, it creates destructive innovation. In the sad carnage of the pandemic should lie silver linings. Telework is one. Winners are ZOOM, losers are office buildings. We're spending some time on this concept trying to estimate how permanent this shift to remote work will be and the massive savings (time, fuel, traffic, etc.)</span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJd4ROzjp9y1U2D3Fy4kWv_TNw2cWKeI2ffAXyFHU0P3CkRC71i-HHv2WGSgkPVDKBWyB7PbbwUfKiR4XZm-TlEnh-QvRyuno-FC5Z0Jo463AfjFEyxJ1Mbgb6qBiyfsqCkl4AS1ChoE/s794/Amazon-One-Click-Patent-Ends.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="794" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJd4ROzjp9y1U2D3Fy4kWv_TNw2cWKeI2ffAXyFHU0P3CkRC71i-HHv2WGSgkPVDKBWyB7PbbwUfKiR4XZm-TlEnh-QvRyuno-FC5Z0Jo463AfjFEyxJ1Mbgb6qBiyfsqCkl4AS1ChoE/w410-h230/Amazon-One-Click-Patent-Ends.jpg" width="410" /></a></span></span></span></div><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">But the focus of this discussion is on the Amazon effect. The death of the department stores in favor of buying online and having a shipper like Amazon deliver to your door. The Forbes article, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephenmcbride1/2020/08/24/amazon-has-finally-met-its-match/" target="_blank">Amazon has Finally Met its Match</a>, by Stephen McBride got me started on this topic. Even though Amazon is BIG, you can't call it a monopoly because anyone can do it, kinda. They are simply big, the gorilla in the room.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">How much has Amazon (AMZN) subscription services (prime, music, unlimited, etc.) increased related to the covid shutdown, how much has Amazon online purchasing increased, and what percentage of that online purchasing will dissipate once things get back to normal. Since we don't think that things will ever go back to "normal" we refer to the post-COVID world of the future as the "new-abnormal". Amazon has more than doubled in a year, reaching an all time high Sept 2, 2020 of $3,552 per share, a market capitalization of $1.8T. Wow! </span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Amazon became famous in the Intellectual Property (IP) world with the one-click patent.Look away from your screen for just a second, and you could find that you accidentally bought the item(s) you were scanning. That patent expired in September of 2017 allowing everyone to accelerate the purchase process and reduce shopping cart abandonment. Amazon still has had more that 13,000 patents granted (many have expired) and 1,259 applications (according to <a href="https://companyprofiles.justia.com/company/amazon" target="_blank">Justia</a>). That's a pretty significant war chest.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">Walmart (WMT) was not doing a good job to compete with Amazon, so they took an extreme measure in 20016 of buying an upstart name JET that was developed from the ground up to compete with Amazon. In 2016 Walmart bought JET for $3B (</span><a href="https://techcrunch.com/2016/08/08/confirmed-walmart-buys-jet-com-for-3b-in-cash/" style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">more discussion here</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">). Walmart has the unique advantage that you can return online orders to the store. An advantage for Walmart is that people who return something at the store, will likely spend that money and more before leaving. </span><a href="https://companyprofiles.justia.com/company/walmart" style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">Walmart has 1,237</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"> patents and 820 patent applications as of August 2020. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the August 2020 Forbes article, McBride thought that there would be several winners in the Amazon space. Etsy (ETSY) is a wonderful place for customized products, arts and crafts. Etsy and the artists who utilize their online marketplace excel in this area where Amazon cannot. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The last one is Shopify (SHOP) a software platform for small and medium sized companies that integrates all of their business. Businesses that have online, storefront and mobile businesses find Shopify works well to bring all the pieces of the business together. Since most small(er) companies have very little online presence, Shopify helps them jump over the intermediate stages of going online and managing all the sales' processes. Shopify hit its all time high Sept 1, 2020 of $1,147, up from its low in November of $282. That's more than a 300% increase! Wow!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shopify had zero (0) patents in 2015 and only maybe 32 today. Etsy has about 25 patents; many are interesting in the use of fuzzy logic and categorization of products. The stores that use Shopify and Etsy need to build their own intellectual property protection including trademarks, copyrights and patents.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">Who do you think will be the winners in the new-abnormal world? Big boom for AMZN, of course. But what about these Amazon competitors in the move away from brick: SHOP and ETSY? And what about the ultimate click-n-mortar: WMT? </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">#Invest #Stocks #patents #ecommerce #NewAbnormal </span></span></p>BizManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04567436767604729270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7547553271501604955.post-73721266363799864382020-06-07T19:57:00.002-07:002020-06-07T19:57:26.962-07:00Big winners of Renewable Energy: IP and Manufacturing<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrxGnm_pVMzMA9JztMRuvrzG2iwrgFqRBfXIyV1MK7eNpG9obAJhZwnYAz353Xeg85SpjWvOmQrqAIPdwbRV0_t0ohxvRYsxHAwx7JjwF2iFI3HbUfLrKnaMcXCqqjhypZBOeipCjHog/s1600/SolarPanels-n-Sun-IPbyCategory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="845" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrxGnm_pVMzMA9JztMRuvrzG2iwrgFqRBfXIyV1MK7eNpG9obAJhZwnYAz353Xeg85SpjWvOmQrqAIPdwbRV0_t0ohxvRYsxHAwx7JjwF2iFI3HbUfLrKnaMcXCqqjhypZBOeipCjHog/s320/SolarPanels-n-Sun-IPbyCategory.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Renewable Energy Patents in 2019</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #362f2d; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">As you look at the companies
