The guessing game of how much will be reimbursed and the timeline for it to appear can run physicians out of business In its most basic form, success in business is simply making more money than you spend. When applied to the business of medicine, the lines of success become murky. Success or profitability in any […]
Copyright Infringement and the Snow Globe Cupcake Wars
One thing is for certain in the intellectual property world – no one likes the feeling that someone has stolen something. For business owners, not every similarity or perceived “theft” of an idea or concept is actionable under the law. This is especially true if technology is involved, since the law usually lags behind the […]
Bankers get bad headlines everyday
But it turns out they’re your best friends The Small Business Association says that half of new businesses survive five years or more, and only one-third make it to the 10-year mark. The threats are real and one need only start and grow a business to face the usual perils: cash shortages, expanding payroll demands, staff turnover, […]
I Love You, says Gene Simmons
What, aside from words and logos, can be trademarked? Gene Simmons (of the rock band, “Kiss,” fame) recently filed a trademark application for the registration of a variation of the “devil horns” hand gesture, and it has caused some uproar in the music community among fans and fellow metal musicians. Can Gene Simmons trademark a […]
Workplace Bullies: They cost you your business
Tips to improve your life and business Employee turnover is the single most expensive cost for small to medium-sized businesses – at least it is in our business (and from the informal research I’ve conducted with other CEOs). A Gallup poll agrees with our findings. The study of more than 7,000 working American adults found that 50 […]
Do your shopping: Not all patents are equal
Every three to 10 years, the average consumer embarks on the process of buying a shiny new (or new-used) car. There are many decisions to be made as to the type of vehicle, amenities desired or considered essential; and the buyer’s budget. Considering price alone, there are few who would suggest there is no difference between […]
Should you compromise company policies?
As business owners and management executives, this question frequently confronts us. Almost 10 years ago, when we opened our doors, we had no policies. It was “workday by winging it” and often it felt as if we were re-inventing the wheel, which was not only inefficient but also distracting. Our roller coaster experience of rapid […]
First: Do No Harm
“We seek someone fundamentally nice. Life is too short to work with anyone else.” This is the most important line in our job postings. Even though we spell out who we are looking for, that elusive nice person can be hard to find. The “hire nice people” commitment has never been more critical. There will […]
The tale of the cheerleader and the protectable 2-D artwork
Anyone who works in the fashion or the arts is likely aware of the difficulty of protecting your designs, with the constant battle with knock-offs and copycat products. While brand names and distinctive elements can be protected under trademark law, smaller designers and brands often find themselves without recourse if their ideas are replicated. Recently, […]