that are winners in Renewable Energy (RE) you have distinct winners (and
losers, especially in the fossil fuel world). But there are entire countries
that stand to win as well. Several countries have become exporters of energy,
for example, when they produce more regional energy than they can use. I like
the image set related to 25 areas/countries that are winners in Renewable
Energy (at </span><a href="https://www.lovemoney.com/galleries/90608/greenbackers-countries-making-money-fighting-climate-change" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">LoveMoney.com,
The world’s greenest nations that are reaping the rewards</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #362f2d; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">). Here’s Love/Money’s
take on China, both in terms of the technology (Intellectual Property) and the
manufacturing/exporting:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #362f2d; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Of all patents for renewable energy issued globally, as of 2016 China
has 29%. That's more than 150,000 patents, which underlines the focus of
China's investment in the industry. So it's not a shock that the country
has been dubbed a “renewable energy superpower” in a recent report issued
by the Global Commission on the Geopolitics of Energy Transformation. The
report argued that, as renewables come to fossil fuels globally, new energy
leaders will emerge</i>.</span>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #362f2d; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">The US had only 100,000
patents (vs 150,000 for China) and Europe had 75,000 in renewables according to
the <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/dominicdudley/2019/01/11/china-renewable-energy-superpower/#2c3d07cf745a" target="_blank">Forbesanalysis</a> in Jan 2019. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Overall,
patents in renewables has made impressive progress, even though RE patents are
only 1% of all patents (and other high-tech categories like computers are about
6%). Check out the great article at the World Intellectual Property
Organization (WIPO) on <a href="https://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2020/01/article_0008.html" target="_blank">RenewableEnergy patents</a> by James Nurton. More than half of the RE patents through
the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) are in solar. Fuel Cell technology has
consistently exceeded Wind in terms of patents. Fuel Cell (using hydrogen) is
important because it can function as battery, battery backup, stationary power
and portable power. Geothermal is trivial are of RE patent activity. When the
RE “international” patents (PCTs) are registered at the national level the
first three countries are: Japan, USA, and Germany. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #362f2d; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">On the
manufacturing/exporting side, China has been a huge producer of the world’s
renewables (solar, wind and more). Here’s how <a href="https://www.lovemoney.com/galleries/90608/greenbackers-countries-making-money-fighting-climate-change?page=3" target="_blank">LoveMoneysummarized Chinese production of RE</a>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #362f2d; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">China
is currently the world’s largest exporter of solar panels, wind turbines,
batteries and electric vehicles. The country is well-suited to wind power
production, and it has an estimated potential capacity of 2,380 gigawatts.
What’s more, many Chinese companies are investing in renewables</i>.” </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Keep in mind that many things sustainable are lower tech,
not higher tech. Much, if not most of sustainable solutions does not require
break-through solutions. Using less energy can be very low tech (turning the
lights out when out). Driving less (by telework) can be no tech. But in the cases
where leading tech can be a major competitive advantage, he owners of IP will
win. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Look also at <a href="https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/29752/GTR2019.pdf" target="_blank">GlobalTrends in Renewable Energy Investment in 2019</a> by UN Environment Program and
Bloomberg. Where is RE coming from? The investment from 2010 through 2019 has
been $2.6T with 52% in Solar and $41% in Wind. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And the final question: how do we get to 100% renewable
energy in a reasonably short period of time? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
#RenewableEnergy #REPatents #IntellectualProperty
#IntellZine #SustainZine #WIPO #Sustainability #PCT #REInvestment #Solar #Wind
#RE100 <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />BizManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04567436767604729270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7547553271501604955.post-72024851114129371282020-05-21T12:59:00.003-07:002020-05-21T13:03:54.489-07:00Efficient Infringement 2: Which is Bigger Toll? EI or Patent Troll?<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In
Part 1 on February 13, “</span><a href="https://www.intellzine.com/2020/02/inequality-in-efficient-infringement_14.html"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Inequality
finds a place in IP where Efficient Infringement Runs Wild</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">,”
we emphasized the David vs Goliath nature of patent holding startups trying to
get justice against a mega-tech infringer.<span>
</span>Infringement is somehow legally transformed because it is efficient – an
odd attempt at rationalizing an illegal action. (Note the new location of our
IP Zine and all past blog posts are at </span><a href="http://www.intellzine.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">www.IntellZine.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">.)<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Well, just as we acknowledge that, “hope springs
eternal,” as Apple’s appeal in an infringement case was rejected (Bloomberg/LA
Times, Feb 24, 2020).<span> </span>The US Supreme
Court refused to consider the tech giant’s attempt to avoid paying upwards of
$1B in patent damages to VirnetX Holding Company, a Nevada company with less
than $2M in annual revenue.<span> </span>VirnetX
somehow managed to tough it out for a decade trying to get Apple to pay
royalties on patents for secure communications technology.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Of
the long list of things to fix in IP law, efficient infringment is certainly
one of them.<span> </span>Somehow, infringement cases
must be settled far more rapidly than today’s decade long slogging through the
mud.<span> </span>The market disappears in ten years,
there is no longer revenue available to fight over.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">From The LA Times, “The high court denied Apple’s
petition arguing that a $439-million judgement from the first of two cases
brought by VirnetX was ‘grossly excessive’ and should be thrown out… A second
case not currently before the high court, resulted in a $503-million verdict
over the same patents and newer Apple products.” (</span><a href="https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/story/2020-02-24/apple-rebuffed-supreme-court-billion-facetime-patent"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/story/2020-02-24/apple-rebuffed-supreme-court-billion-facetime-patent</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">)<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This ruling was nearly one month after a federal jury
in Los Angeles ruled that Apple and Broadcom must pay $1.1B in damages to
Caltech for infringing on WiFi patents.<span> </span>That’s
right, California Institute of Technology (</span><a href="http://www.caltech.edu/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">http://www.caltech.edu/</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">),
the university in Pasadena California! What’s a school gonna do with patent
technology anyway? Apple was ordered to pay $837M, Broadcom Inc $270.2M.<span> </span>“It’s the biggest jury verdict of any kind so
far in 2020 and the sixth largest patent verdict of all time, according to
Bloomberg data.” (</span><a href="https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2020-01-29/caltech-wins-a-1-1-billion-jury-verdict-against-apple-and-broadcom"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2020-01-29/caltech-wins-a-1-1-billion-jury-verdict-against-apple-and-broadcom</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">)
Apple’s strategy is based on maintaining the Company’s high profit margin which
demands fighting for years in various courts.<span>
</span>Does “efficient infringement” ring a bell here?<span> </span>(The $838M won by Caltech is about one day of
sales and 1.5% of the company’s $55.3B net profit in 2019.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUatkkScudGOiv_3CB7Nf8KcJV3eDvczb86EMKJzoZhGZvCm5anZWdfFq77ZPBwOmPoTFbqH4ShIv8t-yyEBGCGSD74dG5UbTWbKqmGH0SdN0SZKZ2-cAQ2JnCTg_LIJFs_XwD2DSw7I/s1600/AppleNBroadcom.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="768" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUatkkScudGOiv_3CB7Nf8KcJV3eDvczb86EMKJzoZhGZvCm5anZWdfFq77ZPBwOmPoTFbqH4ShIv8t-yyEBGCGSD74dG5UbTWbKqmGH0SdN0SZKZ2-cAQ2JnCTg_LIJFs_XwD2DSw7I/s320/AppleNBroadcom.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple and Broadcom lose Caltech infringement case</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">But wait, there’s more. Apple’s appeal to the US
Supreme Court did not go well for Apple. On March 13, 2020, the US Supreme
Court rejected the opportunity to review the case (originating in Texas, of
course). The final settlement that Apple agreed to pay was $454M to VirnetX.<span> </span>Now down to about half a day of sales and
0.8% of the company’s net profit in 2019. Roughly $1 for each of the 400M
devices that VirnetX claims patent infringement. (See </span><a href="https://9to5mac.com/2020/03/13/apple-virnetx-rehearing-us-supreme-court/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">
for one discussion of case-closed.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">So, Apple argues, essentially, “efficient infringement”,
which we will return to in a second. But VirnetX has been ungraciously referred
to as a Patent Troll, a Nevada corporation operating out of a Troll Hole in
Texas. Here’s an example of articles during the decade by Zack Epstein in the
NY Post: </span><a href="https://nypost.com/2018/04/11/apple-ordered-to-pay-half-a-billion-dollars-in-damages-to-patent-troll/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">https://nypost.com/2018/04/11/apple-ordered-to-pay-half-a-billion-dollars-in-damages-to-patent-troll/</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Patent
Trolls</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">. The more derogatory term, but sometimes more
accurate, is <i>patent troll</i>; other
related terms are <i>patent holding company</i>
(PHC), <i>patent assertion entity</i> (PAE),
and <i>non-practicing entity</i> (NPE).
Wikipedia has a good, but not especially strong, page on </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent_troll"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Patent Trolls</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">.
The advantage of going back to Wikipedia is that it is dynamic and usually is
updated perpetually by people. This Apple case is in the article, but not
updated for 2020. Anyone can update, so please consider going and improving the
article.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">There is the dilemma to choose between the lesser of
two evils: the </span><a href="https://www.intellzine.com/2015/01/the-toll-of-patent-troll-by-any-other_16.html"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">toll
of the patent troll</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> or the stealth of <i>efficient infringement</i>.<span> </span>It
is hard to support VinnetX, and the tolls of patent trolls.<span> </span>Our values state that deliberate attempts to
extort money on less-than-honorable pretenses cannot be condoned.<span> </span>We have </span><a href="https://www.intellzine.com/search/label/Patent%20Troll"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">several
blogs posts about Patent Troll</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> and their negative
impact on innovation and economic productivity.<span>
</span>On the other hand, <i>efficient
infringement</i> is the result of a deliberate – with malice of foresight –
corporate strategy.<span> </span>It is callous and
predatory.<span> </span>It is practiced by companies
that are unquestioned technical powers and have major share in their
markets.<span> </span>They have uncommon market power
and use it with against rivals.<span> </span>In
particular, these companies prey on start-up entrepreneurs if their new
technology is a threat or an opportunity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Neither party is honorable in any way, but the greater
of the evils is efficient infringement.<span>
</span>It would be a more positive impact on innovation if efficient
infringement became too expensive by way of damages to risk continued
practices.<span> </span>The courts need to look just
at the question of infringement and the issue of market power to make this
call.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">These efficient infringement courtroom dramas go on
and on, and on and on. A decade in this case.<span>
</span>Get the picture?<span> </span>As one of
several high-tech giants that are apparently doing the same, Apple doesn’t
anticipate any significant downside.<span>
</span>When served a rare injunction, it just moves up the justice stepladder
until, if necessary, it reaches the summit.<span>
</span>To be sure, The Supreme Court’s refusal to hear its appeal must have
come as a shock.<span> </span>But, will this change
behavior?<span> </span>Not likely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Here is another way to cast a harsh spotlight on
efficient infringement.<span> </span>The House of
Representatives should hold hearings when these cases like these reach the
public eye.<span> </span>The CEO of the infringing
company must be subpoenaed to testify whether or not <i>efficient infringement </i>is an accepted corporate policy; does the
company’s board and CEO approve infringement and willingly will pay damages,
eventually.<span> </span>Today, a CEO can hide behind
legions of lawyers. Being forced to testify in person just might, might change
strategy.<span> </span>In addition, Congress should
make egregious <i>efficient infringement </i>a
felony, Grand Theft – Intellectual Property punishable by 5-7 years in prison
and forfeiture of revenues and fines for the key decision maker(s): Chair, CEO
and CFO.<span> </span>When enforced, <i>efficient infringement </i>will become a
relic of a lesser past.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Here is an afterthought. It is obvious that corporate
lobbying and campaign contributions have removed any possibility of
Congressional action to strongly deal with infringement today.<span> </span>As the economy reopens, many things will
change.<span> </span>It would very much benefit the
entrepreneur if the legal system enforced IP laws to protect the new technology
inventions we will need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">#Patents #EfficientInfringement #Infringement
#PatentTroll #Apple #PAE #NPE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />BizManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04567436767604729270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7547553271501604955.post-45168955962005712762020-04-01T08:46:00.000-07:002020-04-01T10:45:30.302-07:00Cool Motor that Runs on AirA lot like a perpetual motor: no fool'n.<br />
As a kid, college really, I was intrigued about the idea of a "perpetual" motor. A motor that ran forever. My idea seemed like it should work, but I had a hard time getting someone to explain why it wouldn't. My idea was based on the flywheel of the single engine Briggs & Stratton where a magnet on the flywheel creates the spark for the ignition on each rotation. My idea was to have magnets that attract the flywheel and a reverse magnet to repel the flywheel once it got past. But I had the problem that the flywheel would get attracted and stuck. So I found something called paramegnetic materials, materials that repel both positive and negative magnetic forces. All I needed, then is to have a thin sheet of paramagnetic material pass between the attracting magnets to let the flywheel move on to the repelling magnet. Perfect, a perpetual motor.<br />
I finally got to talk with a Physics professor at USF who explained my small, but subtle issue with the perpetuity of my motor. When you use a magnet, you loose a magnet. It took energy to magnetize a magnet, so the process of using it will deplete it!<br />
For decades, there have been articles about perpetual motors... But generally they have gone the way of "cold fusion".<br />
Here is a very cool article/technology on a motor that runs on air. Liquefied Nitrogen, actually. Very cool. Literally, about -210 C (or -340 F). So, if the internal combustion motor works on the temperature differential before the ignition of fuel and after ignition, the liquid nitrogen concept works in the same way: from really really cold, to cold. Not nearly the same as the 1,000 times differential from gasoline, but still an effective motor. Effective only once you overcome the problem of things freezing up in the process.<br />
So here's the great <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/refrigeration-global-warming-food-preservation/" target="_blank">Wired article by Nicola Twilley</a> about the inventor Peter Dearman: <i>A One-Time Poultry Farmer Invents the Future of
Refrigeration: Mechanical cooling revolutionized the global food supply—and
accelerated global warming. Peter Dearman’s liquid air engine could change all
that.</i><br />
The thing that Dearman had to overcome is to bring the temp of the super cold nitrogen up enough that it didn't freeze up the works. (Kind of a reverse of the radiator idea to cool the motor down.)<br />
So the motor works, not especially efficient, but it works.<br />
However, your favorite internal combustion engine is very inefficient. Your car is only about 15% efficient. Diesel turbine motors for electricity are generally about 40% efficient, at best... Unless... Unless you need the excess heat. So if you can use the heat, like hot water on a campus environment, then the combined heat and power (CHP) can be very efficient, maybe up to about 70%.<br />
Imagine if you could use the cool from a liquid nitrogen engine? Say, hypothetically, for refrigerated storage or reefer. (No, not a Jimmy Buffet kind of Reefer!:-) A refrigerated <i>reefer </i>truck.<br />
And, wa la. You have a really great method of efficiently transporting and simultaneously cooling perishable products.<br />
The cryogenic reefer truck seems to be really gaining traction (sorry about the pun) within several food chains.<br />
Very cool!<br />
Dearman says the nitrogen solution will result in a 40% improvement over diesel in terms of greenhouse gases. If is the nitrogen is liquefied (chilled) by renewable energy the improvement compared to diesel moves up to 95%.<br />
Even Cooler!<br />
It also helps to overcome the need for Freon or the replacements for Freon. (Fluorocarbons are a wicked greenhouse gas that blow holes in the ozone layer.)<br />
With 78% of the Earth's atmosphere, nitrogen (N) is readily abundant.<br />
Dearman has several patents related to cryogenics and cryogenic motors.<br />
Interestingly, it would appear that the same Peter (T?) Dearman is also the inventor of respirators and ventilators back in 1990!<br />
<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
BizManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04567436767604729270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7547553271501604955.post-87969897722947094602020-02-14T13:26:00.001-08:002020-03-19T14:03:45.885-07:00Inequality in Efficient Infringement<br /><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Inequality Finds a Place in Intellectual Property (IP) where Efficient Infringement Runs Wild</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Well established. Well understood. Great wealth creates great inequality. Wealth creates its own space, and maintains exclusivity by keeping others out.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Here, a different view is taken of the inequality condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a perspective based on corporate wealth – aka corporate greed – masquerading as producing shareowner value.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is almost axiomatic that when a company scores a major – no, “outstanding” – market success it is compelled to keep the great successes going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few outstanding successes include:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apple’s iPhone, Google’s search engine and ad, Microsoft’s Windows, Ford’s F150, IBM’s Watson, and Coke Cola Company’s Coke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Companies with successes like these are faced with a profound dilemma: what is the follow-on major winner that produces profits and increased shareowner value?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">CEOs of high tech companies, of consumer product companies, of logistics companies, of pharmaceutical companies, of medical device and drug companies have for the last several decades looked to their Intellectual Property assets as a source of answers to the follow-on question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Research and Development (R&D) leading to new inventions and products is frequently the best source of value-added enhancement to an established offering, and consequently, to the opportunity to create a new market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is, however, the cost causing method as R&D is a heavy burden in most companies and while success can be magnificent, failure is also a possibility.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">A patent system can be strong or it can be weak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, the US has gone from strong to weak over the past fifteen years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a strong system, there is a “presumption of validity” wherein the patent holder’s rights are protected against infringement: infringers are punished and patents are not subject to constant attack in the courts or the Patent Office (USPTO).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a strong system, investors are far more likely to invest in a product when it has patent protection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most new jobs are created by young companies and the majority need funding – especially if they are disruptive and fast-growing. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A strong patent system is what you should think of as the “play by the rules” method or process of gaining new corporate revenues and market success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is conducted on a level playing field.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 120%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">In contrast, a weak system is basically the opposite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The courts tend to rule against the patent holder, established competitors ignore the innovator’s patent and engage in what is termed “efficient infringement” utilizing long, drawn out court processes the innovator cannot afford.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Large and well-established high-tech companies have led the strong-to-weak downward slide by lobbying congress and funding campaigns which resulted in the American Invents Act (AIA) of 2011.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Google spent $18M on lobbyists the year the AIA was passed…Google wanted a weak patent system because it already dominated the search and internet advertising in 2012…with a 67% market share.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, (2018), with a weaker patent system firmly in place and no fear of any innovating competition protected by patents, Google’s market share has increased to almost 80%.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Shore, M., 2018, Mar 21, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How Google and Big Tech Killed the U.S. Patent System</i>, <a href="http://ipwatchdog.com/">IPwatchdog.com</a>)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Efficient infringement occurs when a company deliberately chooses to infringe a patent because it is cheaper to fight off a legal challenge from an inventor than it is to license the patent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This practice is especially harmful to small inventors and innovators and it undermines our broader innovation economy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Save the American Inventor, 2019, May 21, <a href="http://www.savetheinventor.com/">www.SaveTheInventor.com</a>)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In selected circles, this is stated as “efficient infringement is a ‘fiduciary responsibility’ when the costs are less than those in R&D plus product development.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Huh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What? Really? Is this saying that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Effective Infringement</i> is legal?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is Stealing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the startup in a garage inventor versus a mega high-tech corporation with very deep pockets taking and using the invention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The term “infringing” originally applied to a situation where a company accidentally or inadvertently used the same technology (techniques, methods, algorithm, signaling, coding) as the patent what the patent owner claimed (and may have been granted rights to in an issued patent).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In such cases, when the patent owner discovered the infringement, he went to court and got an <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">injunction</i> against the infringer – as cease and desist order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In most instances, the outcome of follow-on negotiations was that the infringer paid some settlement for past infringement, took a license to the patent, and paid royalties for future sales (usually until the patent expired).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A strong patent system sounds rather quaint in view of today’s infringement-as-a-corporate-strategy where the infringer drags the patent owner through the courts for years until the inventor and his funding are exhausted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is yet another example of wealth inequality where those with money disadvantage those without.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Try to assert a patent covering the technology being copied and the Gang of Five will simply petition the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) dragging the patent through <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">inter partes </i>and deveining it of any useful subject matter if the proceedings are instituted.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Brachmann, S., 2017, March 17, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How tech’s ruling class stifles innovation with efficient infringement</i>, <a href="http://ipwatchdog.com/">IPWatchdog.com</a>). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gang of Five</i> refers to Google (Alphabet), Apple, Facebook, Microsoft and Amazon.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Meanwhile, back in Washington, DC, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chair of the Senate’s Subcommittee on IP, said the Committee would not be able to complete its work on legislation addressing patent eligibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“[A]bsent stakeholder consensus, I don’t see a path forward for producing a bill – much less steering it to passage – in this Congress.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no mention of considering strengthening injunctions or treating efficient infringement as the crime it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Borella, M., Feb. 4, 2020, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Zombie Apocalypse of Patent Eligibility Reform and a Possible Escape Route</i>, </span><a href="http://www.patentdocs.org/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">www.patentdocs.org</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">High tech gets to run free without restraint for at least another year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hey look, it’s a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fiduciary</i> responsibility.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />BizManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04567436767604729270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7547553271501604955.post-79098615934242915822019-11-20T10:55:00.001-08:002020-03-19T14:03:45.963-07:00Delinkage and the Patent System for Pharma: Trouble Ahead?<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">While the term “delinkage” has been around since at least 2005, it is not seen or heard very often.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">It is the term used in the biomedical field by lawyers and politicians to mean a new way of funding drug R&D such that the patent system could be replaced with the result that a drug monopoly would not exist and drug prices would be significantly lower.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">One of the advocates of this is Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders submitted the Medical Innovation Prize Fund as legislation in 2017 that would deny monopoly rights to pharma innovators and create a government fund.</span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Delinkage is discussed<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> in a</span> Patent Strategy article <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://patentstrategy.managingip.com/Articles/141?from=daily&utm_campaign=Daily%20-%20%2814-11-2019%2012%3A39%3A27%29&utm_source=Daily&utm_medium=email+editorial&utm_term=Read%20more...&utm_content=Editorial" target="_blank">Delinkage embraced innational elections as alternative to patents</a> </b>(ManagingIP, C. Kilpatrick, Nov. 14, 2019)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The article notes that in 2017 prescription drug spending was $334B and that US national healthcare spending was 17.9% of GDP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s right, the US GDP, which is now at $20T devotes 18% toward healthcare! That’s approaching $4T when all healthcare from all sources are included! The high price of drugs is a big part of the escalation. Anecdotes and reports abound of grossly high prices for a drug and patients who go without needed medication because they cannot afford it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">“We cannot control costs, reduce access barriers and protect and enhance innovation unless we change the way we finance biomedical R&D.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Delinkage is a radical and transformative approach to bring policy coherence to objectives regarding access, innovation and cost control.” (Knowledge, Ecology International, </span><a href="http://www.delinkage.org/" target="_blank">Delinkage.org</a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The fact that this has been floating around since 2005 is proof positive that there is not a lot of momentum behind it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fundamental questions abound about how, how to, what if, where would the money to fund multiple projects over multiple years come from?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if it doesn’t work?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who pays?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What would the impact on the patent system -- defined in the US Constitution -- be?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are international implications for patents so how would delinkage work globally?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What happens to the patent system if biomedical is carved out?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is this a slippery slope, domino effect?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">At the risk of getting way out in front of our headlights, here is a possible middle road for consideration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep the existing patent system as is or improved, allow the pharma company to obtain funding (much of it comes from the federal government anyway, including FDA, DARPA, Health and Human Services, etc.).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the drug is approved for a market, the patent(s) is(are) treated like a Standards patents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is, it must be licensed to any and all, with a standard royalty rate, with all appropriate terms and conditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Multiple providers should result in reduced prices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">How do we control costs while protecting innovation? Delinkage might be a possible solution in Pharma.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Non-Sustainable Healthcare Costs Revisited<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">It is important to note the projection that Hall and Knab identified in a 2012 article related to healthcare costs in the US. Healthcare costs in the US had increased from 6% of GDP a few decades ago. Healthcare costs for several decades had increased by about 10% per year. During the Great Recession, this run-away healthcare costs has reduced to 4% or 5% per year, but still double or triple the rate of inflation. Some of the calming of combined healthcare costs can be attributed to many drug patents expiring, to the great recession, and to Obama Care (especially the early years of ACA).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">So, here is the trick question. If health care inflation rises back up to 10% per year, GDP growth is at 2.5% and general inflation is 2%, how many years before combined healthcare costs exceed the US GDP? Obviously, the out-of-control healthcare costs is not sustainable, but this question helps to put it all into focus. </span><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Answer</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">: In the described case, it would take less than 24 years before healthcare costs exceeded the US GDP!. For healthcare to increase to 50% of the US DGP would take only about 14 years.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">This out-of-control costs is horribly unacceptable. It is an unsustainable and compounding problem. Plus, the US spends more on healthcare (pre capita) than any other country, and generally has worse results!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">So, we are back to the question, what can be done here in addressing this problem? Ignoring the problem, and even adding to it, like the federal deficit, has an ugly way of coming back and biting us in the hinny. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Maybe there’s something to the delinkage approach that can work for (almost) everyone and make a difference in bending the healthcare costs curve?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Just to be clear, we at IPZine love innovation, we fully respect and believe in Intellectual Property, and we like capitalism – especially in places where it is sustainable and doesn’t create unmaintainable results.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Delinkage has interesting possibilities.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Reference<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Hall, E. B., & Knab, E. F. (2012, July). Social irresponsibility provides opportunity for the win-win-win of Sustainable Leadership. In C. A. Lentz (Ed.), <i>The refractive thinker: Vol. 7. Social responsibility</i> (pp. 197-220). Las Vegas, NV: <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The Refractive Thinker® Press</span>. ISBN: 978-0-9840054-2-0<span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />BizManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04567436767604729270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7547553271501604955.post-18756041228676456752019-09-24T06:15:00.001-07:002020-03-19T14:03:45.999-07:00Potatoes and Patents<br /><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Patents, Potatoes and Pomegranates<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I remember thinking- there cannot be anything clever in delivering beans…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was the reaction of Lucy Wojcik in 2014 being interviewed for the job of IP attorney at Ocado, an online supermarket company in the United Kingdom.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It does furrow eyebrows when considering the part, if any, IP would play in a company that grows vegetables and fruits and then distributes them as meals, but now Ms Wojcik has a decidedly different view, <a href="https://patentstrategy.managingip.com/Articles/110?from=daily">https://patentstrategy.managingip.com/Articles/110?from=daily</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As she came to find out even in the supermarket business, “… as soon as you have problems that need solutions and engineers, you are generating IP.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Ocado and its emphasis on IP serves as today’s model of how to maintain a competitive presence today and tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With very few exceptions, a company today needs a strong R&D/IP culture to survive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It must be an integral of the conduct of business, a primary consideration in company strategic planning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It should be the source of new, competitive products and services as well as the mechanisms for protecting those products from competitive inroads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A comprehensive tour de force for the “how to” is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Perpetual Innovation™ A guide to Strategic Planning. Patent Commercialization and Enduring Competitive Advantage</i> by Hall & Hinkelman available at Amazon and Lulu.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d;">Perpetual innovation™ <i>Patent Guide</i> & <i>Patent Primer</i>: </span><a href="http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/SBPlan" target="_blank">http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/SBPlan</a><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>BizManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04567436767604729270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7547553271501604955.post-11112232528084827692019-09-04T14:16:00.001-07:002020-03-19T14:03:46.034-07:00Yeti, cool ideas and lots of patents Yeti has a rather cool new cooler out, the Hopper(r) M30 uses a magnetic seal. Although it might be a bit gimmicky, it should work much better than the heavy (klunky) zippers. They say that it is nearly leak proof. GearJunky does a <a href="https://gearjunkie.com/yeti-hopper-m30-magnetic-soft-cooler" target="_blank">nice review of the M30</a>. For $299.99 at high quality sporting goods stores like Dicks, you too can have one.<br /><br />Yeti is a $2.5B market cap company, up about 70% from its IPO. It is hard to maintain a premium brand in an era of knock-offs. But Yeti is and continues to do so. I got in on the IPO, sold half at a good profit, and held on through the couple rough patches for a consumer product like this. They came out early for better (sane-er?) gun controls, and had NRA members making a spectacle (viral videos) of throwing Yeti coolers in the dump. (That was an ugly couple days for the stock.)<br /><br />In Sept. 2019, Yeti has just introduced a major line of coolers for "<a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1228715408"></span>everyday bags<span id="goog_1228715409"></span></a>" adventures and the Urban crawler: Crossroads(tm) backpacks and totes! <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190905005548/en/" target="_blank">Press release</a> at Reuters. Big purse or a backpack. Not sure if it will replace your Prada, but it should keep your beer in the office cold. (Maybe that's one reason why Yeti stock popped about 8% on 9/4.)<br /><br /><span class="lh18 txt13" id="selectNewsText">"We already offer premium bags designed to excel in harsh outdoor conditions. But even the world's most extreme adventurers need something durable and comfortable to keep them organized during their daily commute," says YETI CEO, Matt Reintjes. "Our Crossroads bags offer YETI's signature durability and performance, but are designed for your everyday adventure." </span><br /><br />Yeti is a premium brand with a premium price, and everybody likes to do knock offs. Trademarks are helpful. A big patent portfolio is one way to keep the knock-offs at bay. Here's Yeti's <a href="https://www.yeti.com/en_US/patents.html" target="_blank">patent page by product</a>.<br /><br />PatentBuddy summarizes Yeti patents:<br /><div class="tablediv wide_width933px" style="background-color: whitesmoke;"><div class="psr_235 bold"><span class="font-bold"><a href="http://www.patentbuddy.com/Company/Profile/YETI-COOLERS-LLC/2243756" id="inventorForm:_idJsp355:0:_idJsp358" name="inventorForm:_idJsp355:0:_idJsp358">YETI COOLERS LLC</a> </span><span class="psr_180 bold">AUSTIN, TX</span></div><div class="psr_235 bold"><span class="psr_150 bold">257 active patents, with </span><span class="pbstylewidth200 bold textuppercase">34 applications.</span></div><div class="psr_235 bold">Updated 9/5/2019.</div></div>BizManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04567436767604729270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7547553271501604955.post-42919616205855951102019-05-25T14:06:00.001-07:002020-03-19T14:03:46.086-07:00FinTech unicorns are taking out some BIG bank DonkeysHere's a great InfoGraphic about the FinTech market and the unicorns ($2B startups) that are hanging out, and disrupting, in the Financial space.<br />Natania K brought it up on LinkedIn:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="ember-view" id="ember13567">Our Global Startup Heat Map showcases 4 top asset management solutions, ready to impact the energy industry: </span><a class="feed-shared-text-view__hyperlink ember-view" href="http://bit.ly/2L2FlfE" id="ember13571" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/2L2FlfE</a></blockquote>I love this "Innovation Map" and the unicorns are proof positive that the addressable market of some of the slices of new Fin Services are addressable and viable (now or soon). So the trillion dollar question is: what does the brick and mortar (BnM) have in store. BnM are looking in the rear-view mirror, and they have low visibility of the future. The reason that they have low visibility, is because -- after a couple hundred years of doing business in the office -- it is hard to change the stripes on a donkey.<br /><div class="mentions-texteditor__content">But the changes they are a come'n, and the storefronts will be a closing. </div><div class="mentions-texteditor__content">FinTech unicorns are going to be taking out some BIG bank Donkeys that are hanging out on every major business corner.</div><div class="mentions-texteditor__content">What do you think, what FinTech services are most disruptive?</div>BizManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04567436767604729270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7547553271501604955.post-16975868791074898242019-04-08T17:38:00.001-07:002020-03-19T14:03:46.118-07:00Here's a article about <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/s/613267/borophene-the-new-2d-material-taking-chemistry-by-storm/" target="_blank">Borophene</a> that could be much more promising than graphine... using boron atoms not carbon.... The technology is all about the future of smallness for computing and more.<br /><br />Making flat layers of atoms has interesting applications. But Borophene seems to allow for crystal-type layouts that have lots of interesting properties. It should handle heat well, it is flexible, and it conducts electricity. The applications are for computers, of course. Seems extremely promising for various types of batteries, starting with Lithium.<br /><br />But the many other possibilities include the fact that Borophene can attract and hold hydrogen atoms, at a rate of up the 15% of weight.<br /><br />Borophene is new, really only available since 2015.<br />Very cool technology. Lots of work to be done before it is prime-time.<br /><br />Can't wait to see where this technology leads us.BizManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04567436767604729270noreply@blogger.com0